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Christian Orthodox Wedding Tradition

The bride and groom will come together in union with God and Christ.

In between candles which represent the light of the truth (Jesus Christ) and the lighting if the churches teachings the couple will exchange rings and then be crowned.

These crowns have two meanings. First, they reveal that the man and woman, in their union with Christ, participate in His Kingship. Second, as in the ancient Church, crowns are a symbol of martyrdom. The word "martyr" means witness. The common life of the bride and groom is to bear witness to the Presence of Christ in their lives and in the world. So the reality of God's Kingdom in the life of the husband and wife will necessarily take the form of dying to one's self, to one's will, and the giving of one's life totally to the other, and through the other, to Christ.

The couple walk around the table containing the gospels three times, their first steps together to a life lived in love and union with Christ.

Photographers beware as the couple exit the church a mix of rice, sugar coated almonds and confetti is sprinkled over the newlyweds.

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Christian Western Wedding Tradition

The groom waits at the alter in avid anticipation and finally the music begins, the flower girls precede the entrance of the bride who is accompanied by her father (or other close relative).

"We are gathered here to witness this marriage in holy matrimony" exclaims the Priest or minister.

"I take you to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." Together they make this proclamation in the eyes of God and in union with Jesus Christ in front of a standing congregation.

Exchange Of Rings

After the couple responds, "I do," to the vows, the exchange of rings follows. Each may say, "I take this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." The minister will have a benediction prayer or say "The Lord's Prayer" along with the congregation. Next, the pronouncement of "I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined let no man put asunder which closes the ceremony.

In the Catholic tradition a mass complete with the eucharist may take place.

The couple kisses and exits down the aisle and out of the church.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Asian Tea Ceremony

The tea ceremony is one of the most significant events in the modern Chinese wedding ceremony, second only to fetching the bride. The bride and groom are formally introduced to each other's family through this ceremony. Important moments to capture & record are the pouring of the tea, the exchange of red envelopes, and the parents adorning their children with traditional jewelry. Red & gold are such prominent, beautiful colors throughout the day & photograph exquisitely, adding lift and energy to the final wedding album.

Auspicious dates & timing of the wedding are all essential in planning the perfect day.

Live Long & Prosper

Jewish Weddings

On the wedding day, the Chatan (Hebrew for groom) and Kallah (bride) are merged into a new, complete soul.

After the Badeken, the couple stands under the Chuppah, the bride circles the groom seven times, symbolizing the wholeness and completeness they cannot attain separately.
The couple drinks the wine (Kiddushin), the groom gives his beloved a ring, and the Rabbi reads the Ketubah (marriage contract) in the original Aramaic.

The Seven Blessings (Sheva Brachot) are now recited over the second cup of wine. These blessings confirm that the Chatan and Kallah have faith in God as the Creator of the world.

A glass is now placed on the floor, and the Chatan shatters it with his foot. This identifies the couple with the spiritual and national destiny of the Jewish people.

We remain to photograph the energetic and invigorating Hora at the beginning of the festivities.

- Mazel Tov!

Hindu Weddings

The couple participates in a sacrament solemnized in accordance with the VEDAS, the holy scriptures of the Hindu religion that date back several thousand years.

The ceremony itself is a collection of rituals performed by the bride, bridegroom and their respective parents and close relatives. The priest chants "mantras" from the Vedas that were originally written in Sanskrit. The wedding is normally conducted under a mandap, a traditional canopy with four pillars. This energetic scene makes for exciting and colourful photography. An important component of the ceremony is the sacred fire; (Agni) that is witness to the ceremony. Lord Agni is the symbol of light, power, and purity and acts as the principal witness to the ceremony. The Groom offers Mangal Sutra (a sacred necklace) to his wife and places Sindoor (a red powder) on her forehead. Both signify the mark of a married woman and symbols of his love, integrity, and devotion towards her.

Sikh Weddings

The families and friends of both the bride and groom gather in the Gurdwara, or a wedding hall, for the Anand Karaj ceremony - the blissful union of the couple. They assemble together in the presence of the Siri Guru Granth Sahib, and hymns are sung.

A long scarf, shawl, or length of turban cloth, called a palla is draped around the groom's shoulders. The bride's father (or one acting in his stead) takes the left end of the palla and arranges it over the bride's shoulder and gives her the left end to hold.

The bride and groom walk around the Guru Granth, as the Ragis sing the hymns of Lavan. They bow together before the Guru Granth concluding the 1st wedding round and resume sitting.

The entire congregation sings "Anand Sahib", the "Song of Bliss". Four times whilst being serenaded by the Sahd Sangat (congregation) singing the Lavan (marriage Hymns).Lastly, a ragi serves everyone a handful of prashad, a sacred sweet blessed during the prayer.
The bride and bridegroom then share their life, happiness and sorrow; from two individuals they become 'Ek Jot Doe Murti', meaning one spirit in two bodies.

They have been blessed to be a part of the Sadh Sangat, and that their lives should be an example of service and divinity to all around them, to fulfill the great destiny they have been given.

Buddhist Weddings

The wedding begins with the lighting of the candles and the placement of incense in front of the shrine to Buddha, followed by the offering of flowers.

Next is the recitation of the Buddhist wedding vows, as inscribed in the Sigilovdda Sutta. The groom says, "Towards my wife, I undertake to love and respect her, be kind and considerate, be faithful, delegate domestic management and present gifts to please her." The bride will then say, "Towards my husband, I undertake to perform my household duties efficiently, be hospitable to my in-laws and friends of my husband, be faithful, protect and invest our earnings and discharge my responsibilities lovingly and fastidiously."

Finally, the assembly or perhaps the parents only, recite the Mangala Sutta and Jayamangala Gatha as a blessing.