How to Have a Catholic Wedding Outdoors

A wedding is a one-time event, followed by a lifetime of commitment in marriage. For centuries, people have taken their marriage vows in front of family, friends, church members and God in a local church. The vast majority of Catholic weddings around the world occur in a local church building. In recent years, many people have desired to follow the trend of holding a wedding outdoors in a beautiful surrounding.

Instructions

1. Review the Catholic Church's position that marriage is the union of two lives within the greater Catholic community and should take place in the Catholic Church. Holding the Sacrament of Marriage inside the church reminds the church community of its responsibilities in this new relationship. In addition, many priests believe weddings are taken more seriously and show a higher level of commitment when the ceremony takes place inside the church building.

2. Choose the location for your wedding in a suitable place outdoors. You'll probably need to consult with your priest to find out what he considers a suitable location to be. You might be surprised to discover he feels that beach wedding of your dreams is too casual for the serious nature of exchanging marital vows.

3. Explain why you prefer to hold the ceremony outdoors instead of in the church. You must express your commitment to one another and to a reverent marriage ceremony before God and the church.

4. Compromise if you want the priest to perform the Catholic wedding and it must take place indoors. You might find a happy medium by opting to have the wedding banquet and celebration outdoors after an indoor ceremony.

5. Prepare for all of the variables in an outdoor wedding. You will need a secondary plan and location in case of bad weather. Plan for the added expense of renting sound equipment, chairs and arches, as well as running power cables and providing decorations for the wedding.

Tips & Warnings

• If you aren't committed to having the ceremony performed by a Catholic priest, look for another minister willing to follow the Catholic ceremony in an outdoor wedding.

• Show respect for the priest when discussing the possibility of holding the wedding outdoors. You may find the priest has a number of valid reasons for holding the marriage ceremony indoors.

• The Catholic Church is making a concerted effort to restore the seriousness and sanctity of marriage since divorce rates are at or near an all-time high. A major part of the seriousness of the Sacrament of Marriage is the location of the ceremony.