Why can Mass be outside but not a wedding?

[Tony_Brum]

There is Mass held in parks or other buildings, even tents in war zones that are recognized and legal. Why is a wedding held out side of church not recognized.

Thanks and God Bless

Tony

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

Masses held in public places are only done out of strict necessity, otherwise Mass is always held in a sacred place (e.g. a church or chapel). In certain situations like a war zone or a Papal visit Masses are held outside due to necessity of conditions or crowds. Mass is not to be celebrated outdoors otherwise.

All the sacraments are required to be celebrated in a church unless there is a real necessity that dictates otherwise (except for anointing of the sick which out of necessity is almost always outside of a church).

Can. 857 §1. Apart from a case of necessity, the proper place of baptism is a church or oratory.

Can. 881 It is desirable to celebrate the sacrament of confirmation in a church and during Mass; for a just and reasonable cause, however, it can be celebrated outside Mass and in any worthy place.

Can. 932 §1. The eucharistic celebration is to be carried out in a sacred place unless in a particular case necessity requires otherwise; in such a case the celebration must be done in a decent place.

Can. 964 §1. The proper place to hear sacramental confessions is a church or oratory.

Can. 1011 §1. Ordination generally is to be celebrated in the cathedral church; for pastoral reasons, however, it can be celebrated in another church or oratory.

Can. 1118 §1. A marriage between Catholics or between a Catholic party and a non-Catholic baptized party is to be celebrated in a parish church. It can be celebrated in another church or oratory with the permission of the local ordinary or pastor.

§2. The local ordinary can permit a marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place.

§3. A marriage between a Catholic party and a non-baptized party can be celebrated in a church or in another suitable place.

As you can see, marriage is not singled out amongst the other sacraments. Marriage is a sacrament that requires a respect for the sacrament itself and not the scenery around it. A marriage could technically take place anywhere, as could any sacrament. However there needs to be an appropriate reason why marriage, or any sacrament, needs to take place outside of a sacred space.