An Interfaith Wedding Minister Muses about Fusion Ceremonies
Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 2:59PM How to avoid confusion, when there is to be a fusion, of two religious or cultural backgrounds? How do you avoid clashes and find an authentic tone and text to your ceremony? How to keep it real while remaining sensitive to family members who hope your ceremony will be more this, less that- whatever this or that may be.
Some couples have two ceremonies. Two ceremonies can be a beautiful, as well as, practical option. If this isn't an option then here are a few suggestions.
Start the conversation early just between the two of you. Put all options on the table then begin discussing what is negotiable and what isn't. Have you always imagined you would wed outside, on a beach or has a church wedding been your dream?
Start there then tackle the trickier parts. There is a reason we don't discuss religion, money or politics in polite company...it can be divisive. Clarifying what you believe, what your spiritual framework is or isn't and how this will come forth in your ceremony is an important discussion.
After the two of you are fairly clear then and only then begin to consider what will make your family comfortable with your ceremony. Then have some fun exploring and asking questions about family traditions. Your relatives will come alive telling you about their weddings.
An authentic fusion ceremony can be a marvelous meritage - a blending of two fine heritages into one fabulous marriage!
From the bottom up Kate and Alex wed at Chatham Bars Inn in a very literary ceremony with many readings, Leah and Anthony say," I do" on Ridgevale Beach Chatham: a Christian wedding with Jamican/ Cape Cod Flair, Siobhan and Kirrill wed at Captian Linnell House with elements from her Irish and his Ukranian background, Lindsey, hennas her hands in a nod to her husband's Indian heritage, Kelley Chapel though originally Quaker can be used for wedding couples from all or no religious background, in a small village outside of Madrid in Spain, Leah and Emilio say I do in the first of two ceremonies, stay tuned for the next one. This double I do wedding tradition is carried on in our own family!
