• What should I wear to a Catholic wedding? "The Catholic Church doesn’t give rules about wedding dress codes," explains Calis. "But church weddings are typically more formal events." You will need to take your cue from the invitation, time of day, and type of reception to follow. Men should at minimum wear a shirt and tie, and women should err on the side of modesty and bring a shawl to drape over their shoulders for the church ceremony.
• How long is a Catholic wedding ceremony? A Catholic wedding ceremony traditionally includes a full Mass and communion, all of which can take up to an hour. A Rite of Marriage Ceremony (which doesn't include a mass) can last between 30-45 minutes.
• Will the newlyweds kiss? "Probably," says Calis. "Though the kiss is not a part of the religious ritual, it is something that is widely practiced and part of most ceremonies."
• Should I bring a gift? Gifts for the newlywedded couple are common at Catholic weddings. While you would not present the couple with a wedding gift at the ceremony, you can bring it to the wedding reception or have it shipped to their home.

The Church

To have a truly Catholic wedding, you'll need to be in a Catholic church. That's right, you can't have an "official" Catholic ceremony anywhere else. "Most dioceses in the United States require that Catholic marriages take place in a physical church, for the reason that Catholics believe in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the tabernacle (the vessel containing consecrated bread that, according to Catholic teaching, has become the body of Christ)," explains Calis. "Therefore, it’s fitting that a couple’s marriage takes place in the presence of Christ and in a setting intended for worship and prayer."

You can, of course, submit a request to your bishop to see if you can have your ceremony outdoors or somewhere else (like a hotel ballroom), but exceptions are few and far between.

The Processional

First, the groom and the best man enter from the side of the church. Then the bridesmaids and groomsmen escort one another up the aisle, followed by the maid of honor, who enters alone. And last but certainly not least, the bride and her father (or another male family member) make their grand entrance. Calis advises that there is a second option where the bride and groom enter the church with their wedding party and priest, either together or with their respective parents. "These are old traditions of the Church that reflect the significance of the bride and groom’s role in the ceremony," says Calis. "Whatever the couple’s choice, processional options are all morally neutral and a matter of preference."

Mass

If both the bride and groom are Catholic, chances are the ceremony will take place during a Nuptial Mass, which includes readings of the Liturgy of the Word, followed by the Rite of Marriage (aka the exchange of vows and rings), and Liturgy of the Eucharist (communion). If the couple has a ceremony that isn't a full Mass, it will have a Celebration of Matrimony, which includes the Liturgy of the Word and Rite of Marriage.

Psalms

These words, recorded in the Book of Psalms, are sung or spoken by a cantor and the congregation. Responsorial psalms are the congregation's reaction to the word of God, with the cantor singing the verses and the congregation singing the responses (essentially the chorus). A choice can be made to have the church soloist or the entire congregation sing the Psalm. Some choices include "Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord," "Sing a New Song," and "On Eagle's Wings."

New Testament Reading

Here's another chance to include a loved one. Choose a friend or family member to read a passage of your choosing from the New Testament.

Gospel

The priest will read a passage from one of the Gospels. Calis explains that these are the first four books of the New Testament, written by the evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, telling of the life of Christ.

Rite of Marriage

These are the vows! There are at least three choices. The couple can memorize and recite the vows to one another, read the vows from the book, or have the priest read them and respond with "I do." Wording may vary from church to church, but they tend to follow a similar pattern: "I (your name) take you (his/her name) to be my (husband/wife). I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." Some priests might allow couples to write their own vows or add a couple of lines to the traditional ones.

Offertory

If the couple chooses to partake in a Nuptial Mass, this is when the altar is prepared for the following Liturgy of the Eucharist, or communion. Special family members or close friends may be chosen ahead of time to assist in these preparations, also called the presentation of gifts. The priest will then deliver the Eucharistic Prayers. "The Liturgy of the Eucharist involves the priest praying the prescribed words of the Church over the bread and wine (called the consecration)," says Calis. "Which Catholics believe actually becomes the body and blood of Christ."

Lord's Prayer

The entire congregation says the Lord's Prayer in unison.

Sign of Peace

The guests and wedding party exchange a sign of peace, by shaking hands and saying, "Peace be with you."

Holy Communion

Also called the Eucharist, if the couple is having a Nuptial Mass, communion will take place after the vows are exchanged. "Non-Catholic guests or those not prepared to receive may come forward for a blessing, with arms crossed over their chests, or may choose to stay seated and silently express good thoughts or prayers for the couple," explains Calis.

Wedding Reception

With the wedding ceremony over, the newlyweds may pose for photos, thank their guests, or pay their respects to their parents and grandparents. Most western culters conclude the day with a wedding reception.

This is an event where the close friends and family of the couple, will gather for a party in celebration of the occasion. There can be a lot of food, alcohol, and music and dancing at this event.

It’s a time for everyone to let their hair down, share stories with one another, and show their love and appreciation for the happy couple. The wedding reception is where we can see far more of the cultural differences that can be found in Catholics from all over the world.

Share this moment with your loved ones and enjoy yourself. You can be playful with your husband or wife when cutting the cake, you can spend the evening with friends and family that you don’t get to see that often. And it’s where you can have your first dance together as husband and wife.