Religious Ceremony
Different faiths have different requirements that you should meet before you are eligible to have your ceremony at a particular religious venue. In the Christian faith, regular church attendance isn’t always essential but some churches insist on it. Be sure to work closely with your minister or registrar by getting their approval for anything you want to add to the service at each stage of the process. In most cases the officiant will outline the service procedure and you can decide on how to personalise your marriage ceremony for example if you want something more individual like a special reading. The length or content depends entirely on you, depending on the kind of ceremony you will have.
Roman Catholic CeremonyRoman Catholic Ceremony The Catholic Church requires hefty marriage preparation. First, it requires both of you to be baptised and if possible one of you confirmed. When you go see the priest for the first time, he will ask to see your baptism certificates and fill a form giving details of your birth and occupation. If you are not a member, he will require a letter from your parish priest and for three consecutive Sundays, the banns, or public announcement of your intention to marry be read out in church. The marriage must then take place within three months. If you’ve been married before, your challenge is pretty daunting.  Technically, it is impossible to marry in the Roman Catholic Church if your spouse is still alive. Even a civil divorce will not do the trick. You must receive an annulment of your previous marriage. The annulment procedure is complicated and intimidating, requiring a great deal of paperwork on the part of the person applying. It can cost quite a lot, too. (Note though, that a previous marriage that did not take place within the church does not require an annulment.From the church’s point of view, a civil- ceremony marriage that ends in divorce was never a marriage in the first place.) The Catholic Church will sanction a marriage between a Catholic and a non- Catholic providing all of the Church’s concerns are met and one of you is a confirmed catholic. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary, for say, a protestant person to convert to Catholicism in order to wed in a Catholic ceremony. If you don’t have to worry about any of this, congratulations. You may move to the next step; pre-marital counselling also known as Pre-Canal. This required counselling is some of the most extensive marriage preparation work that you can undertake. What can you expect from a Pre-Canal? A lot of talking between you, your groom, and your priest about your religious convictions and important marriage issues, workshops with other engaged couples and even some compatibility quizzes. If you need to go through pre-marital counselling, contact the church soon for their scheduled meetings. Group counselling programs (where many couples meet for a series of evenings or a weekend retreat) are scheduled throughout the year. THE CATHOLIC CEREMONY Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Ceremony does not go on and on. Although you have the option of having a complete mass (which adds about fifteen minutes to the total time), this is not a requirement. From the moment the organ announces your arrival at the altar to the time you walk back down the aisle with your new husband, approximately half an hour will have elapsed. So let’s see what happens. The bride’s family are seated on the left and the groom’s family on the right. Your groom and his best man will be standing at the right hand side of the alter waiting for you. The other grooms men have a choice to wait at the alter with the groom or come in with the bridesmaids. Processional or Bridal March The bridesmaids walk in first, followed by maid of honour/ best maid, the ring bearer and the flower girl (who may sprinkle flower petals). The bride arrives with her father or whoever is giving her away. It is not unusual these days for the bride to be accompanied by both parents down the aisle or even to make her entrance alone. The mother of the bride could also be seated right at the front and she will be the first person to stand to signal that the bride is making and entrance. Or she could walk in just before the bride behind the bridesmaids. Introductory rites Once you reach the altar, the priest greets you and your father/ Parent or who ever is giving you away. The priest will then ask, “Who gives this lady away?” and your parents will then say, “We do.” They then place your hand in your groom’s hand and they proceed to sit. You and your groom will proceed to a special seat at the Alter. The bridesmaids will seat on the left side on specially reserved seats while the groomsmen take the right hand seats at the front. Penitential Rite The priest offers penitential rites, and says an opening prayer. Entrance Hymn The ceremony starts with opening music selections. Liturgy of the word This is when the reading you have chosen will be read, perhaps by special friends or family members. You may opt to have a Bible Procession complete with the Injili Dance. This is where the Bible is brought in a special procession with the priest. The 1st Bible Reading and 2nd Bible Reading will be done followed by the Gospel Acclamation. Homily / Preaching At the completion of the reading, the priest gives a brief homily that focuses on some aspect of marriage. Exchange of Vows/ Rite of marriage/ Blessing and Exchange of Rings Here’s where you see some action. After the declaration of consent, the rings are blessed and exchanged. What most people don’t realize is that the exchange of vows, not the ring exchange, is the act that marks the official moment of marriage. There are standard catholic vows (Don’t worry you don’t have to cram them!) At the time of exchanging the vows the alter boy stands right in front of you with the vows clearly written out so you can read them. You can also personalise your own vows which you can read after the official church vows. Hymn A special song congratulating the couple is played while the couple proceeds. Lighting the Unity Candle This is optional. The unity candle signifies putting off your single Prayer of the Faithful Blessings & prayers are said by Bride and Groom’s family and friends. Liturgy of the Eucharist Offertory This is where you and your guests give offertory to the church. The bride and groom may not give their offertory now. You may be able to make a contribution to the church earlier or afterwards. An Offertory Song is played in the process. Sanctus Eucharistic Prayer The Lords Prayer (Recite/ song) Rite of Peace This is where the congregation offers each other the sign of peace by shaking of hands. The bride and groom may go to great their parents. This is done with song and dance like in any other Catholic Church service. Communion Communion Hymn is played while the bride and groom receive the sacrament of marriage. The rest of the guests (Only Catholics qualified) to receive Holy Communion can now also partake. Briefing by Master of Ceremony This is where the MC briefs the guests on what is expected; clarify on venue and photography, program of the day and the reception. Signing of Marriage Certificate and Register The bride and groom together with the two witnesses proceed to sign the marriage certificate. This is also an opportunity to play some well-selected music. After the signing the priest hands over the certificate to the bride who then gives it to the new husband. The bridal party then proceeds organise themselves to leave the church. Orthodox Catholic CeremonyOrthodox Catholic Ceremony  (Useful Contacts, Orthodox Cathedral St Ayargiroi valley road, 2720621, Orthodox archbishop of Kenya Irinoupolis, Riruta satellite 564995/560750)The Eastern Orthodox (including Greek, Russian and Ethiopian Orthodox) wedding ceremony is very similar to the Roman Catholic one, but features some additional rituals that have important symbolic value. Many rituals in the Orthodox ceremony are performed three times – to represent the Holy Trinity. Wedding rings are blessed, and then exchanged three times. (Rings are worn on the right hand.) Crowns are placed on the couple’s heads and switched back and forth three times. After the Gospel is read, the bride and groom each takes three sips from a cup of wine. The congregation sings "God Grant Them Many Years," and the couple walks hand-in-hand around the ceremonial table three times. Protestant CeremonyProtestant Ceremony CEREMONY AND PREPARATIONS Protestant marriages, regardless of denomination, have far fewer requirements and restrictions than catholic marriages. An informational meeting with the clergy is required, but pre-marital counselling is optional. And there is no need for an annulment if either party has been divorced. The protestant religion encompasses many different denominations, but the basic element of the marriage ceremony is the same. The seating arrangement is basically the same plus the order of the processional and recessional. Here’s a brief overview of what to expect: Guests to be seated Bridal March The ceremony begins; members of the wedding day party walk down the aisle. Welcome The minister /celebrant offers a prayer and will declare the purpose of marriage before asking, as the law requires, if anyone knows any reason why the marriage cannot lawfully take place. Opening Prayer A prayer and blessing is said. Hymn 1 Hymns can also be sung during the ceremony. There is a Giving in Marriage (affirmation by parents.) Declaration of Intent: You’ll be asked to promise before God, your families and friends that you will love, comfort, honour and protect each other and be faithful as long as you both shall live. Blessing of Rings: The celebration of the Lord’s Supper takes place. Lighting of the unity Candle. Scripture messages are read- either at the beginning or in the middle of the service. There is usually at least one reading. 1st Scripture Lesson 2nd Scripture Lesson Hymn 2 the second hymn is sung. Marriage vows- Vows and rings are exchanged. Turning to each other, you then make the age-old vows, which have changed very little in 800 years: 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 us do part. As each of you speaks you hold your partner’s right hand, symbolising that you are joining together in a new life. Marriage Counsel/preaching. Signing of Marriage Certificate. Announcements by MC. Hymn 3. Benediction. Presentation of the Couple. Recession. The benediction is given. The recessional takes place. Interfaith MarriageInterfaith Marriage If you and your fiancé are from different faiths, organising a religious ceremony is likely to be a bit tricky. You may not be able to have a religious ceremony at all, so you need to raise the subject as early as possible and make a decision in case you might have to consider a civil ceremony. It will be difficult to find a minister who can conduct his ceremony where another minister is. Seek advice from representatives of both religions though many will not marry couples from different religions. For example in a Muslim-Christian wedding, even the most liberal clergy rarely will perform such a joint ceremony. If you are Re-marryingIf you are divorced and your former spouse is still alive, you will find it difficult to have a full religious marriage service. In the Roman Catholic Church for example, it is technically impossible to be married again especially if your spouse is still alive. Even if you got civil divorce, you must seek annulment of the previous marriage from the Pope, which is a long, daunting and intimidating process. Note that if the previous marriage did not take place in church, it does not require annulment. The church point of view is, a civil marriage that ends up in divorce was never a marriage in the first place. Some denominations will make exceptions, but this is based on a review of each case. However, widows and widowers are free to remarry in church. Meeting Your Officiant Here is a list of questions you may wish to ask the officiant.
Meeting Your OfficiantWhen booking for the church venue, get all the details regarding the rules and restrictions. Most church venues have a checklist of requirements, which you must fullfill before the day of the wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; you want to make sure you and your church are on the same wavelength. Here is a list of questions you may wish to ask the officiant.
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THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONY
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