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Once we decided on our bridal party, the next step was picking a theme.
*Please note that there are several religious references in this post. These are our ideas, and we are in no way trying to push our beliefs onto you or your wedding.
At first, Mr. Brooch insisted we didn’t need a theme, but I argued that we needed something that tied together all the elements of our wedding.
We knew we wanted…
1. Good music (particularly R&B and soul music)
2. Good food (Southern comfort food and delicious desserts)
3. An intimate setting
4. Elements of nature (and earth tones)
5. To honor our mutual love for God
Well, even with those priorities in mind, we had a very tough time coming up with feasible themes. Our initial ideas were pretty lame—chess theme, movies theme, or Tuscan/plantation theme. Nothing seemed to express our common interests. Nothing seemed to fit.
It was actually kind of scary for a minute. We had to stop and asked each other, “We have stuff in common, right?”
Of course we do. Haha.
Well finally, after ruling out all of the above suggestions (for obvious reasons), we began thinking about broader things that unite us. Chess definitely wasn’t going to work because most chess boards are black and white, and we actually want color in our wedding. Plus, do we even like chess that much? The Tuscan or plantation themes are too broad for our purposes. The movie theme is too restricting. So even though we like chess, movies, and the countryside, we knew that our ideas weren’t good enough.
Then Mr. Brooch said, “Why not make our theme about God?” He said, “Lets do: God is…No! God’s Love is…”
Then I said, “God’s love is comforting like southern foods. God’s love is sweet like dessert. God’s love is soothing like R&B. God’s love is family and friends. God’s love unites us!”
This could work…right?
Could we have finally figured out our theme?
Hmm, not quite.
We’ve since changed directions and decided to go with a simpler theme (more on that later). We needed something that we could use when we were picking out linens and flowers, and while I think we could use God all of the time for everything, it’s hard to say what color schemes represent God…
Nevertheless, we still plan to put a lot of focus on God, which is what we learned from the conversation. We want to really emphasize our spiritual connection during the ceremony, and we’re working on finding ways to do that. Mr. Brooch’s father is a minister, and he will be officiating. I’m also am asking my dad to build a free-standing cross for the end of the aisle. We’re planning to play a few old hymns that we know our families will love, and we’ll definitely have a few references in Bible and other readings.
Here are some of the writings we are considering (the first is my fav):
The basis of marriage is not love or mutual affection or feelings of emotions and passions that we associate with love, but a vocation, a being elected to build together a house for God in this world. To be like the cherubs whose outstretched wings sheltered the Ark of the Covenant and created a space where Yahweh could be present.
- Henri Nouwen Clowning in Rome
God is the silent partner in all great enterprises.
- Abraham Lincoln
Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder the things of the past. For behold, I will do a new thing. Now it will spring forth. Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
- Isaiah 43:18-19
All of the above quotes are from the book, “Inviting God to Your Wedding” by Martha Williamson and John Anderson, producers of the television series, Touched By An Angel.
Are you planning to have any religious elements or themes at your wedding?
We found that our theme developed quite organically. I went through a million types of weddings (beach, Vegas, etc.) before settling on my parents backyard. But I think a lot of it comes from the type of venue- you wouldn’t have a rustic wedding in a ballroom really, etc. While I can’t relate to your inspiration I think it’s great that you and Mr. B found something you have in common to connect together the planning process instead of just Mr. B rolling his eyes and going “Whatever you want, honey!” 
Aww what a great post! That’s so cool how your FIL will be officiating!! We had thought about very similar things about our ceremony. We loved how our pastor preached the gospel, so we wanted all of our loved ones to hear a truly grace centered sermon — believers and non-believers. I didn’t want people to remember our ceremony sermon as “that was cheesy” or even “that was funny.” I wanted them to think about how centered it was around God. It is essentially the most important aspect of our marriage, so why not make it a “theme”?
btw, I love those quotes!!
We’re having a Catholic wedding, so while we didn’t pick out a “theme” per se, our ceremony will be pretty religious 
One of my favorite parts of planning is looking through scripture readings and hymns! It’s nice to see a Bee open up about the religious elements of weddings.
@Miss Glasses: Yeah once we figured out our theme, we realized it had kind of been there along after we picked our venue and we just hadn’t realized it.
@Mrs. Caramel: Aww thank you so much!! I was nervous about this post because I didn’t know if anyone could relate (or if someone would get offended). But it was honestly one of our first big discussions about the wedding and how we wanted exactly what you described - people to walk away and think “wow, that was moving!”
Glad you love the quotes, I do too! Now I just need to figure out how to incorporate them!
Thanks for suggesting that book. I am definitely going to look into buying it. We decided to do the cord of three strands ceremony at our wedding instead of a unity candle or sand.
http://www.create-a-christian-wedding.com/cordofthreestrandsceremony.html
@messybride: Ahhh! I love that idea! I had never heard of it before! Thank u!
We had a very religious ceremony, the message that the pastor gave (we asked him to direct it towards this area) was how marriage is a picture of Christ and the Church, and how Jesus died to save us from our sins. The bridesmaids walked down the aisle to “For the Beauty of the Earth” and there were two songs that had deep religious meaning while being wedding oriented (both non traditional songs). The song that we had sung by some dear friends during the unity candle was The Greatest Lover of All Time, and I am can’t remember what the other one was. :Phttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gakF1C62u0w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gakF1C62u0w&feature=related
Sorry, just wanted to make sure that the link worked!
When I look back on our wedding, it’s hard to name a “theme” that encompasses everything. Our theme was just everything we love and value and felt like having at our wedding! Our ceremony was naturally centered around God, because Mr. Turtle proposed with 1 Corinthians 13:13, giving me gifts that represented faith, hope, and love. Our pastor included his proposal story in the ceremony, and it was very meaningful to all of our guests, whether they were believers or not, because they all knew how important it was to us! I think this was a wonderful post, Miss Brooch! I wouldn’t worry about offending people with religion on here. Weddingbee is about variety, and having bees that connect with every reader. Your religious posts will connect with so many Christian brides. And for each Christian bee, there’s a bee who strongly believes in something different, and she will connect with the readers who are more similar to her. Anyway… good job.
Thank you for your post. We have the same desire to have our ceremony centered around God. I love the scripture choice. We are a encore couple and that scripture truly fits us. I agree with Mrs. Turtle - your post will connect with many bees. Don’t feel you have to apologize or that you many offend anyone. I know that your ceremony will be a blessing to you and your guests.
My MIL is an Episcopal priest so our ceremony was also very much centered around religion. I am not Episcopal, so it was difficult for me at first. Then we decided to just focus on that parts that were the same for us and went from there. My cousin sang a call-and-response song and everyone (even my friends who aren’t religious and some hadn’t ever been to an American wedding before) picked it up quickly.
I did make up a very detailed program so our guests could follow along if things weren’t familiar to them. The last thing I wanted to do was make our guests uncomfortable.
I think what you’re doing is very representative of you as a couple, so your guests will understand and enjoy.
I LOVE this post. I am so happy to see a God-related post on here. we’re making our wedding centered around God too! Not so much a theme, but definitely the point of the whole wedding. My bridesmaids are walking down the aisle to “Center” by Charlie Hall. The first words are “Oh Christ, be the center of our lives.” thank you for your post, I was so refreshed after reading it. I’m sure your wedding will be so special and beautiful!
@Miss Brooch: Yes! And you never know… people might walk away from the sermon/message, but it could also potentially plant a small seed. =)
@Caitlin: One of my best friends had that playing at her wedding too! Great lyrics and very simple!
I am so honored and overwhelmed (with joy) by all of your positive comments! I seriously got goosebumps when I opened my inbox and read all of your lovely comments! I truly appreciate your support and I’m so glad that I could touch on a subject you can relate too! Thank you for taking the time to share how you plan (or did) incorporate God into your sermon, I loved reading about it!!
@Caitlin: I’ve never heard that song! I’m about to youtube it! Thanks!
@hisbunny: Sounds like a wonderful! @Mrs. Turtle: Wow! I didn’t know about the proposal! I’m going to have to go back through your posts and check it out! Sounds so awesome!
Congratulations Miss Brooch on your upcoming covenant marriage celebration!
I’m a wedding planner. My August 2009 bride and groom decided to use the “cord of three strands” ceremony that I suggested. I found the cord from godsknot.com. Anyways, the ceremony was beautiful, it was unique, and all the guests felt such an anointing presence of the Lord during the ceremony.
In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
Oh. Miss Brooch….you are a bride after my own heart!
Making sure that Christ was a big part of our day was so important to us.
We deciding instead of using a unity candle or sand ceremony, that we will be doing a foot washing ceremony. The song, “How He Loves” by John Michael Millan (popularized by David Crowder) will be playing. After the foot washing my youth pastor (who is officiating) will talk about the significance, how Christ charged us to serve one another. I think one of the most beautiful things in the Bible is when Christ washed his diciples feet.
It is also important that a bit of the Gospel is shared…just explaining God’s love for us…because without His love we wouldn’t be able to love.
I cannot wait to read more about your wedding! I definitely cant wait to see how it all plays out.
For an example of the footwashing ceremoy,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMpFEjD_8j0
It begins around 2:54 and ends around 4:30. I would watch the whole video…so moving!
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Mrs. Brooch, Arlington, VA Age and Occupation: 25, Writer/Editor Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Front Desk Manager Engagement Date: October 3, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2011 Venue: Oxon Hill Manor About Me: I’m an indecisive girlie-girl with a motor mouth, can-do attitude, and knack for making others laugh. I dream of becoming a best selling novelist like Elizabeth Gilbert or Julie Powell (a girl can dream, right?), and love long road trips, a beautiful countryside, music, blogs, books, and all things vintage/thrift/antique/or homemade. I’m a Virgo, i.e. overly sensitive, emotional, and critical, and there’s no such thing as short and sweet in my world. I want to say and do it all. Mr. Brooch grounds me. I point where to go and he figures out the way. He’s a pragmatic fancy-pants who enjoys video games and movies. We both adore our mutt, Rocky, and spending time with our amazingly supportive family and friends. We’re planning a garden wedding with a formal reception with lots of whimsy and unique, Southern-inspired details.
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