Joining Hands and Hearts: Interfaith, Intercultural Wedding Celebrations: A Practical Guide for Couples

by Susanna Stefanachi Macomb

So you're getting married! The wedding is the most gloriously celebrated of life's rites of passage. Today couples of all faiths, colors, and cultures are choosing an interfaith ceremony for its spiritually inclusive and personal approach. It is a way of rejoicing in our differences and celebrating our commonality in an atmosphere of mutual love and respect.
If yours is an interfaith, intercultural, or interracial union, then you have already embraced a love that knows no boundaries. What could be more beautiful? But now that it's time to make a public statement to the world, you may suddenly be filled with

Genres: Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2002

Reviews

[Melissa Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is highly useful as a reference. I wouldn't have picked it up and read it if it weren't required for school. It's not a topic that interests me that much. But for a couple planning an Interfaith wedding, it would be an excellent resource. For an Interfaith, or even any faith, minister, it would also be valuable.

[Chanita · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommended. i used this to write our wedding ceremony and hope to use it to help others write theirs!

from the book:
Includes a detailed questionnaire to help you learn more about yourselves and each other, tender counsel on how to work with your families, and the most complete manual of religious, cultural, and universal rituals, prayers, vows, and blessings available. In warm, inclusive language, Reverend Susanna Macomb guides you through the most sensitive of issues with love and encouragement. She offers the stories and ceremonies of other couples to inspire you. You are not alone!
(adapted from Amazon)

[Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, yeah, so I actually read this book. And it was really helpful in planning our weddings, at the very least just for the section that was basically "here's the normal flow of a ceremony...fill in the blanks with whatever ritual you want. And here's a list of every wedding ritual by religion." Some of the wedding case studies are kind of entertaining like "Born-again Christian with Buddhist parents marrying Rhastafarian Japanese woman with Sufi leanings" type arrangements. So yeah, if you're getting married you might want to get it from the library. If you are not, you should ignore this book.

[Juliana · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the few wedding books I found helpful for thinking about a commitment ceremony, since it didn't assume a particular religious perspective, or indeed a religious perspective at all (interfaith can include atheists). Many of the anecdotes were about male/female couples, but it was less overtly heteronormative than some of the other books I picked up. Also contains some good advice for dealing respectfully but firmly with family members who may not understand your relationship or ceremony choices.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm and fuzzy, and go team. You can do it! is a nice message to hear.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource with many ideas for couples and officiants. Skimmed second half which has examples of specific traditions/ceremonies.