I've recently gotten engaged and have been looking into planning my wedding. There aren't many resources out there for Orthodox brides. A lot of bridal websites talk about "writing the perfect vows", for instance, which is something that has no relevance to the Orthodox Christian bride and groom! A marriage ceremony in the Orthodox Church will always follow the same time honored tradition, so there is no exchange of vows, but instead a liturgical service binding the bride and groom together before Christ and in Christ. So, writing our own vows is out.
There are some other American wedding traditions, however, that are easily incorporated into the Orthodox wedding service without diluting it or altering it. My blog will talk about these sorts of things. I'm not completely knowledgeable about all the different Orthodox cultural traditions, but that's what the comments are for! Help out, give input, ask questions!
Also, things about marriage in general will be posted on here. Premarital counseling is vital for the Orthodox Christian planning a wedding. Marriage is eternal and it's definitely going to be a beautiful hardship that needs all the preparation it can get.
Finally, I believe that the Orthodox Christian shouldn't get too tied up in the materialism run rampant in the wedding planning culture of today. Yes, a wedding is important. Yes, there are certain aspects of a wedding that should be treated importantly. In the Orthodox Church we spend much money on beautiful icons and vestments and liturgical items, but this is all for the glory of God and His Church. Similarly, I will focus on devoting the expense of a wedding to the glory of God and His mystery of marriage when it calls for it, and spending less on the parts of a wedding that are more about "me". This is something difficult for the modern American bride. The goal should not be extravagance.
I'll document my own wedding planning journey, but I'll probably stick around after I'm married. Planning is half the fun, after all!
-Alethia
