Will your wedding be civil, religious or symbolic?

I am - I would necessarily call it religious- but I am spiritual and really love the ideals governing the wiccan faith. My parents are christian but very accepting as my big brother is wiccan too. My fiancé and his family arent religious at all so they dont care. Long story short my fiancé and I agreed on a blend of a civil ceremony and a wiccan wedding/handfasting. It will include some different vows, some blessings, tying of cords around our hands, lighting of some candles and jumping a broomstick. I am so excited because our wedding will be so unique and fun.

I wish you all the best for the talk!

Stick to your guns! Valerie made some pretty good points too- just explain it and they should at least accept it!

I'm going to have a chat with my Mom on the weekend!

We are doing the same thing and his family is very religious. You are not alone, I'm dreading telling them it's not religious!

I will be as well!

Now I'LL be upset if you can't

If am allowed too, I will post them on here!

Oh that would be horrible... I cant wait to see the pictures!!

I believe we can take pictures in the church. I would devastated if we were told that we are not allowed.

Are you allowed to take pictures in your church? I know some don't allow it, which is so unfortunate because they are swoon worthy

Your welcome. The church we will be getting married in is gorgeous and has a bit of history. Can't wait for this day to happen.

Thanks! I bet your church is darn beautiful!! Churches usually such gorgeous buildings

Our ceremony will be religious and held in a church. Melissa and Valerie, I do admire your stance and not letting anyone tell you what to do on your day! Cheers!

Haha highest bidder! I totally agree! And stay strong… your family won't even notice at the ceremony because it will be beautiful and show your love for eachother and be a representation of the 2 of you

We have seriously dicussed high fiving- it will probably happen!

I feel the same way about the "giving away" and "requesting permission"...My fiance side stepped the asking and TOLD my dad ahead of time, which was an ok compromise....and my Dad is walking me down the aisle, but no statements of releasing me...another compromise because i know my Dad wants it so much!

Agree- I'm not being sold at auction to the highest bidder- I picked this marriage all by myself- and they should consider themselves lucky really. I have no one to blame but myself the next time I find an empty juice carton in the fridge or socks on the coffee table.

It does help that someone agrees! Thanks!

HAHA totally include the high five! But no absolutely not unrealistic! I'm not compromising my beliefs for my family either. We all had a big fight when we got engaged because FH didn't ask my dad "for my hand" before asking me. I said I had made it clear to FH long ago that I ABSOLUTELY didn't believe in that (what, is he going to negotiate for my dowry after?! Trade me for 2 goats and a horse?!). They are still upset about it, but I stand firm that there will also be ZERO mention of "who's giving the bride away" or ANYTHING to that effect and I stand firm. Ultimately, if you believe in it strongly enough you don't have to apologize to anyone for your beliefs. Your wedding ceremony is absolutely the time you get to be selfish and say IT'S ALL ABOUT US, IT'S OUR DAY!! (I did agree to compromise on my dad walking me down the aisle, but I wasn't ADAMENTLY against it, as long as he doesn't "give me away" at the end)

My mom is accepting it- but only because I've put non-refundable deposits down...which I did because I expected the arguement She hates the idea of not being married in a church...but like yourself, she shouldn't have been surprised that I wouldn't plan it!

The pressure now is to include prayers and religious readings in the ceremony- an absolute no. Besides having a short, to the point ceremony, that will probably go something like "I do- you do too....High five", we just don't hold those beliefs. I'm not interested in compromising, because it would jsut be so false and unauthentic.

Am I being unreasonable?

Civil ceremony for us!

My mom was upset and shocked, but I remindered her that no one in my family (including her) has stepped foot in a church in about 20+ years... so that shut it down pretty quickly. But I just told her that I don't believe in the church and organized religion.

I've been that way for most of my life, so it shouldn't surprise her. She's come to terms with it now and understnads that her "beliefs" (I use quotes because she doesn't actually believe in these things… it's just what she knows so it's what she does) aren't more important than mine and don't get to trump what I believe (which has helped for a lot of other traditions that I'm "breaking" because I don't believe in what they represent)

Are they pressuring you to be married in a church? Or just disapproving yet begrudgingly accepting what you already decided?

Our wedding will be civil- we are signing the documents to make it legally binding, but neither of us have a religious affiliation.

Is anyone else having issues with family members who might not be very happy with their choice?