3 Reasons to Have a Nuptial Mass at Your Catholic Wedding
If you're planning a Catholic wedding, you may be wondering whether you should have a Nuptial Mass.
Perhaps you're concerned about asking your non-Catholic guests to sit through Mass. Perhaps some of your family members aren't familiar with the Catholic liturgy. Or perhaps you're simply wondering whether a Nuptial Mass is necessary.
There are good practical questions to consider, but there are also some beautiful reasons to have your wedding within a Nuptial Mass.
Here are three.
Watch the video below for a short explanation.
1. The Eucharist
The first reason is the Eucharist.
For Catholics, the Eucharist is at the heart of the Christian life. So if you're getting married and have the opportunity to receive Holy Communion together as husband and wife, there is something very fitting about having your wedding within the context of Mass.
Your wedding day is already a day of immense joy.
You are entering into marriage, making your vows and beginning your life together as husband and wife.
The Nuptial Mass places that celebration within the wider reality of the Catholic faith, with the Eucharist at its centre.
For a Catholic couple, it means that your wedding day isn't simply about the two of you. It is also about your relationship with Christ and the life you are beginning together.
2. Time for Prayer After Your Wedding
A wedding day can move incredibly quickly.
You exchange your vows, have photographs taken, greet your guests and suddenly you're heading off to the reception.
A Nuptial Mass gives you something slightly different.
The wedding takes place within the Mass, rather than being the entirety of the liturgy. Once you've exchanged your vows and been married, the Mass continues.
That gives you a little more time to stop.
To pray.
To take in what has just happened.
You've just made one of the biggest commitments of your life. Having that additional time in the church can give you a chance to reflect on your marriage, pray for your future together and simply be present in the moment.
Rather than immediately moving from "we're married" to "let's get to the reception", there is space to remain in prayer.
3. An Opportunity for Your Guests
There is another reason to consider having a Nuptial Mass, particularly if you have friends and family who aren't Catholic.
Your wedding may be one of the few occasions when some of your guests ever attend a Catholic Mass.
For some, it may even be their first time.
That makes your wedding an opportunity to share something important to you.
If your Catholic faith is central to your marriage, then the Mass is an important part of understanding why you are getting married in the Catholic Church in the first place.
Your guests get to experience the beauty, prayer and reverence of the Mass alongside you.
Of course, it is worth making sure that your guests know what to expect.
You can include information in your wedding invitations or wedding booklet explaining the structure of the Mass, when guests should sit, stand or kneel, and what happens during Holy Communion.
You can also ask your priest about the best way to explain the Mass to your guests, particularly if many of them are unfamiliar with Catholic worship.
What Is the Difference Between a Catholic Wedding Ceremony and a Nuptial Mass?
A Catholic wedding can take place either within a Nuptial Mass or through the celebration of the Rite of Marriage outside Mass, depending on the circumstances and the couple's situation.
A Nuptial Mass incorporates the wedding into the celebration of the Eucharist.
For a Catholic couple who are able to have a Nuptial Mass, this can provide a particularly beautiful setting for the beginning of their married life.
If you're unsure which form of the wedding is appropriate for you, speak to your priest during your marriage preparation.
Should You Have a Nuptial Mass?
Ultimately, this is something you should discuss with your priest and consider in the context of your own circumstances.
But if you're worried that your guests might find the Mass difficult, don't let that be the only reason you rule it out.
With a little preparation, your guests can understand what is happening and participate respectfully, even if they aren't Catholic.
And for a Catholic couple, the opportunity to begin married life with the Eucharist, prayer and the celebration of the Mass can be incredibly meaningful.
So, if you're planning a Catholic wedding, don't automatically dismiss the Nuptial Mass because you're worried about your guests.
Have the Mass.
Planning a Catholic Wedding?
The Mass is at the heart of a Catholic wedding, and understanding what is happening during the liturgy is important for both couples and their guests.
As a Catholic wedding photographer, I also believe it is important to understand the Mass before photographing it. The photographer should know what is happening, where the important moments occur and when to step back and allow the couple and their guests to pray without distraction.
If you're planning a Catholic wedding and looking for a photographer who understands the Mass and the significance of the day, find out more about my Catholic wedding photography.
Watch the video
In this short video, I explain three reasons why a Catholic couple might consider having a Nuptial Mass as part of their wedding.
