Catholic wedding traditions
In the Catholic Church marriage is a sacrament, in which the couple themselves are the ministers and the priest or deacon is the official witness.
In the Catholic Church marriage is a sacrament, in which the couple themselves are the ministers and the priest or deacon is the official witness. Most weddings take place at a Mass, called a nuptial Mass, though a shorter service is also allowed. Customs differ widely between Ireland, Poland, the Philippines, Mexico and Italy.
The rite
The Rite of Marriage includes readings, a homily, the questions about free consent, the exchange of consent, the blessing and exchange of rings, and the nuptial blessing. Marriage preparation is required, and for a Catholic marrying a non-Catholic, permission is usually sought. The Church does not recognise a second marriage while the first spouse lives unless the first was declared null.
Local customs
In Mexico and the Philippines, godparents sponsor the arras, thirteen coins given by the groom, and the lazo, a cord or rosary draped around the couple in a figure eight, and the veil. In Poland the parents greet the couple with bread and salt, and in Italy confetti sugared almonds are given as favours. Irish weddings may include a Celtic cross, a handfasting-style cord or a unity candle, though the latter is not part of the official rite.
Current questions
Cohabitation, civil remarriage and same-sex unions are debated, and the Church has not changed its teaching on marriage as between a man and a woman. Annulments are an area of attention for many Catholics, and priests in different countries are asked to explain them clearly. Many couples marry first in a civil ceremony where the law requires it.
Written by the EveryShaadi desk with AI assistance. Background on Catholic (faith). Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
🇪🇸 Spain and 4 moreMantilla
A lace or silk veil worn over the head and shoulders by women in Spain and Latin AmericaAttire · The weeks before
🇧🇷 Brazil and 1 moreDia dos Namorados
Brazil's June 12 celebration of romance, held on the eve of Saint Anthony's feast day.Betrothal · The weeks before
🇰🇷 South Korea and 5 moreBlessing ceremony of the Unification ChurchHoly Marriage Blessing Ceremony (축복결혼식)
A large-scale marriage rededication or new union ceremony that engrafts couples into a sinless lineage.Rite · Engagement and betrothal
🇦🇹 Austria and 4 moreDirndl
The bodice, skirt and apron dress worn by brides in the German-speaking Alps.Attire · The ceremony
🇸🇬 Singapore and 3 moreMatchmaking
The practice of pairing two people for marriage through an intermediary or system.Betrothal · Finding a match
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreMarriage proposal
The moment one partner asks the other to marry them and marks the start of an engagement.Betrothal · Engagement and betrothal
🇪🇸 Spain and 2 moreWedding cord
A satin loop placed around the couple to symbolize their lifelong union in Catholic weddings.Rite · The ceremony
🇫🇮 Finland and 5 moreBanns of marriagekuulutukset avioliittoon (Finnish)
The public announcement of an impending marriage in church or town hall to allow for legal objections.Vow · The weeks before
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreGroomsman
A male attendant who supports the groom and assists guests at a wedding.Family role · Finding a match
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 1 moreWedding breakfast
The post-ceremony feast served to the couple and their guests in British English usage.Feast custom · The ceremony
🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreWedding ring
A metal circle worn on the finger to show that a person is married.Attire · Engagement and betrothal
🇷🇺 RussiaLoving cup
A large shared drinking vessel with two handles used in Christian rites and weddingsFeast custom · The wedding feast
🇺🇸 United States and 5 moreEngagement ring
A ring given to signify a formal agreement to future marriage.Adornment · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇸 United StatesPre-Cana
The Catholic Church course that helps engaged couples prepare for the sacrament of marriage.Betrothal · Engagement and betrothal
🇮🇸 IcelandIcelandic weddings
A blend of church ceremony and multi-day feasting that marks the union of two people in Iceland.Feast custom · The ceremony
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 3 moreMarriage bond
A financial guarantee posted to prove a couple was legally free to marry before the ceremony took place.Vow · Engagement and betrothal
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 2 moreWhite wedding
A formal Western ceremony marked by a white bridal gown and traditional Christian rituals.Attire · Engagement and betrothal
🇫🇷 France and 5 moreProxy marriage
A union where one or both partners are absent and represented by another person.Vow · The ceremony
🇲🇹 MaltaSame-sex marriage in MaltaŻwieġ bejn persuni tal-istess sess
The legal recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions in Malta.Modern · Engagement and betrothal
🇺🇸 United StatesUnity candle
A modern wedding ritual where a couple lights a central candle from two tapers to symbolize their union.Rite · The ceremony
🇺🇾 Montevideo, UruguaySame-sex marriage in Uruguay
The legal recognition of marriage for same-sex couples in Uruguay since 2013Modern · The ceremony
🇩🇪 Hanover, Germany and 5 moreBridal crownBrautkrone
A headdress worn by brides in Central and Northern Europe to symbolize purity and status.Attire · The ceremony
🇪🇸 Spain and 2 moreLas arrasLas arras matrimoniales
Thirteen coins exchanged by the couple to symbolize provision and trust in a Christian marriage.Rite · The ceremony
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 3 moreCare cloth
A linen or silk cloth held over the heads of a bride and groom during a Christian wedding blessing.Attire · The ceremony
🇮🇳 IndiaIndian wedding invitationsNimantraṇa patra (निमन्त्रण पत्र)
Decorated cards sent to announce a marriage and invite guests to the celebration.Betrothal · The weeks before
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Bridal crown: Daderot, CC0, source
- Las arras: penny, CC BY 2.0, source
- Care cloth: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Mantilla: Museu Valencià d'Etnologia, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Indian wedding invitations: Onef9day, CC BY 3.0, source
- Wedding cord: Phil! Gold, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Banns of marriage: After William Hemsley, CC0, source
- Groomsman: Jenny Mealing, CC BY 2.0, source
- Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Interfaith marriage in Christianity: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0, source
- Wedding breakfast: Arpingstone, Public domain, source
- Wedding ring: CLW at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Loving cup: Rhodian at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Dirndl: High Contrast, CC BY 3.0 de, source
- Matchmaking: Pavel Fedotov, Public domain, source
- Marriage proposal: Victorgrigas, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Engagement ring: Photo by Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Pre-Cana: Jebulon, CC0, source
- Marriage bond: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Proxy marriage: Alejandro Cicarelli, Public domain, source
- Unity candle: Dvillasmil, CC BY-SA 4.0, source