Theology 3

Catholic Wedding

Perez
A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions
and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes
Wedding is the most important between couples because it symbolizes acceptance of
parents, longevity of the relationship and life long celebration as a couple
A wedding ceremony has a big importance in the Catholic Church. It is considered as one
of the seven sacraments or channels of the grace of God. A lot of symbolism and spirituality is
attached to the ceremony.
Catholic Wedding is one of the most sacred celebrations that can occur in a catholic
church thus there are requirements to have a wedding.
Listed the most important requirements other than the paperworks
• Baptized as a Roman Catholic
• Cannot be married to a family relative
• Opposite sex as your partner
• In a Legal age with the acceptance of both family parties

Bruegas
Wedding Entourage
 In the Filipino tradition, the marrying couple selects several pairs of Ninongs and
Ninangs as an extension of the wedding party called Sponsors or Godparents. Sponsors fall into
two categories: the Principal Sponsors and the Secondary Sponsors.
Principal Sponsors can be couples or any other individuals that the couple deems to be
important in their lives. Typically uncles, aunts, or other close family friends are selected for this
honor. The role of the Principal Sponsors is to provide official witness to the Wedding Ceremony
itself, as well as to provide support, guidance, and wisdom to the couple over the course of their
wedded lives.

Also, in addition to the Best Man, Maid of Honor, Bridesmaids, and Groomsmen that
constitute the wedding entourage, three pairs of wedding attendants act as Secondary Sponsors.
They are tasked to manage the wedding candles, veil, and cord ceremonies that take place during
the nuptial mass.
Candle Ceremony
The first set of Secondary Sponsors will light two candles on either side of a larger Unity
Candle. These candles will later be used by the Bride and Groom to light the Unity Candle,
which symbolizes the union of the two families through the love of the couple being married.
Veil Ceremony
The second set of Secondary Sponsors is responsible for draping and pinning the Tulle
Veil to the shoulder of the Groom and over the Bride’s head. This is to symbolize the wedded
couple being ‘clothed’ as one.
Cord Ceremony
Then the last pair of Secondary Sponsors places one loop of a figure-eight shaped Cord
over the shoulders of both the Bride and Groom. This cord can be a silken rope or made from a
string of flowers or links of coins, and it symbolizes unity and the infinite bond of the marriage;
the spiritual binding of two souls.

Valencia

The Wedding Rings

The wedding rings symbolises the unity, completeness and eternal

love for one another. The physical meaning is that it is a spoken
reminder of faithful commitment to the marriage.
Holy Bible
The Holy Bible meaning is that it signifies the couple's dedication and promise to discuss and
learn about God and spread his message to the world. It is also the man's role to lead the family
in spiritual practices such as going to church, helping out in the church community and serving
in the church.

Rituals of Roman Catholic Weddings

In every religion, their are rituals that are significant to that type of religion. In Roman Catholic
Weddings, their are eight rituals that happen during and after the wedding ceremony, these are

1. Recitation of marriage vows

2.Exchange of rings
3. Drinking from the cup of wine
4. Joining hands while the marriage vows are made
5. Signing the marriage contract
6. Saying of prayers
7.The bride wearing a veil and wearing white

Alegria

The act of marriage is full of symbolism. It marks the essential union between male and
female to create a nurture new life. The symbolism of wedding customs is shown in the wedding
ring, joining of hands, and the presence of small children around the bride. The children are a
form of sympathetic magic, and symbolize future children. The custom of throwing grain, rice,
or confetti is another fertility symbol. Even the wedding cake can be seen as a fertility symbol, as
food is often used as a sexual symbol. The custom of breaking a glass or other small object at the
wedding reception has sexual overtones, too, as it symbolizes the consummation of the marriage.

Bridal Bouquet
Flowers symbolize sex and fecundity. Consequently, the bridal bouquet symbolizes
joyful lovemaking and fertility. The ribbons around the flowers are believed to bring good luck.
There should also be knots, known as "lover's knots," at the end of each ribbon. These symbolize
unity and wholeness. Throwing the bouquet is a recent innovation. Whoever catches it will be
the next bride.

Wedding Gowns
It is an emblem of the purity and innocence of girlhood.
Ponce
The unity candles - When the Unity Candles are lit during the ceremony it symbolizes that the
light of Jesus Christ will always be around and in our lives wherever we go. There are two
candles to remind the couple that it is their obligation as a couple, to remember the light of God
in their world to one another.

Bridal veil - The origin of the Bridal Veil has several different explanations behind it, but the
most common belief is that the bride covered her face with the veil to shield her from any evil
spirits which may attempt to take her away from her groom.

Lacuesta
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Hymn
The priest invites the wedding guests to join in an opening hymn (or song).

4. Old Testament Reading

Here's your opportunity to include those people you couldn't squeeze into your bridal party—ask
a friend or family member to read a passage from the Old Testament. Often, couples choose a
reading from the book of Genesis, which contains the story of the creation of Adam and Eve.

5. Psalm
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).

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Homily
After the readings, the priest will reflect on "the readings and the nature of marriage and love."

9. 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."

10. Ring Ceremony

After the vows, the rings will be exchanged and the priest will bless them as symbols of love and
fidelity.

11. The Kiss

You can probably figure this one out on your own. "The priest might invite the couple to
exchange a kiss here, during the Sign of Peace, or at the conclusion of the ceremony,"

12. 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.

13. Lord’s Prayer

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

14. Sign of Peace

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

15. Holy Communion

Also called the Eucharist, if the couple is having a Nuptial Mass, communion will take place
after the vows are exchanged.

16. Nupital Blessing

The priest blesses the new union with a prayer.

17. Blessing and Dismissal of Congregation

One more blessing, and then the priest will dismiss the congregation by saying, "This mass has
ended. You may now go in peace."

18. Recessional
The recession, or exit from the ceremony, takes place in the reverse order of the processional.

Sample Itinerary of A Catholic Wedding

12:00 PM Getting Ready

(Add time to get to Church)
2:00 PM Beginning of Ceremony
3:00 PM End of Ceremony
3:00 PM Begin Receiving Line
3:20 PM Begin Grand Exit
3:30 PM Start Family Portraits
4:00 PM Start Wedding Party Portraits
4:30 PM Portraits of Bride and Groom
5:00 PM End Portraits
(Add time to get to venue)
5:00 PM Cocktail Hours
6:00 PM Reception Begins
10:00 PM Reception Ends (Time depends on Events planned)

Tan
The Wedding After Party (The Reception)
The reception is the second most-awaited event after a wedding (if not the most) because this
will be the time for the newly-weds and their visitors to come to the rented place or even on the
couple’s home to eat and have some fun with their peers.
The following are the common event on the reception:
1. COCKTAIL HOUR
After the ceremony, the couple, their families, and wedding party head off with the
photographer to pose for pictures. That leaves the rest of the guests standing around awkwardly
with nothing to do, hovering in a weird limbo between ceremony and reception. The solution: get
them liquored up. Thus, the cocktail hour was born.

2. ARRIVALS
The newlyweds, their parents and the wedding party make their grand entrance to the
reception. The bride and groom are introduced for the first time as husband and wife. It feels like
something from a beauty pageant or a variety show from the 1960s—just so you know, you’ll
probably feel like that multiple times throughout the wedding process.

3. DINNER
 By this time, guests are probably pretty hungry and thinking, “Hey, where’s the food?”
Dinner is served—it can be anything from fine dining, to an intimate family-style meal, to a
catered Chipotle buffet; your call. More on this in What to Serve and How to Serve It.

4. TOASTS
The Best Man and Maid of Honor make their toasts—followed by the couple, their parents,
and whoever else will be making a speech that night. There’s a certain art to making a toast—an
art that has definitely not been mastered by every reception toast-maker out there. But don’t
worry, we’ll help make yours a hit.

5. FIRST DANCE
Your first dance as a married couple can be nerve-wracking since it’s just the two of you on
the dance floor for the length of an entire song (three minutes go by very slowly when there’s a
room full of people staring at you). Just laser-focus on your new spouse—this will be a really
special moment if you block out the audience.

6. DANCING
Remember: the guests won’t start dancing until you do. After the first dance, it’s the couple,
bridesmaids, and groomsmen’s responsibility to ignite the dance party. Ask your wedding party
to get on the dance floor the moment the first song starts. Shouldn’t be too hard to convince
them...

7. BOUQUETS & GARTER TOSSES

Many people include these in their weddings, but they have pretty creepy meanings behind
them if you really think about it (more on that later). Decide what’s best for you, or make up
your own traditions. More on this in Entertainment.

8. CAKE CUTTING
About an hour before the end of the reception (right when guests are probably in need of a
snack and starting to lose some steam on the dance floor) is an excellent time to break out the
cake and bring on the sugar rush.

9. LATE-NIGHT SNACK
 Not everyone has a sweet tooth, so a lot of couples like to bring out other late-night snack
options for their guests, keeping their bellies full and the party going. Think about foods that
drunk people like—so basically, the more fried, the better—and ideally things they can eat while
on the dance floor (finger foods, anything on a stick, nothing too saucy).

10. FINAL FAREWELL

Make an exit as grand as your entrance. Have your guests see you off with sparklers,
bubbles, rose petals, beach balls—or depart in a cool vintage car. The possibilities— and photo
ops—are endless.

References:
Catholic Wedding in the Philippines
• Catholic wedding in the Philippines has its own tradition and celebration one of it is
wearing barong to the groom.
https://www.learnreligions.com/get-married-in-the-catholic-church-542166
https://augustinemusic.yolasite.com/christian-wedding.php

The Black Tux (n.a.), Wedding Reception, The Groom’s Guide part 3
https://theblacktux.com/groomsguide/reception/wedding-reception-101/wedding-reception-order-of-
events