Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony is the most important part of your wedding day. In your ceremony you commit your life to the person that you love, creating a lifelong bond. It is also a time to worship God for brining you together with your soon to be spouse and getting you to this new point in your walk of life.
Keeping God at the center of your wedding ceremony will also help you keep God at the center of your marriage. As you think back on your wedding ceremony it will remind you of how God is intimately involved in your marriage.
There is no single right way to plan a wedding ceremony. In general, there is nothing that necessarily has to be in your wedding. It is up to you, your soon to be spouse, and your pastor or priest to create a ceremony that is both fitting for you and honoring to God.
There are many ways to incorporate worship into your wedding. Hymns and songs, readings, and other elements will allow you to express your faith and give honor to God. One of the most common ceremonies in a Christian wedding is the giving of vows. The following are some more ideas to incorporate into your wedding to help symbolize your commitment to each other and to keep God at the center of your marriage!
Items to Add to Your Ceremony
Once you've covered the basics, consider adding some of these unique aspects to your ceremony.
Cord of Three Strands
The cord of three strands ceremony is a great addition to a traditional wedding ceremony. It adds a truly unique element to your ceremony that friends and family will remember.
Have a look at the God's Knot - Cord of Three Strands!
Bouquet of Love and Support
Do you have a large family or many close friends that you would like to incorporate in your wedding? The Bouquet of Love and Support is a great way to involve more people. Friends and family of your choice are given a rose or other flower to bring up and set in a vase (on the altar or somewhere in the front). You should determine the best spot and timing for this within your ceremony.
Have someone explain that this bouquet represents all of the people that are present to love and support you in your marriage. These are the people to lean on when you run into bumpy spots in your marriage. They will encourage you and help you to stay committed to your spouse and to God.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
Mothers light small (taper) candles for the Unity Candle
It is typical to have the mothers light the small candles next to the unity candle as the service begins. Usually, the mother of the groom is ushered in and she sits. Next, the mother of the bride is ushered in. However, she does not sit. The usher leaves and the mother of the groom walks up to mother of bride. Together they head up to the altar to light the taper candles, the smaller candles on each side of the Unity Candle.
Special music
Consider adding a solo before the wedding, during wedding, or during the candle lighting. If you've chosen to use the Cord of Three Strands, incorporate a song during the braiding. Here are some ideas.
Processional and Recessional Music
- Canon in D - Pachelbel
- Psalm XIX - Marcello
- Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
- Trumpet Tune - Purcell
- "Air" from Water Music - Handel
- "The Rejoicing" from Royal Fireworks Music - Handel
- Allegro Maestoso from Water Music - Handel
- Now Thank We All Our God - Karg-Elert
- Trumpet Tune - Stanley
Top Christian Wedding Songs
- Unfailing Love - Jimmy Needham
- The Day Before You - Matthew West
- Household of Faith - Steve Green
- Holding Hands - Steve Green
- When God Made You - Newsong and Natalie Grant
- Love of My Life - Jim Brickman and Michael W. Smith
- How Beautiful - Ben Utecht
- My Heart, My Soul - Avalon
- Your Love Broke Through - Rebecca St. James
- I will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman
What goes in my bulletin?
Take a look at our bulletin ideas to get you started!