Cord of three strands

squeakyduck

I like the idea of a cord of three strands, but I don't really want to do it in the actual wedding ceremony. Would it be weird to do it during the rehearsal or maybe at the reception? Our ceremony will be a traditional Presbyterian one and it will be long enough without adding any more stuff. (Plus, I haven't mentioned it yet to my pastor. Unity candles are not allowed, so I doubt this will be either.) 

What do you guys think about doing it at the rehearsal or reception? 

I would also rather make my own than buy some cord for $40. But I'd want to use dark red instead of purple to match my wedding colors. Is the purple really that important for the symbolism? 

kellya01

We are still debating about which unity things we want to do (in other thread!) but I think if we were to do the cord, we'd want to do it during the ceremony as opposed to during the reception.  For us, the reception is more about the celebration of the union that was just created before God, and I'd rather party than worry about braiding the cord.  

As for doing it at the rehearsal... for me that would feel weird, because I want the rehearsal to feel the LEAST like the wedding as possible... just a bunch of people standing in the place our DOC tells us to stand.  :-O

This might sound really unconventional, but what if you incorporate a kneeling bench into your ceremony, and part of the kneeling bench part is that you and your FI braid the cord together?  Could be a great way to appeal to having God as part of your marriage both in prayer and in the physical representation.  

Good luck, whatever you decide!! 

iamjoesgurl

I would ask your pastor because it's possible that the unity candles are not allowed because of the candles (risk of fire).  They may be okay with the braiding of the cords.   Are you doing scripture?  We had planned to braid ours during the scripture (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)  and I personally don't think it has as much meaning as when that is read (it provides context).  If you did it during the reading of scripture, it wouldn't take more time.

We ended up braiding the cord when we got home (see the thread from last week for the back story).  So I think that doing it after the ceremony would be fine.  I think during the rehearsal would be kind of odd since you aren't yet reciting the vows.

As for colors, godsknot.com made up the three colors and while they seem to make some sense, I don't really think that colors matter.  IMO, it is more important that you understand the symbolism of the three distinct cords and that they represent you, FI and Christ.

jonigringa

As stated in the other thread, I bought cording in our wedding colors and did it myself (instead of using the godsknot one).  It was less expensive and I like that it's in the colors we used.  :-)