I'm getting married 11/01/08. I just coverted to JW about a year ago and haven't been to a JW wedding. I don't know the traditions. From my understanding it is very plain a basic. Very little decorating, no candle lighting. You go in say I do and leave. About 15 mins. I'm going crazy trying to figure everything out so I will know when I should get started on everything, figure out how much it is going to cost and talk to my wedding planner and let him know what the tradition is. HELP!!!!! I have a year to plan and I want to have everything in order so I'm not running around like a crazy person. I want this to be very special for him and I both. This is our day. If someone has a little advice for me that would help out a lot.
2007-11-30 07:46:27 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
As a global religion, the weddings of Jehovah's Witnesses generally reflect the traditions of the couple's ethnic or cultural heritage. Of course, practices involving superstition or which are inextricably linked with paganisms are avoided.
While the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses does not insist on being involved with a couple's wedding ceremony, a local congregation is generally delighted to be included in a couple's plans. There may be governmental restrictions on whether a particular minister may qualify to officiate, but typically any congregation elder can perform the service.
The minister who is asked to officiate will be able to answer the couple's questions about almost anything to do with arranging a godly wedding day, and will have good suggestions for maintaining chastity during the courtship.
Beyond the generalities of dignity and modesty that must befit any godly celebration, the officiating minister will likely explain that the only real tradition that applies globally among Jehovah's Witnesses is that they use a particular published wedding vow, when permitted by secular law. That vow is as follows:
“I —— take you —— to be my wedded (wife/husband), to love and to cherish (Bride: and deeply respect) in accordance with the divine law as set forth in the Holy Scriptures for Christian (wives/husbands), for as long as we both shall live together on earth according to God’s marital arrangement.”
Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20061015/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20020208/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/19990215/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/19980615/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/19980915/article_01.htm
2007-12-04 07:47:43 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We planned my sister's wedding in about 4 months. You can have as much decoration as you want. Ussually i've seen flower arangements on the chairs at the ends of the aisles. either every aisles w/ the ones for family different or just the ones for family decorated. there are always several arrangements on stage and at my grandpa's wedding in 2001 they had chairs for every one to sit in ( he was 73 at the time). @ my sisters we had a backdrop so the white walls wouldn't glare in the pictures. Talk to the elders to make sure the kingdomhall isn't being used that day (we also have a Spanish congregation) The brothers will set it up and ussually the carpet and the kingdom hall will be cleaned a day or two in addvance. You can choose an elder to give the wedding talk (my sis had our uncle do it) it bassically talks about the husband and wifes roles in the marriage and how Jehovah views marriage etc. then you say the vows, kiss, and anounce the place of the reception/info walk back down the asiale and the audience walks past the wedding party congradulates them and as they walk out they can get direction to the reception. If you don't want a mix of foods at the reception you could ask certain ppl to bring certain dishes. If you need some more info/help email me!
Congrats, Agape'
the talk at my sisters wedding wasn't too religious b/c the grooms family aren't wittnesses and they had some bad experiences with "witnesses" who are now disfellow shiped and so they don't really like witnesses. They really enjoyed the talk and were a bit interested and apriciated the simplicity of it all (i guess they were used to the hour+ long cerimonies that go on forever).
2007-11-30 16:05:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well there is no tradition. Usually, a brother will give a 20 or 30 minute talk about marriage and then they exchange vows.
As far as a reception, many of food either dinner or just hor'derves (I know I'm not spelling that right). There's usually a cake. Many have dancing. Some may have champagne, it usually depends on how many under aged people are going to be there if there is alcohol. It is a time to celebrate, but to always bring honor to Jehovah by conduct. No throwing of the flowers or rice. No taking of the garter belt or money dance.
Just talk to someone in the hall about it or do some research.
2007-11-30 16:02:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Are you a member of a JW church? They should be able to help you out with that.
Also, most wedding planners have some idea of what traditions are observed in weddings of different faiths.
2007-11-30 15:53:28 · answer #4 · answered by LKeri 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Hello there!
Unless wrong doing is in the mix, the couple normally gets married in the Kingdom Hall... But you don't have to... You can get married in the same place you chose to have your reception.
A reception can be how you want it, as long as it remains clean and upright... You have decorations and candles to make it romantic... Music can be played, as long as it is not unclean music. It is a very special time for yall!
Congrats!
2007-11-30 15:52:27 · answer #5 · answered by Learn about the one true God 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you can put decorations up and have joy and celebration at a ceremony that directs attention away from God to focus on the two of you, then it's time to re-think Christmas and all of its decorations. Happy Holidays.
2007-12-03 10:08:51 · answer #6 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I would think the best thing is to talk to other JW women.
2007-11-30 15:51:28 · answer #7 · answered by Ruth 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Here are some article from our official web site about weddings:
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20061015/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20020208/article_02.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20020208/diagram_01.htm
2007-11-30 15:57:33 · answer #8 · answered by Abdijah 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Everyone goes inside the church and then like 4 people go outside and knock on the door throughout the whole ceremony. It's sooo annoying.
2007-11-30 15:52:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 7⤋