We've just arrived home from an Eight-hundred mile round trip to my brother-in-law's wedding, which was held at the remarkable Treowen House, near Monmouth in Wales. They filled this lovely ancient house with friends and family for the weekend to celebrate their marriage and formally exchange the forty-one words that constitute the civil wedding contract in British law. Around those required legalities they devised a lovely ceremony that captured both the seriousness of and the joy of marriage, and the heartfelt lifelong commitment that the vows taken demand. The ceremony, with its music, poetry, vows and words was moving in the way that it reflected both those values, as well as the people getting married. The celebrations continued with a great meal (Venison cooked in red wine!) and an evening of chat, log fires and an absolutely brilliant jazz band.
I haven't been to a civil wedding for a few years and was intrigued by it. Obviously with our faith, we didn't choose a secular wedding when we got married ten years ago - but that doesn't mean we couldn't fully enter into the spirit of this wedding or were any less thrilled for them. In fact every word said and sung in the ceremony was excellent and meaningful. Unlike the previous civil ceremony I went to, the celebrant and registrar were excellent and were really personal in their approach. I wouldn't have wanted them to take away anything that was said or promised on Tuesday.
My theological perspective (with which you have every right to disagree!) is that marriage is a gift of God (as distinct from merely an evolutionary convenient arrangement) whether you acknowledge Him or not! So, while I cheered out loud and shouted 'hooray' as we celebrated love and commitment on Tuesday, in my heart there was an echoed Amen! We all wished them a long and happy life together - I hope they'll forgive the fact that I prayed it too.
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