Wedding Ceremony Style
Catholic Wedding Mass
Catholic Wedding Ceremony without Mass
Catholic-Christian/Jewish Wedding Ceremony
Catholic/Christian Ceremony
Catholic-Christian /Hindu Ceremony
Catholic-Christian/Muslim Ceremony
Other Ceremonial elements added to ceremony
Unity Candle
Coin Ceremony
Sand Ceremony
Wine Ceremony
Rope/Lasso/Rosary Ceremony
Veil Ceremony
Hand-fastening Ceremony
Family Blessing (for families with children)
Personalized vows
Other.
Some Roman Catholics contemplating marriage do not meet the required criteria to be married in their home parish. As such they may seek to have a priest provide a pastoral presence at their wedding ceremony.
I am happy to provide this service.
Weddings With No Hassle:
I officiate your wedding at any location that you choose. I am dedicated to providing a ceremony to your taste and liking. Marriage is a very beautiful and serious institution. People are entitled to the blessings and acceptance of a Church, including your families and all your friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Catholic Weddings
1. If you officiate at our marriage will it be legal in the eyes of the state?
I am an ordained Catholic priest who left ministry in the Roman Catholic Church in 2000 but actively minister with C.I.T.I Ministries, a Catholic organization. I am a recognized minister in good standing with the International Council of Community Churches (I.C.C.C). Since I am a minister of religion, your marriage will be legal in the eyes of the state.
2. What can we do when we cannot find a priest who will marry us?
There are several options. If you are open to doing so, seek out a church or parish where you feel comfortable, meet with the pastor and explain that you would like to join the parish and have plans to marry.
If you do not feel you are being welcomed or treated kindly by your local priest or parish, I will treat you with kindness and acceptance – non-judgmentally. .
3. Can you help us when one or both of us are divorced?
Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, other Catholic Churches (such as Western and Eastern Orthodox Churches) teach that second marriages may be blessed.
I welcome divorced people who want to marry again. I will gladly bless your second marriage in the name of God’s people.
4. Will the Roman Church recognize our marriage?
I marry couples who are not following the form of Roman Catholic Canon Law, so the Roman Catholic Church Hierarchy considers these marriages illicit and will not recognize them as sacramental.
The International Council of Community Churches and other Christian denominations will recognize your marriage.
5. Will you perform an outdoor ceremony?
Yes, I will be happy to perform your ceremony at a reception hall, home, or other appropriate setting, inside or outside.
6. Will you perform ecumenical, interfaith, or non-denominational marriages, or gay commitment services?
Yes, as long as you ask God’s blessing on your marriage or commitment to each other, I will be happy, and privileged, to help you.
7. What does it cost for you to officiate at a wedding?
See Price list ( Separate web page)
8. What if this is more than I can afford?
Contact us and we will strive to work with you on your budget.
9. What about Rehearsals?
Most wedding venues have professionals to assist with your rehearsal. If you want me to be present at your rehearsal on any day other than the day of the wedding itself, but excluding week-ends, I will make every effort to be with you. This will involve an extra cost.
If you want me to attend on a weekend, then the rehearsal fee may cost the same as the ceremony fee, as I may have to turn down a booking on such occasions!
10. When you celebrate sacraments, are they recognized by the Roman Church?
The Roman Catholic Church would consider them "valid but illicit."
They are recognized by the International Council of Community Churches and by some other Christian Traditions.
Catholic Ceremony outside of Mass; Sample
Words of welcome.
Let us pray
God our Father, Love has been Your richest and greatest gift to the world. Love between a man and a woman, which matures into marriage, is one of Your most beautiful types of love. Today, we celebrate that love. May Your blessings be on this wedding service. Protect, guide, and bless N. and N. in their marriage. Surround them, and us, with Your love, now and always. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Memorial
I would like to take this moment to mention that there are those close to Arielle and Mark, who could not travel here today, but whose thoughts and blessings are with them; and there are loved ones who are no longer here in body, but who are here in spirit. Let us remember them now. [brief pause
A Reading from the Book of Sirach
Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled. A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace. A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord. Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful. A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones. A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul. A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul. Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home. The Word of the Lord
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. The Word of the Lor
A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
Jesus said to his disciples: From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
Fr. Noel: Understanding of Marriage
Unity candle Part 1
Lighting of Unity Candles by Parents (Part 1)
( Grand-Mother of Bride & Mother of Groom)
P: The Unity Candle is both a symbol of the union of two separate lives into one and a sign of God’s light and presence. Both now light the outer candles as a sign of the two streams of faith from both families.
INTERCESSIONS
My dear friends, with confidence in God’s love and mercy, let us together now offer our needs and petitions. Please respond: Lord, hear our prayer.
For N. and N., that the vows that they have taken today, guide them throughout their lives together. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For N. and N., that in their times of need, as well as happiness, that they always allow Christ to be present in their lives. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For the parents of N. and N., who raised them in the Faith, and guided them in their journey to this day. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For all the family and friends who are here assembled today, that they may bear witness to the love shared by N. and N., and also be an inspiration to them. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For the family members and friends N. and N., who have touched their lives, and have been called home by God, that they may find eternal rest. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For all those intentions that we keep in the silence of our hearts. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer. .
Px. God our Father, hear our prayers, answer our needs, be merciful and compassionate toward us, and send your Holy Spirit to guide us all the days of our lives. We ask this through Your Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ. R. Amen.
.
(Fr. Noel) Declaration of Intent & Exchange of vows:
Arielle and Mark, have you come here freely and without reservations to give yourselves to each other in marriage? Response: We have
Vows
Groom: I, N., take you N., for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Bride: I, N., take you N., for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Blessings of Rings
Lord, bless and consecrate N. and N. in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Exchange of Rings
N., take th
Cis ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Unity Candle (Part two)
The large center candle is both a symbol of the union of two separate lives into one and a sign of God’s light and presence. I invite the newly married couple to now light the center candle. I encourage you to light this candle on each anniversary remembering this day, of the promises made and God’s promise to dispel the darkness and be with you in your marriage always.
Marriage Prayer
Father, hear our prayers for N., and N., who today are united in marriage in your presence. Give them your blessings, and strengthen their love for each other. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father, to reveal the plan of your love, you made the union of husband and wife an image of the covenant between you and your people. In the fulfillment of this sacrament, the marriage of Christian man and woman is a sign of the marriage between Christ and the Church. Father, stretch out your hand, and bless N. and N. Lord, grant that as they begin to live this sacrament they may share with each other the gifts of your love and become one in heart and mind as witnesses to your presence in their marriage. Help them to create a home together. Give your blessing to N., your daughter, so that she may be a good wife and mother, caring for the home, faithful in love for her husband, generous and kind. Give your blessing to N., your son, so that he may be a faithful husband and a good father. Father, grant as they come together to your table on earth, so they may one day have the joy of sharing your feast in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pronouncement
N. and N., having exchanged your vows with one another, in the site of God, and those here assembled, I now pronounce you husband and wife!
Kiss.
The Presentation (Optional)
Words of welcome.
Let us pray
God our Father, Love has been Your richest and greatest gift to the world. Love between a man and a woman, which matures into marriage, is one of Your most beautiful types of love. Today, we celebrate that love. May Your blessings be on this wedding service. Protect, guide, and bless N. and N. in their marriage. Surround them, and us, with Your love, now and always. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Memorial
I would like to take this moment to mention that there are those close to Arielle and Mark, who could not travel here today, but whose thoughts and blessings are with them; and there are loved ones who are no longer here in body, but who are here in spirit. Let us remember them now. [brief pause
A Reading from the Book of Sirach
Happy is the husband of a good wife; the number of his days will be doubled. A loyal wife rejoices her husband, and he will complete his years in peace. A good wife is a great blessing; she will be granted among the blessings of the man who fears the Lord. Whether rich or poor, his heart is glad, and at all times his face is cheerful. A wife's charm delights her husband, and her skill puts fat on his bones. A silent wife is a gift of the Lord, and there is nothing so precious as a disciplined soul. A modest wife adds charm to charm, and no balance can weigh the value of a chaste soul. Like the sun rising in the heights of the Lord, so is the beauty of a good wife in her well-ordered home. The Word of the Lord
A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. The Word of the Lor
A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
Jesus said to his disciples: From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
Fr. Noel: Understanding of Marriage
Unity candle Part 1
Lighting of Unity Candles by Parents (Part 1)
( Grand-Mother of Bride & Mother of Groom)
P: The Unity Candle is both a symbol of the union of two separate lives into one and a sign of God’s light and presence. Both now light the outer candles as a sign of the two streams of faith from both families.
INTERCESSIONS
My dear friends, with confidence in God’s love and mercy, let us together now offer our needs and petitions. Please respond: Lord, hear our prayer.
For N. and N., that the vows that they have taken today, guide them throughout their lives together. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For N. and N., that in their times of need, as well as happiness, that they always allow Christ to be present in their lives. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For the parents of N. and N., who raised them in the Faith, and guided them in their journey to this day. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For all the family and friends who are here assembled today, that they may bear witness to the love shared by N. and N., and also be an inspiration to them. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For the family members and friends N. and N., who have touched their lives, and have been called home by God, that they may find eternal rest. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Px. For all those intentions that we keep in the silence of our hearts. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer. .
Px. God our Father, hear our prayers, answer our needs, be merciful and compassionate toward us, and send your Holy Spirit to guide us all the days of our lives. We ask this through Your Son, our Lord, Jesus the Christ. R. Amen.
.
(Fr. Noel) Declaration of Intent & Exchange of vows:
Arielle and Mark, have you come here freely and without reservations to give yourselves to each other in marriage? Response: We have
Vows
Groom: I, N., take you N., for my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Bride: I, N., take you N., for my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.
Blessings of Rings
Lord, bless and consecrate N. and N. in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Exchange of Rings
N., take th
Cis ring as a sign of my love and fidelity, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Unity Candle (Part two)
The large center candle is both a symbol of the union of two separate lives into one and a sign of God’s light and presence. I invite the newly married couple to now light the center candle. I encourage you to light this candle on each anniversary remembering this day, of the promises made and God’s promise to dispel the darkness and be with you in your marriage always.
Marriage Prayer
Father, hear our prayers for N., and N., who today are united in marriage in your presence. Give them your blessings, and strengthen their love for each other. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Father, to reveal the plan of your love, you made the union of husband and wife an image of the covenant between you and your people. In the fulfillment of this sacrament, the marriage of Christian man and woman is a sign of the marriage between Christ and the Church. Father, stretch out your hand, and bless N. and N. Lord, grant that as they begin to live this sacrament they may share with each other the gifts of your love and become one in heart and mind as witnesses to your presence in their marriage. Help them to create a home together. Give your blessing to N., your daughter, so that she may be a good wife and mother, caring for the home, faithful in love for her husband, generous and kind. Give your blessing to N., your son, so that he may be a faithful husband and a good father. Father, grant as they come together to your table on earth, so they may one day have the joy of sharing your feast in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Pronouncement
N. and N., having exchanged your vows with one another, in the site of God, and those here assembled, I now pronounce you husband and wife!
Kiss.
The Presentation (Optional)
