Different cultures…different ceremonies?

In today’s society, we are building a beautiful tapestry of life. Weaving colors, races, and cultures has become the norm and can be both exciting and scary for some couples. With different family backgrounds and expectations for celebrations and meaning, the entire process of a wedding can be overwhelming.

Some couples will merge into one spouse’s religion or culture and the festivities are pretty straight forward. What do you do, however, when you wish to maintain your individual cultures and want to have a blended wedding, life, and family? It is actually not as complicated as you think. The hardest part is speaking with your families and letting them know it will be a blend of both equally. It is usually best to let them know you already have a plan so one side doesn’t try to take over.

Let’s say, as an example, one of you is Jewish and the other is Catholic. The best way to handle the ceremony is to have a neutral base and pepper in things from each religion. You can have a priest and a rabbi officiate together, each highlighting the important ideas from each religion. Perhaps include the Unity Candle, Lasso, or Arras for the Catholic side and incorporate the breaking of the glass at the end to honor the Jewish faith. If you cannot get a priest and a rabbi there is no need to worry. A professional wedding officiant can conduct any bi-religious ceremony with ease. I do it all the time and it is lovely.

Follow the same format for the reception. A neutral base with occasional nods to each religion throughout the evening makes for a perfect blending of faiths to ensure each family feels properly represented. It is also a wonderful opportunity for each faith to learn about the other in an open and positive environment. Whatever you decide, just know that you are not alone and following this advice can help make sure you have a stress free wedding.