Like all other religions the Protestant Ceremony is has it’s traditions too, such as the groom cannot see the bride before the ceremony because it is considered bad luck and is brought in a separate car from his. Another tradition is the groom and his attendants should arrive at the church before the bride and the attendants help seat the guests. Usually the attendants or ushers will ask, "Are you a guest of the bride or groom?" and seat the guest on the appropriate side of the church. This symbolizes how both sides of the families are separate entities.

Of course like all sects in a particular religion, traditions and customs can differ.

The Processional

The Processional is steeped in long-time tradition. Once the two mothers’ of the couple are seated, this indicates that the ceremony will begin. The Officiate (Minister or Reverend) comes out followed by the groom and his attendants, where they wait for the Bridal Procession to begin. The beginning of the procession is marked by a dramatic change in the music.

The bridesmaids walk down the aisle followed by the Maid/Matron of Honour and the flower girls and lastly the bride and her father or the bride maybe accompanied by another close relative. In some cases the Mother of the Bride accompanies her daughter down the aisle if the father is not present. In other cases it could be both parents walking her down the aisle, both showing their support.

The Introduction

Usually the wedding service starts with, "We are gathered here to witness the marriage of (bride’s name) and (groom’s name) in holy matrimony." The Officiate may say a prayer or talk about the responsibilities of marriage to the couple and guests.

The Passing of the Bride

This section of the ceremony is much like other religions where the parents/or father now accepts the daughter is leaving his care or home. The Officiate will ask, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" but recently some Officiates will simply ask if both sets of parents if they approve of the marriage and will give their support. The parents agree and they or the father will pass the hand of their daughter over to her future husband and the parents give a blessing to the couple.

Vows and Exchanging of Rings

The Officiate will speak either the traditional vows with the couple following suit or the couple will say their own written vows to each other. The Officiate will bless the rings and as the couple slip the rings on each other’s fingers, they say to each other ‘With this ring, I thee wed.’ or may say, ‘With this, I give to you in token of our abiding and lasting love.’

Unity Candle

In some Protestant ceremonies, the lighting of the Unity Candle follows. Often the bride and groom hold a candle each or they turn to their parents, who are holding candles and take it from each of their parents and together light the single Unity Candle. This symbolizes the two souls becoming one or the coming together of two families.

Benediction

After the lighting of the Unity Candle, the Officiate will say a benediction prayer or ‘The Lords Prayer.’ with the guests. At this point the Officiate will announce the new couple as husband and wife and the newlyweds kiss, followed by applause from the guests. The newly married couple walks down the aisle to exit the church, followed by the couple’s attendants, the parents and guests. Once outside, the couple is showered with congratulations, hugs and kisses.

The Feast

Once all the pictures, which are required to be taken are done, the couple will enter the hall and a reception line is formed where the guests and bridal party introduce each other. This is followed by a dinner, where the guests are all seated amongst each other, unlike at the ceremony where they were seated on bride’s side or the groom’s side. This also symbolizes the coming together of the guests in unity too. Later in the evening everyone celebrates with dancing to music.