I am wondering where the Catholic Church stands on outdoor wedding ceremonies...I have been told by our local priest that he is not allowed by diocesan policy to preside over such a wedding ceremony outside of the church proper. I would like to know where and how I may locate any Catholic guidelines that explictly state such a policy. I live in the state of Vermont and would appreciate any information you may share regarding this topic. What a more beautiful space where God's presence is evident than in a garden in the middle of summer with friends and family present. I just would like to know....thanks.

-- Marie Smith (purplesec@yahoo.com), April 12, 2001

Answers

Marie:

I believe all Catholic weddings must be held in a Catholic Church. Catholic weddings may not be performed outdoors; however, civilly married couples may have a symbolic ceremony with a Catholic blessing, which can take place anywhere they choose. And of course, one must not overlook the compulsory marriage course requirements but your pastor can fill you in on all these details. In our parish, marriages are normally booked at least one year in advance.

Have a blessed Easter!

Ed

-- Ed Lauzon (grader@accglobal.net), April 12, 2001.

Jmj

Hello, Marie and Ed.

Here is the applicable Catholic Church regulation from the 1983 Code of Canon Law:

-------------------------
Canon 1118
§1 A marriage between catholics, or between a catholic party and a baptised non-catholic, is to be celebrated in the parish church. By permission of the local Ordinary or of the parish priest, it may be celebrated in another [Catholic] church or oratory. [Note: the "Ordinary" is usually the local bishop.]
§2 The local Ordinary can allow a marriage to be celebrated in another suitable place. [This normally refers to allowing a marriage to be celebrated in a non-Catholic place of worship, usually for a mixed marriage.]
§3 A marriage between a Catholic party and an unbaptised party may be celebrated in a church or in another suitable place.
-------------------------

Marriage in the Catholic Church is a Sacrament, not just a ceremony. Except for the Anointing of the Sick, the other Sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Holy Orders) are almost always administered in a Catholic church building. Except for Penance (and, usually, Anointing), Sacraments are celebrated, not in private, but in public (in the church building), to show the recipients' relationship to the parish community. And so it is for Marriage between Catholic spouses -- except in very rare circumstances. What we Catholics sometimes forget is that the main thing occurring on that day is the Holy Mass, the renewal of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary, in part as a blessing on the married couple. The sacramental vows taken within the context of the Mass are secondary to the sacrifice and the Holy Eucharist, the greates of all Sacraments. And naturally, Mass is almost always celebrated indoors -- not on the beach, or in a plane, or in the woods, or while parachuting, etc.

Some further thoughts on this come from www.weddingdetails.com:
"The ... Catholic wedding rite takes place with the Sacrament of Matrimony, one of the seven sacraments Catholics believe are channels of God's grace. ... The ... Catholic wedding is rich in tradition and liturgy. ... [A] wedding is primarily a worship service, worship and praise of God who calls a man and a woman together in marriage ... The Church offers this sacred opportunity to join with family and friends in dedicating the couple's marriage to God, the author of all love. The marriage ceremony is not a private ceremony, but rather a public ritual. It is celebrated in ... the church building, not outdoors ... and encourages those who have gathered not only to witness the vows of the couple, but also to participate fully in the liturgy. ... The church is the appropriate setting for a wedding because it is a place sanctified by communal worship and the place where the sacrament of marriage is more significantly symbolized. The wedding usually takes place in the parish church of the bride's family."

Thanks for the interesting question, Marie. I learned some things today in the course of finding an answer for you.
God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jgecik@desc.dla.mil), April 13, 2001.