Your Christian Ceremony . . . A Covenent Promise Before God

Your wedding ceremony is the most important part of your wedding day. It is the part that makes you husband and wife before God. As a Christian, you are making a covenant of commitment in the presence of your family and friends. In your ceremony you commit your life to the person that you love more than anyone else, creating a bond that will last a lifetime. It is also a time to worship and thank God for brining you together and bringing 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. In the years to come, you will look back  on your wedding ceremony and it will remind you of how God is intimately involved in your marriage.

There are many ways to incorporate Christian elements 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 important part of your  ceremony in a Christian wedding is the giving of vows.These are the words that couples for centuries have spoken to one another and although they are simple words, they have extrodinary meaning and importance because they are sacred promises which should be kept forever.

The following are some ideas to incorporate into your wedding to help symbolize your commitment to each other and to keep God at the center of your marriage!

Talk to your officiate or minister how you can incorporate any of these into your ceremony.

Cord of Three Strands

The cord of three strands ceremony (often called "God's Knot" or the Unity Braid Ceremony) symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God into a marriage relationship. 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

The Bouquet of Love and Support Ceremony 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 your minister or officiate 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 turn to when you run into some difficult times in your marriage. They will be there to encourage you and help you to stay committed to one another and to God.

Lighting of the Unity Candle

Mothers light small (taper) candles for the Unity Candle

Typically, the mothers light the small candles next to the unity candle as the ceremony begins. Usually, the mother of the groom is escorted in and she sits. Next, the mother of the bride is escorted 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.

Unity Cross Ceremony

The Unity Cross is a unique way to celebrate the joining of a bride and groom together as one. This multi-piece sculpture is to be assembled during the unity service of the wedding ceremony, representing the joining of two into one. The groom places the outer cross in the wood base. The bride then places the sculpted cross inside the outer cross. The Unity Cross can be displayed in the couple's home after the wedding ceremony as a reminder of their wedding day and the union they share.

Special music

Consider adding a solo before the wedding, during wedding, or during a Reading or one of the ceremonies listed above.  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