The Benediction Blessing: A Guide To This Wedding Tradition

Benediction is a blessing, often religious, that comes at the end of a wedding ceremony. It is a final opportunity to bless the couple and send them best wishes for a happy future. In a religious ceremony, the officiant may ask God to watch over and protect the newlyweds, while secular ceremonies may include hopes for a good life together and a successful marriage. Benedictions can take the form of scripture, poems, prayers, or quotes and are often followed by a kiss.

Benediction meaning

A benediction is a blessing given to the newly married couple by the officiant at the end of a wedding ceremony. It is usually the final act before the newlyweds kiss and the recessional begins.

The purpose of a benediction is to bless the couple and to wish them a happy future. In a religious ceremony, the minister will ask God to watch over and protect the couple. In secular ceremonies, the benediction is more about hopes for a good life together and a successful marriage.

Benedictions can take the form of scripture, poems, or prayers. They can be religious or non-religious, and are often chosen to reflect the couple's culture or personal beliefs. For example, a couple might choose a blessing from the Bible, or an Irish blessing, or a poem or quote from modern literature.

Religious Benedictions

• "The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26
• "May God bless, keep and guide you the rest of your lives. Happy Wedding Day!"
• "May the grace of Christ attend you, the love of God surround you, the Holy Spirit keep you, that you may live in faith, abound in hope, and grow in love, both now and forevermore. Amen."
• "May the blessings of God rest upon you. May God's peace abide in you. May God's presence illuminate your heart now and forever more." - Sufi Song
• "May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of His hand." - Irish Blessing

Non-Religious Benedictions

• "May your love for each other be as endless as the oceans, as timeless as the mountains, and as enduring as the skies above."
• "May your love story be like a beautiful melody, always in harmony and full of love. May you continue to create a life of happiness, love, and laughter together."
• "May you have the love only two can know. May you go where only two as one may go. May the sun rise and set in your bonded hearts and the moon never find you too long apart."
• "May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door."
• "May the years ahead be filled with lasting joy. May the love and happiness you feel today shine through the years."

Religious vs. secular

A benediction is a blessing or expression of good wishes for the couple, delivered by the officiant at the end of a wedding ceremony. While it is most often associated with religious weddings, secular ceremonies can also include a similar type of blessing.

Religious Benedictions

Religious benedictions are typically in the form of a prayer or verse from a religious text. For example, some couples may choose The Lord's Prayer as a benediction, or select a verse from the Bible, such as 1 Corinthians: 13, Ecclesiastes: 4:9-12, or 1 John 4:10. Other options include the "Wedding Prayer" by Robert Louis Stevenson, or an Irish blessing.

Secular Benedictions

Secular benedictions can be sourced from poems, literature, popular culture, or even song lyrics or movie quotes. They may also be more personalised, referencing past events or statements that are meaningful to the couple. Secular blessings generally convey hopes for a good life and a successful marriage, without referring to a specific God or religious text.

Religious benedictions tend to be more traditional and are chosen based on the couple's faith or cultural background. They often include references to God or a higher power, and may be selected from sacred texts or traditional prayers. On the other hand, secular benedictions offer more flexibility and personalisation, allowing couples to choose something that aligns with their individual beliefs and values. Secular benedictions can be adapted to include spiritual elements or cultural references, without being affiliated with a specific religion. Ultimately, both religious and secular benedictions serve the same purpose—to bestow blessings and good wishes upon the newlywed couple as they begin their married life together.

Timing of benediction

The timing of the benediction is important to ensure the wedding ceremony flows smoothly. As the benediction is a final blessing, it is usually placed at the end of the ceremony, before the recessional.

The benediction typically follows the exchange of vows and rings, and according to wedding experts, it is best placed before the newlyweds share their first kiss. This is because guests often expect the wedding party to begin the recessional immediately after the kiss, and placing the benediction after the kiss may cause confusion.

The benediction marks the closing of the ceremony and is the final opportunity to bless the couple and send them good wishes for their future together. It is a solemn moment, often led by the officiant, who may hold their arm up in a symbolic gesture of giving a blessing or asserting their authority.

The benediction is a significant part of the wedding ceremony, offering a chance to express good wishes, give blessings, and impart wisdom to the newly married couple before they begin their new life together.

Examples of religious benedictions

A benediction is a blessing, often religious, that comes at the end of a ceremony or service. In a wedding, it is a final blessing for the newly married couple before the recessional.

The Aaronic Blessing

Taken from Numbers 6:24-26, this is one of the most familiar benedictions for worship services and is common at weddings:

> The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.

Thessalonians 5:16-18

> Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Unity Prayer of Protection

> The light of God surrounds you, The love of God enfolds you, The power of God protects you. The presence of God watches over you, wherever you are, God is, and all is well.

Numbers 6:24-26

> The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Sufi Song

> May the blessings of God rest upon you. May God's peace abide in you. May God's presence illuminate your heart now and forever more.

Harry K. Zeller, from the Bretheren Hymnal

> And now may the courage of early morning's dawning, And the strength of eternal hills at noontime, And the peace of open spaces at evening's ending, And the love of God abide in your hearts now and forever. Amen.

Irish Blessing

> May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Adapted from the Apache Wedding Prayer

> Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into the days of your life together. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

Ancient Tibetan Buddhist Blessing

> May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well. May you be peaceful and at ease. May you be happy.

Examples of non-religious benedictions

A benediction is a blessing or expression of good wishes at the end of a ceremony, such as a wedding. While often associated with religious services, secular ceremonies can also include non-religious benedictions.

A Cherokee Prayer

"Now you will feel no rain,

For each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold,

For each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no more loneliness,

For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two persons,

But there is one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place,

To enter into the days of your life together."

A Summary of Plato's Symposium

"May you be filled with loving kindness.

May you be well.

May you be peaceful and at ease.

May you be happy."

Harry K. Zeller's Hymnal

"And now may the courage of early morning's dawning,

And the strength of eternal hills at noontime,

And the peace of open spaces at evening's ending,

And the love of God abide in your hearts now and forever. Amen."

Unknown Author

"May the long time sun shine upon you

And the pure light of love guide you on your way

May the peace of the Lord be with you always."

George Rodger's Wedding Grace

"Let us enjoy good food and good drink,

And let us thank all whose efforts have set them before us;

Let us enjoy good companionship,

And let us each one be good company to the others;

Let us enjoy ourselves, without guilt,

But let us not forget that many are less fortunate."

Frequently asked questions