A Catholic wedding program (or booklet) guides your guests through the ceremony: it lists the parts of the liturgy in order, names the readers, musicians and wedding party, and often includes a word of welcome and thanks. Because a Catholic wedding follows the Church’s Order of Celebrating Matrimony, the program has a standard structure. Below is a ready-to-use template for a wedding within Mass and for a wedding without Mass, sample wording you can copy and adapt, and tips on what to include. Ask your priest or parish wedding coordinator to check your program before printing.
Template: Catholic wedding within Mass
Copy and fill in the parts in brackets.
The Wedding Celebration of [Bride’s full name] and [Groom’s full name] [Date] · [Church name], [City] Celebrant: [Rev. Name]
The Introductory Rites
- Prelude: [music]
- Entrance Procession: [music]
- Greeting
- Gloria (if used): [setting]
- Collect
The Liturgy of the Word
- First Reading: [reference], read by [name]
- Responsorial Psalm: [Psalm], sung by [cantor]
- Second Reading: [reference], read by [name]
- Gospel Acclamation
- Gospel: [reference]
- Homily
The Celebration of Matrimony
- Questions before the Consent
- Consent (Exchange of Vows)
- Reception of the Consent
- Blessing and Giving of Rings
- Prayer of the Faithful (Universal Prayer)
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Presentation of the Gifts, brought by [names]: [music]
- Eucharistic Prayer
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Nuptial Blessing
- Sign of Peace
- Lamb of God
- Holy Communion: [music]
- [Optional: Marian devotion, with flowers placed before the image of Our Lady: music]
The Concluding Rites
- Final Blessing
- Dismissal
- Recessional: [music]
Template: Catholic wedding without Mass
Used when a Catholic marries a non-Catholic or when the couple chooses a ceremony without Mass.
The Introductory Rites: Entrance Procession, Greeting, Collect The Liturgy of the Word: First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, [Second Reading], Gospel, Homily The Celebration of Matrimony: Questions before the Consent, Consent, Reception of the Consent, Blessing and Giving of Rings, Universal Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer, Nuptial Blessing The Conclusion: Blessing, Dismissal, Recessional
The wedding party
Parents of the Bride: [names] · Parents of the Groom: [names] Maid/Matron of Honor: [name] · Best Man: [name] Bridesmaids: [names] · Groomsmen: [names] Flower Girl: [name] · Ring Bearer: [name] Readers: [names] · Gift Bearers: [names] Musicians: [organist, cantor]
Sample wording you can use
Welcome:
Welcome! We are grateful that you have come to share this sacred moment with us as we are united in the sacrament of Matrimony. Thank you for your prayers and your love.
Note for guests who are not Catholic:
We welcome all our guests. Catholics who are properly prepared are invited to receive Holy Communion. Those who are not receiving are invited to come forward with arms crossed for a blessing, or to remain in their seats in prayer.
In memory:
We remember with love those who could not be with us today, especially [names]. May they rest in peace.
Thank you:
Thank you to our parents, our families and our friends for your love and support. A special thanks to [Rev. Name] and to all who helped prepare this celebration.
A Scripture verse for the cover (Canticle of Canticles 8:7, Douay-Rheims):
“Many waters cannot quench charity, neither can the floods drown it.”
Tips for your wedding program
- Keep it short: one folded page or a small booklet is enough; include the order of service, names and a word of thanks.
- Include responses if many guests are not Catholic, or print the Lord’s Prayer and the main responses.
- Check the readings you have chosen; see the full list of Catholic wedding readings.
- Check music copyright before printing hymn texts; usually it is enough to list the titles.
- Ask the parish to proofread it, especially names of the parts of the Mass.
Frequently asked questions
What goes in a Catholic wedding program?
The order of the ceremony, the readings and readers, the music, the names of the wedding party and families, a welcome, and a note of thanks.
Do we need a program for a Catholic wedding?
It is not required, but it helps guests, especially those who are not Catholic, to follow and take part.
How long is a Catholic wedding?
About 45 minutes without Mass and about an hour with Mass.
More wedding pages
- Catholic marriage preparation
- Catholic wedding prayers
- Catholic wedding guide
- Catholic wedding readings
- Prayers of the faithful for a Catholic wedding
- Catholic prayer for marriage
- Patron saint of marriage
- Mass intention examples
Texts and sources
- Structure follows the Order of Celebrating Matrimony (headings only).
- Canticle of Canticles 8:7 (Douay-Rheims).