Prayers for Your Catholic Wedding
Prayer is the heart of the Catholic wedding. From the nuptial blessing — an ancient prayer given only at weddings — to the intercessions, offertory, and the prayers you carry into daily life, this guide covers every prayer moment in the Catholic Rite of Marriage.
Understanding the Nuptial Blessing
The nuptial blessing is one of the most ancient and distinctive prayers in the Catholic liturgy. It has been part of Christian wedding celebrations since the early Church. Unlike most blessings, it is given only at Matrimony. The Roman Missal offers three forms — each emphasizing different aspects of conjugal love, fruitfulness, and fidelity. The priest chooses which form to use, though couples may discuss their preference.
Holy Father, maker of the whole world, who created man and woman in your own image and willed that their union be crowned with your blessing: we humbly beseech you for these your servants who are joined today in the Sacrament of Matrimony. May your blessing come upon this bride, N., and upon this bridegroom, N., so that, being one in heart and mind, they may share their love faithfully and tenderly. Let the grace of Christian marriage stand as a sign of Christ's love for his Church. Bless this bride, who today is united with her husband in marriage. May she always follow the example of the holy women whose praises are sung in Scripture. May her husband entrust his heart to her, so that, acknowledging her as his equal and his joint heir to the life of grace, he may show her due honor and cherish her always with the love that Christ has for his Church. And now, Father, we beg you also to bless this husband, N. May he always honor her and love her as Christ loves the Church. Father, keep them safe and let them always be faithful to you. Fill their home with your blessings and gladden it with the joyful sound of children. Let them praise you in their days of happiness and turn to you in their sorrows. May they know the joy of your help in their work and find it also in their need. May the strength of your blessing be in them so that, reaching out to their neighbors, they may enrich the society of the world. After a happy old age, may they come to the kingdom of heaven with the friends they have made through your grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Father, you created mankind in your own image and made man and woman to be joined as husband and wife in union of body and heart and so fulfill their mission in this world. Father, to reveal the plan of your love, you made the union of husband and wife an image of the covenant between you and your people. In the fulfillment of this sacrament, the marriage of Christian man and Christian woman is a sign of the marriage between Christ and the Church. Father, stretch out your hand, and bless N. and N. Lord, grant that as they begin to live this sacrament they may share with each other the gifts of your love and become one in heart and mind as witnesses to your presence in their marriage. Help them to create a home together and give them children to be formed by the Gospel and to have a place in your family. Give your blessings to N., your daughter, so that she may be a good wife and mother, caring for the home, faithful in love for her husband, generous and kind. Give your blessings to N., your son, so that he may be a faithful husband and a good father. Father, grant that both of them, looking to their companions in life for support, may always honor and love each other. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Holy Father, maker of the whole world, who created man and woman in your own image and willed that their union be crowned with your blessing: we humbly beseech you for these your servants who are joined today in the Sacrament of Matrimony. May the blessing of God come upon you, and may God's peace be with you always, so that you may live in love and truth. May you find happiness in each other and may this sacrament strengthen you in faith, hope and love. May you always remember this day and be faithful to the promises you made. May God fill your home with his grace, give you children to share in the life of the Kingdom, and bring you, together with all who are dear to you, to the eternal joy of heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayers of the Faithful
Also called the Universal Prayer or General Intercessions, these petitions follow the Creed. They voice the needs of the Church and world, moving outward from the couple to all of humanity. Couples may personalize these with pastoral approval. The standard response is "Lord, hear our prayer" (or "Señor, escucha nuestra oración").
For N. and N., who are joined today in the Sacrament of Marriage, that they may grow in love for each other and for God throughout their lives together, we pray to the Lord.
For the families and friends gathered here today, that they may support this couple with love, prayer, and the witness of faithful lives, we pray to the Lord.
For all married couples in the Church, that their love may be a sign of God's faithfulness and a source of hope for the world, we pray to the Lord.
For all who are sick, suffering, or in need, that they may know God's consolation and the support of this community, we pray to the Lord.
For all who have died, especially those who have shaped the lives of N. and N., that they may rest in the peace of God's eternal love, we pray to the Lord.
For all peoples of the world, that the love celebrated here today may inspire a spirit of justice, compassion, and peace among all nations, we pray to the Lord.
Other Prayer Moments in the Mass
Beyond the nuptial blessing and intercessions, several presidential prayers are woven through the wedding Mass. These belong to the priest and are drawn from the Roman Missal.
The Collect opens the Liturgy of the Word and sets the spiritual theme of the celebration. The priest selects from several approved options in the Roman Missal. Couples do not choose this prayer, but they can discuss it with their priest.
Prayed silently by the priest after the gifts of bread and wine are brought to the altar. It accompanies the offertory and connects the couple's gift of self to the sacrifice of the Eucharist. This is a presidential prayer — the priest's alone.
Said by the priest after the communion rite concludes. It gathers the prayers of the faithful and asks that the Eucharist bear fruit in the lives of all present, including the newly married couple. Selected by the priest from the Roman Missal.
Prayers for Your Marriage
The wedding day is the beginning. Prayer together sustains a Catholic marriage through every season of life. These short prayers are offered as a starting point for couples to pray together each day.
Lord God, as we begin this day together, we offer you our love, our plans, and our whole selves. Help us to be patient and kind with each other. When we are tired or frustrated, remind us of the vows we made. When we are joyful, let us praise you together. Keep us faithful to you and to each other through this day and every day. Amen.
Heavenly Father, as this day comes to a close, we thank you for the gift of each other. Forgive us for the ways we have fallen short — in word, in deed, or in patience. Let our home be a place of peace and your presence. Guard our sleep and renew our love, so that we may rise tomorrow ready to serve you and each other. Amen.
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts, which we are about to receive from your bounty, through Christ our Lord. And bless our life together — our table, our home, and our love. Amen.
Lord Jesus, you know the weight we carry today. We come before you not with easy words but with honest hearts. Help us not to turn away from each other in hard times but toward each other and toward you. You are the foundation of this marriage. When we feel weak, be our strength. When we feel distant, draw us close — to you and to each other. We trust in your love. Amen.
Common Questions
Answers to the questions couples most often ask about prayers at a Catholic wedding.
Yes, with pastoral approval. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal allows for locally composed intercessions that follow the standard intentions: the Church, civil authorities, the suffering, the local community, and the deceased. Your deacon or priest will review them to ensure they are appropriate and correctly formatted.
The intercessions are led by a deacon, lector, or other minister — not the priest. Many couples designate a family member or close friend as the reader. Coordinate this with your priest or deacon early in your planning.
Yes. The nuptial blessing is an essential element of the Catholic Rite of Marriage. It is always given by the priest (or deacon in some circumstances) and cannot be omitted. The couple may ask which of the three forms the priest plans to use.
The nuptial blessing follows the Lord's Prayer in the wedding Mass, just before the sign of peace. In a wedding outside of Mass, it is given immediately after the exchange of vows and rings. It is directed to both spouses, not only the bride.
Yes. A Marian prayer or the placing of flowers at a statue of Mary is a beloved Catholic wedding tradition. It typically happens after communion and before the final blessing, or at the conclusion of the ceremony. Coordinate with your priest for timing and placement.
A fully bilingual or Spanish-only wedding Mass is entirely valid and common in many parishes. All the prayers, including the nuptial blessing, are available in official Spanish translations from the Roman Missal. Ask your priest about the parish's experience with bilingual or Spanish celebrations.
Prayer guidelines and nuptial blessing forms vary slightly by diocese and edition of the Roman Missal. This guide reflects the Third Edition of the Roman Missal (2011). Always confirm specific prayers and timing with your priest or deacon.