Catholic wedding tomorrow- what to expect?

[PleaseDontLetMyHairFrizz]

I've never been to one before. DC have had the general behaviour warning but will be receiving the specific in the morning

Assuming that it's just the wedding service and not a nuptial mass as well the ceremony including a couple of readings and hymns should take about 30\40 minutes I went to two Catholic weddings(my cousins) last summer within six weeks of each other im pa catholic(very lapsed) but I didn't have a church wedding

There is a ‘sign of peace’ where you shake hands with the people around you and say ‘peace be with you’ (not, as my DH thought at his first ever Catholic wedding, ‘pleased to meet you’).

It’s customary to invite the priest to the meal, and if he’s there he will probably say grace, so don’t start eating until you’re sure. DH was horsing into the bread rolls (what an impression he made on the aunties!)

There may also be bells rung during the Consecration if there’s an altar server (usually a child).

I personally love a Catholic wedding, I find them very spiritual. I hope you enjoy it OP.

It'll be long if they have the full mass. Just follow along and you'll be fine.

I’m catholic, dh isn’t. We were chucked out in 45minutes. No mass in the middle, but prayers and readings. Depends on the priest I think.
Have a wee dram before you go in. Makes it more fun

If it's a mass you can go up for a blessing. Cross your arms across your chest. You can't receive communion.

I have been to several in the US. For the ones where both the bride and groom were Catholic, there was a full mass that lasted over an hour. For the ones where only one of the couple was Catholic, there was not a mass and those lasted about 30 minutes.

As I recall in each of them, the priest gave guidance to everyone, recognizing that a lot of the people in attendance were not Catholic.