Wedding Blessing Etiquette
If you're planning to have a wedding blessing in order to further confirm your commitment, it's best to keep a few rules of etiquette in mind. Being aware of the courtesies that are associated with a wedding blessing will ensure that you and your guests are able to appreciate the sentimental value of the wedding blessing.
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When to Have the Blessing
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Traditionally, couples who have had a civil ceremony opt to have a wedding blessing so that they can honor their marriage in a more spiritual way. The blessing can take place right after the civil ceremony, or the couple can choose to have the blessing a few weeks or months later, based on when loved ones and family members can attend. The wedding blessing can also take place at a traditional wedding, in the form of a prayer or benediction, wishing the couple a long life, happiness and healthy children.
Where to Have the Blessing
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While most wedding blessings take place in a church, the bride and groom may choose to have the blessing in another venue that the couple and their loved ones are most comfortable with. For instance, if the bride and groom are of differing faiths, having the wedding blessing in a garden or park will offer a neutral location for the couple to re-exchange their vows and incorporate elements from both of their religions without being offensive.
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Who to Invite
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The couple can choose to invite anyone they would like to the wedding blessing. If the blessing will be small and intimate, it is best to invite only close friends and family members, such as parents, siblings and best friends. If the couple originally married in a civil ceremony but want the chance to share the happiness of their marriage with all their loved ones, it is appropriate to have a larger gathering at a church or chapel that will accommodate the guest list.
Commitment Ceremony
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Couples who have not been legally married are welcome to hold a wedding blessing for themselves as well. While this is not a legal ceremony, this is an informal way for the couple to publicly express their love for one another, and they may choose to have a justice of the peace marry them later. Couples who have guests with scheduling conflicts, or a bride and groom who want to exchange vows when it is convenient for family members, such as during the holidays, can choose the commitment ceremony option.
Vow Renewal
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Couples who wish to renew their wedding vows are free to have a wedding blessing performed for them as well. A bride and groom who are celebrating an anniversary can arrange a wedding blessing, and the ceremony can take place in the location of the couple's choosing. Since the blessing is not a legal ceremony, no paperwork is required, and the bride and groom can include elements such as clergy members from different religions, or a candle lighting ceremony, just like they would at an actual wedding.
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