Wedding on Holy Saturday

[justpeachy3339]

My fiancé want to have a Catholic wedding on Holy Saturday (the Saturday the day before Easter Sunday). We have been told by one parish that this is a universal day of holiness reserved for God and therefore aren’t allowed to be married in any Catholic church that day. However, we’ve heard from a friend of ours that she has been to a wedding recently on this day.
Does anyone know if the decision to wed a couple on Holy Saturday is a church by church basis? If we chose a different location for the ceremony, would it be possible to actually be married on this day?

 

[agapewolf]

My fiancé want to have a Catholic wedding on Holy Saturday (the Saturday the day before Easter Sunday). We have been told by one parish that this is a universal day of holiness reserved for God and therefore aren’t allowed to be married in any Catholic church that day. However, we’ve heard from a friend of ours that she has been to a wedding recently on this day.
Does anyone know if the decision to wed a couple on Holy Saturday is a church by church basis? If we chose a different location for the ceremony, would it be possible to actually be married on this day?

Absolutely not.

There cannot be a mass anytime from Holy Thursday evening until Easter vigil after dark.

Why would you even want to? This is a time for keeping vigil, fasting and praying.

 

[MomaMary8]

I would choose a different day. The tridium is a most sacred time for Catholics.

 

[Phemie]

My fiancé want to have a Catholic wedding on Holy Saturday (the Saturday the day before Easter Sunday). We have been told by one parish that this is a universal day of holiness reserved for God and therefore aren’t allowed to be married in any Catholic church that day. However, we’ve heard from a friend of ours that she has been to a wedding recently on this day.
Does anyone know if the decision to wed a couple on Holy Saturday is a church by church basis? If we chose a different location for the ceremony, would it be possible to actually be married on this day?

No sacraments can be conferred on Holy Saturday except Reconciliation, Communion as viaticum (danger of death) and emergency Baptism. The only way you might be able to marry validly is if you were marrying a non-Catholic and had a dispensation from canonical form to be married in a non-Catholic ceremony.

 

[WhatMeWorry]

However, we’ve heard from a friend of ours that she has been to a wedding recently on this day.

I’ll bet it was a non-Catholic wedding. Many non-Catholic denominations do not have any “rules” regarding any ceremonies on Holy Saturday–or anything during Lent, for that matter.

 

[PatriceA]

I’m trying to wrap my head around why any Catholic would even WANT to get married on Holy Saturday. Unless its because the Church will be fully decorated with the Easter flowers and one was looking to save money or something. Not that that would be a good enough reason, just the only one I could think of.

 

[Phemie]

I’m trying to wrap my head around why any Catholic would even WANT to get married on Holy Saturday. Unless its because the Church will be fully decorated with the Easter flowers and one was looking to save money or something. Not that that would be a good enough reason, just the only one I could think of.

Probably already had everything booked for that date long before they approached the Church.

 

[puzzleannie]

Does anyone know if the decision to wed a couple on Holy Saturday is a church by church basis? If we chose a different location for the ceremony, would it be possible to actually be married on this day?

absolutely not, no rites or sacraments of any kind can be carried out this day until the Easter Vigil, unless there is a dire need. Since you are planning now there is by definition no dire need. There cannot even be a funeral in church (although the deacon could conduct a service at a funeral home or graveside).
this is universal “I heard from a friend” is usually a completely unreliable source. you cannot chose a different location for a Catholic Wedding.

come on folks this is the Easter Triduum, the commemoration of the Lords Passion, death, burial and resurrection. Nothing should be allowed to interfere with the holiest season of the Church year

 

[promethius]

Probably already had everything booked for that date long before they approached the Church.

Then they did things backwards. The first thing I would do if I were getting married is work with the church to determine a date, pay a realistic donation, and work times and such.

 

[Phemie]

Then they did things backwards. The first thing I would do if I were getting married is work with the church to determine a date, pay a realistic donation, and work times and such.

My experience in the parish tells me that you would be in the minority. By the time most approach the church everything else is in place.

 

[promethius]

My experience in the parish tells me that you would be in the minority. By the time most approach the church everything else is in place.

Then a lot of people are doing things backwards

 

[JButky]

I’m trying to wrap my head around why any Catholic would even WANT to get married on Holy Saturday.

Our neighboring church in the next town had a wedding this past Holy Saturday. The couple each were Baptized, then Confirmed, and then exchanged vows as part of the Vigil.

Joe B

 

[Digitonomy]

Our neighboring church in the next town had a wedding this past Holy Saturday. The couple each were Baptized, then Confirmed, and then exchanged vows as part of the Vigil.

Interesting. I would suggest that while they were married on Saturday, it was no longer the liturgical day of Holy Saturday, but part of Easter.

 

[Phemie]

Our neighboring church in the next town had a wedding this past Holy Saturday. The couple each were Baptized, then Confirmed, and then exchanged vows as part of the Vigil.

Joe B

Not quite what we are talking about though since the Vigil is officially Easter, no longer Holy Saturday. Was it a convalidation?

 

[hilde_the_dog]

Its all very confused. Holy Thursday is in the midst of the most somber, serious and sadtime of the year. And you want a joyful wedding. I do not think flowers are allowed at that time.

 

[JGMendes4049]

I do not think flowers are allowed at that time.

Flowers and instrumental music are both forbidden from the evening before Ash Wednesday to the Gloria in excelsis Deo of the Easter Vigil, except on Holy Thursday and Laetare Sunday.

 

[Digitonomy]

Flowers and instrumental music are both forbidden from the evening before Ash Wednesday to the Gloria in excelsis Deo of the Easter Vigil,

And at the Gloria they haul out the vases and bouquets? I don’t remember this happening, but perhaps I just didn’t notice.

 

[Phemie]

From **Paschale Solemnitatis – Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts

VI. HOLY SATURDAY
75. On this day the Church abstains strictly from the celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass. (77) Holy Communion may be given only in the form of Viaticum. The celebration of marriages is forbidden, as also the celebration of other sacraments, except those of Penance and the Anointing of the Sick.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Approach an Eastern Catholic parish that follows the Julian Calendar, and you’re all set

 

[marytk]

Not quite what we are talking about though since the Vigil is officially Easter, no longer Holy Saturday. Was it a convalidation?

I think this is a good guess. A few years ago we had a family come in together it was a mixture of some baptisms a bunch of confirmations AND they exchanged vows for convalidation.