Planning Your Wedding at St. Andrew
- General Q & A
- Pre-Marital Counseling Program
- Planning for the Day of Your Marriage Liturgy (Flowers, Music, Photography and more)
- The Wedding Ceremony
- Wedding Fees
Wedding Ceremony
There are two types of wedding ceremonies.
Liturgy of the Word Ceremony
- Processional
- Opening Prayer
- Old Testament reading
- Psalm (sung by cantor)
- New Testament reading
- Alleluia (sung)
- Gospel
- Homily
- Rite of Marriage
- Sacred song (optional)
- Prayers of the Faithful
- Nuptial Blessing
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Final Blessing
- Recessional
Nuptial Mass
- Processional
- Opening Prayer
- Old Testament Reading
- Psalm (sung by cantor)
- New Testament Reading
- Alleluia (sung)
- Gospel
- Homily
- Rite of Marriage
- Prayers of the Faithful
- Presentation of the Gifts
- Eucharistic Prayer
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Sign of Peace
- Nuptial Blessing
- Communion Rite
- Final Blessing
- Recessional
NOTE: The Nuptial Mass includes the Communion Rite. Both the bride and the groom must be Catholic in order to celebrate a Nuptial Mass.
The Wedding Rehearsal
Wedding rehearsals are held on the Friday evening before the wedding. The priest will direct the rehearsal with the assistance of a St. Andrew’s wedding coordinator. Outside wedding coordinators may not assist in the church. The entire wedding party, parents of the bride and groom, and those the couple have chosen to proclaim the scriptures are required to attend this rehearsal. Please advise your wedding party to be on time. It is possible that another rehearsal may be scheduled the same evening.
The Procession
Our wedding liturgies begin with a full liturgical procession which includes the entire wedding party. We encourage the bride and groom to enter with both of their parents, or family representatives, as part of this procession. This makes a very strong statement regarding the family unit. This differs from the popular custom of the bride on her father’s arm alone, a custom that comes from the Middle Ages when marriages were arranged and the bride was viewed in terms of property being exchanged. Since every family situation is different, we recommend that couples give serious thought early on as to whom they will walk with in the procession. Procession models will be presented and discussed at the St. Andrew’s Wedding Liturgy Workshop.