Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies: Samples and Sources [Paperback]

Joan C. Hawxhurst (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1996

Thousands of interfaith couples struggle each year to create a meaningful and inclusive wedding ceremony that both respects and includes two sets of traditions and two families. This book contains the ingredients for a successful and meaningful interfaith wedding ceremony.

This book will help interfaith couples to: decide what kind of wedding they want, learn about Jewish and Christian wedding traditions and choose which ones are meaningful to them, get inspiration and support from the ceremonies and reflections of other interfaith couples, review sample readings, musical selections, and vows, and plan and write a ceremony that expresses both partners' beliefs and values.

An interfaith wedding ceremony can include two sets of traditions and reach out to both sets of parents. It can be a beautiful and meaningful event that participants and guests remember for a long, long time. And it can start out a marriage on a solid, well-built foundation. This book is the only national compendium of sample interfaith wedding ceremonies. As couples and officiants prepare for an interfaith wedding, they will refer to this resource again and again.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the United States today, some 40,000 couples enter interfaith (Jewish/Christian) marriages each year, and the trend is increasing. Compiled by the editor of Dovetail: A Newsletter by and for Jewish/Christian Families (LJ 5/15/94), this eminently practical guide helps couples plan a wedding ceremony that will reflect their own differing religious backgrounds, traditions, and beliefs and also be sensitive to the beliefs and traditions of their parents, other relatives, and guests. Included are pointers on choosing an offciant or officiants as well as suggested vows, blessings, benedictions, and musical selections. Seven actual interfaith ceremonies are given, with comments by the main participants. This is an excellent addition to public library collections.?Marcia G. Welsh, Guilford Free Lib., Ct.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Interfaith marriages are a fact of American life, especially in the Jewish community, where approximately 50 percent of young people marry outside their faith. Editor Hawxhurst, a practicing Methodist who is married to a Jew and publishes a newsletter for interfaith couples, knows her subject firsthand. This extremely helpful book looks closely at one of the first problems an interfaith couple will face: planning the wedding ceremony. Hawxhurst faces the difficulties of the interfaith ceremony directly, but, writing in an upbeat style, she also provides many suggestions for making the happy day just that. In addition to several sample ceremonies, the text discusses general issues such as working with two traditions and choosing an officiant. There is also an extensive bibliography as well as a list of interfaith support groups and officiants. Solid practical advice. Ilene Cooper

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Dovetail Publishing, Inc. (December 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965128415
• ISBN-13: 978-0965128414
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,006,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, helpful, clear, concise and extremely useful., March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies: Samples and Sources (Paperback)

This is one of the best and most helpful books I've found on interfaith weddings. The samples are very useful and well thought out. I recommend this to anyone planning an interfaith wedding as it has become my favorite resource.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compassionate, realistic, helpful., July 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies: Samples and Sources (Paperback)

This is a great book for interfaith couples who want to plan a ceremony that incorporates both of their backgrounds. I highly recommend it.

The sample ceremonies are very helpful!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good starting point, June 19, 2001

By 

S. A. Mears (Jefferson City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Interfaith Wedding Ceremonies: Samples and Sources (Paperback)

I found this book to be a good starting point for planning my interfaith wedding. It gave equal dignity to both Jewish and Christian faiths, unlike some other books which want to emphasize one to the detriment of another. My officiants found the book helpful too.