Blessing of the Hands

Wedding Readings

A very popular reading at weddings recently is called the “Blessing of the Hands”.  It is usually done by having the couples face each other, holding both hands, and looking down at the hands they are holding. At that time the following passage is read.

“Blessing of the Hands”

“These are the hands of your best friend,

 young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. 

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. 

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. 

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

 

How Long Should a Wedding Ceremony Be?

Ceremony Tips
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony

How long should a wedding ceremony be? This is a great question. I personally like ceremonies to be around 20 minutes long, give or take 5 minutes. I have been to ceremonies over an hour long, and I have been to those that are less than 5 minutes. Each one gets the job done, the couple is officially married.  But here are my thoughts on the subject.

The 5 minute ceremony is too short. It is almost like the ceremony didn’t take place, by the time everyone gets in place, focuses on what is going on, the officiant pronounces them husband and wife, and it is over. You think about all the time that when into setting up the site, the decorations, the people making time in their scheduled to be there, and it is over in a flash.

The long ceremony is no better, (40 minutes or more) because most of the time people are not paying attention that long. The Bride and groom are usually nervous, and they’re are not listening to every word you say anyway. The audience becomes impatient and they start to wiggle in their seats and making more noise.

I personally like to keep the ceremony down to about 20 minutes. This include all the parts of the ceremony that I perform. The welcome, the giving away of the bride, the introduction, some scripture reading, short message on marriage, prayer, vows, ring exchange, the kiss, the pronouncement. Then the Bride and Groom may add some extra readings, songs, or things like the unity candle or unity sand.

I personally like to keep the early part of the ceremony light hearted and make it more personal but talking about how the couple met, what their first impressions of each other, what are the things that they love and admire about each other, how the groom proposed. This makes each ceremony unique, and more interesting to the guest that come to the ceremony.