Across different religions, wedding ceremonies take different forms. There are a variety of formats to choose from. There are Muslim weddings, Chinese weddings, Christian weddings, etc. One of the most common types of wedding is the Christian wedding ceremony. If you are of a different religion, you might want to know how Christian weddings are celebrated.
Christian weddings are either administered by a priest or a pastor and typical are held in a church building with limited church wedding decorations. Although the Christian wedding ceremony outline may be altered to your liking, there are basic parts that you have to include. Keep in mind that since it is a religious celebration, the Christian wedding ceremony highlight would be the rite of marriage, and it is expected that a Christian wedding would have a holy mass incorporated into the ceremony or as they call it, the nuptial mass especially if it is a catholic wedding.
For other sects of Christianity, the general wedding script is as follows: the entourage or procession, call to worship, opening prayer, the readings, the pledge, the vows, exchanging of rings, the pronouncement, the communion, closing prayer, the kiss, introduction of the couple and recession.
The nuptial mass is just like any other holy mass except that it includes added parts like the rite of marriage, the consent and the blessing and exchanging of rings, the bringing of the bread and wine to the altar by the couple, Hanc Igitur, the nuptial blessing. Of course the bridal entourage is also considered as well as the readings and music. Here is the general flow of the nuptial mass.
First, we have the gathering and entrance rite. This is when the priests come in with their deacons and altar boys, then the liturgy of the word, where readings from the bible are inserted as well as the homily. After the liturgy, comes the marriage rite where the couples exchange rings and vows. Then we have the communion or the holy Eucharist then the conclusion rites.
Aside from the elaborate wedding ceremony, Christian weddings are also rich of symbolisms. Here are some examples; the wearing of a white dress and veil of the bride symbolizes purity, the rings symbolizes eternity, the cloth or ribbon that ties the rings together during the rite of matrimony means unity of the couple. Some weddings even include cords to tie the couple together, the unity candles, rice, coins and a lot more.
If you are a non Christian attending a Christian wedding it is wise to know how Christian weddings are administered so that you won’t be left out at nuptial masses. There are points during the mass that everybody stands to say a prayer or something so better know them. If you can’t participate, it’s better to stay at the back instead of distracting worshippers by not standing or just sitting there. The key is respect.
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