Although wedding ceremonies often symbolize the commitment of two individuals to each other in the eyes of both their Creator and those closest to them, the Hindu wedding consists of many rituals, all of which signify various aspects of the couple’s future relationship in a very tangible form. For instance, premarital gift-giving by the bride’s father to the couple reflects the union of the two families, stepping on a stone by the bride is meant to represent the strength of the marital bond, and the seven steps around the sacred fire demonstrate comradeship in, and commitment to, a union under God’s watch. The Hindu ceremony is most notable for its duration, beginning well before the main ceremony takes place and extending into the first days of marriage.
The typical wedding ceremony of a Hindu–Christian couple takes the form of either a single ceremony that celebrates the more religious spouse’s faith traditions, or a dual ceremony where both religious traditions are celebrated. Underlying the decision of which type of ceremony to have is how the couple wants to portray the union of their faiths to guests and spectators. As one Hindu interviewee noted, “I wanted it to be half and half.” Even her parents have a similar understanding of the ceremony’s religious symbolism, as they had reservations to a single church wedding because “they wanted [the ceremony] to be equal” and not “one-sided, one [religion] being dominant.” Having a single ceremony highlighting a particular religious tradition suggests the dominance of one faith over the other, while a dual-ceremony—though more concerned with equality—must muddle through an array of logistical questions that makes planning quite difficult. As an alternative to this setup, however, interfaith couples are increasingly turning to mixed ceremonies, combining elements of both faiths in a single ceremony.
The most unique of mixed ceremonies we came across was what one couple called an “integrated ceremony.” To avoid the “ping-pong match” of a dual ceremony, they blended Hindu traditional practices with Christian biblical scriptures. Since both the husband and the wife were quite knowledgeable about religion, they looked through the Bible for scriptures that aligned with the traditions typically found in Hindu weddings. For example, a verse from Isaiah stating, “He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels,” (Isaiah 61:10) was recited while the bridegroom garlanded the bride, a common scene in Hindu weddings.
Beyond serving as an alternative to the single and dual ceremonies, the integrated wedding ceremony was also a very practical way for this couple to share their religions with each other. By searching through scripture and uniting, quite literally, word and practice, they were able to explore and share their respective faiths, while also conveying their interreligious commitment to each other before friends, family, and their Creator.
The most unique of mixed ceremonies we came across was what one couple called an “integrated ceremony.” To avoid the “ping-pong match” of a dual ceremony, they blended Hindu traditional practices with Christian biblical scriptures. Since both the husband and the wife were quite knowledgeable about religion, they looked through the Bible for scriptures that aligned with the traditions typically found in Hindu weddings. For example, a verse from Isaiah stating, “He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels,” (Isaiah 61:10) was recited while the bridegroom garlanded the bride, a common scene in Hindu weddings.
Beyond serving as an alternative to the single and dual ceremonies, the integrated wedding ceremony was also a very practical way for this couple to share their religions with each other. By searching through scripture and uniting, quite literally, word and practice, they were able to explore and share their respective faiths, while also conveying their interreligious commitment to each other before friends, family, and their Creator.
Opens in a new window