The Orthodox Wedding Service
We understand that most of you who will be attending our wedding will have never seen an Orthodox Wedding before and may be a little confused by the service and ceremony. We have included a brief outline here for you of what it is, what you will see, and experience, as well as some of the things you won't find in an Orthodox Service that you would find in a "normal" Western wedding service, along with some simple do's and don'ts to help you feel more at ease.
What Is An Orthodox Wedding?
An Orthodox wedding service, also known as a Crowning, is a sacrament that unites a man and woman in the eyes of God. It involves two main parts: the Betrothal and the Crowning. The ceremony is rich in symbolism, including the exchange of rings, the crowning of the couple, and a procession around the altar. In essence, the Orthodox wedding is a sacred mystery, a divine union of two individuals into one flesh, guided by God and the Church.
Key Elements of the Orthodox Wedding Service:
Betrothal
This initial part includes the blessing and exchange of rings, signifying the couple's commitment and the intertwining of their lives. (This is the closest part to resembeling a secular wedding)
Crowning
The central act of the service, where the couple is crowned, symbolizing their reign as king and queen of their own "domestic church".
Common Cup
The couple drinks from a common cup of wine, representing their shared life and experiences, as well as their shared communion with God in the faith.
Procession
The couple, led by the priest, walks around the altar three times, symbolizing their first steps as a married couple and their journey together.
Scripture Readings
Specific passages from the Bible are read, offering guidance and blessings for the couple's life together, along with the priest sharing a homily (sermon) on marriage and love that he believes best suits the couple and their relationship.
Symbolism
Throughout the service, various symbols, such as rings, candles, and crowns, represent spiritual realities and the couple's commitment to each other and to God.
Music
The service is primarily chanted, with specific hymns and prayers, and instrumental music may be allowed for the procession in and out of the church. Our service will have a male choir to sing all the songs, listen and enjoy no need to sing along.
Do's & Don'ts
We want you to feel at home, so here are a couple of things to make it easier.
Modesty
Although you might feel that an Orthodox Church would be stringent, we welcome all people here. That being said, you will often see women in sleeved dresses that go below the knee in length and sometimes in head scarves. You will also often see men in suits and well-groomed. These are all personal choices and not mandatory. However, we ask that you dp consider modesty before entering an Orthodox Church.
Standing vs Sitting
One thing you will notice is that there is much standing in all Orthodox Services, and the Wedding Service is no exception. That being said, if you are feeling tired, ill, or can't stand for that long, please feel free to sit down. There will be several parts through the service where you will be prompted to stand for critical parts of the service (The Gospel Readings). Standing is seen as a sign of respect, but sitting is also acceptable.
Singing
Orthodox Services are full of song. Almost all prayers, scripture readings and words are sung. Please do not feel obligated to try to sing along; we have hired a professional Orthodox choir to perform at our wedding, so that all our guests can enjoy the music and let it wash over them.
What You Won't See At This Wedding
1
Bride Walk Down The Isle
The Bride and Groom walk down the aisle of the church together, led by the Priest. This happens after the betrothal service, which occurs at the front of the church and closely resembles a "normal" wedding service with the exchange of rings and the father of the bride handing off his daughter to the groom.
2
Vows
Orthodox weddings do not typically include the exchange of vows. The ceremony is viewed as a sacred act of uniting the couple in the eyes of God, rather than a legal or contractual agreement between individuals.
3
Extra Details
You also won't see a ring bearer, a flower girl, or instrumental music during the service. There is also no part of the service where the congregation is asked if they have any reason the two should not be wed.
You will see lots of candles, incense and chanting. Should any of these things bother you, please feel free to step outside at any time.