British Columbia

St. Mary's Parish hosts largest Catholic wedding in Vancouver

Fifteen couples got married in what the Vancouver archdiocese says is its largest mass wedding on Saturday.

Wedding at St. Mary's Parish started with just one couple, says event organizer

Wedding organizer Tim Deewold says most of the couples getting married in a mass wedding in Vancouver today have already had civil ceremonies. (CBC)

The Vancouver archdiocese hosted what it says is its largest mass wedding on Saturday. 

Fifteen brides and grooms, ranging in age from 20s to 60s, got married at St. Mary's Parish. 

Event organizer Tim Deewold says the idea for a mass wedding started with one person in the parish and then "it just kind of snowballed."

"It's a practical thing, and that is of course it's a lot cheaper when you have a volume discount," he said, laughing. 

Each of the 15 couples getting married at St. Mary's Parish in Vancouver has said their vows. (CBC)

Most of the couples are already married, he said, but had civil ceremonies. Saturday's wedding was performed in the eyes of the church. 

The ceremony lasted about 90 minutes — an hour for scripture, then the exchange of vows for each individual couple. 

Deewold says the 15 couples will not be having a mass reception.

With files from Deborah Goble