If you choose to have a Catholic ceremony, you will be participating in one of the holiest traditions the faith has to offer.   The ceremony is simple and reflects a contract between two baptized Catholics to be joined in holy matrimony. To fully understand the depth of a Catholic wedding and how it may differ it's recommended that you speak to a Priest or Deacon. The Sacrament of Matrimony is one of the seven sacraments, one of the most important rites in all of Catholicism, and you will need to know what is allowed and what is not allowed for this specific ceremony.    

While it is becoming more common for couples to perform a Marriage Rite, a more private version of the Catholic ceremony, the traditional Catholic wedding takes place in a public place of worship (i.e., a church) during a Mass, and before a Priest. Unless you have received a dispensation from the church, the Roman Catholic Church will not recognize your marriage if you exchange your vows before a minister or other religious figure. Further, there are certain dispensations required if you or your bride is no Christian or a non-Catholic Christian. The music of your wedding ceremony should be approved by the Church as well and many churches will have pre-selected music that is approved and appropriate. Your personal favorite music may have to wait until the reception. This isn't so bad, as the church can provide the musicians required at a nominal cost to you.

The Nuptial Mass generally takes place in the morning or early afternoon.   The ceremony consists of the reading of no fewer than three Biblical passages (often a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and a Gospel), the exchange of vows, the exchange of rings, the Prayer of the Faithful, the nuptial blessing, and often additional prayers, songs, and hymns.   As it is a Mass, there is also traditionally a Communion.   You will have to decide if you want it to be an Open Communion, meaning that any non-Catholics in attendance are free to partake in the Communion meal.   Some churches may not allow open Communions, so be sure to ask.

It is a tradition of the Catholic wedding ceremony, along with most other Christian ceremonies, for the father-of-the-bride to walk the bride down the aisle, delivering her to her groom.   The rings exchanged from bride to groom and vice versa are first blessed by the Priest. The union of the bride and groom is ratified by the Priest by saying, "Ego conjungo vos in matrimonium in nomine Patris at Filii et Spiritus Sacnti. Amen."   This translates to, "I unite you in wedlock in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

There are several ways to personalize a Catholic wedding: picking which Bible passages to be read, writing your own vows (if permitted - many churches insist that couples read traditional vows), having a unity candle, giving roses to parents/mothers/grandmothers, selecting your own music for the march down the aisle and wedding song, or having a candlelit service.   These are far from the only ways to put your personal touch on this centuries-old tradition, but before you decide on any of them, you and your fiancée should schedule a sit-down with your Priest or Deacon discuss all of your ideas.