Blessing at dinner

Are you having a religious ceremony whether in a church our outdoor location? (are there scriptures being read and prayers included in the ceremony?) If so, I don't see why you can't also bless the meal beforehand. I'm pretty sure both of those religions have similar customs for meals though their prayers may not be the same as what Christians use. It's your wedding and while it's nice of you to think of your guests in that way, I think this is one area you may be overthinking. If you were attending a Mormon or Jewish wedding, they wouldn't change their traditions and leave things out because you don't follow their faith. Most people will understand. Weddings are a personal expression of our individual families and traditions. Do what makes you and your FH happy!

We are having a prayer read during the ceremony, but that's about it

A reasonable guest would not get offended. It's common for weddings to have religious elements. This is a family tradition, keep it.

Only a ridiculous person would get offended by that.

All the same God ❤️ We went to a Jewish wedding recently and I really enjoyed sharing in their traditions! ❤️

My fiancé’s extended family is catholic but I am not. At family gatherings they say their catholic blessings, and I respectfully listen, but don’t follow the blessings and rules. I would follow the same rules at someone else’s wedding. A meal blessing is simply just that. You’re not forcing your beliefs on them, you’re just sharing yours. It would be different if you said they all had to take communion.

That's not offensive to me. I would only be weirded out if I had to actively do something, like a communion or some sort of religious oath. I'm happy to respect other people's traditions!

I think most people bow head or at least are quiet when someone does a blessing, no matter the faith tradition.

My now husband and I were both raised Catholic but neither of us are “currently practicing Catholics”. Our wedding was “nondenominational” and the reverend who married us also did a prayer before dinner was served.

If I were a guest (like others said) I would go with the flow & not be offended regardless of what type or if there was a prayer before the meal.

Hi ! As a guest, I would always respect traditions of my hosts ! I really wouldn't feel offended looking at someone elese's traditions, that's always so inspiring !

As others have said I don't think anyone will mind. We plan on keeping religion out of our ceremony, but FH wants his uncle to say a blessing before dinner because it will make his family happy, so we're doing that. A meal blessing is usually short and isn't anything too crazy that should offend others.

As a Jewish person, I would not be offended. As another poster said, unless you are actively asking me to do something that is part of your religion, I don't care if someone does a blessing or prayer. I just sit silently and respectfully. My husband's family is Catholic and I went to a very Catholic funeral for one of his relatives and was fine with the whole process except for when his uncle tried to get me to go up and take communion (which I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have anyway per church rules, as I've obviously never been confirmed or anything). All this to say is that a blessing is totally fine! If you're worried, you can also reach out to your MOH and sister and ask if they'd be uncomfortable.

It has always always been considered good manners to sit quietly, hands in lap, and listen to things one does not agree with at Grace and other short public prayer. Just a respectful attitude towardthe speaker,
, not an expression of belief. Why would this have changed?
And many sects of Muslims , Jews, and Muslims plus many tribal reiogions also say prayers before meals. This is not such a strange thing.

I think most people will be happy to have the dinner blessed, regardless of who is doing the blessing. My Mormon uncle is blessing the dinner at our Catholic wedding.

I wouldn't worry about this at all. I've sat through many religious marriage ceremonies and blessings that I feel are offensive (the ones that have anti-gay and anti-women sentiments) and no one would ever know that I was offended. I just keep my mouth closed and my feelings to myself. I don't bow my head or pretend to pray, but that shouldn't bother anyone who IS praying because they wouldn't notice me.

View Quoted Comment Just curious, what does an anti-gay or anti-woman prayer sound like? Who are these people? I’ve been religious all my life and have never heard anyone mentioned women or gays in a prayer, let alone derisively.

View Quoted Comment

I thankfully don't remember the actual words. But I have been to plenty of weddings and funerals that preach hellfire and damnation for anyone who doesn't follow their teachings (e.g., gay people and independent women who don't obey).

My point wasn't to pick on those religious services specifically, but to share that no other attendee would have known that their beliefs offended me. So, people should feel free to spout whatever they want at their own ceremonies even if every guest is not of the same religion.

I do not think anyone would be offended by that! I am a Christian and I once attended a Jewish wedding, I loved observing the different traditions!

Hey there CountryBride

Please embrace the fact that this is your wedding and the day to celebrate you and your beloved. Because this is your wedding so it will be automatically assumed by anyone there who is a guest that they will be witnessing and taking part in the cultural traditions of the bride & groom.