Catholic Outdoor Wedding?

[romeoescuyos]

I’m a wedding singer and recently I received an inquiry regarding a couple looking for a Cathjolic Priest who can do a “garden wedding.” The couple was civilly married and are both baptized Catholics.

They are getting married on the 24th of August so any (name removed by moderator)ut will be highly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!

 

[SwizzleStick]

I’m a wedding singer and recently I received an inquiry regarding a couple looking for a Cathjolic Priest who can do a “garden wedding.” The couple was civilly married and are both baptized Catholics.

They are getting married on the 24th of August so any (name removed by moderator)ut will be highly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!

Catholics must get married in a Catholic Church unless they have been given dispensation from their Bishop to do otherwise. Also, Catholics have a marriage prep that usually begins at least 6 months prior to the wedding, though since they are civilly married, perhaps it would not take as long, (but with what they are asking, their ignorance about their Faith might make the prep even longer ). If this couple really wants to have a Catholic wedding, I do not think it is possible for them to have it on August 24, at least not this year. I don’t think they can just shop around to find a priest to do a “garden wedding” and if they are serious about having a Catholic wedding, I don’t know why they would even want to. A Catholic Church is the place to have a Catholic wedding for two baptized Catholics. They need to talk to either his or her priest to begin preparing for a sacramental wedding.

Now, if they simply want to have their marriage convalidated or blessed and not have a “garden wedding”, then that is another matter entirely and is probably a lot easier accomplished.

 

[kage_ar]

Advise this couple to contact their Parish Priest. He will guide them through the process to have a valid wedding.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Remind them that it’s NOT “their wedding.”

It’s the CHURCH’S wedding, and it’s being bestowed upon them.

 

[Sarabande]

Ditto what the others have said. I also cantor for many Catholic weddings. I would advise to talk to the priest who is marrying them. Special dispensations can be given, but it’s not common. That said, I do know of a Catholic church, I believe in the New England area that has like an outdoor chapel connected to the actual church. The church itself is small. I saw pics of it on the Internet once. They can apparently do weddings and other masses within the outdoor chapel, but perhaps it’s because it is consecrated?

Also, warn them about those “rent-a-priests” or “travelling priests”. Some of them may not be allowed to do the Sacraments anymore, but are still advertising themselves as Catholic priests who do outdoor weddings. I remember one bridal couple on a wedding board who planned on doing that or actually went through with it and then found out that the priest was actually laicized, etc. If they want a priest to marry them outdoors, they really should go through the diocese rather than through the advertisements.

 

[SacredHeartFan]

I’m a wedding singer and recently I received an inquiry regarding a couple looking for a Cathjolic Priest who can do a “garden wedding.” The couple was civilly married and are both baptized Catholics.

They are getting married on the 24th of August so any (name removed by moderator)ut will be highly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!

get permission from the Bishop and your good to go!
I think that outdoor weddings and masses are in God’s true temple, Nature, his creation. Jesus taught on hills and in houses not in fancy buildings. Outdoor baptisms are beautiful also. I had the privliage of attending one that the Bishop celebrated.

 

[benedictgal]

get permission from the Bishop and your good to go!
I think that outdoor weddings and masses are in God’s true temple, Nature, his creation. Jesus taught on hills and in houses not in fancy buildings. Outdoor baptisms are beautiful also. I had the privliage of attending one that the Bishop celebrated.

However, my young friend, Jesus did call the Temple His Father’s House. Bear in mind also what Redemptionis Sacramentum says:

1. The Place for the Celebration of Holy Mass
   [108.] “The celebration of the Eucharist is to be carried out in a sacred place, unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise. In this case the celebration must be in a decent place”.197 The diocesan Bishop shall be the judge for his diocese concerning this necessity, on a case-by-case basis.

Obviously, if you are going to have tens of thousands of people coming to Mass (such as a Papal Mass), you make provisions for the outdoors, but, the church is the place for the celebratoin of the Eucharist. That is why it has been consecrated and dedicated.

 

[SacredHeartFan]

However, my young friend, Jesus did call the Temple His Father’s House. Bear in mind also what Redemptionis Sacramentum says:

Obviously, if you are going to have tens of thousands of people coming to Mass (such as a Papal Mass), you make provisions for the outdoors, but, the church is the place for the celebratoin of the Eucharist. That is why it has been consecrated and dedicated.

I do know that you have to get permission from your bishop but he dedicated nature when he created it.

 

[1ke]

Tell the couple to contact their parish priest.

Your give some conflicting information. First you say they are civilly married. But, then you say they are wanting a “Catholic garden wedding” and say their date is Aug 24.

First, Catholic marriage prep requires at least 6 months. And, they don’t seem to have talked to a priest yet.

Second, if they are already married, then they would not be having a Catholic wedding of any kind. They would be seeking convalidation-- which typically also requires they go through Catholic marriage prep.

They seem very confused. So, point them to their priest.

 

[benedictgal]

Tell the couple to contact their parish priest.

Your give some conflicting information. First you say they are civilly married. But, then you say they are wanting a “Catholic garden wedding” and say their date is Aug 24.

First, Catholic marriage prep requires at least 6 months. And, they don’t seem to have talked to a priest yet.

Second, if they are already married, then they would not be having a Catholic wedding of any kind. They would be seeking convalidation-- which typically also requires they go through Catholic marriage prep.

They seem very confused. So, point them to their priest.

Yeah. It does sound rather strange. At the Cathedral, we’ve had many convalidations, most of them within the context of the Mass. Like the engaged parties, the couples meet with the priest and go over eevrything, including Pre-Cana and NFP. In some cases, if they are lacking the rest oft the Sacraments of Initiation, the priest will prepare them for this as well.

It’s funny. Unless there is an emergency, you wuoldn’t dream of having your baby under a tree. You wouldn’t consider having surgery on your dining room table. Yet, there are those who would make the argument that the outdoors are sacred and that is where the wedding should be. There is a time and proper place for everything. Unless you have special permission, the garden isn’t the venue for a Catholic liturgy

 

[benedictgal]

I do know that you have to get permission from your bishop but he dedicated nature when he created it.

But, if you were to look at the way Ancient Israel worshipped and offered sacrifice, it was done in a sacred space. Sacrifices were offered in the Temple. Jesus called the Temple His Father’s House. That was the place of worship for Ancient Israel. We are the new Israel and the Church is now our temple.

Finally, here is what the GIRM says regarding the location for the celebration of the Mass (albeit, the sacraments, as well):

1. For the celebration of the Eucharist, the people of God normally are gathered together in a church or, if there is no church or if it is too small, then in another respectable place that is nonetheless worthy of so great a mystery. Churches, therefore, and other places should be suitable for carrying out the sacred action and for ensuring the active participation of the faithful. Sacred buildings and requisites for divine worship should, moreover, be truly worthy and beautiful and be signs and symbols of heavenly realities.108

You and I sparred on this one and, if I remember correctly, I told you that the Papal Masses are anomolies to this situation because it is next to impossible to accommodate hundreds of thosands of people into one building, that is why the outdoor venue is used.

The same holds true for a wedding. Yes, the bishop gives his permission on a case-by-case basis. However, a great deal of catechesis needs to happen on the part of the priest to the couple.

 

[SacredHeartFan]

1. For the celebration of the Eucharist, the people of God normally are gathered together in a church or, if there is no church or if it is too small, then in another respectable place that is nonetheless worthy of so great a mystery. Churches, therefore, and other places should be suitable for carrying out the sacred action and for ensuring the active participation of the faithful. Sacred buildings and requisites for divine worship should, moreover, be truly worthy and beautiful and be signs and symbols of heavenly realities.108

This quote from the GIRM proves my point.

then in another respectable place that is nonetheless worthy of so great a mystery

Nature holds a great mystery in itself although not greater than the Eucahrist.

requisites for divine worship should, moreover, be truly worthy and beautiful and be signs and symbols of heavenly realities.

Nature can be much more beautiful than any work of human hands.

 

[benedictgal]

This quote from the GIRM proves my point.

Nature holds a great mystery in itself although not greater than the Eucahrist.

Nature can be much more beautiful than any work of human hands.

So, are you completely dismissing the idea of churches, then? It sure sounds like it.

There is one factor that you seemed to have missed in the section from the GIRM:

1. For the celebration of the Eucharist, the people of God normally are gathered together in a church or, if there is no church or if it is too small, then in another respectable place that is nonetheless worthy of so great a mystery. Churches, therefore, and other places should be suitable for carrying out the sacred action and for ensuring the active participation of the faithful. Sacred buildings and requisites for divine worship should, moreover, be truly worthy and beautiful and be signs and symbols of heavenly realities.108

That is the key to the puzzle. “If there is no church or it is too small” gives you the justification right there. The situation relayed by the OP centers around a “Catholic Outdoor Wedding” wherein the couple wants to marry in a garden. Is the wedding party so huge that they want their convalidation set in a garden? Probably not. I’ve assisted at too many convalidations to know that these are not generally huge affairs. At the most, 50 people will show up for the liturgy while the rest will go to the reception. Certainly, a church can reasonably accommodate that number and more.

SHF, I applaud you for having declared a vocation. That is a good and holy thing. Remember, though, that part and parcel with this comes adherence to the norms of the Church. You can’t read everything as a carte blanche. You need to look at why the Church does what she does and why she has declared certain things to be what they should be.

Now special circumstances will arise when it is not possible for the faithful to gather in the church for Mass. These include wars, persecutions, natural and man-made disasters and inaccessability to the church. Blessed Miguel Pro had to celebrate Mass in private homes because the Mexican government took over the churches. In fact, one of the final liturgies that he celebrated in a private home was a nuptial Mass. But, this was an extreme case. Folks whose towns are ravaged by a tornado or a hurricane that leaves the church building obliterated or damaged can’t have Mass there for obvious safety reasons. That is understandable.

But, the garden ceremony, unless you have a very good and solid reason for doing so, shouldn’t happen. That is why solid catechesis is needed.

 

[jmdsc]

Ditto what the others have said. I also cantor for many Catholic weddings. I would advise to talk to the priest who is marrying them. Special dispensations can be given, but it’s not common. That said, I do know of a Catholic church, I believe in the New England area that has like an outdoor chapel connected to the actual church. The church itself is small. I saw pics of it on the Internet once. They can apparently do weddings and other masses within the outdoor chapel, but perhaps it’s because it is consecrated?

Also, warn them about those “rent-a-priests” or “travelling priests”. Some of them may not be allowed to do the Sacraments anymore, but are still advertising themselves as Catholic priests who do outdoor weddings. I remember one bridal couple on a wedding board who planned on doing that or actually went through with it and then found out that the priest was actually laicized, etc. If they want a priest to marry them outdoors, they really should go through the diocese rather than through the advertisements.

In Holliston, MA there is the Fatima Shrine. They have (in addition to the chapel) and outdoor “chapel” complete with an altar and pews.

If you ever get the chance to stop by there - their walking rosary is amazing - you won’t be dissapointed!

 

[romeoescuyos]

Thank you very much. I truly appreciate your thoughts. Actually the question came from a wedding planner and the couple is her client. With your help I was able to respond in a straightforward but charitable manner. God bless!

Ad Jesum per Mariam,

Romeo K. Escuyos Jr.
totallymesmerized.googlepages.com

 

[puzzleannie]

I’m a wedding singer and recently I received an inquiry regarding a couple looking for a Cathjolic Priest who can do a “garden wedding.” The couple was civilly married and are both baptized Catholics.

They are getting married on the 24th of August so any (name removed by moderator)ut will be highly appreciated. Thank you and God bless!

they need to approach their pastor and ask about what is required to convalidate their marriage in the Church, Preparation is required and pastoral counselling, and it is not going to happen this year on Aug. 24 unless they have already undergone the preparation. If they have, they have already been in contact with a priest, so there would not be a dilemma. It is also not going to happen outside a Catholic Church w/o a special dispensation granted only for grave reasons.

 

[Phemie]

Tell the couple to contact their parish priest.

Your give some conflicting information. First you say they are civilly married. But, then you say they are wanting a “Catholic garden wedding” and say their date is Aug 24.

First, Catholic marriage prep requires at least 6 months. And, they don’t seem to have talked to a priest yet.

Second, if they are already married, then they would not be having a Catholic wedding of any kind. They would be seeking convalidation-- which typically also requires they go through Catholic marriage prep.

They seem very confused. So, point them to their priest.

While it’s called a ‘convalidation’, it’s still a wedding since AFA the Church is concerned they aren’t married until they repeat their vows. While it’s often a low-key ceremony, many couples make it a bigger celebration than their original legal ceremony.