Orthodox Wedding Services in Venice

The churches of the Eastern rite, including Russian and Greek Orthodox are similar in many ways to the Catholic tradition. While not encouraged, interfaith marriages are allowed, providing that the non-Orthodox party is a baptized Christian. Remarriages are also acceptable if religious decrees of annulment have been received, followed by a civil divorce. The banns of marriage may be published or not, as desired.

The Orthodox ceremony is long and full of symbolism. It usually takes place in the afternoon or early evening, but not during seasons of fasting or certain holy days. The ceremony begins with a betrothal ritual in which the rings are blessed, exchanged three times to signify the Holy Trinity and then placed on the bride’s and groom’s right hands.

At the close of the betrothal ritual, two crowns are placed on the heads of the bride and groom and exchanged three times. A Gospel is read. The couple then drinks from the same glass of wine three times. This signifies their everlasting love and commitment to share both the happy and sad times in marriage. The ceremony closes with the bride and groom, hands bound together being led around a ceremonial table three times while the congregations sings “God Grant Them Many Years.”

At least one of you and one of the witnesses must be baptized in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Interfaith and second marriages are permitted if church requirements are satisfied.

In general, however, the Orthodox wedding ceremony follows this outline:

 1. The Rite of Betrothal, in which rings are exchanged as a sign of commitment and devotion to one another.

2. The "Crowning," in which crowns or wreaths [customs vary in each parish] are placed on or held above the heads of the bride and groom. This signifies that in marriage there is a certain amount of sacrifice, especially in the area of "give and take." It also signifies that in a certain respect the bride and groom become the "king and queen" of their own "kingdom," or family, which is an integral part of the Kingdom of God.

 3. The sharing of a common cup of wine, which signifies that in marriage all things are shared equally.

 4. The procession around the sacramental table, during which the priest leads the couple three times as they take their first steps together as husband and wife.

 5. The removal of the crowns and the final blessing, in which all gathered wish the couple many years of blessings.

There are no "vows" in the Orthodox ritual, as found in other confessions.

Wedding services are not held during seasons of fasting or on certain holy days. You’ll need to plan far enough in advance to assure that your Orthodox Venician Wedding isn’t held on one of the restricted days.

Here are some of those days:

• During all the 4 long fasts

• During the Meat Fast.

• On the Bright Week (Easter).

• During the period from Christmas (January 7) to Baptism (Jan.19).

• On the eve of the 12 great feasts.

• On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays throughout the year.

• On September 10, 11, 26 and 27 (due to strict fast on the day of commemoration of beheading of John the Baptist and the Elevation of the Cross).

• On the eve of the church holidays (each church has its own days).

Coptic Wedding Services in Venice

For your Italy Wedding, Coptic Wedding Ceremony are also available. While Coptic Ceremony are similar to and based in Orthodox belief – many still prefer to maintain their religious integrity and will choose to stick to the strict guidelines that encompass the wedding mass of the Coptic Orthodox.

Planning for Coptic Wedding Ceremony in Venice like other religious services will require the bride and groom to do very specific things to meet the church’s requirements. Planning to marry in Venice it is best if you begin preparing for your Italy wedding well in advance. This is especially true for Coptic weddings.

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