10 Meaningful Catholic Traditions to Include in your Nuptial Mass
Anna & Stephan during their Nuptial Mass.
Your wedding day is one of the most joyous things you will experience in life, it stands up their with your baptism and confirmation, and raising children. But most newly engaged couples have never been engaged before and have never planned a wedding before. Let this be a tool of inspiration as you are planning your Liturgy.
1. Have the Bridesmaids Carry Lanterns Instead of Bouquets
Inspired by the parable of the wise virgins (Matthew 25), some brides carry lanterns instead of traditional bouquets. The lantern symbolizes the light of faith — burning bright, steadfast, and ready for Christ, the Bridegroom. When the bride walks down the aisle holding that soft, glowing light, it’s breathtaking — both visually and spiritually. It transforms the procession into a living symbol of grace and readiness, a reminder that love, like faith, is meant to shine.
2. Exchange of the Rings
While the exchanging of rings is a tradition found in most weddings, in a Catholic ceremony it carries a deeper spiritual meaning. The priest first blesses the rings, reminding the couple that they are outward signs of an inward, permanent covenant. The unbroken circle symbolizes God’s eternal love and the enduring nature of marriage. I always try to capture the emotion of that moment — the trembling hands, the smiles, and the shared joy as vows become visible through this sacred sign.
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist
For couples celebrating a full Nuptial Mass, receiving the Eucharist together for the first time as husband and wife is one of the most profound experiences of the day. It’s a moment that roots your marriage in the presence of Christ — a reminder that His love is the model for your own. Some people are tempted to not include the Liturgy of the Eucharist in their ceremony, but the glory of God that resides in the consecration is not something you want to miss with your new husband or wife. I understand wedding timelines get tight, but protect your mass so that you are able to receive Christ truly present after your vows.
4. Give Flowers to Mary
Many Catholic couples choose to include a Marian devotion, often by presenting flowers at the statue of Mary after Communion. This gesture reflects a desire to entrust your marriage to the intercession of the Blessed Mother — to ask for her guidance, purity, and protection. This time is always so precious because Our Lady wants nothing else than to bring us closer to Christ. It’s a soft, serene moment that often brings tears to loved ones’ eyes, and I always photograph it gently, focusing on the reverence and intimacy of prayer shared between the couple and Mary.
5. Doing the Sign of Peace
This simple act takes on new meaning within the context of a wedding. When the priest invites everyone to “offer each other the sign of peace,” the couple often begins by sharing their first peaceful gesture as husband and wife. It’s a beautiful reminder that peace is something to nurture daily within marriage. As there are movements back to the latin mass, some have removed doing the sign of peace. But there is something so peaceful (pun not intended) about taking a moment to offer a sign of peace and a smile to those around you, often times your parents, siblings, and bridal party. I love photographing this moment — the joyful exchange of smiles, embraces, and laughter that ripple through the pews right before the celebration reaches its peak.
6. Presentation of the Couples
When the priest finally introduces the newly married couple to the congregation — often with words like “I now present to you Mr. and Mrs…” — there’s always an audible burst of joy and applause. It’s a moment of celebration, the first time your family and friends recognizes your entirely new identity as husband and wife. The pure happiness on your faces as you turn to walk down the aisle together is always one of my favorite shots of the day — full of movement, emotion, and light. I encourage my couples to really soak this moment in, walk slowly down the aisle, and then pause for a kiss and sometimes even a dip halfway down!
7. Present the Other with the Precious Blood of Jesus
In many Catholic weddings that include a full Mass, the couple may also receive from the chalice — the Precious Blood of Christ. Sharing in both the Body and Blood of the Lord symbolizes unity not only with Christ but also with one another, as you begin your life as one in Him. It’s a sacred, humbling moment to witness and photograph — the reverence of your hands, the bowed heads, and the stillness that fills the church as grace becomes tangible in the simplest of gestures. Some priests won’t let you give each other the precious blood, but it is worth asking! There is such a grace to be able to give your new husband or wife Christ who is there in the Precious Body and Blood.
8. Have the Groom Wear Black
The tradition of the groom wearing black on his wedding day carries a quiet symbolism that often goes unspoken. In Catholic tradition — and Western custom more broadly — black represents humility, formality, and timeless strength. It’s not about somberness, but about grounding the joy of the day in reverence and respect for the sacred vows being made. The contrast between the bride’s white gown, symbolizing purity and joy, and the groom’s black suit, symbolizing devotion and steadfastness, mirrors the harmony of masculine and feminine love — distinct yet beautifully unified in Christ. It’s a classic, elegant choice that photographs beautifully in the soft light of a church or cathedral, highlighting the timelessness of the moment.
9. Presenting Flowers to Your Parents
Another beautiful gesture some couples include is presenting flowers to their parents after Communion or at the end of the ceremony. It’s a quiet way of thanking them for the love, sacrifice, and faith that shaped your lives. As a photographer, I love capturing the emotion in these moments — mothers with tears in their eyes, fathers smiling with pride — it’s a powerful image of generations connected through love and faith.
10. Place Your own Crucifix on the Alter
A growing and profoundly meaningful tradition is for the couple to place a crucifix on the altar before or during the ceremony. The crucifix becomes a symbol of the couple’s promise to keep Christ at the center of their marriage — a visual reminder that love is self-giving, sacrificial, and redemptive. Many couples later hang this same crucifix in their home, carrying the grace of their vows into their daily life. It’s one of my favorite details to photograph — simple, yet deeply powerful.