Christian/Jewish Traditions?

Kara85

Hi all -

So my family is Irish Catholic and I/we all very much identify with this cultural background, however...I was raised in a very liberal Protestant church (I know, I know, ts a long story). My FI was raised Jewish but, like me, identifies with the cultural aspects of how he was brought up and not the religious ones.

We're planning on doing the glass breaking and the chuppah and probably both parents walking us both down (I wanted that anyway) for the Jewish side of things during the ceremony.

I'm having trouble thinking of any specific ideas to bring in from my side of things, other than the unity candle, which is pretty non-denominational, and some of the music to be played during the ceremony. Any ideas? I'd love to give a nod to my Irish side (and my FI is actually half Irish/English too) but a lot of those traditions revolve around a Mass which we're obviously not going to have.

ElisabethJoanne

I go to lots of Irish Catholic weddings (and I'm having a Jewish-flavored nuptial Mass). Aside from all the redheads, I don't see much difference in these nuptial Masses than in the French and German Catholic nuptial Masses I attend. You brought up the music. The Irish seem more likely to pray before Our Lady towards the end of the ceremony.

raxxx17

how about bagpipes for your recessional?

gananoque

The thing about Catholic wedding ritual is that it's primarily religious rather than cultural. I think this is why you're seeing this as a stumbling block.

It will be easier to focus on the Irish traditions rather than the Catholic traditions. Anything from a church service is going to be inherantly religious and will likely conflict with Jewish theology.

Irish music is a perfect example of something to incorporate.

What about having someone offer a traditional Irish wedding blessing? The common ones are lovely and universal and not really religious at all.

sweet_melissa81

In christian weddings the bride is to the left and the groom is to the right it is opposite in jewish weddings. You could also do a reading from Corinthians. Or have someone from your side recite an Irish Blessing.