What is the difference between a wedding ceremony and a Nuptial Mass?
Nuptial Mass is a liturgy which contains a wedding ceremony as part of the Mass. It has all the elements of a regular Mass, except after the homily, the couple exchanges vows and their wedding rings are blessed. In a wedding ceremony, there are scriptural readings, hymns, the exchange of vows and rings, and prayers without the Eucharist (Holy Communion). A wedding ceremony is done instead of a Nuptial Mass when one of the parties to be married is non-Catholic, since the non-Catholic party cannot receive the Eucharist. A couple who are both Catholic may opt for the wedding ceremony instead of a Nuptial Mass. However, it should be noted that the Church believes the Eucharist to be the “source and summit of Christian life,” and a profound way for a couple to begin their living out of the marital covenant.
