Orthodox Weddings?

[Phoenix]

I just converted to Orthodoxy a few years ago, and have not been able to see an Orthodox wedding.  However, I'm planning one and would like to know if bridesmaids, ringbearers, flowergirls are allowed.  I am the only Orthodox person in my family and my fiancT's family is Catholic.

Thanks in advance,

Phoenix

[Mor Ephrem]

Dear Phoenix,

I am assuming that you are Eastern Orthodox and not Oriental; please let me know if you are an Oriental Orthodox: we are not many here.  

Anyway, I don't know much about the EO ceremony myself, but the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has a great website with a lot of information, and among all the good stuff they have is a video on Marriage, with some "highlights" of the ceremony, as I remember.  If you have RealPlayer, you can click on http://realserver.goarch.org/ram/en/holy_matrimony.ram and you can watch the video.  

Hope this helps.

[Hypo-Ortho]

I just converted to Orthodoxy a few years ago, and have not been able to see an Orthodox wedding.  However, I'm planning one and would like to know if bridesmaids, ringbearers, flowergirls are allowed.  I am the only Orthodox person in my family and my fiancT's family is Catholic.

Thanks in advance,

Phoenix

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Phoenix, at the OCA parishes to which I have belonged, bridesmaids and ringbearers were allowed.  At my elder daughter's wedding, there was a matron-of-honor, five bridesmaids, a best man, five ushers, a young male ringbearer, and a young female trainbearer.  AFAIK, at least one of the official witnesses (maid-/ matron-of-honor or best man) should be Orthodox, but this requirement should be discussed with the priest who will officiate at the marriage to see if it can be waived.

May you have a beautiful wedding and an even more beautiful married life!

In Christ,

[Asteriktos]

Phoenix

I just converted to Orthodoxy a few years ago, and have not been able to see an Orthodox wedding.  However, I'm planning one and would like to know if bridesmaids, ringbearers, flowergirls are allowed.  I am the only Orthodox person in my family and my fiancT's family is Catholic.

Congrats! As someone who's also getting ready for an Orthodox wedding all I can say is: pay attention! There's a lot of good stuff in Orthodox literature that will help the relationship in the long run if we learn to follow it. Have you begun (or are you going to have) pre-marital counselling? I don't mean to pry, I just think it helps an awful lot. It gives you a chance to not only talk about things you ordinarily might not talk about, but it also gives you a chance to learn about the Orthodox perspective on martyrdom... er.. marriage. I think the specifics (rings bearers and what not) differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Good luck!

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