Private weddings dignified

The institution of marriage is as old as the Bible history of creation.
Just after creation God instituted marriage and officiated at the first marriage ceremony of Adam and Eve.
The Lord Jesus Christ revealed his humanity by participating in social events like weddings. The passage from which we take the scripture reference above shows us that Jesus was invited to a marriage ceremony at Cana of Galilee together with His family and disciples.
In the midst of the great pomp and celebrations wine ran out. Shame loomed on the parties to the marriage but Jesus quickly intervened with a miracle that turned water into wine. The deafening din of complaining, shouting and hungry masses subsided. Happiness was restored and celebrations continued.
It took a miracle for shame and noise to be abated at the marriage at Cana.
If Jesus had not intervened, what do you think the celebrations would have become? A basket case, of course! Now the interpretation or application of this case study to our times is not a difficult task.
People are holding grand white weddings they cannot afford in order to please relatives, friends and associates. And the next thing that happens is that the newly wedded couples sink neck-deep into financial indebtedness.
Financial constraints will breed discord and discontent in the marriage resulting in many other ripple effects. People can gossip, “Why didn’t they plan for a small marriage ceremony they could afford?” Or “I am no longer happy at the church where I go because we are being forced to meet the wedding expenses of other people by the pastor.”
True, there are genuine aftermath problems faced by the married couples who hold grand wedding receptions using borrowed or donated money.
However, there also difficulties and failures couples intending to hold grand wedding ceremonies and celebrations face during preparations.
Difficulties include shortages of money, finding a suitable venue, transportation costs and attending regular meetings and so forth.
Prolonged time of preparations results in failures like having sex before marriage, falling pregnant before wedding and change of mind by one of the couples. Can all these problems and conflicts be avoided or amicably resolved so that marriages can still be held in honour? Yes.
The objective of marriage is for the two parties involved to be united together in love and live in happiness and faithfulness till death. It is not about pleasing people.
In fact, the Bible does not command us to please people but to love them. The principle of doing the right thing is an overriding one in social life or in business pursuits. Your plans for marriage can fulfill all righteousness (God’s expectations) without you facing serious financial challenges. If you desire to wed know that a wedding event has two parts: ceremony and reception. Marriage ceremony is where you ex-change vows and rings with a magistrate or a minister of religion officiating.
You receive an official marriage certificate in this part. It is the most important part because you can go home with your certificate as proof of your marriage without incurring huge costs. Wedding gowns and new suits are optional.
The only cost you may not avoid is that of rings but you can buy the cheapest rings and replace them later on with expensive ones.
Reception refers to celebrations that require much preparations and financial planning. The devil of weddings resides in the huge costs of food, drinks, venue bookings, PA system hiring and transport costs associated with the celebrations. It should be comforting for you to know that all these costs are not necessary if you cannot afford them.
Private weddings and mass weddings can provide a dignified concept of weddings where one has to borrow or pester people to donate for the wedding.
In a private wedding at least five people are required: bride and groom, their two witnesses and the marriage officer. Or the wedding couple can invite any number of people they like but will serve cheap food or no food at all. They can use private houses or offices without incurring booking costs.
Mass weddings refer to many couples being married or wedded at the same time. Free Church auditoriums or open air venues can be conducive for mass weddings. Refreshments and celebrations can be reserved for the couples’ homes.
You now have many choices.
You can go for the grand one or the private one or mass wedding. Of course, the most critical determining factor is your financial muscle. Grand receptions have their own merits but happiness or stability in marriage after wedding is not one of them.
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