The Wedding Ceremony

Our relationship with my beloved friend had gone so far that we realized there was no way without a wedding. And so that we would not constantly think about each other while being apart, we decided to create a family.

When I proposed to my dear friend, she did not hurry with her answer, although I already knew it. But still, she decided first to pray about this important step, and also to give me time to reflect. We prayed together that the Lord would destroy our plans for each other if they were dangerous for us. But no breakup occurred, and we became even closer. How wonderful it is to be friends with someone who wishes to become your other half and spend a lifetime with you!

Our agreement not to touch each other in order to avoid unnecessary temptations we carefully preserved in our meetings. And if there were touches, they were only in the nature of a greeting.

When my friend gave her consent to our union, I suddenly realized what responsibility was placed on me for the future family, and I decided to pray about this especially. I appointed a time of fasting and prayer and began asking for help from above to have wisdom in this matter. According to my faith, I was given everything necessary.

We calculated on which days it would be best to hold the wedding celebration and paid attention to ensure that the female days would pass before all the important events. We made an agreement with the pastor who would perform the ceremony. Before our church wedding, we registered our union at the civil registry office and decided to invite only the closest relatives there.

And when everything was decided and the dates set, we began compiling the guest list and notifying them about our celebration. To our surprise, everyone responded with joy and gave their agreement to be present. Since there were many guests, we had to find cooks and a place for the festive banquet. The Lord helped us even in these matters. And in this pre-wedding bustle, we discovered each other’s organizational abilities and joyfully shared our findings.

The day of the civil registration of our union arrived. We dressed smartly and went to the registry office. The representative of the state authority solemnly asked me first, in front of many witnesses, about my decision to take my friend as my wife. I said, “Yes.” It was the most thrilling word of my life.

Then my friend was asked if she agreed to become my wife. There was silence, in which a short but very clear “Yes” was heard. Something extraordinary happened in our hearts. From that moment, by the law of the country, we were considered husband and wife, which was joyfully announced to us, and we were asked to sign the documents. Our witnesses also signed. How simple it all turned out to be!

Then the congratulations began. But we told our unbelieving relatives that we would truly become husband and wife only after the church wedding, where we warmly invited them.

For the wedding celebration, we chose Sunday. We made arrangements in advance with friends to help conduct the program and decorate the hall. We wanted to make everything modest, but the expenses for preparation still turned out to be large.

On Saturday, after sunset, such a bustle began in preparation and decoration in every direction that we did not know if we would get any sleep. But we had no time for sleep.

And then came the morning of the very day when we decided to stand before God, to enter into our marriage covenant with Him, and to receive His blessing and approval. When I woke up, I prayed, dressed in my prepared suit, called all the organizers of the celebration, and went to get ready for the important event.

At that time, my other half was being prepared by her bridesmaids, adorning her as their imagination suggested. Our friends arranged transportation to bring the bride to the place of the celebration. All the guests had gathered and were waiting joyfully in anticipation of our appearance.

Since there are no special rules for conducting a wedding ceremony, we decided to create them ourselves and had written a program in advance, describing step by step all our actions in accordance with the traditions accepted in our society.

And here she came, adorned in pure white linen, prepared for me as a gift from Heaven, to be solemnly given to me for the rest of my life.

The bride’s father solemnly led his daughter to me and took his place in the first row. I had never seen a more beautiful woman than the one who decided to become my wife. My heart trembled with excitement and the solemnity of the moment. From the expression on her face, I noticed that my bride was also very nervous. Oh, if only I wouldn’t faint from happiness!

We were invited to take our seats on the stage, and the minister gave a short sermon about what family means and how it appears in the light of the Bible and our time. I sat overwhelmed with different feelings and thoughts, glancing at the one who gave me her happy smiles. And our guests had their cameras ready so as not to miss anything.

Then the pastor asked us to stand and began asking me whether I agreed to take my bride as my wife and to tenderly care for her in different situations. I understood that at that moment the Lord Himself was present there and was binding in Heaven what we were binding on earth. I gave my consent with a gentle word, “Yes.”

My beloved also, after hearing the pastor’s questions, gave her consent with her solemn answer, “Yes.” We were invited to kneel for a solemn prayer, after which the pastor announced us as husband and wife. And under the joyful noise of cameras, he added: “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

It is difficult for us to convey our emotions, but something very important happened in our lives, and in our minds we crossed a boundary after which a new countdown of time began for us.

The pastor took our hands and solemnly joined them together. Finally, I can embrace you, my dear friend, without being embarrassed by curious eyes. How joyful it is to embrace your wife, given to you by God for earthly joy!

This was the beginning of our new relationship. I quietly asked: “So, how are you, wife?” To which she said: “Everything is wonderful, husband!”

Together with all the guests, we sang a song to the glory of the Lord, prayed solemnly, and walked to the exit of the church to receive congratulations.

How pleasant it was to see the happy faces of our friends! And what wonderful wishes were given to us by all those who came to congratulate us!

Flowers, envelopes, hugs, and kisses—all of this joyfully poured down upon us like a waterfall. And our friends recorded it all on video and received our gifts, laying them beside us.

While the guests went to the banquet hall, my wife and I left for a photoshoot to preserve the unforgettable moments of our first family day.

I had never imagined how wonderful it is to have a wife. A storm of feelings unknown until then burst into my life—a very pleasant and lasting storm. I kept drawing my other half close to me and enjoyed her unusual warmth and tenderness of body. And now this is all mine forever! How wonderful! And within this body is hidden the most beautiful soul, which from now on will always delight me with its uniqueness, reveal its secrets, and share its concerns.

1. Please read Genesis 2:22-24; Ephesians 5:22-32; Amos 3:3; Song of Solomon 2:16; 4:1-16; Isaiah 49:15-19; 54:5; 61:10; 62:5; Revelation 19:7-9; 21:2; 22:17; 1 Corinthians 7:36 in the light of our lesson.

2. What did you understand from this topic?

3. What other verses from the Bible came to your mind?

4. What is the purpose of a wedding ceremony? What is it?

5. Why are families created? What is the goal of marriage?

6. Why does the Lord compare Himself to the Bridegroom and us to the bride?

7. Does the Lord, through His Word, wish to show us how important, close, and dear we are to Him?

8. Did you experience your own wedding? If so, share what you felt and how you perceived everything.

9. How do you imagine the wedding of Jesus, and who do you see yourself as at this celebration?

10. Does the Lord wish to know His bride more closely before the wedding?

11. Do you rejoice in the happiness of others expressed in marriage?

12. Should a family be created just for the sake of having a family with someone you do not love?

13. What happens in the mind and life of those who say “Yes” to each other before the altar?

14. If I insist on becoming the bride of Jesus, will He take my desires into account?

15. Was this lesson useful to you?