Types of Marriage Ceremony

Marriage Ceremony

"Who can find a virtuous woman ? for her price is far above rubbies ." Proverbs 31:10

Marriage is one thing and the marriage ceremony is also another thing altogether .Marriage is the actual life style of the couple living together as husband and wife who are one flesh .While ceremony is the initiation rites that is performed to introduce the two ( male and female) into solimonization of matrimony known as marriage .

This means without the ceremony is not yet a marriage ,it doesn't matter how much children you have .The marriage is where the families of the man and woman come together to agree that their daughter and son are being united as on flesh .Marriage is no marriage if the two families of both couple do not come together to initiate the union of their son and daughter.

The Bride Price

Usually the bride price is paid during the ceremony ;this is the token that the woman's family demands before letting out the daughter in marriage .The bride price also know as dowry is a demand by the family ,that must be met by the man's family ." If a man seduces a virgin not betrothed and lies with her ,he shall surely pay a dowry for her to become his wife." Exodus 22:16

In the aforementioned scripture ,we realized that marriage is not genuine until a dowry has been paid to family of the bride ." Ask me ever so much dowry and (marriage ) gift and I will give according to what you tell me ; only give me the girl to be my wife " Genesis 34:12 This is what Shechem ,the Prince told Jacob ,because he wanted to marry his daughter Dina .

In biblical days marriage ceremonies where held in family houses and not in the temple like our days .These marriage ceremonies where usually held in the woman's family house and it was also known as wedding .For instance Jesus attended a wedding at Cana of Galilee and it was not inside the synagogue (temple) " On the third day there was a wedding at Cana of Galilee ,and the mother of Jesus was there .Jesus also was invited with his disciples to the wedding " John 2:1-2

Examples of bride price items on display during marriage ceremony 

Blessing

Blessing is the Christian way of approaching the marriage ,where the couple are presented in church and are prayed for and also exchange vows before the people. Although this can also be done at the day the dowry is been paid ,provided there is a pastor present to pray for the couple and lead them to exchange the marital vows .

Blessing is done on purpose to dedicate the marriage to God .To ensure the blessings of God ,the protection and provision of God in the marriage.

Examples of marriage ceremonies 

White Wedding

White Wedding is the modern version ,it is properly known as wedding .It is embodied in the culture of the whites ,where rings are used as symbols of marriage and seal of vows made by couples. Nowadays ,people also use rings when paying dowry ,they present the rings as well, which is usually worn by the couple in the presence of  family members .

Wedding gowns are worn ,with veils to cover the bride , and the bridegroom is required to put on political suites of any colour ,but the wedding gown is usually white .Vehicles are decorated for the newly wedded couple ,and there are usually bride's maid ,and also a best man who follows the bridegroom ,flower girls and page boys accompany the couple .The white wedding is not scriptural ,it is only a fashionable type of marriage that people usually prefer  just to attract attention and for their personal convenience.

Examples of  white wedding 

                       Mass wedding 

                     Mass wedding 

 

Court Wedding

This is also another marriage ceremony ,that is usually officiated by court or registry officials ,who prepared marriage certificate for the couple to sign documents and their witness will sign along with them .This kind can be with only the two (male and female) present and court officials ,who sometimes act as witnesses ,but in some cases there may be friends or relatives to act as witnesses for the couple. In this type of marriage ceremony there are no requirements of bride price or family presence ( although in some cases ,there could be families), only the court will legalized their marriage.

However, the most recommended marriages depend on the particular cultures of the couple .At times their religion or Christian life also determines the type of ceremony they opt for.

Examples of Court  Wedding 

Wedding Reception 

This is where guests of the newly wedded  couple are entertained by the marriage couple. The guest usually are friends and relatives who are invited for tour witness this special union of  the male and female. They are served with food and drinks prepared by the family of one or both couple 

Examples of  Wedding Reception