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
🇦🇹 Austria and 4 moreDirndl
The bodice, skirt and apron dress worn by brides in the German-speaking Alps.Attire · The ceremony
🇺🇸 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
🇬🇷 Greece and 5 moreWedding ring
A metal circle worn on the finger to show that a person is married.Attire · 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
🇩🇪 Hanover, Germany and 5 moreBridal crownBrautkrone
A headdress worn by brides in Central and Northern Europe to symbolize purity and status.Attire · 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
🇮🇳 India and 5 moreWedding veil
A cloth covering the head or face worn by brides and grooms to mark marriage.Attire · The ceremony
🇬🇧 United Kingdom and 5 moreRing fingerdigitus annularis
The fourth digit of the hand where wedding and engagement rings are traditionally worn.Attire · The ceremony
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
- 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
- Interfaith marriage in Christianity: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0, source
- Wedding ring: CLW at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source
- Dirndl: High Contrast, CC BY 3.0 de, source
- Marriage proposal: Victorgrigas, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Wedding veil: David Ring, CC0, source
- Ring finger: RAPMOODDE, CC BY-SA 4.0, source