If one or both of you consider yourselves to be religious, then it’s highly likely that you will want to incorporate faith-based elements into your wedding day. One of the cornerstones of most religions is prayer and, in this article, we will be focusing on how to include prayer into the most important parts of your big day.
But before we go any further…if you’re concerned about members of your bridal party or wedding guests who don’t believe the same things that you do, remember that this is your day.
If faith is an important part of your love story and you want to set an intentional foundation for your future marriage, then don’t feel uncomfortable about weaving it throughout your day-of agenda.
If your guests know you and respect what matters to you then they will recognize this as part of what makes you who you are (and love you for that.)
To include prayers on your wedding day, here’s one of the best ways to start. When you’re getting ready for the wedding day festivities, your stomach will likely be in knots and you’ll be filled with anticipation for what’s to come.
While sipping mimosas and singing to your favorite wedding-related Pop songs, make sure to set some time to take a few deep breaths and spend quiet time in prayer.
Get your bridesmaids or groomsmen to surround you in a circle so that you can feel covered, protected, and loved. (If your parents or other guests of honor are around, have them join in.)
Ask that they lay their hands on you and have a moment of silence so that you can all pray what’s on your hearts. Then have a few people say a prayer out loud.
For some ideas on what to pray, The Knot shares these 7 Bible verses. Exclaim ‘amen’ with a shout and a cheer, then you’ll be ready what happens next. This can be a very special moment to create a spiritual connection with your wedding party and help quiet down the butterflies in your stomach.
Consider slowing down the tempo of the music, too, and play some of your favorite praise and worship songs in the background. Having these songs on loop in the back of your head can help drown out some of the chaos taking place in your mind and heart.
If this is something that you’d like to incorporate, tell your wedding planner or day-of events coordinator so they can build some extra time in to the start of your day.
Many couples who take part in a first look say that it’s one of the sweetest parts of the day because it allows for a few final shared moments as a fiancé.
This enables you to see one another prior to the ceremony, in a private space and without an audience.
Seeing each other at the end of the aisle will still be special but this will take some of the edge off. When you do come together to exchange compliments of your wedding style and share statements of how much you love each other, this is the perfect time naturally incorporate prayers on your wedding day.
Take turns praying so that both of you can have an audible spiritual moment, together.
Take this time to share gratitude that God brought you across each other’s paths, ask for a smooth day ahead, and that He works through you in this new season of ministry as husband and wife.
Of all the prayers that you will say throughout your courtship: this one will stand out in a meaningful way.
Now….we know that a first look can be somewhat ‘controversial’ and will not work for all couples. If you aren’t planning a first look but want to pray together before the ceremony, you can:
Say a prayer together the night before so that this is how you complete your season of engagement.
Give each other a prayer that you’ve written down in the form of a love letter to each other and to God. A member of the bridal party can hand-deliver the letter before the ceremony (along with a gift, if you have one). Don’t get rid of the prayers after they have been read, save and frame them for your home!
Do a hidden-first look. This means that you will be on the other side of a door, framed wall or patio so that you can see hear each other without a visible first look!
Call your spouse-to-be on the phone when you say the prayer with your wedding party. This way, both Team Bride and Team Groom, can join in for a combined prayer time.
If you do plan to have your faith be the foundation of your relationship, one of these options will help spiritually unite with one another before the wedding ceremony.
There are so many great ways to incorporate prayer into your wedding ceremony!
Have the Pastor or Wedding Officiant say an opening prayer at the beginning and/or ending of the ceremony. This can help calm the nerves and bring a central focal point to the big day.
Invite a member of your bridal party like the Maid of Honor, Best Man, or both, to say a prayer or read a religious reading (verse, excerpt, poem.)
Pray over the wedding rings prior to the ring exchange to commit them to God as you commit them to one another.
Include a prayer in your wedding vows.
Set time aside for you and your spouse to be to pray together, while your guests have a moment of silence to pray for you. This could be during a special song performance, a sand pouring, or candle lighting activity. Depending on your faith-based and cultural-norms, you could also have your wedding guests stretch their arms out towards you during the prayer.
And if it’s a micro wedding or small destination wedding, you could also have your guests circle around you for the prayer. (That would be a cool photo, too!)
Want some inspiration? Here are ‘25 Wedding Blessings, Prayers, and Readings for Your Big Day’ from Southern Living.
Another way to incorporate prayers on your wedding day is to tie it to a meal. If your guests represent a mixed faith-background, most people will be completely open to hearing a prayer before a meal since this is so commonly done.
If you have someone that is special to you who you’d like to include in a wedding-related agenda, like an uncle or grandparent, then this could be a way to honor them.
Invite them in advance to say a blessing over the meal so that you can have a prayer during the wedding reception. It will mean just as much to them as it does to you and allow for the food to be blessed.
Prayer not only sets the intention for what’s important in your relationship, but it will help remind you that the highs and lows of the wedding day are just the beginning to something far greater.
Whether whispered under your breath in a quiet moment of solitude or proclaimed during the wedding ceremony, we hope these tips gave helpful ideas for prayers on your wedding day.
[Photoshoot in the spotlight: G+A Wedding Photos in Houston, Texas captured by Tori.]
Choose Joy,
The Joy Team
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