Evangelical wedding as a guest

01 Before the day

"Evangelical" covers a wide range of US Protestant churches: Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) congregations, non-denominational churches and megachurches, the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal denominations, and many smaller bodies. Each pastor and each congregation sets the form of the wedding ceremony; there are no binding rubrics across this tradition family.

Evangelical and non-denominational weddings vary widely in formality, from fully formal church weddings to casual outdoor ceremonies. The invitation indicates the expected dress; in most US evangelical weddings, a suit and tie for men and a formal dress or suit for women are appropriate.

02 Arrival and seating

Guests typically arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the start time. Seating is normally open for non-family guests; the bride's family is by widespread Protestant convention seated on the left as one faces the front, the groom's family on the right.

Late arrivals during the processional are inconvenient; the wedding party or the ushers will normally seat late-arriving guests at the back or ask them to wait until an appropriate moment.

03 At the ceremony

A typical evangelical wedding ceremony includes most of these elements: a processional, a welcome and prayer of invocation, a scripture reading or two, a short message on Christian marriage, the declaration of intent, the exchange of vows (often custom-written by the couple), the exchange of rings, an optional unity symbol (a unity candle, a sand ceremony, a cord of three strands, or sometimes Communion), the pronouncement, the kiss, and a closing prayer.

The order, length, and emphasis vary substantially by congregation. Pentecostal weddings may include elements distinctive to Pentecostal practice: a time of prayer over the couple with laying on of hands by the pastor and others, prophetic words from the officiant, an extended worship time. Where these are part of the ceremony, the order of service or the wedding website usually mentions them.

04 Communion and ceremonial moments

Most evangelical, Southern Baptist, non-denominational, and Pentecostal weddings do not include the Lord's Supper. Where it is included, the most common patterns are: the bride and groom share Communion alone as a symbolic element of the rite, or the pastor offers an open invitation to all believers in Christ to participate. Practice is set by the couple and the pastor.

For Pentecostal weddings, the corporate prayer over the couple is often a significant moment; guests may be invited forward, or may be invited to stand and raise their hands, or may simply pray from their seats. The pastor or the worship leader will direct.

05 The reception

The reception that follows is set by the couple. Typical US evangelical wedding receptions include a meal, toasts, the cake cutting, and dancing. Many evangelical, Southern Baptist, and Pentecostal receptions do not serve alcohol; many non-denominational receptions do. The family is the source for the specific reception.

Gifts are by widespread US convention. The couple's registry, a monetary gift, or a charitable contribution in the couple's name is the typical pattern.

06 Common questions