Planning a wedding
- Thread starter Wannabee
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Don't forget the name of the bride or groom. That makes things awkward.
Seriously though, present the gospel. I hate it when I go to a wedding between believers (I'll assume this wedding is for believers) and the gospel is not clearly communicated. It's sad that people often say to couples, "This day is about you!" No day is ever about us. Every day is about God and his glory regardless of how we acknowledge. People should know that the marriage is about God's glory - not happiness, companionship, or even love.
Seriously though, present the gospel. I hate it when I go to a wedding between believers (I'll assume this wedding is for believers) and the gospel is not clearly communicated. It's sad that people often say to couples, "This day is about you!" No day is ever about us. Every day is about God and his glory regardless of how we acknowledge. People should know that the marriage is about God's glory - not happiness, companionship, or even love.
LawrenceU
Puritan Board Doctor
Just some thoughts:
Yes, remember their names. Even in you know them well, and you do, make a little note with their names on it. I'm glad that I've always done that.
Focus on the gospel.
Keep it short. Long wedding sermons are lost on those up front, and those in the pews. It is not a time to display extensive homoletical prowess.
Get with them and sort out the order of the ceremony and make a cheat sheet outline that can fit in your bible. It will help keep you on track.
Remember, every wedding doesn't go as planned in some way. Sometimes it is a big 'mistake' at other times it is small. Either way the wedding 'works'. Don't get too wrapped up in making it perfect.
Find out if they are using one or two rings. Put that in your outline!
Get with the best man and maid / matron of honour (if two ring) and make sure they know where the rings are immediately prior to the service. Don't assume they know.
If they want a traditional wedding don't be afraid to refer to the BCP. It is a great resource.
Yes, remember their names. Even in you know them well, and you do, make a little note with their names on it. I'm glad that I've always done that.
Focus on the gospel.
Keep it short. Long wedding sermons are lost on those up front, and those in the pews. It is not a time to display extensive homoletical prowess.
Get with them and sort out the order of the ceremony and make a cheat sheet outline that can fit in your bible. It will help keep you on track.
Remember, every wedding doesn't go as planned in some way. Sometimes it is a big 'mistake' at other times it is small. Either way the wedding 'works'. Don't get too wrapped up in making it perfect.
Find out if they are using one or two rings. Put that in your outline!
Get with the best man and maid / matron of honour (if two ring) and make sure they know where the rings are immediately prior to the service. Don't assume they know.
If they want a traditional wedding don't be afraid to refer to the BCP. It is a great resource.
Whitefield
Puritan Board Junior
Things not to do:
Don't let the best man put the bride's ring on his pinkie for safe-keeping. The body swells when a person gets nervous ... we almost never got that ring off his finger!
Don't let the best man put the bride's ring on his pinkie for safe-keeping. The body swells when a person gets nervous ... we almost never got that ring off his finger!
Wannabee
Obi Wan Kenobi
Well, I'm not a priest and I won't be wearing a black gown. I'll attempt to restrain myself if someone drops a ring anyway though.
-----Added 6/16/2009 at 03:40:49 EST-----
I have a pretty workable outline, I think. What's a BCP? I'm drawing a blank. The message will be pretty simple, focusing on God's ordination of marriage, the blessing of marriage, the purpose of marriage and the symbol of marriage (Christ and the church). None of it will be lengthy, though I do hope to be clear. I told them I was going to sing... hehe, the looks on their faces was priceless.
-----Added 6/16/2009 at 03:40:49 EST-----
I have a pretty workable outline, I think. What's a BCP? I'm drawing a blank. The message will be pretty simple, focusing on God's ordination of marriage, the blessing of marriage, the purpose of marriage and the symbol of marriage (Christ and the church). None of it will be lengthy, though I do hope to be clear. I told them I was going to sing... hehe, the looks on their faces was priceless.
JBaldwin
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
And don't forget to announce the bride and groom as Mr. & Mrs. .... to the congregation at the end. It was forgotten at my wedding, and I've seen it forgotten many times.
The suggestions of writing these things down on a little piece of paper would be helpful. I've seen lots of pastors do this at weddings, and no one is offended if he checks his notes.
The suggestions of writing these things down on a little piece of paper would be helpful. I've seen lots of pastors do this at weddings, and no one is offended if he checks his notes.
Wannabee
Obi Wan Kenobi
Since it's my son, I should be able to keep the last name forefront.
Don't worry. I know me, and me needs notes.
I'll probably have much of it written out. Who knows, I might be more nervous than they are.
MrMerlin777
Puritan Board Post-Graduate
jambo
Puritan Board Senior
"You may now kiss the bride" is a very important part of it all. The minister that married us forgot it before we were pronounced man and wife, so I kissed my wife through the veil instead, and we took off laughing down the aisle.
A ministerial friend was telling me that after one wedding he looked at the couple and quietly said "You may kiss." So she kissed the minister!
AThornquist
Puritan Board Doctor
Unless he was her father, that's rather disturbing.
And I'll be praying for the wedding, Pastor Joe.
Wannabee
Obi Wan Kenobi
Thank you all for your input and prayers. If the comments I received are any indication the ceremony went well. I was told that the Gospel was clear and the lady that filmed it said it was the most wonderful marriage she had filmed. I don't know how many she's done. And I've only been to a few weddings myself. So, I'm not sure what to make of all that. But I am confident that Christ was honored and I made it clear throughout that the whole service was a worship service and that Christ was central to all we were doing.
May their marriage exalt Christ for all their years on earth.
May their marriage exalt Christ for all their years on earth.
jambo
Puritan Board Senior
I am glad all went well and if Christ was honoured then things could not have gone better. I trust the Lord will richly bless this couple and their marriage would be long, happy, loving, frutiful and fulfilling. May it indeed be a marriage that is an apt illustration of Christ and the church.
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