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Dedicated May 2024

How long is a catholic ceremony?

Kayla, on August 25, 2017 at 7:30 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 27

My FH wants to have our ceremony in a Catholic Church but I am not catholic so I'm not sure how long they tend to last. I'm a little nervous too because I don't know anything about his religion and don't want to look like a fool when they start to recite versus from the Bible that I don't know. Any thoughts?

27 Comments

Latest activity by Maria, on December 6, 2018 at 3:02 PM
  • Liz
    Dedicated November 2017
    Liz ·
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    About an hour

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  • E
    Beginner June 2018
    Estrella ·
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    It's usually no more than an hour if its private now during a public mass then it would be longer.

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  • K
    Dedicated May 2024
    Kayla ·
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    Thanks

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  • Alforev
    VIP August 2018
    Alforev ·
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    If you have a mass, about 45 min. Without the mass about 25 minutes. I would recommend no mass if you're not religious.

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  • JJAF
    Super October 2019
    JJAF ·
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    Have you ever attended a Catholic mass with your FH? There are some moments where you sit/stand, or do and say things in response to the priest. I finished RCIA courses and was baptized last Easter, so just to give you a heads up, there may be some times during the ceremony you may be confused about what is going on! (unless you attend mass with FH regularly or he has discussed these things with you). But don't let it deter you from having a Catholic ceremony! If you are interested in converting to Catholicism, the RCIA courses are excellent. I learned so much about the Catholic religion and why certain things are done during mass. It definitely made attending mass a lot less awkward and more pleasant!

    ETA: this is only if you both choose to have a Catholic mass in your ceremony!**

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  • Alforev
    VIP August 2018
    Alforev ·
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    Very good point @TJ. Definitely consider all that and discuss with your FH what he would like regarding a mass or just the ceremony.

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  • Maria
    Master June 2018
    Maria ·
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    Mine will be 30 minutes but it won't be a full mass. FH is Jewish, I'm Catholic.

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  • K
    Beginner October 2017
    Krista ·
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    I was in the same boat and it turned out amazing try not to worry and just enjoy. U deserve it-we all forget that fact. Ask the priest to walk you through- they are usually very happy to make you comfortable and appreciate the effort to learn more.

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  • AprilR
    VIP May 2018
    AprilR ·
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    They probably will not allow a full mass since you aren't Catholic so it'll probably be 25-30 min

    ETA: not sure if that's with all Catholic Churches. Our church just won't allow us to do full mass (we don't want to anyway so guests don't sit there forever) since both of us aren't Catholic

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  • S. Suarez
    Super March 2018
    S. Suarez ·
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    My cousin's catholic wedding lasted about 1.5 hrs because they added traditions from each culture.

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  • D&G114
    Super January 2018
    D&G114 ·
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    You both need to be Catholic to have a mass. Think about how odd that would be if only one of you participates in communion when it's about joining you two in marriage. A ceremony without mass is about a half hour.

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  • Julie
    VIP April 2018
    Julie ·
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    Anywhere from 25 min (without mass) to an hour (with mass). Definitely talk about it with your FH. I'd probably opt not to do mass if they give you a choice especially if you're nervous about it. The priest prompts you through everything too.

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  • Letti Hernandez
    Letti Hernandez ·
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    Agree with others no mass if you're not both Catholic. The ceremony is about 25-30 minutes. If you want a mass you need to convert to Catholic, be baptised and a ton of other crap.

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  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    I would suggest that you go to a Catholic service before you decide to do your wedding this way.

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  • Letti Hernandez
    Letti Hernandez ·
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    @Celia is right. My venue hooked up with a Married Catholic Priest. He is so cool. He will get hosts blessed by the Catholic church and as an ordained priest he can still serve the communion he gets. He does same sex marriages and is really allowed to bless the marriage. He also does any other religious or nonreligious ceremonies too and works with the couples. It took me a while to find him, but I am really happy with him.

    ETA: I also found 3 other officiants a female and two other males that I also really like and would recommend.

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  • Melissa
    Super June 2018
    Melissa ·
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    Most catholic churches will not do a ceremony with mass if only one of you is catholic. Our ceremony, without mass, is about 40 minutes.

    You have to go through a lot to get married in the church. Meet the priest and get through marriage prep and the priest has to agree to marry you. You have to agree to certain things, such as to raise your children catholic.

    If you are getting married and he is dedicated to the faith, it may be nice for you to attend mass on Sundays to better understand his religion.

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  • Danielle
    Dedicated June 2018
    Danielle ·
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    My old church( I'm no longer Catholic) you definitely had to both be Catholic to be married there. My cousin's husband had to convert and take many classes. It was a beautiful ceremony though.

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  • K
    Dedicated May 2024
    Kayla ·
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    TJ no I haven't he doesn't even attend mass but he still wants a catholic ceremony so out of respect for him I agreed to it

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  • Sarah
    Devoted May 2018
    Sarah ·
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    If he doesn't attend Mass, he shouldn't be having a Catholic ceremony. Many priests wouldn't marry him. It's a sacrament for people who practice the faith.

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  • Emily
    Dedicated December 2017
    Emily ·
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    @April B both of you aren't Catholic but you're getting married in the Catholic Church ? I'm confuse.

    ETA: OP you will know all the answers to your questions when you and your FB meets with his Parish representative (which is a must in the Catholic Church). Ours will be at least an hour long (we're both Catholic) and will even have a veil, cord, and arras ceremony (usually done in my culture).

    You will have a say of which readings you want (they will give you a list to choose from) so don't worry you'll be fine especially if you opt not to have the mass.

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