Wedding Rites: A Complete Guide to Traditional Vows, Music, Ceremonies, Blessings, and Interfaith Services

by Michael P. Foley

Many engaged couples, no matter what their personal style, find themselves turning back to tradition for their wedding ceremony. Is there a way to follow tradition and still carve your own wedding path? Yes, there is -- with this unique book in hand.

Michael Foley presents meaningful wedding traditions so old that they're practically new again. Roman Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Jewish wedding traditions fill this comprehensive guidebook, the only one of its kind. From music and flowers to vows and ceremonies to blessings, Foley's  Wedding Rites  contains a vast assortment of rich traditions very usable in weddings today. Best of all, it's easy to reference and easy to use!

This book is an indispensable resource for couples, wedding planners, ministers, and all who love the beauty of tradition.

Wedding Rites  
 

Genres: History, Nonfiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2008

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is neatly arranged, designed primarily for couples planning their wedding. You can skim or read cover to cover, or read the customs only from a particular denomination or country.

The real treat of the book is Dr. Foley’s discovery and translations of nuptial texts. There are so many, and they are all quite old. (The only reason the book does not get 5 stars - no citations to the original manuscript.)

What’s interesting about the book in the context of traditional Catholic weddings is that the book does not presume you are having a Latin Mass wedding. “Tridentine” weddings are explicitly mentioned once, well into the book. This makes sense, given the publication date - it was published right around the time of Summorum Pontificum. This curious timing makes the book an interesting specimen for those interested in the history of wedding practices. Much of the book, however, will not be applicable for those planning a Latin Mass wedding.

[Cher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book approaches wedding planning from a hetero point of view, & when it says interfaith what it means is variant Christianities, but ultimately it has an excellent array of beautiful and interesting symbology and rites to help you plan a lovely service. I'm using it to help plan my wedding vows to my girlfriend. We're going for an elegant evening event in roughly a year, after we've purchased our house, & it has really helped me shape my ideas about when and how to prepare for a truly memorable event.

[Katharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Granted, I didn't finish this book, as it does not fit my purposes.
It's interesting if you want to look into elements of a very traditional wedding.