Wedding Procession Question
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 783
    What is the PROPER order?

    cross, thurifer, candles, bridesmaids, bride, priest?!

    bridesmaids {music change} bride, cross, thruifer, candles, priest

    cross, bridesmaids, candles, thurifer, priest {incense altar}, {music change} bride

    etc...

    (do candles even go in the procession? I really like that idea, I'm just not sure if I've ever seen it or if it's allowed!)

    also, isn't the most traditional/proper way for the bride and groom to enter *together*? (where is this written?)
  • In the current Rite of Marriage, the only two options are bride and groom entering together, or the groom entering with his parents and the bride entering with hers. The cross always leads (although I don't know if this changes with incense), and I believe the priest always comes last. I don't have my book in front of me, but the Rite of Marriage has the specifics.
  • P.S. Good luck getting your bride / parish to do it that way!
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 783
    the bride is me, and the priest is willing to do whatever I want, especially if it's how it's *suppposed* to be done. ;-)
  • cdruiz
    Posts: 26
    It sounds like you're going all out and actually having *gasp* more than one server. Excellent!

    Processionals can always use the same template... below where it says Laymen, that's where the bridal party can go followed by the groom and his parents, and then the bride and her parents. Could you change it up and have just the bride while groom waits up front and skips the processional? I guess. Anyway...

    Thurifer (and Boatbearer on Thurifer’s left)
    Altar Server One (A1), Crossbearer (Xb), and Altar Server Two (A2) (all one unit, A1 and A2 carry candles)
    Candlebearers (Cbs) in pairs (carrying any additional processional candles... optional)
    Candlebearers (Cbs) in pairs (not carrying candles)
    Torchbearers in pairs (they do not carry their torches)
    Offertory Guard in pairs
    Remaining Servers in pairs
    Any laymen in procession
    MC2
    Clergy in pairs.
    D with the Book of the Gospels
    Concelebrants in pairs
    Bookbearer
    MC
    Celebrant
  • JahazaJahaza
    Posts: 470
    Don't have reference books handy, but a quick note to say that you should clarify whether a) this is a Novus Ordo wedding or a '62 Wedding and b) whether there will be a Mass or just the wedding ceremony (with liturgy of the word).
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,473
    The Bride processing with the Groom waiting is a remnant of a "Transactional" view of marriage. (As is the veil and the "giving away" of the Bride).

    The Rite of Marriage is clear that the Bride and Groom are the principal celebrants of the marriage sacrament (they marry each other, they are not married by the priest), and as such they should both process, preferably together.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,473
    Also, as principal celebrants, they go last- not the priest:

    "If there is a procession to the altar, the ministers go first, followed by the priest, and then the bride and bridegroom. According to local custom, they may be escorted by at least their parents and the two witnesses. Meanwhile, the entrance song is sung" (#20)
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,699
    We did this at my wedding last October (music list posted here: http://musicasacra.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=4211 and you probably recognize the church, Mara).

    The procession began at the front, while the bride and I stood at the back (no attendants). The procession went to the back of the church while the processional piece was played. The celebrant greeted us at the back (as is called for in the ritual) and then we processed in behind him (thurifer, cross bearer, torches, other servers, concelebrant, celebrant, and then us). Once we reached the front the priests went and kissed the altar and then the introit was sung as he incensed it.

    You can see pictures of the procession here:
    http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/165209_641983369248_122705915_36702806_6379976_n.jpg
    and here:
    http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/163962_641983404178_122705915_36702807_1519183_n.jpg

    In addition - if you're using the Sunday Mass (we had our wedding at a Sunday vigil Mass), there's a funny order of what happens after the vows. Immediately following vows, rings, etc... the Prayers of the Faithful are sung, followed by the Creed. It was fascinating as I tried to find a reason for this - and the best I got was that the PotF were "uniquely tied" to the marriage rite in the New Mass, and thus they are said in their "normative" place within a Nuptial Mass. Then the Creed follows since it's a Sunday Mass, and the regular PotF are omitted because they were already done earlier.

    As the celebrant, MC and I battled through rubrics a few months before my wedding, my then-fiance said, "wow, that was intense.."

    One more great picture:
    http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/165317_641983154678_122705915_36702797_6521306_n.jpg
  • SkirpRSkirpR
    Posts: 854
    Not pertaining to the procession, but I recently learned the new edition of the Missal calls for the Gloria at all weddings (in appropriate seasons). When my wife and I were married in 2006, we had a Saturday afternoon Mass, and had the Gloria - Durufle's setting of the Cum Jubilo Mass - just because we had the musician-friends there to do it. Little did we know we were in line with the Latin edition of the 2002 Missale Romanum!
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,211
    Great pictures, matthewj!
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,699
    I found the "official" text:

    "At the appointed time, the Priest, vested for Mass, goes with the ministers to the door of the church or, if more suitable, to the altar. There he meets the bride and bridegroom in a friendly manner, showing that the Church shares their joy.
    Where it is desirable that the rite of welcome be omitted, the celebration of marriage begins at once with the Mass.
    If there is a procession to the altar, the ministers go first, followed by the priest, and then the bride and the bridegroom. According to local custom, they may be escorted by at least their parents and the two witnesses."

    I suggest not having bridesmaids and groomsmen though - if they're not very Catholic and dignified, they won't act appropriately and will detract from the sacredness of the ceremony (think big glimmering smiles and waving to friends as they walk down the aisle). You can have two folks who will be assigned as witnesses who can witness from the front row of the church. This also avoids having to "pick" a best man and maid of honor. Ditto to the parents walking you in - I know it's most father's dreams to walk their daughter in, but there's nothing that takes away from the profoundness of the moment than the symbolism of a father giving his daughter away in exchange for some goats.

    Also, I discourage brides carrying flowers. I mean, have you ever seen a bride able to capably maneuver around and keep track of where her bouquet is? It's drama in every wedding I've ever played - and that's hundreds and hundreds. It's the main reason to have a maid of honor: keeping track of where the bride has set her bouquet of flowers that always look like they were at their peak a few hours earlier.

    I also discourage long, elaborate trains. Again, they can be pretty, but they're a pain in the neck to deal with. They must be constantly adjusted - and if you're sitting and not just kneeling, you require an attendant there to make sure it doesn't look all kittywampus in all the photos. There's nothing that takes away from the dignity of a chanted First Reading than a bridesmaid crawling around on the floor trying to straight a train that is mangled from the bride sitting down haphazardly.

    I also suggest a black mantilla instead of a veil. It offers some contrast to the white dress and is more likely to stay put.
  • Paul F. Ford
    Posts: 864
    CHAPTER I

    THE ORDER OF CELEBRATING MARRIAGE WITHIN MASS

    The Introductory Rites

    The First Form

    45 At the appointed time, the priest, wearing an alb and a stole and chasuble of the color of the Mass to be celebrated, goes with the servers to the door of the church, receives the couple to be married, and greets them kindly, showing that the Church shares in their joy.

    46 The procession to the altar then takes place: the servers go first, the priest follows, and then the couple who, according to local custom, may be accompanied as a sign of honor by at least their parents and the two witnesses, to the place prepared for them. Meanwhile, the entrance chant takes place.

    47 The priest approaches the altar, greets it with a profound bow, and venerates it with a kiss. After this, he goes to the chair.

    The Second Form

    48 At the appointed time, the priest, wearing an alb and a stole and chasuble of the color of the Mass to be celebrated, goes with the servers to the place prepared for the couple or to his chair.

    49 When the couple have arrived at their place, the priest receives them and greets them kindly, showing that the Church shares in their joy.

    50 Then, during the entrance chant, the priest approaches the altar, greets it with a profound bow, and venerates it with a kiss. After this, he goes to the chair.

    51 Then, after the sign of the cross has been made, the priest greets those present, using one of the formulas provided in The Roman Missal.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,473
    An interesting point here is that the Rites make it clear that Bride and Groom are treated as a pair. The wedding is not about the Bride (or her mother), but rather about the couple and, through their example of love and commitment, about God's love for us.
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 783
    thank you all!
    (sorry, I can't believe I didn't clarify; Novus Ordo, and yes, within a Mass!)
    and gorgeous pictures, Matthew!

    That is very interesting about the Gloria! I was planning on not having one, for other reasons, even though I know it is permitted, but the rubrics for the new missal will not yet be in effect (this October,) so the Gloria is not *required*? (if that's what it sounds like the new missal is saying!
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,086
    Yes, the couple, as principal ministers, are last in the procession. This is how I have seen it done, when done the right way, in the postconciliar rite.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,473
    It's what we did at our wedding.
    No bridal party, no parental processing, no chattel-passing, no unity candles.
    (Also no show tunes).

    I want to be a Catholic wedding planner. Couples will pay me exorbitant fees, and they will only have one session with me, which will last only long enough for me to say the following two sentences.

    Open the book.
    Do what it says.
    Thanked by 1CCooze
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 783
    oh- Adam Wood, could you clarify what you said-
    The Bride processing with the Groom waiting is a remnant of a "Transactional" view of marriage. (As is the veil and the "giving away" of the Bride).

    The Rite of Marriage is clear that the Bride and Groom are the principal celebrants of the marriage sacrament (they marry each other, they are not married by the priest), and as such they should both process, preferably together.


    did you intend to say "the bride processing with *her father*..." ?
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,473
    I should have used a comma:
    The bride processing, with the groom waiting.

    And yes, I specifically meant with her father.
    As in, "Women belong to men. This woman belongs to her father, and he is giving her to this man, who will own her from henceforth."
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,699
    And obviously the groom would pay the father several goats in exchange for him giving his daughter up...

    We did have one issue with this - my wife's father had dreamed of walking her down the aisle for years. So, 5 minutes before the ceremony, she walked him down and seated him to a lovely choral prelude piece. Then she walked back to the back and we waited for the procession to come back and "greet" us.

    Also, St. Joseph in Detroit has a policy in place that couples are not to "hide" from each other before the Nuptial Mass to satisfy superstitions. My wife and I stood at the door together, greeted our guests and handed out the Mass's worship aid, which was actually a book we published on lulu.

    This has been a very fun thread - I really enjoy discussing the reformed Nuptial Mass when it is done properly... I've never actually been able to talk any couples into doing things "the right way," though.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,473
    I love the Rite of Marriage.

    I think there is a positive feedback loop with the fact that I also love marriage.
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 783
    great quote!
    Also, St. Joseph in Detroit has a policy in place that couples are not to "hide" from each other before the Nuptial Mass to satisfy superstitions. My wife and I stood at the door together, greeted our guests ...

    I'm going to try and use some of that wording to explain it to certain people!