Catholic Invite Wording

I would say "united in Holy Matrimony"

stating that's it's a sacrament is redundant

I wouldn't worry about people's confusion, or clear it up now by telling them exactly what you told us if/when they ask.

The most devout of the bunch will know that they have to go to church the next day (assuming you're having a Saturday wedding) for communion. Your wedding won't "count" as mass for the weekend.

I agree with Paris that united in Holy Matrimony should suffice.

Catholics know that the marriage ceremony is a sacrament whether you have mass or not. The Eucharist is a whole different sacrament, so the absence of one does not make the other invalid.

I don't think it's necessary to give them a heads up about whether or not you will have the ceremony outside of mass or not. If you want to tell them before hand you can do that verbally, but I don't see why it would matter. Are you worried some people may not come if there isn't mass?

The only time a wedding will count as mass is if it is after 4 anyways, so I'm sure those who are extremely catholic (Irish Catholic family here) will attend mass the next day.

I would just write united in holy matrimony. and you're family should understand that you are being married by someone you have a great connection with and also it is still in the church.

This "rule" can vary by diocese:

"The only time a wedding will count as mass is if it is after 4 anyways. . ."

There are also other ways to have a Saturday afternoon mass "count" (based on readings selected etc), but that's neither here nor there.

Thanks everyone. It's actually a Sunday afternoon service. I'm not too worried about whether they'll know if it "counts" for them or not. My MIL was just raising eyebrows when we told her it's not a mass, kind of implying that it's not the sacrament. Then again this is coming from a woman who goes to church only on Christmas eve. Lol My fiance and are were both Sunday school teachers so we know better. Thanks again! I like the shorter wording suggested.

Actually, you can tell your MIL that not only is it a sacrament, but it is the only sacrament not performed by a priest, therefore, mass doesn't really matter.

We are having a mass and didn't say a word about it on our invites. The church is called Basilica of St. Mary's. Use your heads people.

I understand Christina. We aren't having a mass either. We are being married by a family friend who is a Deacon, FH is Lutheran and 75% of our guest list isn't Catholic anyway. I'm sure SOMEONE will raise an eyebrow about ours, and as far as I'm concerned, they can suck it, lol

Bump!