Religious ceremony
So I realize my wedding isn't for another year away, but I figured it's better to address this early in the planning process.
So here's my situation:
I've grown up in a Presbyterian church environment ever since I was born. My mom, my aunts, and my grandmother all went to this same church and got married as well along with having family reunions and baptisms in the family center at my church. The main reason I'm choosing to have my wedding at the church is because they don't charge members to use the facility (the only thing I would need is to get it approved through one of the session committees). Not to mention, my church is also going through a revitalization with the new pastor we have and find that I'm going to church more regularly (because the pastor is on Facebook and is doing our pre-martial counseling. etc etc.)
Anyway when I discussed the idea with my FH he didn't have an issue with it because he wouldn't have to shell out the $$$ for a banquet hall. His background is that he used to be an atheist when he was a kid but became a Christian during his sophomore? junior? year of High School and was very active with his church's youth group. Fast forward to now: he still believes in God and has his own beliefs in Christianity however because none of the churches in our area including my church offer a young adult group (for people who are in college/engaged/married) he's reluctant to go back to church (and just usually takes a passive approach).
The other situation I'm also dealing with relating to the wedding is this:
My maid of honor and the best man are both atheists. There's also a groomsmen who is also somewhat pagan so I'm not sure what to do. I'd LIKE to have a traditional church hymn and a prayer that I found in the sanctuary that would really fit both me and my FH's personality but at the same time I want to be respectful to the wedding party because of their differing beliefs. I guess my question is how does one handle this? Would they be allowed to just remain silent during the religious portion?
So here's my situation:
I've grown up in a Presbyterian church environment ever since I was born. My mom, my aunts, and my grandmother all went to this same church and got married as well along with having family reunions and baptisms in the family center at my church. The main reason I'm choosing to have my wedding at the church is because they don't charge members to use the facility (the only thing I would need is to get it approved through one of the session committees). Not to mention, my church is also going through a revitalization with the new pastor we have and find that I'm going to church more regularly (because the pastor is on Facebook and is doing our pre-martial counseling. etc etc.)
Anyway when I discussed the idea with my FH he didn't have an issue with it because he wouldn't have to shell out the $$$ for a banquet hall. His background is that he used to be an atheist when he was a kid but became a Christian during his sophomore? junior? year of High School and was very active with his church's youth group. Fast forward to now: he still believes in God and has his own beliefs in Christianity however because none of the churches in our area including my church offer a young adult group (for people who are in college/engaged/married) he's reluctant to go back to church (and just usually takes a passive approach).
The other situation I'm also dealing with relating to the wedding is this:
My maid of honor and the best man are both atheists. There's also a groomsmen who is also somewhat pagan so I'm not sure what to do. I'd LIKE to have a traditional church hymn and a prayer that I found in the sanctuary that would really fit both me and my FH's personality but at the same time I want to be respectful to the wedding party because of their differing beliefs. I guess my question is how does one handle this? Would they be allowed to just remain silent during the religious portion?