Personalizing Your interfaith Wedding
Ceremony - Florida
Today many couples stretch the rules. They want their wedding
ceremony held in usual places that come under the non-traditional
rules. Celebrating their union in a country club garden, or under an
outdoor canopy at home or on the beach is becoming the norm. Others honor
their joining standing by a fire in a mansion, or even out on the
water on a sailing vessel.
But couples want even more then this. They find they want to express
their union by personalizing it. Even more then having their vows
adapted to their style, couples want the entire ceremony to be
personally tailored. They want to share dreams, ideas, and thoughts
with their guests in a uniquely individualized ceremony
The question is, “How could you design a ceremony that reflects the
belief that your marriage is a profound expression of your
relationship, yet does not make you feel as if it came from a catalog
or a TV wedding?”
Nowadays, couples meet with the Ordained Interfaith Minister and
together plan the altar ceremony from beginning to end. They
incorporate their own choices of poems, selected readings and even
eclectic sentiments. They choose to write their own vows plucking
thoughts from their heart and from other sources.
Sometimes couples infuse personal styles and customs including
different religious sentiments or ceremonial seasonal reflections. A
Judeo-Christian couple wanted to incorporate a flavor of their
different religious backgrounds, along with the strong feeling of
family. The lighting of a candle is traditional in both religious
backgrounds and in this combining, the Ordained Interfaith Minister
can explain both meanings as part of the ceremony.
At the end of many Christian celebrations we hear the ringing of the
bells and in the Jewish tradition we have the breaking of a glass.
Among the many interpretations of these three customs, one is that the
loud noise of three the bells, blowing conch shell and the breaking of the glass scare away
evil spirits. Whatever the real reason, a joyous feeling takes over
when these events occur. So simultaneously ringing the bells,. Blowing
the conch shell and
breaking the glass can honor all of these ritualistic events.
So if you are planning that interfaith wedding in a garden - try a
ritualistic theme and erect a holy altar made of flowers and herbs. In
your prayers, speak of the harmony of the garden, and it’s fruition.
If you are planning a wedding in a castle or mansion, perhaps create a
service incorporating appropriate Shakespearean verses, such as, “When
love speaks, the voice of all the gods makes heaven drowsy with the
harmony.”
In today’s weddings, many rules disappear. We feel pulled toward what
is living in all traditions and then incorporating each facet in a
pleasing and inspiring ceremony. Weddings are now a mix of the
traditional, the alternative, the mystical, and the spiritual.
Sometimes in second marriages, it is also the blending of families
that occur as well. It is good to include the children from both
marriages as part of the ceremony. Special engraved medallions can be
made for the ceremony. The Ordained Interfaith Minister blesses and
places them over their heads during the preceeding's
Sometimes themes of an interfaith weddings emerge from different
places. One couple selected sunflowers as the motif for the reception
and the invitation. The meaning of the sunflower represents adoration,
affection, constancy, glory and gratitude. What wonderful words to act
as the basis for the blessing of a wedding couple.
Remember, today’s adventurous couples take that step to make their
interfaith wedding ceremony unique and they have fun taking the time
to sleuth around for inspiration. A ceremony is the pinnacle, the high
point, the call for the joining of two who are made for each other.
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Six Steps To a Memorable Interfaith Wedding
The first step is to read a number of sample services to see
how others have combined their faiths into a loving and memorable
service symbolizing their lives together. There’s no better place to
get ideas than from those who have been down this road before. You can pick up bits and pieces from a number of
ceremonies and then add your own special touches to create a unique
and personalized ceremony that suits you.
Step two is to choose the passages you want read during your
service. This includes not only the scriptural or poetic passages that
will be read by friends and family members but also the text you want
for each element of the service – should the opening remarks be
traditional Catholic or traditional Hebrew? The blessings, prayers and
vows must also be decided upon. This should probably be reviewed with
the clergy members who will preside over the service to determine what
the options are.
Step three is to devise a first-draft. While there are no
absolute rules as to how interfaith ceremonies should be conducted,
order and flow are important. Placement of the reading should coincide
with the themes of surrounding prayers and passages if possible. You
also must decide if you would rather exchange vows toward the middle
of the ceremony or have the whole ceremony lead up to that moment
followed by the pronouncement. Rev BJ Bishop suggests editing the
passages to reflect your own style, thoughts and feelings.
Step four is to review the draft with your Ordained Interfaith
Minister, making whatever changes are necessary. Make sure that
everyone involved is comfortable with the text.
Step five involves the final touches. You have to decide who
will read what passages. Obviously in interfaith ceremonies, a rabbi
will lead the uniquely Jewish sections and a priest or minister will
lead the Christian elements of the service. Any remaining passages
should be equally divided between the two. You also must decide which
family members of friends will do each of the readings.
Step six is to enjoy your creation. It is the unique ability of
interfaith couples to stray from tradition and devise something that
is entirely their own. Put your all into it and take time to reflect
on and enjoy the moment. You may even want to keep a copy of the
service for your wedding album. The magical moment will pass far too
quickly.
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FAQ's
The following are the most frequently-asked
questions by couples who are planning their interfaith wedding
ceremony:
1. What is your primary requirement of couples?
Time. That is, time for getting to know one another and for creating
together a warm and meaningful ceremony.
2. Do you co-officiate weddings?
Yes.
3. In a Church?
Yes.
4. Do you officiate weddings on Saturday?
Yes. Anytime on Saturday and Friday evening as well.
5. Do you travel to officiate weddings?
Yes. In the central Florida area.
6. What is the best way to contact you?
I do hold dates for couples who make a phone commitment, so call
today!
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