In Christian wedding ceremony’s, hymns are used to focus on the importance of marriage, and to also focus everyone’s mind on God The music should speak of God’s love displayed through Christ. The words should not be talking about a romantic encounter between two individuals, but a spiritual relationship between God and the couple. At a Christian wedding the hymns should extol God’s love in marriage. The wedding is a sacred solemn worship service; therefore the hymns should reflect that. “The hymns and tunes are used to glory the God of the creation and marriage, who is the source of eternal love, the only basis on which marriage should be built.” (www.ccmw.org .) This quote illustrates how the hymns are an important feature as they portray the real meaning behind marriage, and should encourage the couple to remember god, and aspire for eternal love.
During the wedding ceremony, the couple make their Vows to God and to one another to confirm their love. Vows are solemn promises that should never be broken, thus meaning the vows exemplify the commitment made to each other. The groom make the vows first as he must be the leader and assume the greater responsibility to fulfil the marriage covenant. As covenant initiator, he must commit himself to the purpose of marriage which God established in the beginning. The vows are considered to be one of the most important parts of the wedding ceremony as this is the point where the couple promise their love, respect etc to each other.
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“I……., take you…….to be my husband/wife” this vow ascertains that the marriage will be legal and they will take everything of each others.
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“To have and to hold from this day forwards” Each promises that from today they are as one.
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“For better, for worse” Each promises the other that they will remain faithful during good times and bad.
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“For richer, for poorer” Again they both promise that they will remain faithful during affluent times and destitute times.
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“In sickness and in health” They commit to love and care for one another during times of good health and times of sickness.
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“To love and to cherish” the couple must promise to love each other, and not take each other for granted
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“Till death do us part” their vows must remain true beyond the wedding day. Their commitment to each other is forever.
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“According to god’s holy law, and in the presence of God I make this vow. They recognise that they have made these vows in front of god, therefore they must stay true to them, as they have promised to God.
For some marriage is a sacrament. A sacrament is a religious ritual by which Christians can know God better. Marriage is one of the seven sacraments accepted by the orthodox and catholic traditions. Through the sacrament the couple become “As one flesh”
The prayers said for the couple are often a talk or sermon about marriage. The prayers are commonly thanking God and asking for his protection over the newly wed couple.
God is another important aspect in a Christian wedding as the couple’s marriage unites them before God. Marriage is a gift from god, and throughout the marriage the couple are strengthened and guided by god. In Matthew 6:31-34, the Bible talks about the importance of “trusting God for all your desires. Placing God first in Christian marriages makes it possible for decisions to reflect Christian values. God created marriage, “It is God’s purpose that husband and wife shall be united in love” (Opening statement)
Although orthodox Christian marriages are very similar, the service contains a few extra elements, which the traditional Christian ceremony does not.
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Betrothal – This takes place at the main doors of the church. The couple promise to love each other and to remain faithful to each other, and exchange rings. The rings are a symbol of their unending love and faithfulness.
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Crowning – The priest places a crown on the heads of the bride and groom. This shows that they are married and they are king and queen for the day. For orthodox Christians this is considered to be the most important part of the ceremony.
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Cup of wine – The couple drink wine from the same cup, 3 times. This symbolises that they now share common life together.
The final blessing, “What God has joined, let man not separate” is a declaration of their marriage. It is basically expressing how their marriage is now officially holy, as God has joined it. Also how it should last forever, i.e. no divorce. The blessing again underlines all that has been said earlier in the service, and stress’s how they have been joined by god, so therefore their love for each other should last for eternity.
