What is the difference between a church wedding with mass and without mass?

I know the difference is the liturgy of the eucharist. Other than that though are there any other differences? Will there be kneeling and praying? I am getting married and we've decided to do a ceremony without mass but family members are trying to encourage us to have mass. The priest said that I will be the only person receiving communion. Other than the eucharist are there any noticeable differences between the two? Thanks!

If you're talking about a Catholic ceremony, then they usually won't do a Mass unless both are Catholic. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the only difference, but that is usually only done for the couple.

TIME TIME TIME, save people from the mass, i beg of you.

Pleeeeeeeze... no mass. Don't make your guests sit through that!!!

The major difference between them, you've already addressed. The only other difference is about 40 minutes in length. Do what you want...not what your family wants.

Families can put so much pressure on young engaged couple which can cause a lot of needless stress. I say...make the plans.... and let your family get over it. It's your wedding.

The other people on here are right. Having a full mass will add 30-45 minutes, depending on the priest you have and how many people are there. (It takes a while for 200 people to take communion, not nearly so long for a smaller crowd.) And, as with any Catholic mass, there would be lots of sitting, standing, and kneeling, as well as prayers recited by the whole congregation. If most of the people who will be attending are not Catholic, I wouldn't do the mass. There are a lot of rituals involved and people would likely get confused and uncomfortable. They also aren't likely to know some of the longer prayers that would be recited. But if most of the atendees are Catholic, they would feel at home and comfortable. In short, it's yours and the groom's decision. It's your wedding, not your family's. Good luck and congrats!

I know why your family want you to have the mass....so it will count and they won't have to go again on Sunday. :o)
Other than the liturgy of the eucharist there is no other difference other than that of time...you will be able to get to the reception quicker. I would go without the mass.

Good luck

the difference is about 45 minutes. lol.
okay, in the non-mass ceremony, there's no kneeling and very few prayers. the mass ceremony is like a sunday mass but with a marriage ceremony thrown in.

with mass you do both the full mass and the wedding. Without mass- vows only. Do whatever your comfortable with because its not your family's wedding, its yours

A mass is with the bread and wine.

in one there is mass, in the other there isn't.

about 45 minutes...


do what YOU and your (so to be) wife want, F the family, you will get plenty of their poo for the rest of your life...


Good luck and Congrats man!!!

the difference is that after the liturgy of the word (readings, gospel, homily), instead of starting the Eucharist part, you go into the marriage vows. so no kneeling, because that's only during the Eucharist. our priest actually encouraged us NOT to have the full mass because he felt that takes away from the importance of the marriage ceremony. you are there to get married, not to have mass, take communion, etc. save that for Sunday. with all the stress, you're going to want the ceremony over as quickly as possible, believe me. especially if you are wearing heels!

you dont want to stand up there for an hour do yah? niether do the guests, no mass please no mas