Describe in detail the wedding ceremonies in Christianity and Sikhism and carefully explain the key features of each.

A key feature of the ceremony is the Milni. It reinforces that the marriage unites not only two individuals but also two families. The Milni takes place among all the relations and all of them exchange gifts and turbans as a symbol to congratulate on another. Another feature is the tying of the scarf and dupatta. This symbolises that that the couple is joined together as man and wife and only rare forces can separate them. The bride’s father ties the knot, which symbolises that he has given his daughter away and has united her with her husband. The Lavan emphasises the spiritual union between God and the couple. Each time they go round, they are believed to be blessed by God. Going around the 11th Guru is not just a ritual; the couple is making a commitment with the Guru as a witness. As they circle the holy book they are reminded that the Guru is the centre of their life from which springs their life and the understanding of the journey of the soul crossing this world ocean. The 11th Guru represents the core of the couple with the congregation as their support system. The Lavan is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘breaking away’; i.e. the bride is breaking away from her parent’s home. They emphasise that marriage is not merely a legal contract but is a sacrament, a holy union between two souls: ‘They are not said to be husband and wife, who merely sit together. Rather they alone are called husband and wife, who have one soul in two bodies.’ (Guru Amar Das, Pauri, pg. 788) The gifts of money given by the congregation show that they hope the couple has a good financial life together.

The Christian wedding ceremony takes place in a Church. The best man and groom wait for the bride to arrive. When she does, wearing white, she walks down the aisle with her father followed by bridesmaids. The groom, best man and bride stand facing the altar. After the singing of a hymn, the vicar will give an introduction explaining foe example what Christian marriage is. He then poses questions to ensure the lawfulness of the marriage and asks if the couple ‘are ready’.

The couple then has to say the vows separately: I...take you... to be my wife (or husband), to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy law; and this is my solemn vow.’ Then there is the giving and receiving of the rings. The vicar who is given the ring blesses them and the couple. He gives the ring to the groom who places it onto the fourth finger of the bride’s left hand. Then comes declaration and with no objections the couple are declared to be husband and wife. The vicar blesses the couple and the congregation as a whole. The couple receives an official statement and sign the marriage register which records that the marriage is legal. The couple walks down the aisle to the ringing of bells and photos are taken.

A key feature of the ceremony is that the bride wears white, which symbolises purity and maidenhood. The first hymn also focuses everyone’s mind on God. The couple is asked if they’re ready because if they weren’t then the marriage wouldn’t go ahead. The marriage register is signed because they emphasise the marriage did happen legally. The vows are considered to be the moment when the couple becomes married. The vows unite the couple making sure they stay together and remain faithful. They unite the couple with each other and God. The vows suggest that marriage is a gift from God and that the couple should help and support one another. The rings symbolise the promise the couple have given to one another and the belief that marriage cannot be ended except by death just as a ring has no end and symbolise eternity. The wedding cake cut by the couple emphasises the start of their new life together. The father of the bride walks down the aisle with her, which symbolises him giving her away.