How long is a Catholic Ceremony?

mcgee24 · November 2010

Does anyone know how long a Catholic ceremony lasts? I'm not looking to do a Mass just a ceremony. My only options at the church were 1:00 or 5:30. I picked 5:30 because our reception starts at 7 and now i'm freaking out that the ceremony will last longer than 30min and we wont have time for pictures. Thoughts?

Riss91 · November 2010

I thinky typically the ceremony last from 45min to an hour. You can scale down the time depending on the readings you choose and song choices. If you are worried about not having time for pictures, many brides consider taking a large portion of the pictures before the ceremony, so that they only have to take a few afterwards. You can even set up a "first look" photo where your fiance sees you for the first time.

bibliophile2010 · November 2010

I've generally heard that the ceremony without mass is about 40 minutes (give or take, like Riss said, depending on your readings, your songs, your "extras"). A 5:30 ceremony and 7:00 reception should work out fine. You finish just after 6 and have time to travel to the reception site without much of a gap.

Again with Riss, I would consider taking some/all of your pictures before the ceremony. Even if you don't do pictures with your FI, you can do pictures with your bridal party, some family pictures, detail pictures, etc.

Calypso1977 · November 2010

i would stick with 530, and do all of your photos before. that will allow you to acctually enjoy your cocktail hour, that you paid for, and spend all that time with your guests. and youd have all day long to do your pics - you coudl get great shots in places all over the city/town and you wouldnt be rushed.

mica178 · November 2010

I think the 5:30 ceremony will be fine. Ceremony length depends on length of readings, length of songs chosen, and length of homily. I think all in all, a Catholic ceremony outside of Mass is between 30-60 minutes. If you do the bulk of your pictures before the wedding, there should be no problem making the reception on time. Also, isn't the cocktail hour traditionally done so that guests not in pictures are entertained while you and the WP/family wrap up the pictures? While it's not optimal to miss much of the cocktail hour, at least you have that cushion.

[Deleted User] · November 2010

If you are not having full mass, usually about 30-40 minutes. We had a full mass and it took 1 hour and 5 mins almost exactly.

mcgee24 · November 2010

Thank you everyone.

I thought that taking pictures with the groom before seeing each other at the Church was considered a bad thing but it seems you all think it's fine. It would definitely make my life a lot easier if i did that but i didn't think it would be proper. This makes me feel a lot better.

Thank you again!

mica178 · November 2010

The not seeing each other tradition is from the days when marriages were arranged. I do not believe there's a scriptural basis in the tradition. If you aren't superstitious, it's fine.

We actually didn't see each other until I walked down the aisle (my H's choice), but the photographer ran between the two different areas at the church where we were preparing to take WP pictures and candids to cut down how much time was devoted to pictures between the ceremony and the reception.

bibliophile2010 · November 2010

My church actually encourages couples to take as many pictures as possible before the ceremony -- they aren't opposed to pictures after, but feel like it gets more clogged up and harder to get out of the church in time for later masses, confessions, etc.. FI and I will probably wait to see each other until I'm walking down the aisle, but will get as many pre-ceremony pictures as possible.

clearheavens · November 2010

I also agree with bibliophile2010, take as many pictures before the ceremony as you can. I know it means you will see each other before walking down the aisle, but you can still do a formal "reveal" or "first look."

mcgee24 · November 2010

I honestly can not tell you all how much better you made me feel. Thank you a million times!

Calypso1977 · November 2010

traditionally, the bride and groom walk down the aisle together as they approach the altar. there is no being "given away" by a man. however, most brides today dont do this, and like having their father or paretns walk them down.

we followed the traditional route and walked down teh aisle together. it was wonderful! doing the pictures before just made so much sense. we werent rush, no one was wrinkled, tear stained, etc. and the flowers were fresh and crisp, not wilted. the best part was taht we got to enjoy 100% of our reception with our guests.

GulfCoaster · November 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_catholic-weddings_long-catholic-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:615Discussion:32f1f3fb-7ea7-4dca-ae27-a8bdb99a0fbcPost:38c6ed75-d363-4fc7-9019-40db0c07e9b5">Re: How long is a Catholic Ceremony?</a>:
[QUOTE]Thank you everyone. I thought that taking pictures with the groom before seeing each other at the Church was considered a bad thing but it seems you all think it's fine. It would definitely make my life a lot easier if i did that but i didn't think it would be proper. This makes me feel a lot better. Thank you again!
Posted by mcgee24[/QUOTE]

Ditto the PPs who've said there is no basis in Scripture or Church teaching for this -- it's left over from superstitious days and arranged marriages. We did all our formal pics before the wedding, and it worked out great. We were able to head right in to our cocktail hour and spend the whole time socializing, which we loved.

How long is a Catholic Ceremony?

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