Serving Communion At Weddings

I think serviing communion at a wedding is very important (personal preference). I served it at my wedding and had approximately 200 guests. If you serve it continction (and I know I spelled that wrong so please don`t come after me spelling police) it shouldn`t take longer than 10 minutes. My fiance and I were the ones that distributed the `bread` to the guests on both sides of the church and it was a very unique touch that people commented on quite a bit.

Thanks for the advice! Just to clarify, did you and your fiance take the bread down the aisles yourself? Becaue I was thinking we would have the guests come up to the altar one row at a time, and my fiance and I would serve the bread, the maid of honor and best man would serve the juice/wine (we`re still arguing about that one) :) and our other bridesmaids and groomsmen would collect the cups. (If this sounds strange, I grew up in a pretty progessive Presbyterian church that let the people do a lot of the stuff that most churces only let the minister/deacons do). But, I like the idea of actually going to the guests instead of them coming up, I just can`t visualize how it would work, for some reason.

Heidi, we had the guests come up to the alter as in most churches the communion should be given at the alter in front of God. My husband and I stood on each side of the alter and gave the bread, the pastor gave the wine, and the ushers collected the glasses as the guests walked back down to their seats.

It went very smoothly and quickly. My guests still comment on what a special touch it was that Jason and I gave the communion to the guests.

Best wishes!

Kay

My feeling is, it would be an imposition on your guests. Guests don`t necessariy want to sit through a sermon or religious service, or extra rituals when they go to a wedding. The only exception I can think of are Catholic weddings, where it is expected. A lot of wedding ceremonies are already too pompous and formal. I want my guests to feel comfortable, including the non-religious guests who might not want to sit through all that. I think since you are "hosting" the wedding as bride and groom, you should think about what your guests might want. Its only considerate.

Kathleen, I`ve never heard anything so off-base in my entire life! A wedding is a union between two people in front of GOD. The RELIGIOUS CEREMONY is for two peole to join together in front of God. Communion as an `imposition`? That is the most ridiculous thing I`ve ever heard. Communion is the first - and most important meal that the couple shares in!!!! The guests should share in this meal (as the church allows based on different religions).

You are ignorant!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Church as an imposition? You`ve got to be kidding me. Kathleen you better start praying to God for forgiveness right now so that you don`t go straight to hell.

You must also remember not everybody can take communion. Only people that have been "born again" Christians take Communion. It is a very religious and personal action.
I think it would be beautiful and would offer it. With people like myself that aren`t religious (as the guest) I would politely decline and let it continue to those who are participating.

Linda, not everyone is religious. For some people the wedding is not a religious ceremony.

Thanks for all the input and support. I kinda understand where Kathleen is coming from, in terms of not everyone being religious, but like Brandy said, anyone who doesn`t want to participate can politely decline. And we plan on including a note in the program indicating as such, something along the lines of "if you are not comfortable or familliar with this tradition, please do not feel pressured to come forward, however, all who wish to participate are welcome at the table of God."

Having said that, I was rather insulted by Kathleen`s opinion that it would be an "imposition" on my guests. My guests aren`t the ones getting married, my fiance and I are, so shouldn`t the ceremony be a reflection of OUR beliefs? The way I see it, the ceremony is for the couple, the reception is for the guests.

Thanks Kay, Merdedith, Linda, Lisa, and Brandy for the positive feedback! Best wishes to you all.

Well, Heidi, I`m standing by my opinion on the subject!! Anyways, I think its far more offensive to tell someone that he/she is going to hell, just because you don`t like what they posted.

I`m not surprised you wouldn`t see the error of your ways Kathleen. There is no hope for ignorant people...

I think it was kinda dumb for someone to come on here, say they want to serve communion at their wedding and want to know what everyone thinks about it. Then get upset because one person has a negative opinion about it. If you just want people to tell you what you want to hear, then say so. Say "hey everyone tell me this is a great idea!" Be honest. Don`t act like you will accept different ideas on the subject, if you just want people to say "yeah, go for it, yeah". Why do you need cheerleaders? Aren`t you an adult who can do as you wish?? You don`t need to ask strangers on the internet for their opinion. If you want to do it, Heidi, grow up and make your own decisions.

I`m catholic, but my fiancee is methodist so we`re going to forgo communion during the ceremony

Kathleen, sweetheart, what I asked in my original post was whether trying to serve communion to 175-200 people would be a hassle, not what people thought of my religious beliefs. I also did not ask for "cheerleaders", I simply asked if anyone else had served communion at their wedding or seen it done at a wedding, and if so, how well it worked with a large number of people. Nowhere in my post did I say "should I do this or not?"
I basically implied that I WOULD be doing it, but I wanted ideas on how to make it run smoothly. So, I basically HAVE made my own decision, regardless of whether or not I`m an adult (and apparently this judgement is entirely up to you), but, I was just looking for ways to simplify the process. Okay?

Kathleen, I am a pastor and I want to appologize for the other people on this board who called you names because of your opinion. While I think it is perfectly fine for someone to have communion at their wedding, I understand your opinion. I appreciate you honesty, and I appologize for the other remarks that were made.

My daughter and fiance will be married on October 1, 2005. They are both Christians and very devoted to their faith. In fact, they have chosen to incorporate grapes into the flower arrangements of their "Autumn Harvest" themed wedding to symbolize "being fruitful" as the New Testament church is called to bear the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance). They will also take communion (just the bride and groom) as a symbol of remembrance of Christ in their marriage and as the first "meal" they receive. During the time they take their communion our pastor will address the congregation on the importance of Christ in their marriage and the prominent place He will take in their home. After this, the pastor will ask the congregation to stand and then say, "If you will support this couple through exhortation and prayer to uphold them as they begin their new lives from this day forward, will you say `I do`?" After their response, the congregation can then be seated. I have heard that some pastors will not allow the bride and groom to take communion without offering it to all the guests but our pastor did not agree and felt that the taking of communion by the bride and groom was an intimate part of their ceremony between them and Christ. Maybe you should discuss this with your minister. This may be an option for you as well. I went to a cousin`s wedding where communion was offered to everyone (a large wedding party). It was uncomfortable for those not of their faith and the wedding ceremony lasted over an hour. I feel that the marriage ceremony is about the bride and groom, however, and their wishes and beliefs should be honored.

Kathleen,
I have been to many weddings that communion was given. In Catholic churches it is understood that if you are not Catholic you do not come up for communion. Many Lutheran and Methodist weddings that I have been to, the pastor makes an announcement saying something like "If you believe in one God and that he gave his life for you, please come and celebrate at the table of the lord." Then row by row they go up. If someone does not want to go they just don`t come up. It does not take that long and any one attending the church ceremony will understand that this is part of it.
It really does not take that long, no longer than a regular Sunday church service. Ask your officient I`m sure he has encountered it before. It is quite common in our area. It is more uncommon, not to have communion. Good Luck hope this helps.

I think you should do whatever is in your heart and whatever God has spoken to you to do, as for everyone else it is not our place to jugde and to tell someone that they are going to to hell.

Another option for you to consider is to have the communion ceremony printed in the program for all to follow but only actually have the bride and groom partake.. I`ve seen it done this way...

First off-- I`m a Christian. I understand what Communion means, and I truly appreciate it as a proclamation of faith and a group celebration of Christ`s gift. I also believe that there are many different ways we can worship our Savior, as long as it`s rooted in the Gospel of Christ.

Having said that, I am utterly sickened by you so-called Christians who condemn Kathleen for her opinion. It`s bad enough to call her "ignorant" (maybe you need to read Matthew 5:22 again), but your willingness to condemn her to hell is borderline blasphemy, and certainly not an act of love, as Christ commands.

You mis-representers of Christ are, in large part, responsible for the world`s hatred of Christians. Unlike pastor Dan, who`s post I very much appreciate, I *cannot* apologize for you. I can only pray that those who don`t know God to will ignore your comments, and not stumble on the block you`ve placed in front of them.