Catholic wedding traditions: rites and customs

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.

About this page

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.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

Interfaith marriage in Christianity: Andreas Praefcke, CC BY 3.0, source

Recognition of same-sex unions in Hungary: Christo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Dower: Pvasiliadis, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

First same-sex marriage in Spain: Jglamela, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Same-sex marriage in Denmark: PavelStotsko, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Ring finger: RAPMOODDE, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Wedding ring: CLW at English Wikipedia, Public domain, source

Blessing ceremony of the Unification Church: Unknown author, Public domain, source

Proxy marriage: Alejandro Cicarelli, Public domain, source