WEDDING CEREMONIES
above are samples of apparel Fr. Dave can wear for your ceremony: alb (full white garment) & wedding stole; suit and clergy collar with wedding stole; black suit and tie. Some couples have chosen the suit and clergy collar without the stole.
Below are descriptions of ceremonies I provide: Interfaith, Catholic, Jewish/Christian, Muslim/Christian, and Humanist. Contact me at bishopdoyl@aol.com or by calling 505-238-7685 to start working up with you your personalized and unique wedding ceremony.
Interfaith (Non-Denominational Christian) Wedding Ceremony
Usually in a non-denominational or interfaith wedding ceremony the couple comes from two different religious traditions (often Christian) and want to honor, or at least not offend, the other. The prayers over the rings and for the couple are directed to God and Jesus. Phrases of "God our Father," "Eternal God" and a reference to Jesus and the wedding at Cana from St. Mark's Gospel are appropriate and well accepted. Couples often use the "Benediction," or Blessing of Aaron from the Book of Exodus:
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God look upon you with kindness and give you peace.
Wording and prayers that are non-Christian (Jewish or Muslim) or particularly Catholic are avoided.
Catholic Wedding Ceremony
In a Catholic wedding ceremony there is much more inclusion of the Christian elements as in the above Interfaith Wedding Ceremony, with the added blessings and wording familiar to Catholics. These include the Sign of the Cross beginning the ceremony with "In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit..." use of Holy Water to bless the rings, a Holy Communion ceremony, Lasso and Arras, a Rose to Mary, and even a blessing by the parents and/or godparents of the couple. Some couples have even chosen to have a full Catholic Wedding Mass.
One element of a Catholic Wedding Ceremony is the use of Catholic vestments. There are examples of Fr. Dave wearing a chasuble for a wedding, and nothing says "Catholic" like a vestment.
Many Catholics are familiar with the prayer: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit..." and make the sign of the cross and this makes Catholics feel at home, no matter where the ceremony is held, inside or outside.
Jewish-Christian/Catholic Wedding Ceremony
Sensitivity to both parties and families is essential here, and usually there is a blending of the Christian reference to God and "Providence" and "the Almighty" but not to Jesus. Readings are usually chosen from the Hebrew Scriptures (the Christian Old Testament) and and New Testament. There are several places that Jewish traditions can be inserted, such as the Chupa, Seven Wedding Blessings, and the breaking of the glass at the end when the guests all shout Mazel Tov! (In one Jewish-Catholic wedding Fr. Dave gave the Seven Wedding Blessings IN HEBREW and got lots of compliments! The couple loved it and the Jewish family was pleased. He wore a suit and tie as the Officiant.)
Muslim-Christian/Catholic Wedding Ceremony
Sensitivity to both parties and families is again essential here, and usually there might be a reference to God, "Divine Providence" or even "the Almighty." Readings from the Bible and the Qur'an can be used, and traditions symbolizing unity such as the Unity Candle or Sand Mixing are acceptable.
Traditional Qur'an readings are found on the READINGS AND REFLECTIONS page.
Humanist (Non-religious) Wedding Ceremony
A Humanist Wedding Ceremony is one where neither party wishes to have a particularly religious ceremony, but still wants something spiritual in nature. There is typically no reference to God, Jesus, Buddha, Allah or any other divine figure. References to peace and love in the home are common in this ceremony
A script such as follows has been used by me in Humanist Ceremonies:
The values and heritage each individual brings to this marriage will continue to be an important
element in their lives, but they will now create a new story, their story - and new traditions, together. Although they are embarking upon a new and unique relationship by joining their lives in marriage, they retain their own separate and unique heritage, and identity, each enriching the other.
Civil Wedding Ceremony
The civil wedding ceremony is usually very simple and straight forward. There is a welcoming, readings and reflections are optional, and the Declaration of Intent, the Vows, and Assent of the Officiant that the couple is married are all part of the Civil wedding Ceremony.
Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony
I have had the privilege of officiating at numerous same-sex weddings (also known as "gay weddings") in the last ten years, and am honored to continue to do so. These were both legal marriages and Holy Unions. Gay marriage/ same sex marriage became legal in New Mexico in 2013 and many couples want their rights and social standing celebrated as any other couple would. I work with every couple to provide a personalized and special ceremony to meet their wishes, and every couple has the right of Final Approval over their ceremony. Booking me as your same sex wedding officiant means you get my years of expertise and desire to make you happy.
Any couple with a Marriage License issued from any county in New Mexico can be legally married anywhere in New Mexico, and I will officiate at any ceremony I am requested for and my schedule allows. I feel that Marriage Equality is a civil right. Love is love and Love Wins!
Below are descriptions of ceremonies I provide: Interfaith, Catholic, Jewish/Christian, Muslim/Christian, and Humanist. Contact me at bishopdoyl@aol.com or by calling 505-238-7685 to start working up with you your personalized and unique wedding ceremony.
Interfaith (Non-Denominational Christian) Wedding Ceremony
Usually in a non-denominational or interfaith wedding ceremony the couple comes from two different religious traditions (often Christian) and want to honor, or at least not offend, the other. The prayers over the rings and for the couple are directed to God and Jesus. Phrases of "God our Father," "Eternal God" and a reference to Jesus and the wedding at Cana from St. Mark's Gospel are appropriate and well accepted. Couples often use the "Benediction," or Blessing of Aaron from the Book of Exodus:
May God bless you and keep you.
May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May God look upon you with kindness and give you peace.
Wording and prayers that are non-Christian (Jewish or Muslim) or particularly Catholic are avoided.
Catholic Wedding Ceremony
In a Catholic wedding ceremony there is much more inclusion of the Christian elements as in the above Interfaith Wedding Ceremony, with the added blessings and wording familiar to Catholics. These include the Sign of the Cross beginning the ceremony with "In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit..." use of Holy Water to bless the rings, a Holy Communion ceremony, Lasso and Arras, a Rose to Mary, and even a blessing by the parents and/or godparents of the couple. Some couples have even chosen to have a full Catholic Wedding Mass.
One element of a Catholic Wedding Ceremony is the use of Catholic vestments. There are examples of Fr. Dave wearing a chasuble for a wedding, and nothing says "Catholic" like a vestment.
Many Catholics are familiar with the prayer: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit..." and make the sign of the cross and this makes Catholics feel at home, no matter where the ceremony is held, inside or outside.
Jewish-Christian/Catholic Wedding Ceremony
Sensitivity to both parties and families is essential here, and usually there is a blending of the Christian reference to God and "Providence" and "the Almighty" but not to Jesus. Readings are usually chosen from the Hebrew Scriptures (the Christian Old Testament) and and New Testament. There are several places that Jewish traditions can be inserted, such as the Chupa, Seven Wedding Blessings, and the breaking of the glass at the end when the guests all shout Mazel Tov! (In one Jewish-Catholic wedding Fr. Dave gave the Seven Wedding Blessings IN HEBREW and got lots of compliments! The couple loved it and the Jewish family was pleased. He wore a suit and tie as the Officiant.)
Muslim-Christian/Catholic Wedding Ceremony
Sensitivity to both parties and families is again essential here, and usually there might be a reference to God, "Divine Providence" or even "the Almighty." Readings from the Bible and the Qur'an can be used, and traditions symbolizing unity such as the Unity Candle or Sand Mixing are acceptable.
Traditional Qur'an readings are found on the READINGS AND REFLECTIONS page.
Humanist (Non-religious) Wedding Ceremony
A Humanist Wedding Ceremony is one where neither party wishes to have a particularly religious ceremony, but still wants something spiritual in nature. There is typically no reference to God, Jesus, Buddha, Allah or any other divine figure. References to peace and love in the home are common in this ceremony
A script such as follows has been used by me in Humanist Ceremonies:
The values and heritage each individual brings to this marriage will continue to be an important
element in their lives, but they will now create a new story, their story - and new traditions, together. Although they are embarking upon a new and unique relationship by joining their lives in marriage, they retain their own separate and unique heritage, and identity, each enriching the other.
Civil Wedding Ceremony
The civil wedding ceremony is usually very simple and straight forward. There is a welcoming, readings and reflections are optional, and the Declaration of Intent, the Vows, and Assent of the Officiant that the couple is married are all part of the Civil wedding Ceremony.
Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony
I have had the privilege of officiating at numerous same-sex weddings (also known as "gay weddings") in the last ten years, and am honored to continue to do so. These were both legal marriages and Holy Unions. Gay marriage/ same sex marriage became legal in New Mexico in 2013 and many couples want their rights and social standing celebrated as any other couple would. I work with every couple to provide a personalized and special ceremony to meet their wishes, and every couple has the right of Final Approval over their ceremony. Booking me as your same sex wedding officiant means you get my years of expertise and desire to make you happy.
Any couple with a Marriage License issued from any county in New Mexico can be legally married anywhere in New Mexico, and I will officiate at any ceremony I am requested for and my schedule allows. I feel that Marriage Equality is a civil right. Love is love and Love Wins!