Wedding Objections: What's Next?

The tradition of allowing wedding objections originated in the 12th century when the Catholic Church introduced it as a way to ensure the legality of a union before making it official. At the time, people relied on word-of-mouth to determine whether a couple was eligible to wed. Objections could include reasons such as one party already being married, underage, or closely related to the other. While it is uncommon nowadays, if someone objects at a wedding, the officiant typically decides how to deal with it. The ceremony may be halted to discuss the objection privately, or the officiant may try to make light of the situation and continue the ceremony. Ultimately, unless there is a legal reason for the objection, the wedding can proceed as planned.

The officiant may halt the ceremony to privately discuss the objection

The officiant may halt the ceremony and privately discuss the objection with the objector, the couple, and other relevant parties. This can be done to assess the validity of the objection and determine whether the wedding should continue.

In the case of a legitimate objection, such as a legal or safety issue, the officiant may be obligated to discontinue the ceremony. For example, if it is revealed that one of the individuals being married is already married or if there is a situation of domestic violence, the officiant would need to halt the proceedings. In such cases, the officiant may need to involve the local authorities or conduct an investigation.

However, if the objection is not based on substantial legal or safety concerns, the officiant can choose to acknowledge the objection, realise that it carries no legal substance, and proceed with the wedding. This is often the case when the objection is based on emotional or moral grounds, which typically do not hold legal weight.

It is important to note that the couple getting married has the final decision on whether to continue with the ceremony or not. The officiant should communicate with them to understand their preferences and ensure their comfort. If the couple chooses to proceed, the officiant can help minimise the impact of the objection by making light of the situation or briefly addressing the interruption without providing additional details.

The officiant may make light of the objection and continue the ceremony

If someone objects to a wedding, the officiant can make light of the situation and continue with the ceremony. While it is uncommon for guests to object, it can still happen. In the case of an objection, the officiant can choose to briefly pause the ceremony and make a joke to ease the tension before continuing. For example, they could say something like, "If someone objects to this wedding, speak now or forever hold your peace—except for Aunt Trudie." This approach can help to diffuse any potential disruption and ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly.

The officiant's primary role is to ensure the couple gets married, so they may opt to ignore the objection and continue the ceremony, especially if the objection is not on legal grounds. In most cases, the couple has already obtained a marriage license, which would have addressed any legal impediments to the marriage. Therefore, any objections raised during the ceremony are unlikely to have legal merit.

If the couple has concerns about a potential objection, they can inform the officiant in advance so they can be prepared to handle the situation appropriately. The officiant can then use humour to address the objection and keep the ceremony moving forward.

It is important to note that the officiant should always check with the couple to ensure they are comfortable proceeding. In some cases, the couple may prefer to halt the ceremony to address the objection in private or decide not to continue with the wedding. Ultimately, the decision to continue or pause the ceremony rests with the couple.

While objections during a wedding ceremony are rare, it is essential to be prepared and handle them with care to ensure the couple's special day proceeds as smoothly as possible.

The couple may ask the objector to leave

If a couple faces objections during their wedding ceremony, they have the option to ask the objector to leave. This is a valid course of action, especially if the objection is not based on legal grounds and the couple wishes to continue with the ceremony.

In such cases, the couple may request that the objector be escorted out of the venue by security or members of the wedding party, such as the groomsmen or ushers. This approach ensures that the ceremony can proceed without further disruption and allows the couple to focus on their special day.

It is important to note that objections during weddings are rare, and it is uncommon for guests to break this significant etiquette rule. However, if a couple has concerns about potential objections, they can discuss this with their officiant beforehand. The officiant can then help to manage the situation and decide how to proceed, whether that involves halting the ceremony or simply acknowledging the objection and continuing.

Additionally, the couple may choose to address the objection privately by asking the officiant to pause the ceremony. They can then take the objector aside to discuss the matter discreetly, after which the ceremony may resume. Ultimately, the decision on how to handle an objection lies with the couple, and they can choose to continue the ceremony or explore other options, depending on their preferences and the nature of the objection.

The couple may ignore the objection and continue the ceremony

If a couple faces an objection during their wedding ceremony, they may choose to ignore it and continue with the ceremony. While this may be a challenging situation to navigate, it is possible for the couple to remain focused on their special moment and not let the objection overshadow their happiness.

In most cases, wedding objections are rare and often made in jest. However, if a couple is concerned about a potential objection, they can discuss it with their officiant beforehand. The officiant can then address the situation with humour or a light-hearted comment, easing any tension and allowing the ceremony to continue. For example, the officiant could say something like, "If someone objects to this wedding, speak now or forever hold your peace—except for Aunt Trudie." This approach helps to acknowledge any potential concerns while also maintaining the light-hearted nature of the ceremony.

Additionally, it is important to note that the purpose of an objection is to assess the legal eligibility of a union, not the emotional. Therefore, unless the objection holds substantial legal merit, the couple can choose to pause briefly and then proceed with their vows. In most cases, the officiant will be responsible for continuing the ceremony and ensuring the couple's comfort.

Furthermore, the couple may opt to address the objection privately after the ceremony. They can thank the objector for their concern and reinforce their commitment to their partner. This approach allows the couple to respect the objector's opinion while also maintaining their decision to marry. Overall, while objections during a wedding ceremony can be unexpected and challenging, the couple has the agency to decide how to respond and can choose to continue with their ceremony, surrounded by their supportive guests.

The couple may pause the ceremony to privately discuss the objection

If a couple is concerned about a potential objection, they can inform the officiant beforehand so they are not caught off-guard. The officiant can then choose to omit the "speak now or forever hold your peace" line from the ceremony script. Alternatively, the officiant can make light of the situation with a joke, or they can address the possibility of an objection directly, such as by saying, “If someone objects to this wedding, speak now or forever hold your peace—except for Aunt Trudie.”

If an objection is raised, the couple may choose to pause the ceremony and privately discuss the objection with the objector. This discussion should be held away from the main ceremony area to avoid creating an even more uncomfortable situation. The couple should then thank the objector for their concern and calmly reiterate their intention to marry.

Once the private discussion is over, the couple can choose to continue with the ceremony. The officiant can then apologise for the interruption and thank the guests for their continued support.

Frequently asked questions