From processional to recessional, a Christian wedding could be designed to create the moments the couple exactly want.

Pastor Lem & Sept who had always thought of having a beach wedding ended up with, at least, a beach theme wedding.  Challenged with resources when they finally carried out their long-held plans, they still had the wedding they wanted.

Is it not obvious that you’re attending a ‘beach wedding’?

Glycel, a bride on October 25, 2010, made the groom’s men individually walk before the groom when traditionally they come with their partner bride’s maids.  Stephen, the groom, had his guy friends as Bible, Ring, and Contract Bearers.  These roles are very significant and he had special persons take them accordingly.

Mike with the Bible, Caleb with rings, Joemel with the contract

One of the highlights of the ceremony which takes a huge part even in planning stage is the bridal march.  Every bride wants it to be very special, a moment to celebrate herself, an opportunity to encapsulate all that she is as a bride. It’s her time. It’s the bride’s very moment.

A teacher bride had a friend do an interpretative dance of ‘Ikaw’ on stage then towards the end of the song had the performer dance away to bring her the bouquet.  She was still, of course, at the other end of the aisle. Then she did the traditional marching which was still a classic thing to do.

Ever heard of a groom sing the bridal march music? THAT is so sweet! Imagine your bride coming right up to you as you sing to her your theme song! You pray you won’t crack in tears as you try to finish the song while looking at your beautiful bride the whole time!

The parents’ thoughts about the wedding is worth every moment of  that special day.  Pastor Joseph, a groom in a July wedding in Antipolo, had the moments with his parents right before taking his bride.  It’s his bidding goodbye to his parents as his bride, Camille, was given away by her own parents. All of them were teary eyed, Camille crying, as almost everyone was in the crowd.

Pastor Joseph had his moments with his parents right before the ceremony proper

As the minister takes it from Giving Away of the Bride, he could go on with the message as he has designed his sermon.  Some couples want their parents and principal sponsors dealt here, too, as to their roles in the couple’s marriage; others prefer this segment toward the later part of the ceremony.

One thing I appreciate about this part is when the minister talks very personally to and about the couple. Usually, the couple would have a minister who is special or close to them which makes the sermon truly customized to the couple.  This makes the ceremony even more intimate, unique, and meaningful.

Pastor Joseph, right, Stephen’s mentor, was the Assistant Minister during the ceremony

Declaring vows is one part of the ceremony you should not miss. It’s when the couple tell each other what’s exactly in their hearts for each other. Lea Salonga sang it away. Tuesday Vargas declared her dreams being realized that moment. Many cry, others read their script monotone, some forget lines or follow after the minister.  However uniquely you want it done, you can do so because it’s your time, it’s your style, it’s your wedding.

Another feature unique to a Christian wedding is the Candle Ceremony.  Technically, according to a Baptist minister, it signifies the union of the couple as ‘one flesh’ so that the sexual act should only happen after the wedding as the Bible teaches.  Logically, this part is the last symbolical activity in the ceremony.  However, other couples have a different concept about this.

Jade, a close friend from college had 4 candles (instead of 3), two big candles and two small small ones.  At the start of the ceremony, the candle sponsors lighted the first big candle.  Then during the Candle Ceremony,  each of the couple took the small candles, lighted them from the big lit one then together they lighted the big one on top. This meant that the Origin of all things or of love who is God (first big candle) gave them life/love (taking light from the first candle) and now together as a married couple, they would live one united life (top big candle).  So well thought of!

Ptr Marlon and Rose do a 3-light Candle Ceremony

Many couples also take special time to honor their parents during the ceremony.  Others do it during the reception but somehow having it during the ceremony makes it more special.  Almost all couples both verbally thank their respective parents.  Most would have wrapped gifts given to both sets of parents.   Usually, the fathers return the acknowledgment.  Sometimes they would tell some funny facts about their own child to the delight of the partner and the audience.  All the time, it would be a very emotional part of the wedding ceremony.  The couple cry, the parents cry, the audience has got to have a hankie handy.

The bride’s parents get emotional

Publicly claiming the declaration of the minister that the couple have just become legally husband and wife, the couple kiss.  Awkward, shy, triumphant, at-last feeling–all these get mixed up in the couple.  At the end, it definitely seals everything in.

As for the reception, a Christian wedding is not really as unique because almost all wedding receptions have the same usual features be it Christian or not. It’s just how a couple would do them in their most unique way.  There was one who did not have the Dove Ceremony; another had the Honoring of Parents here instead of including it in the ceremony; recently, a couple ended their reception with sky lantern flying which everyone definitely enjoyed.

Bouquet & Garter Toss has been done in maaany different ways; one of which is having pre-chosen couple to be given the boutonniere and the bouquet respectively. Groom goes first with some playfulness then the Bride takes her turn to actually hand in the bouquet to the matched lady. It’s fun–and not embarrassing!

Bahay ni Santa in Antipolo City has a way of treating its wedding couple clients. When Marvin & Sweet wed few years ago, they had free entrance to the famous house of 3,000 Santas for the game winners during reception. It was a coveted prize!

Marvin & Sweet reserved some energy for their Bahay ni Santa visit after their tiring yet fun reception.

Christian weddings are absolutely unique and  intimate.  The bride and the groom could come up with ideas how they can declare to the whole world how much they love each other by making their wedding as they dream it to be.  As long as the legal and moral aspects of the ceremony are observed, family, friends, every guest could fall in love again during your wedding.

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