Weddings ~ Religious Considerations?

Religious Considerations... continued

On a previous page we have looked at a number of issues that a family's religion can create when planning a wedding. That page is here.

Here's more information on weddings and religion.

Religious Considerations: Scenario 3

In this next scenario, the outline is the same as the previous scenario, except that Sarah is having a problem with the requirements that Mark's church is asking of them.

Here we see the first big roadblock - and maybe a humdinger of an argument too.

It is so important to talk about your religious considerations so that you know that everybody is on the same page. (In my books, the best time to talk about religion is way before the engagement ring enters the scene.)

In this scenario, somebody is going to have to give a little if this marriage is going to take place.

Some of their choices are:

  • Sarah compromises and goes along with Mark's preferences to be married in his church.
  • Mark compromises and the couple gets married in a Protestant church
  • they are married by an officiant in a non-denominational church or at another site special to them or at the reception venue and perhaps have their marriage sanctified by a Catholic priest later on that day or on another day
  • they are married at City Hall with only their parents in attendance and invite guests to a reception only
  • they decide on a destination wedding inviting only a few chosen family members and friends, where the resort will arrange a non-denominational ceremony. They will then decide if their marriage will be sanctified at a later date


    • Religious Considerations: Scenario 4

    Mark and Sarah want to get married in a local park by a non-denominational officiant since neither one of them have no real affiliation with a church.

    Sarah's father, however, is quite religious and is really disappointed that his daughter is not going to have a church wedding.

    Mark and Sarah explain to Sarah's dad about their feelings and have also agreed to have their marriage blessed in Sarah's dad's church when they return from their honeymoon which makes everyone happy. Compromise: a great fixer-upper.

    There are so many options, the right one depending on what is most important to which people involved. Remember, you are preparing for a marriage, not just a WEDDING. The religious considerations you need to discuss go beyond the wedding day itself and into the life you plan to share.

    Also remember that your invited guests may not be familiar with the protocol of the religious facility you choose for your ceremony. Anything your guests need to know about being in the facility or participating in the ceremony should be documented right on the invitations so your guests can come prepared.

    For example, if protocol asks that participants' heads be covered, make sure your guests know this ahead of time and maybe have available some head coverings for guests who have forgotten.

    I have attended a church that would not allow women to enter if their shoulders and knees were bare. It's that kind of thing that guests need to know in advance.

    Your wedding ceremony should be memorable in a positive way.




    Wedding Cake