Deborah Chan
The length of a Lutheran wedding ceremony depends on the specific church and the couple's preferences. While some sources suggest that the ceremony typically lasts around 30 minutes, others state that it can range from 20 to 40 minutes. The duration is influenced by various factors, such as the number of readings, songs, and other personalized elements included in the ceremony. Lutheran weddings generally follow a similar structure, beginning with a prelude of hymns, followed by the processional, greeting, and opening prayer. The ceremony also includes scripture readings, a sermon, exchange of vows and rings, and a declaration of marriage. The specific order of these elements may vary, and some churches may include additional traditions, such as the lighting of a unity candle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | Between 20 and 40 minutes |
| Ceremony | Prelude, wedding processional, greeting, scripture readings, sermon, vows, ring exchange, declaration of marriage, unity candle, marriage blessing, recessional |
| Rehearsal | Between 30 and 45 minutes |
| Reception | Must be scheduled at the same time as the wedding, the couple is responsible for providing all food, drink, paper products, decorations, servers, and clean-up |
| Flowers | May be delivered when the church is open, but it is best to deliver them as early as possible |
| Rice | Prohibited for safety and environmental reasons |
| Communion | Must be open to the congregation and not limited to the wedding party |
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What You'll Learn
Prelude and processional
The prelude is an important aspect of a Lutheran wedding ceremony, setting the tone for the occasion and providing a moment of reflection for the guests as they take their seats. It often features instrumental music or hymns that hold a special meaning for the couple. This is followed by the processional, which marks the beginning of the ceremony and includes the grand entrance of the wedding party, culminating in the bride's arrival. This symbolic procession signifies the support and blessing of the couple's families as they embark on their married life together.
The prelude and processional are more than just a simple walk down the aisle. They are integral parts of the ceremony, creating a solemn atmosphere and emphasising the spiritual significance of the occasion. The music chosen for the prelude and processional can be personalised, with couples selecting hymns or instrumental pieces that resonate with them. This adds a unique and meaningful touch to the wedding ceremony.
The processional also serves as a visual representation of the couple's journey towards marriage. The entrance of the wedding party, followed by the bride, symbolises the support and love of their families and friends. It is a reminder that the couple is not just celebrating their union but also the community they have built together. The processional is a powerful statement of the couple's commitment to each other and their shared faith.
While the specific order and content of the prelude and processional may vary depending on the couple's preferences and the Lutheran denomination, the overall structure remains consistent. The prelude is a time for reflection and preparation, while the processional is a dynamic and celebratory entrance that ushers in the main ceremony.
In terms of duration, a Lutheran wedding ceremony, including the prelude and processional, can vary in length. On average, the ceremony lasts around 30 minutes to 40 minutes, but this can be longer for more elaborate weddings with a larger number of guests. It is important for couples to work closely with their pastor to ensure that the ceremony is well-paced and includes all the desired elements while maintaining a suitable length.
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Vows and rings
A Lutheran wedding ceremony is a worship service for God and a celebration of a lifelong commitment to one's partner under God's blessing. The wedding vows and rings exchange is a crucial part of the ceremony.
Vows
Lutheran wedding vows are typically based on the worship book in the order of marriage service. Couples who wish to write original vows should consult their Lutheran pastor to get approval. The pastor may also provide guidance on adapting the vows to reflect the couple's preferences and relationship. It is recommended to keep the vows simple and avoid making impossible promises or using absolute words like "forever," "never," "only," and "always."
Sample vows from Faith Lutheran Church:
> "In the presence of God and this community, I, [name], take you, [name], to be my wife/husband; to have and to hold from this day forward, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow. I take you, [name], to be my wife/husband. I promise before God and these witnesses to be your faithful husband/wife, to share with you in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health. I promise to forgive and strengthen you, and to join with you so that together we may serve God and each other as long as we both shall live."
Rings
The pastor blesses the rings, and the couple exchanges them, reciting the words provided in the marriage service. A traditional ring exchange phrase is: "With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge thee my troth."
The exchange of rings is often accompanied by music, with common selections played after the greeting, sermon, or directly after the rings are exchanged.
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Scripture reading and sermon
Scripture readings and the sermon are integral parts of a Lutheran wedding ceremony. The length of the ceremony depends on several factors, including the specific traditions and customs of the Lutheran faith, the order of service, and the couple's preferences. Scripture readings, often chosen by the couple, impart wisdom and guidance for married life. There is no strict rule on the number of Bible readings, and couples can seek input from their pastor when making their decision. The readings are usually shorter than a typical Sunday reading and are chosen from wedding Bible verses that offer insight into God's view of love and marriage. Pastors usually have a list of suggested scripture verses, such as 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 ("If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am nothing"), John, Chapter 2, verses 1-11 (the story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding in Cana), and Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 (noting that God is the source of creation, making men and women who are designed to become one flesh). Couples may also choose to include other readings or poems that are meaningful to them.
The wedding sermon, like the scripture reading, is typically shorter than a regular worship service sermon. The pastor bases the sermon on the previously read Bible verses and may personalize it for the couple, drawing on their circumstances or life experiences. The sermon is an opportunity for the pastor to provide additional context and highlight prominent themes in the chosen scripture passages. It is also a time to reflect on the couple's relationship with God and the significance of their union in the context of their faith.
The overall length of a Lutheran wedding ceremony, including the scripture readings and sermon, can vary. On average, a traditional Lutheran wedding ceremony lasts between 30 to 60 minutes. However, this duration can be influenced by factors such as the level of customization, the inclusion of special music performances or rituals, and the involvement of the congregation and guests.
In conclusion, the scripture readings and sermon are key components of a Lutheran wedding ceremony, offering spiritual guidance and personalized reflections for the couple. The length of these portions can vary depending on the specific choices made by the couple and the pastor's guidance, ultimately contributing to the overall duration of the wedding ceremony.
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Unity candle and blessing
The unity candle ceremony is a relatively new custom in wedding ceremonies, first becoming popular in the second half of the 20th century in American Protestant weddings. It is not explicitly part of the churches' apostolic tradition and is prohibited in some churches. Couples should check with the pastor before including it in their order of service.
The unity candle ceremony is a meaningful illustration of the joining of two hearts and lives in Christian weddings. Three candles and a small table are needed. Two taper candles are placed on either side of a larger pillar candle or centre unity candle. The taper candles represent the lives of the couple as individuals before their union in marriage. The outside candles are typically lit by the mothers or another member of the wedding party as part of the processional. The large unity candle remains unlit until the unity candle ceremony.
During the unity candle ceremony, the couple will move toward the unity candles and stand on either side of the candle holders. Each member of the marrying couple will take a candle and together light the centre one, extinguishing their own candles. This symbolises the union of their lives into one. The couple may light the unity candle while a special song is being sung, or the minister may give a narrative of the candle lighting ceremony.
In a Lutheran wedding, the unity candle ceremony is followed by the benediction and recessional. The officiant offers a benediction, pronouncing a blessing over the newlyweds and their future together, invoking God's guidance and grace as they begin their married life. The ceremony concludes with the recessional, during which the newlywed couple and the wedding party exit the ceremony venue, marking the beginning of their new life together.
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Music and hymns
Lutheran weddings tend to be shorter than weddings of other Christian denominations, but the music can make them longer. Music is often played after the greeting, after the sermon, and after the exchange of rings. Churches often have a list of recommended Christian wedding songs for couples. The music and hymns can be chosen by the couple, and the vicar or music leader at the church can also help with suggestions.
Hymns are not necessary for a legitimate Catholic wedding, but they are often included in the processional, the end of the marriage rite, during the preparation of gifts, communion, and sometimes, at the end of mass. Similarly, in a Lutheran wedding, hymns can be included at various points in the ceremony. Couples can choose well-known hymns or tunes that their guests can easily pick up, or they can opt for familiar songs from school assemblies. Faster hymns are more suitable for livelier ceremonies or as an opening hymn, while slower hymns work better for a more traditional service.
Hymns suggested for Lutheran weddings include "The Church's One Foundation", "Go My Children", "Great Is Thy Faithfulness", "Abide with Me", "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing", "Gracious Savior, Grant Your Blessing", and "Rejoice, Rejoice Believers".
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Frequently asked questions
A Lutheran wedding ceremony typically lasts between 20 and 40 minutes. The length of the ceremony depends on the number of elements included, such as readings, songs, and vows.
The different elements that can be included in a Lutheran wedding ceremony are:
- Prelude: Lutheran hymns are played on musical instruments, followed by the wedding processional.
- Greeting: The pastor greets the bridal party and guests.
- Parental consent: This can be included during the greeting.
- Opening prayer: A prayer dedicated to praising God and Jesus and their guidance for the couple's married life.
- Scripture readings: Readings from the Bible, which the wedding sermon is based on.
- Wedding sermon: This is usually shorter than a typical worship service sermon.
- Vows: Couples can write their own vows or use traditional vows from the worship book.
- Exchange of rings: The pastor blesses the rings, and the couple exchanges them.
- Declaration of marriage: The pastor pronounces the couple married.
- Unity candle: This is optional and depends on the church.
- Benediction or blessing: The pastor blesses the congregation and the couple before the recessional.
- Kiss: This may or may not be included, depending on the church.
You can personalize your Lutheran wedding ceremony by writing your own vows, including additional readings or songs, or inviting a friend or family member to perform a blessing. You can also discuss with your pastor whether you can include any other personal touches, such as the use of a unity candle.
