Full Catholic Mass??

All of my aunts/uncles and cousins have had the full Catholic Mass so i am very used to it. I'm guessing your families are too if both of your parents are encouraging it. It takes about an hour to 1:15 (depends on length of homily and # of guests receiving communion). I don't think it's too much at all!

My fiance was in a wedding as a groomsmen, and they had a full catholic mass (so about an hour). It was outside in the CA sun, so I think everyone was super hot and uncomfortable. If it was inside, I think that would be fine. I know it's not traditional for it to be outside anyway.

Full Catholic mass is a really long process. I personally wouldn't want to sit through it, but I've seen bride's who have guests arrive early and feed their guests snacks and drinks before the ceremony, it might help.
If it's your religion though and that's what you want to do then I'm sure most of your friends and family know what to expect. Good luck.

I am having a full catholic mass and was told it should take about 45mins-1hr - I think it depends on what priest you have an how they do "their thing" for lack of a better term. If guests don't like it, too bad? It's you and your future husbands day and if that's what you want then everyone else will deal.

I would reflect on whether or not a sacramental marriage is important to you and FH. Maybe discuss it with your Priest. The decision to marry in church should be you and your FH's choice - not something you're doing to please your families. If you decide to proceed, know that you can have a catholic ceremony without a full mass which would be shorter.

Does doing the shorter mass still consider you married in the Catholic Church?

Are you religious? If not, I wouldn't do it. The sacrament of marriage is kind of a big deal to those who are (I am not)

It’s not too much if it is important for you to be married in a Catholic Church and have it considered a sacrament. It will be long and most guests, even non Catholics will already be aware of this. The exact length will depend on your priest and if you participate in communion. I wouldn’t sacrifice having it in the church just because you think people will get bored. We are doing a Catholic mass and honestly wouldn’t be offended if some people chose not to attend because it’s length. All of our family and close friends will attend.

Another thing besides length to consider is the latest you can probably start the ceremony is 1 or 2 because they will have to prep for Saturday night mass. This leaves you with having an afternoon reception or having a several hour gap between the ceremony and reception. I’ve been to several weddings like this it’s not been a big deal for me personally but for some it’s an inconvenience. We are having the large gap because the venue we really wanted will not start a reception till the evening. We expect that some guests will only come to the reception which we are totally okay with. I don’t think I’ll be checking the pews during the ceremony as my attention will be elsewhere.

Also to consider is the time you will need to spend on marriage prep. It usually involves several meetings with your priest, marriage classes and a family planning class.

View Quoted Comment It was outside? I've heard Catholic priests won't marry anyone outside. I've even heard it from 3 different priests.

View Quoted Comment Was just about to ask this! How could a Catholic mass have been outside and not in a church?

OP, I think if it’s important to you and your families, do it - but some people may choose to attend the reception only, especially if the reception is much later in the day and/or far from the church.

It's up to you and your FH. If it's important to you both, then guests will understand and respect that. A guest who complains about the ceremony being long has no manners and is self absorbed.

It can be outside on sacred ground. Some churches have a blessed place outdoors (for stations of the Cross or the like) where they'll do it, but it's unlikely. I wouldn't ask about it.

If you families are used to a full Catholic mass, I'd say go for it if you want it. This is the one place where it's really all about what you want, so if you want it, do it!

View Quoted Comment

Yes it does.

View Quoted Comment I am pretty sure Catholic weddings are held in a church but there could be some exceptions. Mine will be in a church