{"id":296,"date":"2009-04-18T15:27:10","date_gmt":"2009-04-18T20:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/?p=296"},"modified":"2017-03-09T21:42:44","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T02:42:44","slug":"celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_9140\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9140\" style=\"width: 720px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\" wp-image-9140 \" alt=\"photo credit: Sean Molin Photography via photopin cc\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429.jpg\" width=\"720\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-749x500.jpg 749w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-672x449.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9140\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-9140 \" alt=\"photo credit: Sean Molin Photography via photopin cc\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429.jpg\" width=\"720\" height=\"481\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-749x500.jpg 749w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/medium_8117937429-672x449.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> photo credit: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/seanmolin\/8117937429\/\">Sean Molin Photography<\/a> via <a href=\"http:\/\/photopin.com\">photopin<\/a> cc<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning.\u00a0 In a sense, you are showing the world how you, your beliefs and traditions will join and interact. \u00a0Isn&#8217;t it worth the effort?\u00a0 After all, this is the birthday of your marriage!<\/p>\n<p>Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.\u00a0 At interfaith weddings, I often say:\u00a0 <em>&#8220;You are about two witness two people, two traditions, two families join in one sacred and profound love. And God is smiling!&#8221; <\/em><\/p>\n<p>There are questions you will need to ask yourselves.\u00a0 I often ask couples to jot the following questions down (answering them separately in written form) then compare and discuss their answers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9416\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9416\" style=\"width: 729px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9416\" alt=\"interfaith wedding\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba.jpg\" width=\"729\" height=\"1497\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba.jpg 729w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-390x800.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-146x300.jpg 146w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-499x1024.jpg 499w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-500x1027.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-672x1380.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9416\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9416\" alt=\"interfaith wedding\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba.jpg\" width=\"729\" height=\"1497\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba.jpg 729w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-390x800.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-146x300.jpg 146w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-499x1024.jpg 499w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-500x1027.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/a03f0abad6114c8d213b1932496e59ba-672x1380.jpg 672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Source: http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/562457440932920744\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Envisioning your ceremony:<\/p>\n<p>-Where will it take place?\u00a0 (At your church? A reformed synagogue? A non-denominational chapel?\u00a0 Out of doors? At your reception venue?)<\/p>\n<p>-Who will officiate your ceremony?\u00a0 Will your marriage be officiated by a clergy member of only one of your religions?\u00a0 Will your marriage be co-officiated by members of clergy of both your faiths&#8212;say a priest and a rabbi, a Protestant minister and a Catholic priest? If you choose this second option, know that it may take effort in finding a priest and a rabbi willing to do this.\u00a0 Many rabbis will not perform interfaith services.\u00a0 Many will.\u00a0 Eastern Orthodox priests, most evangelical ministers and Muslim Imams will not perform interfaith services.\u00a0 Know that priests require a special dispensation to officiate a ceremony that does not take place in a church.\u00a0 Not all priests are willing to do so.\u00a0 Or do you envision someone non-religious or religiously neutral performing the service, say an interfaith minister or a judge?<\/p>\n<p>-Do you want a religious ceremony, a spiritual non-religious God-centered ceremony, or a humanist ceremony (a civil ceremony with heart?)<\/p>\n<p>-Which elements&#8212;rituals, readings, vows, prayers and blessings&#8212; from your own traditions are near and dear to your heart, those that you wish to include?\u00a0 I tell my couples that ritual for ritual&#8217;s sake is meaningless.\u00a0 However, ritual that means something to you has great value.<\/p>\n<p>Whatever you decide, do not diminish your joys! \u00a0\u00a0As I often tell my couples, &#8220;With two traditions, you are twice blessed.&#8221;\u00a0 Or as a wonderful Rabbi once told me, &#8220;Rejoice in your differences!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Most traditions can be celebrated in a universal way, adapting language so that no one is offended.\u00a0 For example, the religious interpretation for the Jewish breaking of the glass is the commemoration of the destruction of the temple of Israel.\u00a0\u00a0 Here is a favorite interpretation with my interfaith couples:<\/p>\n<p><em>The breaking of the glass is a joyous Jewish ritual, one that leaves the couple forever changed and united.\u00a0 (Name) and (Name,)\u00a0 we break this glass with an implied prayer, &#8220;May you stay together until all the broken pieces are brought back together again.&#8221;\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>In some ceremonies we have gone further with a another personal wish,<em>\u00a0 &#8220;And today, our bride and groom have asked that the breaking of the glass also symbolize the breaking down of barriers between people of different faiths and cultures.\u00a0 We break this glass for peace.&#8221;<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 Crush!\u00a0 Mazel tov!<\/p>\n<p>You can combine traditions.\u00a0\u00a0 For instance,\u00a0 many Catholic-Jewish couples celebrate the beloved Christian tradition of the lighting of the unity candle with the celebrant reciting this exquisite saying from the Ba&#8217;al Shem Tov (founder of the Hasidic movement):<\/p>\n<p><em>&#8220;From every human being, there rises a light, that reaches straight to heaven, and when two souls, destined to be together, find each other, their streams of light flow together and a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9417\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9417\" style=\"width: 578px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9417\" alt=\"interfaith marriage\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\" width=\"578\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10-500x370.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9417\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9417\" alt=\"interfaith marriage\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\" width=\"578\" height=\"428\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg 578w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10-500x370.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Source: http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/62557882294728630\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If you are having a God centered ceremony, it is usually best to mention God neutrally, as GOD.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In this way, people can invoke God by whatever name or image comes up in his or her own heart.<\/p>\n<p>Some of my couples decide to celebrate their traditions culturally, and not religiously.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0For example, at an Irish Protestant\/ Persian Muslim marriage ceremony,\u00a0 we enjoyed the <em>sofreh<\/em> created by the groom&#8217;s family, an ancient tradition that goes back in Persia to before the Zoroastrian era. \u00a0Literally translated, it<em> <\/em>means the &#8220;marriage spread.&#8221; \u00a0\u00a0The <em>sofreh <\/em>is a sumptious feast for the eyes, rich in symbolism, beautiful to behold.\u00a0 I was careful to explain each of the elements upon the Sofreh for the non-Persian family. (I think some members of the Persian family also learned a thing or two about the <em>sofreh! <\/em>This often happens at interfaith and intercultural weddings&#8212;people learn more about their own traditions.) \u00a0The groom&#8217;s father read poetry by the Persian poet Rumi in both English and Farci.\u00a0 The bride&#8217;s Irish mother bestowed a traditional Irish wedding blessing upon the couple, then presented the groom with their family crest, after which bagpipers led the recessional.\u00a0 It was a delightful experience for all.<\/p>\n<p>I find that some family members and friends come to an interfaith service feeling dubious and even leery, only to find themselves leaving with a great sense of relief. \u00a0No one was offended, everyone was included. \u00a0Moreover, they are usually taken aback at how beautiful and meaningful it all was.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_9418\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-9418\" style=\"width: 620px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9418\" alt=\"interfaith marriage ceremony\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070.jpg\" width=\"620\" height=\"930\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070.jpg 620w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070-500x750.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-9418\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-9418\" alt=\"interfaith marriage ceremony\" src=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070.jpg\" width=\"620\" height=\"930\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070.jpg 620w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/4bf64e220d9e9480b5f70a0ab989a070-500x750.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 620px) 100vw, 620px\" \/><\/noscript><\/a> Source: http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/197595502371048246\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Whether you enjoy a sake ceremony in your Japanese tradition under a Chuppah for your Jewish groom, or Pass the Sign of Peace with the words Peace Be With You and Ma&#8217; Salaama combining your Catholic and Muslim heritages, whether you honor ancestors as is Chinese tradition and exchange thirteen coins as is Spanish tradition, whether you exchange the Greek stephana (wedding crowns) and recite the Jewish seven blessings , the underlying premise is respect<em>.\u00a0 <\/em>Respect is the foundation of interfaith, intercultural marriages.\u00a0 Love is the bridge.<\/p>\n<p>By Rev. Susanna Stefanachi Macomb, Interfaith Minister and Author of <em><a href=\"http:\/\/search.barnesandnoble.com\/booksearch\/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&amp;EAN=9780743436984&amp;itm=1&amp;lkid=J15053238&amp;pubid=K48904&amp;byo=1\" target=\"_blank\">Joining Hands and Hearts, Interfaith, Intercultural Marriage Celebrations, A Practical Guide for Couples<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>More ideas for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/ceremony.html\">wedding vows and ceremonies<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h6 class=\"zemanta-related-title\" style=\"font-size: 1em;\">Related articles<\/h6>\n<ul class=\"zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image\" style=\"margin: 0; padding: 0; overflow: hidden;\">\n<li class=\"zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li\" style=\"padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size: 11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;\"><a style=\"box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thejc.com\/news\/world-news\/115314\/jewish-muslim-group-wins-top-interfaith-award\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/i.zemanta.com\/244156546_80_80.jpg\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/i.zemanta.com\/244156546_80_80.jpg\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><a style=\"display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thejc.com\/news\/world-news\/115314\/jewish-muslim-group-wins-top-interfaith-award\" target=\"_blank\">Jewish-Muslim group wins top interfaith award<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li\" style=\"padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size: 11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;\"><a style=\"box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-etiquette\/ideas-for-a-family-wedding-ceremony\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/i.zemanta.com\/235453667_80_80.jpg\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/i.zemanta.com\/235453667_80_80.jpg\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><a style=\"display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-etiquette\/ideas-for-a-family-wedding-ceremony\" target=\"_blank\">Ideas for a Family Wedding Ceremony<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li\" style=\"padding: 0; background: none; list-style: none; display: block; float: left; vertical-align: top; text-align: left; width: 84px; font-size: 11px; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px;\"><a style=\"box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; padding: 2px; display: block; border-radius: 2px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.idotaketwo.com\/blog\/the-must-read-wedding-books-every-bride-to-be-should-buy\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/i.zemanta.com\/237387925_80_80.jpg\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; border: 0; display: block; width: 80px; max-width: 100%;\" alt=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/i.zemanta.com\/237387925_80_80.jpg\" \/><\/noscript><\/a><a style=\"display: block; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; line-height: 12pt; height: 80px; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.idotaketwo.com\/blog\/the-must-read-wedding-books-every-bride-to-be-should-buy\/\" target=\"_blank\">The Must-Read Wedding Books Every Bride-to-Be Should Buy<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"zemanta-pixie\" style=\"margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;\"><a class=\"zemanta-pixie-a\" title=\"Enhanced by Zemanta\" href=\"http:\/\/www.zemanta.com\/?px\"><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning.\u00a0 In a sense, you are showing the world how you, your beliefs and traditions will join and interact. \u00a0Isn&#8217;t it worth the effort?\u00a0 After all, this is the birthday of your marriage! Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.\u00a0 At interfaith weddings, I often say:\u00a0 &#8220;You are about two witness two people, two traditions, two families join in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9417,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[828,16],"tags":[131,130,129,128,133,132],"class_list":["post-296","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marriage-prep","category-wedding-ceremonies","tag-intercultural-marriage","tag-intercultutal-wedding","tag-interfaith-marriage","tag-interfaith-wedding","tag-mixed-race-marriage","tag-mixed-race-wedding"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages | | TopWeddingSites.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning. Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages | | TopWeddingSites.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning. Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Wedding Planning Tips and Wedding Day Trends TopWeddingSites.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2009-04-18T20:27:10+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-03-10T02:42:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"578\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"428\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Top Wedding Sites\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Top Wedding Sites\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Top Wedding Sites\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a04584e6b4ea6e8cfbd11409f58e2c2c\"},\"headline\":\"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages\",\"datePublished\":\"2009-04-18T20:27:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-03-10T02:42:44+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages\"},\"wordCount\":1047,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"intercultural marriage\",\"intercultutal wedding\",\"interfaith marriage\",\"interfaith wedding\",\"mixed race marriage\",\"mixed race wedding\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Marriage Preparation\",\"Wedding Ceremonies\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages\",\"name\":\"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages | | TopWeddingSites.com\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2009-04-18T20:27:10+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-03-10T02:42:44+00:00\",\"description\":\"Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning. Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg\",\"width\":578,\"height\":428,\"caption\":\"Source: http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/62557882294728630\/\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/\",\"name\":\"Wedding Planning Tips and Wedding Day Trends TopWeddingSites.com\",\"description\":\"Check out our unique wedding ideas, colors, flower, favors and wedding etiquette for the bride groom and wedding party.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"TopWeddingSites.com\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/preview-lightbox-TWS_Logo_0319.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/preview-lightbox-TWS_Logo_0319.jpg\",\"width\":1160,\"height\":690,\"caption\":\"TopWeddingSites.com\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a04584e6b4ea6e8cfbd11409f58e2c2c\",\"name\":\"Top Wedding Sites\",\"description\":\"Team Wedding, founded in January 2000, is a network of wedding related directories and niche wedding websites designed to alleviate wedding planning stress and to give brides and grooms the one-stop-shop experience they need in this busy, modern world. Top Wedding Sites, is the Internet\u2019s first directory of the top ranked wedding sites, voted on by brides, grooms and others interested in hosting a wedding. Plan your wedding fast, easy and in the comfort of your own home, office or anywhere you can get an internet connection.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/author\/top-wedding-sites\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages | | TopWeddingSites.com","description":"Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning. Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages | | TopWeddingSites.com","og_description":"Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning. Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages","og_site_name":"Wedding Planning Tips and Wedding Day Trends TopWeddingSites.com","article_published_time":"2009-04-18T20:27:10+00:00","article_modified_time":"2017-03-10T02:42:44+00:00","og_image":[{"width":578,"height":428,"url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Top Wedding Sites","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Top Wedding Sites","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages"},"author":{"name":"Top Wedding Sites","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a04584e6b4ea6e8cfbd11409f58e2c2c"},"headline":"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages","datePublished":"2009-04-18T20:27:10+00:00","dateModified":"2017-03-10T02:42:44+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages"},"wordCount":1047,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg","keywords":["intercultural marriage","intercultutal wedding","interfaith marriage","interfaith wedding","mixed race marriage","mixed race wedding"],"articleSection":["Marriage Preparation","Wedding Ceremonies"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages","url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages","name":"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages | | TopWeddingSites.com","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg","datePublished":"2009-04-18T20:27:10+00:00","dateModified":"2017-03-10T02:42:44+00:00","description":"Creating an interfaith or intercultural wedding requires thought, sensitivity and a bit of extra planning. Done properly, an interfaith wedding ceremony can be an enlightening, unifying experience for all.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/1a203645e46fe168035f18082789cf10.jpg","width":578,"height":428,"caption":"Source: http:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/62557882294728630\/"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-ceremonies\/celebrating-interfaith-intercultural-marriages#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Celebrating Interfaith, Intercultural Marriages"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/","name":"Wedding Planning Tips and Wedding Day Trends TopWeddingSites.com","description":"Check out our unique wedding ideas, colors, flower, favors and wedding etiquette for the bride groom and wedding party.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#organization","name":"TopWeddingSites.com","url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/preview-lightbox-TWS_Logo_0319.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/preview-lightbox-TWS_Logo_0319.jpg","width":1160,"height":690,"caption":"TopWeddingSites.com"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/#\/schema\/person\/a04584e6b4ea6e8cfbd11409f58e2c2c","name":"Top Wedding Sites","description":"Team Wedding, founded in January 2000, is a network of wedding related directories and niche wedding websites designed to alleviate wedding planning stress and to give brides and grooms the one-stop-shop experience they need in this busy, modern world. Top Wedding Sites, is the Internet\u2019s first directory of the top ranked wedding sites, voted on by brides, grooms and others interested in hosting a wedding. Plan your wedding fast, easy and in the comfort of your own home, office or anywhere you can get an internet connection.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com"],"url":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/author\/top-wedding-sites"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=296"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/296\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=296"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=296"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=296"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}