Wedding blessing ceremony

LittleHippyHop

Hello

I was originally married in a civil ceremony but would now like to have our marriage blessed in church, purely because when I got married I didn't want a religious ceremony and now my beliefs have somewhat changed.

Anyway, has anyone had a wedding blessing or similar, or been to one?

I was considering going away with my husband and/or with little ones and doing it that way, to make a special occasion of it (I have and spoken to a couple of Church of England churches abroad) but my parents have mentioned that surely a blessing is an event for close family and friends as well... however, I worry that people would view this as renewing our vows (after 3 years of marriage!) but this isn't the case at all, would just like a church blessing on our civil marriage.

It has beeen suggested to me to combine with a christening to have a joint celebration, but again I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Any thoughts/ideas/experiences?

picklepick

We had a marriage blessing, but unlike you, we had a secret civil ceremony and a big lavish 'proper' wedding for our blessing day. (long story)

Basically, it's exactly the same as a normal wedding ceremony except you dont sign a register at the end of it!
We exchanged rings, had hymns, readings and said the usual vows that you would in a normal church wedding.

LEJC

I guess a lot really depends on who you want to attend the blessing...is it just your husband and children or do you want to share it with other family members?

If you want to share it with others then to hold the blessing in another country and expect others to travel at their expense may seem a little indulgent considering that you have only been married 3 years...It sounds that your parents would love to attend but are already thinking of the expense of it being abroad...so from that point of view I suppose the question is do you want the location or the friends and relations?

We will be renewing our vows abroad in a few years time...but it will be just me husband and son...but thats how we want it...infact we ar'nt even going to tell any family until we return home and show them the pictures ...but thats because thats the way we want to do it...I always somewhat joked if thats appropriate to say that if I had another wedding it would be on a secluded beach...so as we approach the 20 year anniversary...thats where we are heading

I think its a lovely idea to have the christening and blessing together, infact ive been to a couple and they have been lovely informal afternoons...but again alot depends on what you actually want and who you want to share it with...

For what its worth if I were your friend and you invited me to your blessing the fact that you had only been married 3 years wouldnt prevent me from attending...what may prevent me from celebrating with you would be the location you choose ...

It is a lovely idea and I hope you sort out your perfect renewal

LittleHippyHop

Thank you both for your replies!

That's a lovely idea for your 20th anniversary LEJC, I'm sure it will be wonderful:beer:

Yes if we went abroad it would definately be just me, hubby and the kids, which I have already told my parents. It is pretty expensive though so would probably do it in a couple of years!

To be honest I probably would like to have it with just my little family, but if I did have it locally I think it would look strange if I didn't invite anyone... plus, for me I think there's abit of 'I really wanted to elope abroad when we got married, but didn't to keep family happy, so would like to make this special somewhere just for us.' But.... I didn't really want to wait too long (with regards to cost) but it would be something lovely to save for!

The christening could be a really nice idea, LEJC. When you attended, did the married couple wear their 'sunday best'? Did you know they were having a blessing as well as the christening before hand, or was it informally added during the service?

LEJC

ive attended a couple...one where we were told in advance of the situation and the couple were "Blessed" in full wedding attire and then theier daughter christened....so possibly the most formal of the 2 and the other where we knew we were attending a christening and the couple wore "sunday best" and a button hole and corsage ...we assumed they just wanted to feel a bit special until we were all asked after the christening to join in and celebrate the marriage blessing...

Both were lovely and special in their individual ways but the focus was shifted slightly in favour of the wedding couple in the first one and possibly the christening in the second one....the second couple had wanted to renew their vows after the birth of thier child whom they had waited a long time for....
HTH

murie

We have just had a church blessing for our 25th anniversary- it wasnt a renewal of our vows, we invited friends and family to celebrate our 25 years of marriage with us in a church setting. The ceremony sort of took us by surprise because it was about 30 mins long, and was the more or less the same as our original wedding apart from not signing any documents.We had formal photos taken outside (by our son and the vicar!) and then everyone came home with us and we had 'a bit of a do'. It was a wonderful day all round and everyone was surprised as it seemed an unusual thing to do.
I would recommed celebrating your marriage in church if you feel the importance of a religious blessing, it really is a special experience. I am not particularly religious and neither is OH but to us it seemed the right thing to do. We did it in quite a formal way but it can be as low key as you like- just remember whatever you decide to do, take it all in your stride, dont stress over little things and enjoy your special day.

LittleHippyHop

Sounds like it was a beautiful day murie

Yes that's right, I want a blessing for religious reasons. I know some people see it as renewing vows, when it is actually something different really.

I have lots to think about now, thanks again everyone :A