The Wedding Ceremony

Ushers seat the family and friends of the bride and groom separately because this provides a covenant setting.  The Hebrew word for covenant means the sense of cutting; a compact made by passing between pieces of flesh.  Placing family and friends separately symbolizes the sacrifices they made in order for the couple to enter into this covenant.

How does a covenant differ from a contract? A covenant is based on trust between parties.  A contract is based on distrust.  A covenant is based on unlimited responsibility.  A contract is based on limited liability.  A covenant cannot be broken if new circumstances occur.  A contract can be voided by mutual consent.

Parents are given special seating because of the commitments they make during the ceremony.  They are as binding as the vows of the couple. 

The groom enters first because that signifies that he is the covenant initiator.  Whoever initiates the covenant assumes greater responsibility for seeing it fulfilled.  I Thessalonians 4:14-17. 

The father of the bride walks her down the aisle because of a two-fold significance.  He is saying to her, "I am endorsing this young man as God's choice for you".  He is saying to the groom, "I am presenting you a daughter that I have strived to train up as a pure bride.  The father is responsible for the purity of his daughter before marriage.  Deut. 22:13-21.  Paul talks about this in II Corinthians 11:2.  When the minister asks,'Who gives this womanto this man?' this symbolizes the full blessing of the parents, and transfers the responsibility to the groom for her care.

The significance of the white wedding dress symbolizes the purity of the heart and life for which the husband is reponsible now. During the ceremony, he is to cleanse her by the Word of God, just as Christ purifies believers by His Word.  Ephesians 5:25-28

The couple take each other's right hand to symbolize their strength and resources.  This seals the covenant relationship of marriage.  The ring symbolizes transfer of authority and protection.  The ring is a symbol of identification.  Esther 8:2)  The bride's veil represents modesty and respect.  It symbolizes the sanctity of the marriage covenant and reminds the witnesses that the physical relationship is only to be entered into after the vows are completed.  Further significance to the veil relates to salvation.  When Christ fulfilled the conditions of His covenant for us, the veil in the temple was removed.  Matt. 27:50-51.  The pronounce ment of the couple establishes definate point in time for the beginning of the marriage.  These words remove any future doubts about the validity of the marriage.  It establishes the name change, clearly illustrated in the covenant between Jehovah God and Abram.  The wedding papers establish a public document and testimony.  The significance of signing the guest book means that they have witnessed the marriage and it should be signed following the ceremony.

Food is part of the covenant celebration.  One of the root meanings of the word covenant is 'to feed'.  A feast was customary to further symbolize the unity of the couple.  Entering into a meal is a reminder that the first miracle  of Christ's ministry was a wedding feast.  The bride and groom feed cake to each other symbolizing their becoming one flesh.  They are saying, "This represents my body.  As you eat it, I am becoming a part of you; and as I eat the cake that you give me, you become a part of me."

The special invitation to the reception is the invitation to salvation.  Jesus used the invitation as an illustration of inviting people to come to Him.  The feast was free to invited guest, just as salvation is free to all who receive it.  (Isaiah 55:1) 

The receiving line allows the witnesses to give their blessings to the couple and their parents.  (Ruth 4:11, 14-15) It is appropriate for guests to write a short word of encouragement on a card while they are waiting for the receiving line and give it to the couple on one of their parents.

Rice is thrown to symbolize marriage fruitfulness.  During this process, the couple establish a memorial garden.  The garden represents children that grow up as olive plants around the family table.  (Psalms 128:3)  The children are the rewards of the marriage covenant.