Catholic wedding traditions: keeping Faith at the forefront of your big day

By Megan Marley

June is the wedding month, and there are many popular customs that happy couples keep — wearing a white dress; tossing the bouquet; incorporating something old, new, borrowed, blue; not seeing each other before the wedding; etc. With all the planning and preparing that goes into having one great wedding day, don’t forget to include religious traditions to help prepare for the marriage of a lifetime. Below are some ideas for keeping faith at the forefront of your big day.

BOUQUET TO MARY

Many couples take a moment after communion to honor Our Lady by placing a bouquet or rose at the feet of her statue and saying a prayer. Some brides also incorporate a rosary or miraculous medal in their personal bouquet too. I wore a wrist rosary made by a St. Therese (North)parishioner for my wedding, which I still use often.

CRUCIFIX BLESSING

Friends of mine brought a crucifix to be blessed on their wedding day, to serve as a daily reminder in the home to die to self for their vocation.

GET MARRIED ON A FEAST DAY

Perhaps as a couple you have a special devotion to Mary or a particular saint — sometimes a feast day will line up in the month you’re looking to get married. We chose to get married on the Feast of the Sacred Heart … which often lands on a Friday in the month of June, if you like this idea. Visit with your pastor about how this may affect readings and other aspects of the Mass.

CROWNING

One old tradition, still commonly carried out in Eastern Christianity, is the placing of crowns (or wreaths) upon the heads of the newly married couple. It serves as a reminder of the united role of leadership they now have over their new family, and also as a “crown of martyrdom” in dying to themselves for Christ and each other.

EL LAZO

Popular in Hispanic cultures, a lazo is a rope or double-loop rosary placed over the couple after the exchange of vows that symbolizes their union. A friend of mine keeps theirs over the spot where they pray together as a family.

NUPTIAL VEIL

One ancient custom I’ve seen is the velatio nuptialis, or nuptial veil — a canopy held over the couple as the priest gives them the nuptial blessing during the wedding Mass. It serves as a visual reminder of God’s blessing comingupon this couple, and that the two are now one.

PRAY TOGETHER BEFORE AND/OR AFTER THE WEDDING

Many couples I have taken wedding photos of incorporate a moment of prayer together before or after the wedding. Sometimes, it’s part of a first look moment, or while holding hands on either side of a wall or door to preserve tradition. Some also arrange for Eucharistic Adoration or Confession to be available for themselves and guests, too.

PRAYING A NOVENA

One way of spiritually preparing for your wedding is to pray a novena leading up to it. Conversely, one way to jumpstart a habit of prayer together after marriage is to pray a novena starting on your wedding day. Either way, praying together not only helps you grow in holiness but also keep focus on the sacrament you’re undertaking.