Nondenominational Wedding Ministers

Ordained Pastor Jay Randolph offers total flexibility in helping couples personalize their special day. Your wedding day is one of the most personal and cherished days of your life! You are choosing to spend a lifetime with your partner; who will support and love you through thick and thin, through hard times and good times. Your wedding will be a celebration of joy and love. I would be honored to officiate and celebrate your wedding! Presenting unique, personalized, traditional and contemporary non-denominational Christian ceremonies with compassion and flair.

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1. WHY DO USHERS SEAT FAMILIES OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM ON OPPOSITE SITES OF THE AUDITORIUM?

Answer:
This provides as a "Covenant Setting". Marriage is established by God as a covenant, not a contract. Malachi 2:14, Proverbs 2:16-17, Gen. 15:10;17-18, Jeremiah 34:13,18

Seating families and friends 'on each side of the auditorium' symbolizes sacrifices which they have made in order for the bride and groom to enter into this covenant. (Emphasis on Jewish Tradition)

1) A covenant is based on trust between parties. A contract is often based on distrust.
2) A covenant is based on unlimited responsibility. A contract is based on limited liability.
3) A covenant cannot be broken if new circumstances arise. A contract can be voided by mutual consent.


2. WHY DO USHERS UNROLL A WHITE RUNNER DOWN THE CENTER AISLE?

Answer:
It is a symbol of walking on holy ground.

A covenant is not made merely between two people and their witnesses. It is made in the presence of God, and He is actively in the agreement, since it is God that joins them together. (See Matthew 19:6, Exodus 3:5.)


3. WHY ARE PARENTS OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM GIVEN SPECIAL SEATING?

Answer:
The parents of the bride and groom are part of the marriage covenant. The commitments they make, during the ceremony, are just as binding as the vows of the couple.

The final responsibility of parents for their sons and daughters is to determine with them God's will for a life partner. Thereafter, they serve in a chain of counsel for them and their children. Thus, parents enter in the line of authority, and they leave in the line of counsel. Proverbs 23:22


4. WHY DOES THE GROOM ENTER THE AUDITORIUM BEFORE THE BRIDE?

Answer:
By entering first, the groom signifies that he is the covenant initiator. This is important because whoever initiates the covenant assumes the greater responsibility for seeing it fulfilled.

God initiated covenants with Noah, Abraham, and David. Christ initiated the covenant of salvation with us. God is still at work to fulfill His covenants, and will soon appear with the sound of trumpets to consummate the wedding with His bride, the Church. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17


5. WHY DOES THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE WALK, WITH HER, DOWN THE AISLE?

Answer:
This action has a 2-fold significance.

The father is saying to the bride, "I am endorsing this young man as God's very best choice of a husband for you, and I am now bringing you to him." At the same time the father is saying to the young man, "I am presenting to you a daughter whom I have earnestly endeavored to train up as a pure bride."

In scripture, the father is responsible for the purity of the daughter before marriage. (Deut. 22:13-21 Gives answer to why lot's of our females are dressing the way they do in their pre-teens, teens, and young 20's.)

Paul illustrates this responsibility in his preparation of the Bride of Christ, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." 2 Corinth. 11:2

6. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WHITE WEDDING DRESS?

Answer:
It symbolizes the purity of heart and life which the husband is responsible in the life of his wife. During the marriage, he is to cleanse her by the Word of God, just as Christ purifies believers by the Word. Ephesians 5:25-28


7. WHY DOES THE MINISTER ASK, "WHO GIVES THIS WOMAN TO BE MARRIED TO THIS MAN"?

Answer:
Question #7 symbolizes not only the full blessing of the parents, but also the transfer of responsibility to the groom by the father.

A daughter is under the authority and responsibility of her father until she is married (not until she's 21)! It is therefore the father who transfers this responsibility to the groom.

Thus, the question to all FATHERS should be, by walking down the aisle with your daughter, "Are you and your wife affirming that you are giving your full blessing to the marriage of your daughter with this man? Are you also hereby transferring your God-given responsibility for the care and protection of your daughter to this man?"


8. WHY DO THE BRIDE AND GROOM TAKE EACH OTHER'S RIGHT HAND DURING THE WEDDING VOWS?

Answer:
The open right hand, offered by each party symbolizes their strength, resources, and purpose. By clasping each other's right hand, they are pledging these to each other. Just as we depend upon the saving strength of God's right hand, so each partner can depend upon all the resources that the other brings to the covenant relationship.

The handshake goes far beyond sealing a contract. It symbolizes the cleaving together of lives which is to be accomplished in the marriage covenant. Psalm 20:6, Genesis 2:24.


9. WHY DOES THE MINISTER ADDRESS THE BRIDEGROOM FIRST IN THE WEDDING VOWS?

Answer:
He must be the leader and assume the greater responsibility to fulfill the marriage covenant. As covenant initiator, he must commit himself to the purpose of marriage which God established in the beginning. These must be reflected in his vows.


10. WHAT IS THE REAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WEDDING RING?

Answer:
It symbolizes transfer of authority, strength, and protection. There is difficulty in saying that it represents eternal love, since the marriage covenant ends at the death of one partner and since there are no marriages in heaven.

In Scripture, the ring is a symbol and the resources which go with it. In a covenant relationship, the ring symbolizes identification. Romans 7:1-3, Matthew 22:30, Esther 8:2.

11. WHAT IS THE SPECIAL MEANING OF THE VEIL WHICH THE BRIDE WEARS?

Answer:
The veil represents modesty and respect. It symbolizes the sanctity and the exclusiveness of the marriage covenant. It reminds the couple and the witnesses that the physical relationship is only to be entered into after the vows are completed, Amen!

May we go deeper?

When Christ fulfilled the conditions of His covenant for our redemption, the veil in the temple was taken away, similarly when a non-believer receives Jesus Christ as his Savior, the veil between him and Christ is removed. Matthew 27:50-51, II Corinthians 3:14.


12. WHY DOES THE MINISTER SAY, "I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU HUSBAND AND WIFE?"

Answer:
The pronouncement of husband and wife establishes a definite point in time for the beginning of the marriage. These words are to remove any future doubts in the minds of the couple or the witnesses about the validity of the marriage.


13. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OFFICIALLY INTRODUCING THE COUPLE TO THE WEDDING GUESTS?

Answer:
The introduction of the new couple establishes their change of names. In the marriage, the wife takes on the name of the husband, and the man becomes known as the husband of the wife. This name change is clearly illustrated in the covenant between Jehovah God and Abram. Genesis 17:4-5

God combined Abram's name with the promise represented in His name to form the new name "Abraham". He is now known as the father of multitudes, and Jehovah
is known as the God of Abraham.


14. WHY DOES THE COUPLE SIGN WEDDING PAPERS?

Answer:
The couple signs the wedding papers to establish a public document. It is a continuing public record of the covenant.

God wrote out the testimony of His covenant in scripture. When Laban made a covenant with Jacob, a heap of stones became a witness. Genesis 31:43-55


15. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE GUESTS SIGNING THE GUEST BOOK?

Answer:
The quests become the official witnesses to the covenant. By signing their names they are saying, "I have witnessed the vows, and I testify to the reality of this marriage." The witnesses can also serve as God's reminders to the couple to be faithful to their marriage vows.

Because of the significance of signing the guest book, it should be done after the wedding rather than before it.

16. WHAT IS THE SPECIAL PURPOSE OF THE RECEIVING LINE?

Answer:
The guests give their blessing to the couple and their parents in the receiving line. When Boaz entered in the gate and the elders said, "We are witnesses." Then, they gave their blessing.

It would appropriate as well for the guests to write a short word of encouragement on a card while they are waiting for the receiving line and give it to the couple, or one of the parents. Ruth 4:11,14-15


17. WHY IS A SPECIAL INVITATION GIVEN TO ATTEND A RECEPTION?

Answer:
The invitation for the reception symbolizes the invitation to salvation. In the teaching ministry of Christ, He used the invitation to the wedding feast as an illustration of inviting people to partake of salvation. The wedding feast was free to the invited guests, just as salvation is free to all who will receive it. Isaiah 55:1

All who respond to Christ's invitation, both good and bad, must enter on His terms. The man who came without the proper wedding attire in the parable was cast into the outer darkness. Matthew 22:1-14


18. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FOOD BEING SERVED AT A WEDDING RECEPTION?

Answer:
Food is part of the covenant celebration. One of the root meanings of the word covenant is to feed. Following the marriage, a feast was customary to further symbolize the unity of the couple. Entering into a meal is itself a form of covenant.

It is significant that the first event of Christ's ministry was attending a wedding feast, and His first miracle took place during that occasion. John 2:1-11


19. WHY DO COUPLES FEED CAKE TO EACH OTHER DURING THE RECEPTION?

Answer:
This act symbolizes their becoming one flesh. By feeding cake to each other, they are saying, "This represents my body. As you eat it, I am becoming a part of you; and as I eat the cake that you give to me, you become a part of me."

This is illustrated in the Lord's supper, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25.


20. WHY DO GUESTS THROW RICE AT THE NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE?

Answer:
This gesture symbolizes marriage fruitfulness.

When a covenant was completed, both parties would often establish a memorial garden. In the marriage covenant, the garden represents children who are to grow up as olive plants around the family table. Psalm 128:3, 127:3-5.

MarriageToGo is the easy, fun, and romantic way to get married in Los Angeles! We provide confidential mobile marriage licensing for Los Angeles County and wedding officiant services anywhere in California. Short-notice, elopement, beach, custom, and unusual ceremonies our specialty! We also offer green wedding options--our Home Office is the only solar-powered microceremony site in Los Angeles! Please check out our website for pics and resources, or call 310.288.6658 for more information. We're happy to answer your questions and hope to be of service to you soon.


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Rev. Dr. Charles Laird, Santa Barbara wedding officiant and wedding minister, officiates ceremonies from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles; including Ventura, Ojai, Malibu, and Thousand Oaks. You love your ceremony or it's free!

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