Online ShopCatholic weddings
Everything you need to know for a fabulous Catholic wedding celebration
Now you can plan your ceremony…
Don’t be daunted, take a look at our wedding reading options for a church wedding, our guide to common themes in Bible readings, selection of Old Testament readings, New Testament readings, and more general religious readings.
The priest will also be able to advise you on all areas of the service, and help with your choice of readings, psalms and hymns.
He will provide you with a sample of possible readings and hymns can you choose to have non-religious as well as religious readings, but as a general rule, it is best to keep non-religious readings for a moment like the signing of the register, when they will not be seen to be ‘competing’ with the Bible readings.
Just check with your priest of this is ok.
The same is true for music, which in principle should all have a religious theme.
If the parish has an organist and choir available, you can request their services (but remember, they will expect to be paid).
If you have friends who play other instruments they may be allowed to play, on condition that the choice of music respects the sacred character of the occasion and place.
Who you can invite
There is no absolutely no restriction on who you can invite to a Catholic wedding (just as long as they all fit in the church!) and guests should assemble about 15 to 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony.
Most parish churches help non-churchgoers to follow what is happening during your wedding ceremony by providing a booklet. Alternatively, it is a good idea for you to print off (or have made for you) order of service sheets yourselves, (take a look at our on-the-day-stationery, that lets everyone follow what readings and prayers you have chosen – and gives the words for prayers such as ‘Our Father’, so that everyone can join in.
