Hello Vicar,
we're not sure what we should do. The situation;
I'm English, and my wife is American. We got married in a registry office in miami nearly 5 years ago. We didn't have the means to have 'the big day' with friends and family and our vows were recited by somebody who could hardly speak english. We went and celebrated on our own with mcdonalds and a bottle of champagne!
We are now at a point in our lives that we can have 'the big day'. We have organised everything, and have invited the friends and family who are coming to Grand Cayman where we met 8 years ago.
Our day will be on private property. We wish to have the traditional elements to a traditional wedding - wedding dress, prayers, readings, flower girls, bridesmaids etc. Everyone knows we are already married, however realises the situation and knows it's our 'celebration to our marriage'.
The only Anglican Priest on the Island cannot be there on the day.
So our question is: how can we get somthing 'resembling a wedding', whether it be an affirmation, blessing, renewal, without a priest? What can we do, we want to recite our love and commitment to each other in English, in front of friends and family, and have God as our witness, but yet be respectful of the church.
What can we do?
We have been given the option of a gentleman on the island who is from a different type of church, minervian? who said he would say anything we wanted, but this seems just a bit odd. Not sure if he would be able to recite coe orders. if he could do something, what would be a respectful order of service?
Ok, thanks for any help.
Comments
Celebration of Marriage.
Hi Elliot
In the Church of England there is Liturgy (words and prayers) already written for a service of blessing after a Civil wedding. You can also renew your vows at any time - we did it on our tenth anniversary.We usually do this in Church but it's not a condition just a tradition.
At any wedding there are legal registers to sign and certain words that must be heard by witnesses to ensure that the wedding is legal - namely that the couple are freely and willingly entering into a contract.
In your case the legal stuff has been done and you are celebrating with friends so there are no legalities, no rules. Any Minister - or indeed any Christian could lead this ceremony for you and it can be held anywhere.
So you just enjoy the day and don't worry about offending us. You are simply affirming and celebrating your commitment to one another and there is not a church in the land that could have a problem with that!
Warm regards
Jan
Jan Harney (Rev'd)
http://www.asineden.co.uk