CHRISTIAN WEDDING CEREMONY

Traditional Christian Wedding still follows the old way of running how the
ceremony goes and the Minister or Pastor who will officiate the order still
has the say unless the couple has something rolled in their sleeves to
make their wedding with a difference. Modern times speak of innovation
and imagination that creep into doing contemporary wedding ritual
without destroying the essence of a true Christian Marriage Rite.

PRELUDE While guests are seated, especially the bride and the
grooms grandparents, a kind of prelude music sets the mood. It needs not
be purely Christian Music but Classical Music defines what is best for
everyone regardless if you appreciate or not the message that imparts.
This takes around 10 minutes for your reverie.

PROCESSION The traditional Christian Order doesnt involve the

principal sponsors and seems disregarding their presence and now a
Christian Wedding involves them like a Catholic processional arrangement
and evidently speaking, if you attend a Christian Wedding, you see
principal sponsors marching along the aisle not like the old traditional way
where the grooms parents dont march with their son or the bridal march
where only the father walks with her daughter with the Brides mother
already seated. Well, not anymore. Special people are given due
importance.

This is a sample of bridal entourage line-up similar to a Catholic Wedding

now engaging members to be in with their partners walking on as majestic
music is played. The Officiant Minister can devise it if he desires but this is
the way it goes for many weddings, not excluding a Christian Rite.

This is the order of the procession similar to a Catholic Processional Order

of The Bridal Entourage.

A. PASTOR OR MINISTER STANDS AT THE ALTAR

B. BEST MAN
C. GROOM AND PARENTS
D. PRINCIPAL SPONSORS
E. CANDLE SPONSORS
F. VEIL SPONSORS
G. CORD SPONSORS
H. BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN
I. JUNIOR BRIDESMAID
J. MAID OF HONOR
K. RING BEARER
L. COIN BEARER
M. BIBLE BEARER
N. PARENTS TO WAIT AT THE MIDDLE AISLE
O. BRIDE WALKS ALONE WHEN THE CHURCH DOOR OPENS AS HER
PARENTS WAIT AT THE CENTER AISLE TO HAND HER TO THE GROOM WITH
Bridal March Music

GIVING OF THE BRIDE The minister normally has his spiels signifying
among the congregation that the bride has to be handed over to the
groom with their acceptance by answering yes or a nod of acceptance.
This is a typical Christian ritual.

OPENING PRAYER

MESSAGE ELEMENTS OF GOOD MARRIAGE are standard examples of

carrying on with the ministers words of wisdom, enumerating how
important they are for the couple to heed on when listened to intently and
depends upon the one delivering those important words. The pastor can
do it otherwise with his own devised approach of giving a message not
necessarily following the elements to its very essence. Just a sincere
message can carry along.

CHARGE TO THE COUPLE This act signifies a certain spell for the couple
to take into account the compelling
act of accepting the ups and downs of married life and their vow for each
other to keep.

CHARGE TO THE PARENTS A ritual that expresses how the guidance of

their parents is considered that they should be around with their ready
helping hand when the need arises.

CHARGE TO THE SPONSORS A really nice gesture of suggesting an open

arm to welcome the couple during time of trouble.

CHARGE TO THE CONGREGATION This encourages everybody during the

ceremony to at least, share a prayer for the couple to live a happy lives
together as husband and wife.

THE PLDEGE Now this turns to something nostalgic by saying what one
feels like expressing what comes from the recesses of ones sincere
thoughts and this is the moment with tears or laughter, perhaps. This is
the couples stage.

GIVING OF VOWS A moment where two hearts are joined with the help
of the minister applying the magic words uniting them together without
fail. He now digs into the pure message of marital vows expressed and
unreserved acceptance.
 GIVING OF THE RINGS This simply explains that they will be united
forever by the power of the pastors words like the Christ Jesus. He has
the power now at this very instance.

UNITY CANDLE I love this dramatic moment especially the golden

symbolism of the ritual where Background Music is played as they light
their candles to be forever in flames, figuratively speaking.

BIBLE A handy book that miraculously opens into their eyes the good
teachings of the Lord. That every good has to be given to each. That love
has to reign. That forgiveness is evident.

COINS Plain to say that sharing their marital wealth is a practical way
of dealing life as it goes. In sickness and in health, through wealth and
abundance be theirs also to share.

VEIL AND CORD This act finishes their pure intentions and no turning
back or rejecting the call of time when something gets weary. They are
totally one in spirit and soul entwined to travel in moments time and the
end. Though at times each fails to keep the promise for frail is the human
spirit but being together strengthens the bond to keep for eternity.

SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT A Song or Music Rendition

PRONOUNCEMENT Publicly, they are now accepted and in the eyes of

God, they are true Christians of the world propagating the spirit of Christ-
like self. That everybody has to be bonded to reach the pinnacle of free
spirit exemplifying only the good.

THE KISS Music

DECLARATION And so it is.

PICTORIAL Music
RECESSIONAL Music

A Christian Wedding Ceremony is one dramatic moment with the rituals

that speak of union and creating the real impression of accepting what
pushes the couple joining hand in hand in marriage. It expresses how one
feels and accepting now the other frailties and greatness as a human
being. I now believe that it takes two to tango and marital bliss happens
this way. Try to live in a desert alone and you be the judge.