Weddings
Weddings are one of the most wonderful events to celebrate in life. Jesus' first miracle was at a special wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11).
The Wedding at Cana
On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.
Scriptures
- Genesis 1:26-28 - Male and Female he created them
- Genesis 2:7, 18-24 - They shall become one flesh
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9-10 - A threefold cord is not quickly broken
- Song of Songs 2:10-13; 8:6-7 - Many waters cannot quench love
- Isaiah 61:7-11 - As a bridegroom decks himself
- Hosea 2:18-23 - I will betroth you to me in faithfulness
- Matthew 19:4-6 - What God has joined, let no one separate
- Mark 10:1-9 (13-16) - What God has joined, let no one separate
- John 2:1-11 - Wedding at Cana
- John 15:9-12 - Abide in my love
- Romans 12:1-2 - Present your bodies as a living sacrifice
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:4-5 - Glorify God in your body
- 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a - The greatest of these is love
- Ephesians 5:1-2, 22-33 - Walk in love as Christ loved us
- Philippians 4:4-7 - Rejoice in the Lord always
- Colossians 3:12-17 - Put on love, which binds everything together
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 - God called us in holiness
- Hebrews 13:1-8 - Let marriage be held in honor by all
- 1 John 4:7-12 - Let us love one another
- Revelation 19:6-9 - His Bride has made herself ready
- Revelation 21:1-5 - The Holy City prepared as a bride
Program Covers
There are many different options for wedding program covers for the wedding bulletin. Creative couples may choose to design and make their own. Other couples choose to purchase program covers from places like Concordia Supply or Christian Book Distributors or design one and upload to printers like Vistaprint.
Processional Song (e.g., Canon in D)
Invocation (i.e., In the name of the Father...)
Welcome (i.e., Dearly beloved, we are gathered in the sight of God and before His Church to witness the union... For these reasons, God has established the holy estate that _____ and _____ wish to enter. They desire our prayers as they begin their marriage in the Lord's name and with His blessing.)
Prayers
Hymn or special music (optional)
Scripture Readings
Hymn or special music (optional)
Wedding Address (Wedding sermon/homily)
Marriage Ceremony
Wedding Address (Wedding sermon/homily)
Marriage Ceremony
Exchange of vows
Exchange of rings
Declaration of marriage
Presentation of the Couple
Recessional music
Christian Wedding Order of Service Example #2
Prelude (organ, instrumental music)
Procession (organ, instrumental or congregational hymn)
The Greeting
Prayer of the Day
Hymn or Solo (optional)
Lessons (one or two scriptural passages may be read here)
Sermon (optional)
Hymn or Solo (optional)
The Exchange of Vows and Rings
Pronouncement of Marriage
The Blessing
The Lighting of the Unity Candle (optional)
Hymn or Solo
Blessing by parents and wedding party (optional)
The Prayers
The Lord's Prayer
The Benediction
Presentation of the Couple
Recession (organ, instrumental or congregational hymn)
Christian Wedding Order of Service Example #3 (no singing)
Prelude
Processional
Entrance of the Bride
Welcome
Opening Prayer
Scripture Reading (best man)
Scripture Reading (maid of honor)
Wedding Address (homily)
Exchange of Rings and Vows
Closing Prayer
Declaration of Marriage
Presentation of the Couple
Recessional Music
Recommended music for processionals:
Canon in D Pachelbel
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring Bach
March (from Occasional Oratorio) Handel
Prince of Denmark's March (Trumpet Voluntary) Clarke/Purcell
Processional in C Hopson
Processional (from Water Music Suite)
Handel
Trumpet March Lully-Wolff
Trumpet Tune in C Lau
Solemn
Processional (from Water Music Handel
Wedding Processional and Air Bach-Leupold
Recommended music for recessionals:
Allegro (from Symphony #4) Boyce
Allegro Maestoso (Walter Music) Handel
God of Grace arr. Manz
Hornpipe (from Water Music) Handel
Psalm 19 Marcello
Prelude in Classic Style Young
Now Thank We All Our God
Post
Rigaudon Campra
Rondeau ("Theme from Masterpiece Theater") Mouret
Trumpet Tune Clarke/Purcell
Trumpet Finale Manfredini-Wolff
Additional Hymns from Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW)
Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now 253
We Praise You, O God 241
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 543
Holy God, We Praise Your Name 535
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry 770 (WOV)
O Perfect Love 287
Hear Us Now, Our God and Father 288
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus 487
Heavenly Father, Hear Our Prayer 289
The King of Love My Shepherd Is 456
When Love is Found 749 (WOV)
Traditional Christian Wedding Processional Order
Preservice
As the guest arrive it is best to have one or two ushers greet the guests and hand out wedding programs. Depending upon the size of the wedding and the location of the wedding, one to three ushers can escort guests to their seats during the preservice music.
The Bride's Mother
The mother of the bride's entrance signals that the processional is about to begin. Once they reach the end of the aisle, they take their seat to the left of the aisle in the first row.
The Groom
After the mother of the bride takes their seat, the groom will traditionally take their place at the head of the altar (coming in from the side of the venue or walking down the aisle solo). However, many couples choose to have the groom's parents escort them down the aisle (then his parents sit to the right of the aisle in the front row).
The Best Man
The best man either walks in from the side and takes their place at the altar next to the groom, or they can walk in as the last groomsman. They frequently hold the rings, even if there is a Ring Bearer.
The Groomsmen
The groomsmen open the processional as they walk down the aisle one by one, or sometimes they are paired up with the bridesmaids.
The Bridesmaids
The bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one before the maid or matron of honor. Some couples may choose to have the groomsmen and bridesmaids walk in together in pairs.
The Maid or Matron of Honor
Before the ceremony, the maid or matron of honor assists the bride with their dress, veil, and train, making sure everything looks perfect before they walk down the aisle. They then stand by the bride's side at the altar, holding their bouquet and sometimes the groom's ring.
The Flower Girl(s) and Ring Bearer(s)
The ring bearer and flower girl precede the bride down the aisle. Traditionally, the ring bearer carries the wedding rings (or decoys, if they're too little to be trusted with the real things), tied to a small pillow. The flower girl may carry a basket of petals, which they scatter as they walk, or a posy of flowers. After the procession is over and the rings are handed off to the best man, the children's work is done, and they can be seated with their parents.
The Father of the Bride and the Bride
The bride's father traditionally escorts their daughter down the aisle, standing to the bride's right. After the father of the bride "gives them away," they lift the veil and kiss the bride, signifying their blessing, then takes their seat beside the bride's mother.
And the wedding ceremony continues...
Things to bring with you to the rehearsal
[ ] Rings
[ ] License
[ ] Bulletins
[ ] Unity Candle and tapers (optional)
[ ] Decorations and flowers
[ ] Clothing you wish to have locked up overnight (optional)
Payment of all fees is to be made on the night of the rehearsal. The list below is provided for
your organizational purposes. The amount of the specific fee and checks should be made payable to the specific person assisting with
your wedding.
[ ] Wedding Coordinator (if applicable)
[ ] Secretarial services (i.e., printing programs, incorporating music in the bulletin)
[ ] Organist / musicians
[ ] Custodian (if applicable)
[ ] Pastor
[ ] Building Usage (if applicable)
Image credit: Drew Coffman on Unsplash
