It has been said that all Catholics are Christians, but not all Christians are Catholic. Understanding the difference between Catholic and Christian weddings can help you navigate the unique Catholic wedding requirements and expectations related to the Catholic faith. Therefore, there are distinct differences in how Catholics worship as compared to other Christian denominations, and, yes, their Catholic wedding ceremonies often have a different look and feel, as well. Catholic church weddings will almost always take place in the church, as members believe this is where Christ resides, and couples must unite within Christ’s presence.
At Windows on the Water, we welcome couples of all faiths and denominations to celebrate their special day. Our New Jersey lakeside venue provides a beautiful setting for wedding receptions following church ceremonies, and our experienced team understands the importance of honoring religious traditions while creating an unforgettable celebration.
What Happens at a Catholic Wedding Between Two Catholics?
A Catholic wedding between two Catholics includes Mass and follows a traditional sacramental format with specific religious rituals. Catholics view Catholic marriage as a sacrament, while other Christian denominations have eased their marriage rules to suit the individual interests of their members. These rules are still in place today.
The pre-wedding rituals for Catholics include pre-wedding counseling and a wedding preparation course. The Catholic Church teaches that these are essential for understanding the sacrament of marriage and the criteria for a valid Catholic marriage. The counseling and the course are also required for interfaith couples who plan to be married in the Catholic Church.
There is little room for personalization of a Catholic wedding ceremony between two Catholics, as the priest presiding over the wedding has the final say on whether the ceremony will stray from the specific order in which the traditional aspects of the ceremony are performed.
Most Catholic wedding traditions follow a standard format that includes:
- Traditional songs
- Readings from the Bible, known as liturgy
- Communion, which is referred to as receiving the Eucharist
- A sermon
- The Sacrament of Marriage involves the exchanging of vows and the exchanging of rings.
- A blessing and dismissal of guests
For a valid Catholic marriage, the couple must meet specific requirements set by the Church, including consent, intention, and adherence to canonical form.
Following the ceremony, the wedding party and guests will generally attend a wedding reception. Catholic wedding receptions are usually very similar to receptions held by couples of other denominations. While the Catholic wedding ceremony is more formal, the wedding reception is a time when the couple can provide their own personal touches to the day.
Interfaith Catholic Weddings
While the Catholic Church has a preference its members marry other Catholics, those wishing to marry a baptized non-Catholic Christian can do so. It is preferred the Catholic church wedding take place in a Catholic church. The ceremony will be similar to that of two Catholics, except that Mass will not be held and all references to holy communion will be removed.
It is not unusual when either the bride or the groom is not Catholic for the couple to actually have two ceremonies. These ceremonies include one in the church performed in the traditional way and another ceremony featuring personal aspects important to the couple. The Catholic Church views mixed marriages as valid but requires permission and a promise to raise children in the Catholic faith.
Marriages Between a Catholic and a Non-Christian
Catholics are permitted by the church to marry unbelievers, such as atheists or agnostics. However, in order to do so, the Catholic member of the couple must obtain a dispensation from the bishop, and a Catholic priest must be involved to oversee the Catholic marriage process and ensure all requirements are met.
The Catholic member must also agree to do all in his or her power to ensure children born of the union are baptized and raised in the Catholic Church. Additionally, the Catholic member must promise they will remove all dangers possibly cause them to fall away from their faith. This is another distinct difference from Christian weddings, in which couples are not usually required to make promises to their pastor about how they will raise their children.
For a valid Catholic marriage, the marriage must meet four key elements: the freedom to marry, the exchange of consent, the intention to marry for life, fidelity, openness to children, and the consent must be given in the presence of witnesses and a properly authorized Church minister.
Although the marriage won’t be Sacramental, Catholics and non-Christians are permitted to have their ceremony in the Catholic church without a wedding Mass. They are also welcome to have their wedding at the venue of their choice if the religious ceremony is not their preference. It should be noted that neither Christians nor non-believers are required to become Catholics in order to marry one. However, the expectation that children who are born of the union be raised as Catholics remains.
What Should Guests Expect at a Catholic Wedding Ceremony?
Guests at a Catholic wedding can expect a formal church ceremony lasting 30 minutes to an hour, with Mass including communion for Catholic attendees. Catholics cheerfully welcome people of all faiths to their sacramental celebrations. Catholic wedding ceremonies are almost always held in a Catholic church. Unlike a Protestant wedding, which may have different rituals and traditions, if the wedding includes a Mass, the Catholic attendees will line up to receive the Eucharist (communion). Generally, those who are not Catholic are not permitted to receive the Eucharist but are asked to offer silent prayers of unity for the couple and their Lord.
Catholic weddings are formal affairs, and most attendees wear clothing to match the occasion. While there is no required dress code, guests are usually dressed in modest, formal attire.
Roman Catholicism is a denomination of Christianity, similar to Sunni Islam or Hasidic Judaism within their respective religions.
Catholic weddings, including Mass, usually last an hour or more, while ceremonies not featuring Mass will last around half an hour. When the ceremony is over, there will be a wedding reception generally held at another venue.
Looking for a Wedding Venue? Trust Windows on the Water in New Jersey
Whether you’re looking for a place for your Catholic wedding reception after your church wedding ceremony or you want to have your ceremony and your reception at the same place, Windows on the Water has a wedding package to suit your needs. Our professional event planners will meet with you to begin planning your special day and will work to save you time by providing as many needed services as possible to ensure you have the Catholic wedding reception of your dreams.
Come tour our 86-acre New Jersey resort, meet our international chefs, and learn more about having a lakeside wedding in Millstone Township. To book an appointment, call us at (609) 208-9475 or send us a message online.