Weddingbee Blog

There was no question that Mr. Ball Cap and I would have a traditional Catholic ceremony. We were both raised in the Catholic Church, attended private Catholic grade school, and are active members in our church community.

Father began Mass with the opening prayer:

Almighty God,

hear our prayers for Sunhat and Ball Cap

who have come here today

to be united in the sacrament of marriage.

Increase their faith in you and in each other,

and through them bless your Church.

We ask you this through our Lord…Amen

We asked Bridesmaid K’s son (MOB’s godson) to read the Old Testament reading.

A reading from the Book of Sirach

Blessed the husband of a good wife,

twice-lengthened are his days;

A worthy wife brings joy to her husband,

peaceful and full is his life.

A good wife is a generous gift

bestowed upon him who fears the Lord;

Be he rich or poor, his heart is content,

and a smile is ever on his face.

A gracious wife delights her husband,

her thoughtfulness puts the flesh on his bones;

A gift from the Lord is her governed speech,

and her firm virtue is of surpassing worth.

Choicest of blessings is a modest wife,

priceless her chaste soul.

A holy and decent woman adds grace upon grace;

indeed, no price is worthy of her temperate soul.

Like the sun rising in the Lord’s heavens,

the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.

The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God

Our organist then performed the Responsorial Psalm, “Fill Us With Your Love, O Lord, and We Will Sing for Joy!”

For the New Testament reading, we asked our sister-in-law to read for us. She and the best man, Mr. Ball Cap’s brother, were married in the same church, and by the same priest, a year before us. It meant so much to have her be a part of the ceremony.

A reading from The First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters:

Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.

But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues,

but do not have love,

I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.

And if I have the gift of prophecy

and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;

if I have all faith so as to move mountains,

but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give away everything I own,

and if I hand my body over so that I may boast

but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.

It is not jealous, is not pompous,

it is not inflated, it is not rude,

it does not seek its own interests,

it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,

it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth.

It bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

The word of the Lord

Response: Thanks be to God

Next was the Gospel Acclamation. The organist performed this as well. We chose the “Celtic Alleluia,” one of my favorites.

For the Gospel, Father read:

A reading from The Holy Gospel According to Mark

Jesus said:

“From the beginning of creation,

God made them male and female.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother

and be joined to his wife,

and the two shall become one flesh.

So they are no longer two but one flesh.

Therefore, what God has joined together,

no human being must separate.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Father then gave a wonderful homily and discussed the significance of choosing to be married on New Year’s Eve and beginning a new marriage and year together as man and wife. He made us sound like geniuses for choosing our date! We definitely grew closer to Father during our marriage preparation and feel blessed that he celebrated over our ceremony.

Up Next: Vows, Rings & a Kiss

Images by Stephen Martin Photography

Need to catch up?

• We Rehearse

• Gifts of Thanks

• Hair and Makeup

• Puttin’ on the Dress

• Sharp Dressed Men

• Dad’s First Look & Bridal Photos

• Walking to the Altar?