Honoring Deceased Loved Ones at a Catholic Wedding

Allhallowtide is here, the three days consisting of Halloween (All Hallows Eve), All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. The Church invites us to focus our attention on the eternal life that is to come after death - for ourselves and our loved ones. Bringing families together at a wedding inevitably reminds us of who is not there. Here are a few ways to honor our loved ones who have gone to their eternal reward on the day a bride and groom promise to pursue one another’s sainthood.

Firstly, Catholic couples have the option to have their wedding Mass said for a specific intention. There is no greater way to pray for a deceased loved one than having a Mass said for them. My own mother died prior to my wedding day and without hesitation we asked our priest to say the Mass for her repose.  We added a note of this in our Mass program and our family was pleased to know that she was remembered on our wedding day. 

Another way to honor a loved one is to include one or more person’s name in the Universal Prayer, also known as the Intentions and the Prayers of the Faithful. During this part of the Mass, we ask for the congregation’s prayers for a set of intentions. Intentions at a wedding Mass generally include prayers for the couple’s new life together, for their future children, for the two families coming together, and for all those present.

I’ve enjoyed seeing at weddings a remembrance table where they have pictures of deceased loved ones. It’s a great way for guests to learn a bit more about the couple’s family and those they loved.

Lastly, I’ve enjoyed seeing at weddings a remembrance table where they have pictures of deceased loved ones. It’s a great way for guests to learn a bit more about the couple’s family and those they loved. Wedding guests enjoy seeing them and the bride and groom can be confident they are not forgotten. As a videographer, I am intentional to capture this because it is a sentimental element of the wedding day. 

While death separates us from our loved ones, as Catholics we realize it is only temporary. We pray that we will have the opportunity to be reunited with our loved ones in Heaven. And we hope they are in Heaven praying for us on our wedding day.

Et fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen.

And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.