If you are planning to have a unique, quirky, out of the box wedding ceremony, think again. There are some things that you need to know before you finalize your wedding especially if you are Catholic.

It has been several years now when the Catholic church banned the reciting of personal vows. In the recent Family is Gift Conference, Father Joel Jason, head of the Commission for Family and Life of the Archdiocese of Manila said, to symbolize true love, weddings should be done “at the foot of the cross.”

He further reminded us by saying, “What is the symbol of romance? The heart and Cupid. What is the symbol of genuine love? The man on the cross… This is the reason why we make weddings not on beaches, not in gardens, we do it inside the church, at the foot of the cross.”

If you would insist on having a Catholic garden wedding, you need to seek approval from the Bishop of the Diocese where your wedding will take place. It is theoretically possible but highly doubtful that this will be approved. According to Code of Canon Law 1118, “A marriage between Catholics, or between a Catholic party and a baptized non-Catholic, is to be celebrated in a parish church. By permission of the local Ordinary or of the parish priest, it may be celebrated in another church or oratory.” “The local Ordinary can allow a marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place.” With that said, when both parties are Catholic, there is no reason why the Bishop should allow a wedding to be celebrated outside the parish church. 

One may argue that celebrating the wedding outdoors is celebrating the beauty of nature that God has created. But this is your personal preference and for the Catholic church, these locations are improper for the administration of the Sacrament of Marriage. Jesus Christ promised to be present whenever two or three are gathered in His name. The church is the “house” the followers of Jesus do this on a regular basis for all important events of their lives (to celebrate weddings, baptisms, confirmations, reconciliations, anointing of the sick and funerals).  

It does make sense that a couple begin their lives as husband and wife in this sacred house. By doing so it strengthens the new family’s connection with the community of believers, not only those present at the wedding but also the parishioners who gather in this holy place. 

Another option is to get a priest from the Eastern Catholic Church to officiate your wedding. They are recognized by the Vatican – their head or Patriarch is based in Turkey. They also pledge allegiance to the Roman Catholic Pope and follow all the Catholic doctrines. Their mass and communion are exactly like the Roman Catholics’. However, they are more lenient than the Roman Catholic Priests. Eastern Catholic priests will officiate the wedding if one or both parties are members of their religion.