Wedding Rites: The Complete Guide to a Traditional Wedding » (New Edition)

Michael P. Foley teaches in the Great Texts Program at Baylor University. In addition to writing articles on liturgy, culture, and theology, he is the author of Why Do Catholics Eat Fish on Friday? The Catholic Origin to Just About Everything.

Many engaged couples, no matter what their personal style, find themselves turning back to tradition for their wedding ceremony. Is there a way to follow tradition and still carve your own wedding path? Yes, there is — with this unique book in hand.

Michael Foley presents meaningful wedding traditions so old that they’re practically new again. Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Jewish wedding traditions fill this comprehensive guidebook, the only one of its kind. From music and flowers to vows and ceremonies to blessings, Foley’s Wedding Rites contains a vast assortment of rich traditions very usable in weddings today. Best of all, it’s easy to reference and easy to use!

This book is an indispensable resource for couples, wedding planners, ministers, and all who love the beauty of tradition.

Wedding Rites offers:

• concrete suggestions for each facet of your wedding, from engagement to reception

• guidelines for designing your own distinctive wedding program

• practical advice for interfaith weddings

• forgotten wedding customs — carecloths, loving cups, coin blessings, and others

• and much more!

Introduction Having a Traditional Wedding 1

I Sealing the Engagement: Betrothals and Banns 7

Betrothal, or "Handfasting" 8

The Reading of the Banns 20

Advice 22

II Feasts for the Ear, Feasts for the Eye: Music and Flowers 25

Music 26

Flowers 36

Advice 38

III Holy Writ: Allocutions and Readings 43

Allocutions 44

Bible Readings 49

Advice 56

IV Vows 59

A Selection of French Medieval Vows 61

A Selection of Vows from the Renaissance and Beyond 65

The Declaration of Marriage 71

The Jewish Marriage Contract, or Ketubah 72

Advice 73

V Ceremonies 75

Sacred Coverings 76

The Loving Cup 81

Circling 83

The Ring 84

Tying the Knot 91

The Arrhae, or Coins 91

A Good Book 96

Presentation of Flowers to the Mother of God 96

The Kiss 97

The Unity Candle? 97

Advice 99

VI Blessings 105

A Father's Blessing 106

Solemn Nuptial Blessings 107

Biblical Blessings 114

Concluding Blessings 117

Consummation Blessings 123

Advice 125

VII Postnuptials 127

Before the Reception: Yichud 128

At the Reception 128

After the Reception: Consummation Rites 136

The Day After: Introducing the Newlyweds 138

The Sunday After: Bride's Sunday and Kirkin' 139

Eight Days After: The Dismissal of the Crowns 140

Advice 141

VIII Putting It All Together 145

Time and Place 146

The Three Classics 147

Interdenominational and Interfaith Weddings 160

Wedding Programs 163

Advice 171

Appendixes

Wedding Album Recordings 175

The Language of Flowers and Color 181

Scripture Readings for the New Catholic Rite of Marriage 184

A Selected Bibliography of Works Consulted 189

Permissions 192

Index 193