More Fun from TheKnot.com

There are a heckuva lot of wedding etiquette books out there, and between them they cover pretty much every eventuality. Thus, it is a rare day when someone comes up with a new and potentially inflammatory wedding idea.

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Topic: Need Christian girls advice on including a salvation message

Hi everyone! My fiance and I are both born again believers and more than half of the people invited to our wedding are not saved (they are mostly my family members) We want to include a salvation message in our ceremony since we have the opportunity to have so many lost family and friends together in a church at the same time (considering a large # of them only go to church for weddings and funerals). Has anyone else done this or is planning to? Did it include a pastor saying the sinners' prayer and people raising their hands if they invited Jesus into their hearts? Where was it placed in the ceremony? Thanks so much! God Bless!!!

Wow. And you thought there was a lot of peer pressure to join the bouquet toss.

Certainly takes the phrase “captive audience” to a whole new level. I’m not sure which I like better: 1) The couple’s snippy assessment of their guests’ spirituality, or 2) The idea of including a "sinner’s prayer" in a normally joyful situation. A quick search on the ‘net uncovered a lot of variations, all with the same theme. This was my favorite:

“Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner and that I deserve to go to hell. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I do now receive him as my Lord and personal Savior. I promise to serve you to the best of my ability. Please save me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Nothing sets a festive mood like reminding the guests that they're doomed. As if they hadn't thought that already.

Comments

[Teri]

Do the "unsaved" still have to give wedding gifts?

[ChgoRed]

Naturally. Even your most hellbound heathen is welcome to use the gift registry. I'm just surprised they don't seat the unbelievers in their own section, although seeing how they're on both the bride's and groom's sides, this could be a problem.

[Myke]

If I had to sit through a "sinner's prayer", I'd be thinking, there better be one heavenly buffet after all this.

[sulizano]

Too bad they can't figure a possible Rapture into the final headcount.

[Malinda]

Hmmm... in addition maybe instead of a petal toss or dove release the bride and groom can do some snake handling! Maybe offer it up to the crowd, as well, to prove their devotion to Christ!

Could be one hell of a party.....

[celina]

Please get over your self rightousness! Don't force your views on the unsuspecting that come to join you on your special day. If they cared about going to HELL they'd seek out Jesus Christ on their own time. Who appointed you to Peters list of good doers. If I were at Wedding that started with a Sinners Prayer I'd grab my gift and leave, family or not!!!!!!!

[ChgoRed]

Easy, Celina. While your fervor is appreciated, it wasn't *my* idea. Rather, someone else's. Like you, I'd be pretty indignant if someone treated me as a possible convert rather than a wedding guest.

However, snake handling would make for some lively entertainment...

[aprilfoolgirl]

I actually attended a wedding where this was done. Even though the bride and groom were both very religious, I was extremely surprised when the minister did an altar call following the vows and exchange of rings. I just thought it was inappropriate... we were there to celebrate their marriage, not save our souls.

[Reverend H.L. Spork]

Celina, before you trash my girlfriend:

1. Note she was quoting *someone else* and not referring to herself, nitwit.

2. Note you're posting on a copy editor's blog, so if you're going to attack her, remember: self-righteousness contains a hyphen. And since the list of good doers belongs to Peter, make sure you add an apostrophe before the s, nitwit.

Sheesh.

[rita]

Hey, I dont know if you are still around but I did want to address this. I am a minister and it is very important to me that God is represented in my wedding ceremony. Whether people want to deal with it or not, marriage is an institution of God and His Holy Word. I am including scripture readings throughout the ceremony as well as a 'sermonette' on the ministry of marriage. There will be praise and worship also!

I truly believe in people SEEING salvation in action rather than them HEARING about salvation. I believe if you present God as the focus of your marriage (and not the dress, flowers, etc), people will understand your purpose. For instance, for each part of the program (walking down the aisle, giving the bride away, unite candles) there will be a scripture printed in the program as to why this is important.