Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Christian ideas for wedding receptions

Christian ideas for wedding receptions


It's interesting:
"A wedding is a time for joy and fun, with friends and family gathered to see the happy couple off as they start their new life. But it is a time, too, when our ..."

Marriage is a sacred sacrament in the Christian religion. A Christian wedding reception will incorporate more spiritual and religious elements than a typical reception. The tone and structure of the reception will be shaped by the denomination the couple belongs to, how strictly they follow the tenants of their religion and what traditions or customs they would like to incorporate. Explanations of the traditions should be provided to help those not associated with the religion understand the meaning behind them.

  1. Dancing Substitutions

    • Stricter sects and practitioners of Christianity do not believe in dancing and do not encourage guests to dance at weddings or other celebrations. In lieu of dancing, you will need to find other ways to entertain guests. A heartfelt toast to the couple or an anecdote about the newlyweds or their parents or grandparents will help keep guests engaged. Asking each guest, or one guest from each table, to share a favorite memory about the couple, a thought on love or marriage or an inspiring Bible quote would be meaningful as well. Show a slide show of the newlywed couple growing up, including images of their first Holy Communion and the couple's courtship.

    Poems and Readings

    • Display a framed quote or Bible verse on the placecard table or in another prominent place at the reception. If the quote is short enough, it could also be printed on a banner and displayed on a wall. Choose a Christian-themed quote from the Bible, from the pope or from a renowned advocate of love and peace, integral values in the Christian religion. For example, this quote from Ephesians 5:31 would apply: "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh." Or this quote from Matthew 19:6: "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

    Decor

    • Use traditional Christian imagery in designing the wedding reception decor. Candles are often used to represent holiness, spirituality and hope in the Christian religion. Place white candles on each table to represent love. Have the bride and groom light the candle on their table together, to symbolize their unity in matrimony. A popular Christian story of the love and protection Jesus offers is called Footprints, and tells a story of Jesus walking beside his follower along the beach, then carrying him when life becomes difficult. Use this story to represent the way married couples must also support each other through good and bad times. Place a decorative tray filled with sand on a table. Before placing it on the table, have the bride and groom step in the sand to make their footprints. Place a framed copy of Footprints beside the sand.


Source: www.ehow.com

Tags: Christian religion, quote from, bride groom, Christian ideas, Christian ideas wedding