The Roman Catholic Wedding Ceremony

There are two types of service for those marrying within the rites of the Roman Catholic church: the 'Marriage celebrated during Mass' and the 'Marriage celebrated outside Mass'.

The first part of the ceremony is identical in both. This consists of:

• The Entrance Rite,
• The Liturgy of the Word, and
• The Rite of Marriage.

Where the Mass is to be celebrated, the Liturgy of the Eucharist follows, during which it is customary for the Catholics who are present to receive Holy Communion.

The wedding ring symbolises the never-ending nature of the marriage vows. Gold represents the everlasting nature of marriage since gold is the only natural metal that never rusts, changes or loses its sheen.

At the start of the ceremony, the bride is escorted by her father to the bridegroom, who is standing at the steps of the Sanctuary, with the best man on his right. The chief bridesmaid stands slightly behind the bride, on her left, and helps her arrange her wedding veil and then takes charge of the bridal bouquet. The bridesmaids stand in a line behind, facing the altar.

The couple exchange vows, after which the priest will sprinkle them with holy water and bless the rings.

The groom then places the ring on the brides's thumb with the words:

"(name), take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity.
In the name of the Father,
(he then transfers the ring to her index finger)
and of the Son,
(now to the middle finger)
and of the Holy Spirit.
(finally to her ring finger)
Amen"

If there are two rings, the bride places a ring on the groom's thumb saying the same words.

After prayers, the Nuptial Mass (if chosen) and a blessing, the wedding party, will move into the sacristy and the bridal couple will sign the register accompanied by at least two witnesses.

When the register has been signed, the bride and bridegroom leave the Sanctuary, and the bridesmaids and best man to take up places behind the bridal couple - the chief bridesmaid on the right arm of the best man, other bridesmaids and pageboys following in pairs. The procession then moves in the recessional down the aisle to the church door.

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