Rachel Evans
While kissing is not a part of the Catholic wedding liturgy, couples can still kiss during the ceremony. Some priests may discourage kissing during the ceremony, as they are not supposed to add or remove anything from the wedding rite. However, couples are generally free to kiss each other if they wish, often after being introduced as a married couple or at the end of the mass.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kissing allowed during the ceremony | No |
| Kissing allowed after the ceremony | Yes |
| "You may now kiss the bride" announcement by the priest | No |
| Kissing allowed during Mass | No |
| Kissing allowed after Mass | Yes |
| Kissing allowed during the Sign of Peace | Yes, but chaste |
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What You'll Learn
Kissing is not part of the wedding liturgy
The Second Vatican Council, the highest authority of the Church, has declared that no person, not even a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy. This includes the priest saying "you may now kiss the bride," which is often found in non-Catholic weddings. However, kissing during the ceremony is not prohibited, and couples may kiss if they wish to.
Some couples choose to refrain from kissing during the ceremony, as they feel it may detract from the solemnity of the occasion or lead to other intimate behaviours that may be more appropriately private. Others may choose to kiss at the end of the Mass, after the priest introduces them as husband and wife, or during the Sign of Peace if it is celebrated during the Mass.
While kissing is not a standard part of the Catholic wedding liturgy, couples can discuss their preferences with their pastor or priest, who can provide guidance and advice based on the specific circumstances and traditions of the couple's parish and cultural background.
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Kissing is allowed after the priest introduces the couple
While kissing is not a part of the wedding liturgy in Catholic weddings, it is allowed after the priest introduces the couple as a married entity. The priest may introduce them as "Mr. and Mrs." followed by their surname. This introduction is usually followed by the couple's first kiss as a married couple.
Catholic weddings are both joyful and solemn due to their sacramental nature. The joy comes from the realization of living more deeply with Christ in married life, and the solemnity comes from glorifying God through the sacred rite. The rite of matrimony involves the free and mature consent of a man and a woman to give themselves to each other for life and to raise children, all to the glory of God.
The wedding ceremony is similar to a regular Mass, with the addition of the marriage ceremony. The priest may not add or remove anything from the wedding rite, including the "you may now kiss the bride" line. However, the couple is free to kiss after being introduced as a married couple.
Some priests may be stricter about the "no kissing" rule during the ceremony, considering it a distraction from the sacred nature of the wedding. In such cases, the couple may choose to follow the priest's instructions or kiss anyway, as kissing is not prohibited in Catholic weddings.
It is worth noting that some Catholic couples choose to refrain from kissing before marriage, seeing it as a way to avoid "occasions of sin" and focus on their relationship with God. However, this is a personal choice, and kissing is generally allowed after the priest introduces the couple as married.
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Kissing during the ceremony is not a Catholic tradition
The Catholic Church considers weddings to be joyful yet solemn occasions due to their sacramental nature. The joy comes from the realisation of living more deeply with Christ in married life, while the solemnity is in giving glory to God through the sacred rite. The essence of the sacrament of Matrimony lies in the free and mature exchange of consent between a man and a woman to commit themselves to each other for life and raise children, all for the glory of God.
During the wedding ceremony, the priest typically does not say "you may now kiss the bride" as it is not customary in the Catholic Church. Instead, at the end of the Mass, the priest may introduce the couple as "Mr. and Mrs." and this is usually when the kiss occurs. However, some priests may not announce the kissing at all, leaving it to the couple's discretion.
Some priests may even discourage kissing during the ceremony, referring to it as ""carrying on" that is inappropriate for the solemnity of the occasion and the sanctity of the church as God's house. They emphasise that the couple will have the rest of their lives to enjoy marital bliss and that the kiss, if it occurs, should be a chaste one.
Therefore, while kissing during the ceremony is not prohibited, it is not a traditional or required part of a Catholic wedding. The focus of the ceremony is on the sacred exchange of vows and the blessing of the union, with the kiss usually taking place after the Mass or at the end of the service.
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The priest decides whether kissing is allowed
Kissing is not a standard part of Catholic wedding liturgy. The priest does not say "you may now kiss the bride" as it is not part of the Catholic wedding ceremony. However, the priest may introduce the newly married couple to the congregation as "Mr. and Mrs." at the end of the Mass, and this is typically when the couple kisses.
Some priests may be more conservative and refuse to allow kissing during the ceremony at all. One priest was adamant that there was to be no "carrying on" at the wedding ceremony, including swooping kisses. He refused to say "you may kiss the bride" and did not allow kissing at any point during the ceremony.
However, another priest told a couple that while he wouldn't say "you may now kiss," they were free to kiss once he announced them as married, saying, "who am I to tell you that you can kiss your wife?".
Ultimately, while kissing is not a formal part of the Catholic wedding liturgy, the priest's preferences and discretion will determine whether kissing is allowed and, if so, at what point during the ceremony it may occur.
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Kissing is allowed during the Sign of Peace
Kissing during a Catholic wedding is not part of the official liturgy. The priest will not say "you may now kiss the bride" as it is not part of the Catholic wedding ceremony. However, kissing is allowed during the Sign of Peace, but it should be a chaste kiss. The priest will also not introduce the couple as husband and wife at the end of the event.
Some people view kissing during a Catholic wedding as a cultural tradition that is not inherently part of the Church's liturgy. The Second Vatican Council, the highest authority of the Church, declared that no one, not even a priest, may add, remove, or change anything.
While kissing during the Sign of Peace is allowed, it is important to note that a Catholic wedding is a solemn occasion due to its sacramental nature. The joy comes from realising the deeper meaning of living with Christ in married life, and the solemnity comes from giving glory to God through the sacred rite.
If a couple wishes to include a kiss during their Catholic wedding, they can do so at the end of the Mass, after the priest has introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. This is when the kiss typically happens, and it is considered more respectful to the sacredness of the Mass.
It is worth noting that the priest at a Catholic wedding has the final say on whether kissing is allowed during the ceremony. While some priests may be more lenient, others may strictly adhere to the official liturgy and not allow any kissing during the ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
While kissing is not part of the Catholic wedding liturgy, it is generally accepted that couples can kiss at any point in the ceremony if they wish to. Some priests may advise against kissing during the ceremony, but most couples are introduced as married by the priest at the end of the service, and they can kiss then.
The phrase "you may now kiss the bride" is not traditionally said by priests during Catholic weddings. This is because the ceremony is a solemn occasion, and kissing is not part of the wedding liturgy.
Yes, some priests may advise against kissing during the ceremony, especially if it involves swooping or "carrying on". However, most priests will allow kissing at the end of the service, after the couple has been introduced as married.
While some couples choose to kiss during the Mass, it is generally considered more respectful to wait until the end of the Mass or ceremony. This is because the wedding Mass is a solemn occasion, and kissing is not part of the liturgy.
