The Engagement Party
Engagement party is usually hosted by parents of bride. The bride and
the groom exchange engagement rings blessed by the parish priest. The ceremony
over, there is a small celebration in the form of a formal dinner or cocktail
party. It only indicates the beginning of a period during which the boy and
girl get to know each other.
Attending a preparatory course
It is compulsory for the prospective bride and groom to attend a
Marriage
Preparatory Course. It can be a one-day and a three-day course
depends upon their choice. They must also fill in a form declaring details of
their lives and take an oath on the Holy Bible that they didn't hide any
information and that they are aware of the duties within a Christian marriage.
Besides, they must also produce their baptism certificates. For three
consecutive Sundays in the church, the priest declares the decision of the boy
and girl to marry. In case one of the parties has hidden or misrepresented some
information, anyone can let it be made public during this period. The couple
may marry only after the end of the three-week period.
Bridal shower
The Bridal Shower ceremony is to be performed by the bride's family.
This is given as a token of appreciation for all the bridesmaids.. It is a
festive occasion and games are played at this all-girls party. Often, the
friends contribute and shower gifts upon the bride. During this ceremony, the
bride gives gifts to the bridesmaids and serves a pink cake with a thimble
hidden inside. Legend goes that the girl, who gets the piece of cake with the
thimble, will be the next to marry.
Bachelor's party
Bachelor's party is hosted by the bridegroom friends on the eve of his wedding.
The groom is expected to enjoy his last night as a bachelor. A toast is raised
before drinking as a custom
Welcoming the bride
On the day of the wedding, the bridegroom reaches the church first and sends a
car to pick up the girl .He waits for her outside the Church. When the bride
arrives, the Best Man greets her with a kiss on either cheek and her wedding
bouquet
In The Church
The couple walks down the aisle slowly but gracefully where priest welcome them
and offers them his good wishes The wedding mass begins with hymns and selected
readings from the Bible. The priest delivers the Homily, an interesting lecture
with an emphasis on the sanctity of marriage.
The
nuptial rites take place in front of at least two
witnesses. During this rite, the priest asks a few questions pertaining to
their consent for the marriage, which both of them have to answer honestly.
Under the priest guidance ,the couple join their right hands and declare their
intention to take each other as man and wife before God and His Church. The
priest blesses them and tells them that "
What God has joined, man must not
divide".
The priest blesses the joined hands with the Holy Water and also the rings so
that the couple that wears them will have deep faith in each otherThe bride and
groom exchange rings with a promise of unconditional love and fidelity.
The couple and their close relatives come up to the lectern (podium) and read
previously selected passages from the Bible. The priest prays for the couple.
The bride and groom offer a thanksgiving prayer to God and ask for His
blessings. The priest concludes the ceremony with a final blessing followed by
prayer. The priest and the couple sign the Church register that serves as a
valid legal document of marriage. A copy of this document is sent to the
Registrar of Marriages.
The Reception
A reception is held to celebrate the wedding. Friends, relatives and colleagues
are invited to a grand feast.The newly-weds cut the wedding cake and feed each
a bite of the first slice. The bride and groom get the evening going with their
'first dance'. And they are later joined by bride's and grooms's parents and by
ther other guests Soon the guests join the dancing and spend the rest of the
evening in keeping time with the music. The couple mingles with the guests,
dance some more and say their grace before beginning dinner. After dinner is
over, the couple leaves the reception. At this juncture the bride must throw
her posy of flowers behind her. The girl who catches it will be the first to
marry, according to popular belief.