Church Weddings and the Hand Ceremony- HElp Please

kahlua716 Posted: Mar 14, 2007 03:23 PM

Church Weddings and the Hand Ceremony- HElp Please

I'm not a huge fan of the candle thing and I REALLY love the Hand Ceremony- but does the Catholic Church allow you to do that in place of the candle thing?

TIA

olivia30 Posted: Mar 14, 2007 03:50 PM

Re: Church Weddings and the Hand Ceremony- HElp Please

I don't see why it cannot be incorporated, but every church has its own rules. You could also have a ceremony at your reception if it is not allowed at the church. The unity candle is optional at my church.

MrsQ-in2007 Posted: Mar 14, 2007 04:00 PM

Re: Church Weddings and the Hand Ceremony- HElp Please

Neither the candle ceremony nor the hands ceremony is part of a church wedding ceremony (at least not a catholic church). However, most churches will allow either or both.

I'm not sure if the hands ceremony can be done IN PLACE of the candle ceremony - meaning at the same point during the ceremony - but I'm sure they can do it. We're doing both the candle ceremony AND the hands ceremony.

donegal419 Posted: Mar 14, 2007 05:34 PM

Re: Church Weddings and the Hand Ceremony- HElp Please

I highly doubt that you will be allowed to the hand ceremony in a Catholic Church. The candle ceremony is not even a part of the Catholic Rite of Marriage, but some priests and churches allow you to do it.

ALL aspects of the union are taken care of in the Marriage Rite...meaning the sense of becoming one, is already done.... they will not allow you to do a hand ceremony in place of any of that..... and after that, a hand ceremony in my opinion, will 1. seem redundant and 2. In my opinion, will not sound as good compared to the marriage rite that has been around for over a thousand years and has been divinely inspired by God.... JMO.

If you want something secular, i would go with a unity candle. I think you will be hard pressed to find a church that will allow you to do a sand ceremony.... you coudl try, but just know that you may be disappointed. It's not a part of the Mass...

sunshine1813 Posted: Mar 14, 2007 05:39 PM

Re: Church Weddings and the Hand Ceremony- HElp Please

I am getting married at St Catherine of Sienna RC Church in Franklin Square. The allow the hand ceremony and Candle lighting.

MrsQ-in2007 Posted: Mar 14, 2007 11:09 PM

Re: Church Weddings and the Hand Ceremony- HElp Please

Posted by donegal419

I highly doubt that you will be allowed to the hand ceremony in a Catholic Church. The candle ceremony is not even a part of the Catholic Rite of Marriage, but some priests and churches allow you to do it.

ALL aspects of the union are taken care of in the Marriage Rite...meaning the sense of becoming one, is already done.... they will not allow you to do a hand ceremony in place of any of that..... and after that, a hand ceremony in my opinion, will 1. seem redundant and 2. In my opinion, will not sound as good compared to the marriage rite that has been around for over a thousand years and has been divinely inspired by God.... JMO.

If you want something secular, i would go with a unity candle. I think you will be hard pressed to find a church that will allow you to do a sand ceremony.... you coudl try, but just know that you may be disappointed. It's not a part of the Mass...

My church allows the hand ceremony. It does not take the place of the marriage rite - that is something that is standard etc. The hand ceremony can be done in conjunction with the final blessing and it actually isn't redundant. It's not like the candle ceremony which stands for two becoming one; it's more about focusing on what the other will bring to you - a reminder of what to expect and what to look forward to.