Parents' Emotions Run High in an Interfaith Wedding

Weddings are supposed to be a beautiful and memorable event. In today's society many couples decide to marry even though they are of different religious backgrounds. Many of these couples go away from traditional religious ceremonies and partake in an Interfaith Wedding. Although this is supposed to be a beautiful union of making two hearts into one, this event can be very stressful to the parents of the bride and groom.

Parents Emotions

The parents of the bride and groom are very often strongly rooted in their faiths and it can be difficult for them to accept that their child is marrying outside of the faith. Parents often feel frightened, confused, betrayed and angry regarding this union. It can be extremely difficult to plan a wedding and feel the bliss of that union if the families of the bride and groom do not support the wedding.

Diffusing Emotions

It is important that the planning of an Interfaith Wedding takes into consideration the views and requests of both sides of the family. Properly diffusing emotions can be done by letting both sides of the family have a say in the planning of the wedding. It is important for the bride and groom to agree on what they want and take a united front when discussing these desires with their parents. The parents must understand that this Interfaith Wedding will be done before God and that the religious views of both sides of the family will be respected.

Planning the Wedding

When both sides of the family understand that both religions are equally important and equally considered it makes the planning and the wedding related activities much more pleasant. The families must be made aware that although the religions of the bride and groom are different, both parties respect their religions and their upbringing, as well as respecting their fiancés religion. When planning the wedding the bride and groom should try to incorporate the important traditions of each religion. The parents of the bride and groom can be excellent resources in incorporating the most important traditions of each religion.

As the planning of the wedding continues and both sides of the family see that the union truly is the bonding of two Faiths, emotions change from confused and angry to thankful and blessed. Interfaith Weddings are still a lifelong union before God and the purpose of the wedding is to make two souls as one.