What do I need to get married in the Orthodox Church?

The wedding ceremony, or wedding, in the Orthodox Church is the Sacrament of Matrimony, in which the bride and groom become married in the sight of God.

Preparation for an Orthodox wedding begins long before the ceremony itself. The first step is to talk to the priest, who will explain all the intricacies of the wedding ceremony and check whether the couple fulfils the necessary requirements for the wedding. It is important to know that in order to participate in the wedding, both future spouses must be Orthodox or one of them must have a blessing from the priest.

The wedding ceremony begins with the consecration of the rings by the priest. The wedding rings symbolise endless love and fidelity. The priest places the rings on the fingers of the bride and groom, pronouncing a blessing that seals their union in the eyes of God and the church.

At the next stage, the priest binds the hands of the bride and groom with a special wedding towel. This rite symbolises the unity of the spouses, their readiness to go through life together, support each other and overcome all difficulties hand in hand. The wedding rushnik on which the bride and groom stand emphasises their union and purity of intentions.

The bride and groom exchange vows of loyalty and love. They promise to love, respect and support each other for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. These vows have a deep spiritual meaning and serve as a foundation for their future life together.

The priest reads the Sermon on the Mount, reminding of the importance of Christian virtues in family life. He encourages the newlyweds to be patient, merciful and loving, imitating Christ in their actions.

The culmination of the wedding is the betrothal with wreaths. The crowns symbolise the royal dignity of the couple and their new role as head of the family. The priest places the crowns on the heads of the bride and groom, completing their initiation into married life.

The wedding ceremony ends with a threefold circumambulation around the analogue with icons. This rite symbolises the eternity of marriage, its indissolubility and God's blessing. The circumambulation is performed to the singing of the church choir, which gives the ceremony a special solemnity and spiritual depth.

For many couples, a wedding towel is an important attribute. It can be decorated with embroidery and serves as a reminder of the importance and sanctity of marriage.

In addition to the wedding towel, the wedding rushnyk an integral part of the wedding ceremony are napkins for candles and napkins for the Orthodox wedding. Candle napkins are used so that the candles held by the bride and groom do not drip wax on their clothes. These napkins are not only a practical detail, but also a symbol of purification, the readiness of the spouses for a clean and bright life together.

Most often the wedding towel, solemn rushnik and napkins for Orthodox candles are made of cotton, linen, silk and satin. The wedding set can be decorated with embroidery. Embroidery of the wedding set is made as machine embroidery, and can do it by hand. Hand embroidery of the wedding towel is always especially appreciated, as such a product, as a rule, is unique. To decorate wedding napkins apply braid, fringe, beads, lace. Embroidery, sequins, stones, ribbons, bows and flowers are used to decorate these attributes, giving them individuality and elegance.

A set for an Orthodox wedding can be purchased in online shops, in specialised shops of wedding paraphernalia, as well as in handmade workshops where you can order individual products.

After the wedding is completed, the priest blesses the newlyweds and all those present. This blessing solidifies the union of the bride and groom in the eyes of the church and God, giving them God's grace and protection for all the days of their life together.

Getting married in the Orthodox Church is not just a rite, it is a profound spiritual experience that helps the couple realise the importance and sanctity of marriage. The rules and traditions observed during the preparation for the wedding and during the ceremony create a unique atmosphere that will be long remembered by all participants of the wedding ceremony. The crown, wedding towel, candle napkins and other attributes of the ceremony play an important role in the symbolism and spiritual content of this holy sacrament.