Happy NEW YEAR! It is 2018 you guys. That is absolutely insane. This year, it is my resolution to make it to church more and spend more time with the people I love! Building my business the past few years kept me from taking time for myself and my family, but I'm feeling good about balancing everything this year!
Today I am sharing Anthony and Ashley's Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. I shot this beautiful ceremony last Spring. I wanted to share this ceremony with you because if you are unfamiliar with the Orthodox faith and you attend a wedding, you may have no idea what is going on. Why are there crowns? Why do they drink from a cup? I've taken the below from our church website.
"The Sacrament of Marriage bears witness to His action. Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife. They enter into a new relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Since Marriage is not viewed as a legal contract, there are no vows in the Sacrament. According to Orthodox teachings, Marriage is not simply a social institution, it is an eternal vocation of the kingdom. A husband and a wife are called by the holy Spirit not only to live together but also to share their Christian life together so that each, with the aid of the other, may grow closer to God and become the persons they are meant to be.
In the Orthodox Marriage Service, after the couple have been betrothed and exchanged rings, they are crowned with “crowns of glory and honor” signifying the establishment of a new family under God.
Near the conclusion of the Service, the husband and wife drink from a common cup which is reminiscent of the wedding of Cana and which symbolized the sharing of the burdens and joys of their new life together."
The ceremony is rich in tradition and symbolism. It is incredibly moving to witness this sacrament. I'm so thankful this wonderful family asked me to photograph it! Here are some of my favorite images from the ceremony below!
