Don't mess with Presbyterians
Bob and I are getting married in the church where I grew up. It happens to be one of the most beautiful churches in Birmingham. This is not a matter of opinion. Built in 1926, it is a stone, Gothic-style church with beautiful stained glass windows throughout. In fact, the church is so popular for weddings that there is now a rule that only church members can marry there (even if said members only attend for Christmas Eve, their nephew's christening, and under duress).
As such, the church is able to make lots of rules about the proceedings of the wedding; so many, in fact, that it has devoted a 12-page booklet to the subject. My favorites regard the music :
"There is much music of light, sentimental character and of operatic or other secular association that may be used at the wedding reception. Many pieces, ranking as favorites with the bride and groom and perhaps having a purely subjective meaning for them, are unsuitable or impractical for a sacred ceremony. Also, many pieces, which are popular and appear acceptable because of frequent usage, have no justification for being part of the sacred ceremony of marriage."
In other words, there is no way in hell you should plan on walking down the aisle to "Wind Beneath my Wings" or "When a Man Loves a Woman."
In case you were planning on having your cousin Mabel sing at your wedding, Independent Presbyterian Church admonishes:
"If a vocal or instrumental soloist is desired for a recital of music before the wedding, this person also is to be selected by the organist of Independent Presbyterian Church. Thus, the possiblity of embarrassment due to untrained performers being part of this important act of worship is eliminated."
I love the mention of the "possibility of embarrassment." I would assume that this clause rescues the congregation from being embarrassed for the erstwhile performer, in addition to the performer herself.
As such, the church is able to make lots of rules about the proceedings of the wedding; so many, in fact, that it has devoted a 12-page booklet to the subject. My favorites regard the music :
"There is much music of light, sentimental character and of operatic or other secular association that may be used at the wedding reception. Many pieces, ranking as favorites with the bride and groom and perhaps having a purely subjective meaning for them, are unsuitable or impractical for a sacred ceremony. Also, many pieces, which are popular and appear acceptable because of frequent usage, have no justification for being part of the sacred ceremony of marriage."
In other words, there is no way in hell you should plan on walking down the aisle to "Wind Beneath my Wings" or "When a Man Loves a Woman."
In case you were planning on having your cousin Mabel sing at your wedding, Independent Presbyterian Church admonishes:
"If a vocal or instrumental soloist is desired for a recital of music before the wedding, this person also is to be selected by the organist of Independent Presbyterian Church. Thus, the possiblity of embarrassment due to untrained performers being part of this important act of worship is eliminated."
I love the mention of the "possibility of embarrassment." I would assume that this clause rescues the congregation from being embarrassed for the erstwhile performer, in addition to the performer herself.
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