Christian Wedding Question

So I'm going to assume the majority of your guests or at least 50% or more are Christian as well? I get why everyone else is icked/weirded out by this tradition, but honestly, it won't be unusual for most of your guests to see this ritual if they are Christians/church attendees themselves.

I definitely agree it's quite an intimate moment and it's a matter of differing beliefs/tastes/opinions as to whether it's TOO intimate at a wedding ceremony. But Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and it's symbolism for servanthood and humility which I think is a nice virtue to extol on your wedding day (and that's coming from a fallen/liberal Christian who has seen this ritual at 3 or 4 weddings throughout my lifetime)

Bottom line, if it's an important tradition at your church/within your faith, you should absolutely keep it and not worry about strangers' opinions on the internet (most of whom probably don't share or agree with the beliefs of your faith). Everyone who attends your wedding is there to support you guys, regardless of whether they share the same beliefs and as the saying goes, "Those who matter won't mind and those who mind won't matter."

ETA: Just reread your post and if YOU feel uncomfortable doing it publicly, then as several others suggested previously, do it privately before or after the ceremony when it's just the 2 of you and/or your minister/pastor and family.

No offense but I wouldn't want to see that. It would be totally awkward.

@lovrofthearts I'm Christian and I've never seen this done nor would I want to.

Ewww feet are gross

I would feel extremely uncomfortable watching this.

My FH and I are both Christ followers. FH mentioned that he wanted to do this for me at our ceremony and while I love what it represents and bringing Scripture to life at our ceremony, I did have to be practical...the idea of messing around with my dress to get shoes off, what if the water spilled all over him or all over me., etc... Instead, I suggested that we take communion together after we said our vows and before we're pronounced publicly. Just a thought.

As a Catholic I think it is beautiful to see. I think it will be dependant on your guests. If they are religious I don't think it is a big deal. If not maybe do it privately.

But IMO I think it is a very precious thing to do.

I am a Christian and I have only seen this at church. I have heard of it done at weddings but not have seen it. I love what some other PP's have said about making it a private moment. Maybe you FH could agree to that. The braiding I think is also beautiful.

I've been to a wedding where they braid the three strands. It was beautiful and something that FH and I have talked about doing in our wedding!

I have seen pictures of washing of the feet, so intimate, and the pictures were lovely!

I think that couple did it after their first look. So it was private!

Foot washing would probably make better sense to do during the reception. The pictures that I have seen floating on the internet from washing feet is at the reception. We are doing the three cords not easily broken ceremony.

I've not attended a wedding with this but I have a friend who had her feet washed and she washed her husbands feet and from what I heard no one was uncomfortable or anything.

I've seen the foot-washing, and I think it can be really intimate.

FH and I are taking a page from my cousin's book and having our first prayer as a married couple privately but on stage while having my dad publicly pray over our marriage.

I've seen foot washing during the ceremony a couple times, and while I do love the meaning behind it, it is kind of awkward to watch. Plus it takes a while to get socks and shoes back on (especially if you don't get your feet completely dry.) I have also seen the cord of three strands braiding multiple times and I really love that, we actually will probably be doing that. I think as long as you have music playing while you do it, there's no issue with it.

If your FH is really set on the foot washing idea, I recently saw pictures of a couple I know that did their first look and then washed each other's feet then. I thought that was perfect timing for that, plus you don't have a whole crowd watching you.

@PrettyWitty&Gay: Just a timing suggestion, wasn't really thinking along those lines.

Hey OP, I know there are a lot of opinions in this thread from people, but at the end of the day I say do what you and your FH feel is best. I personally can only give you advice coming from a christian background myself. FH & I are a christian couple as well. I have seen a foot washing ceremony done and everyone (regardless of their denomination, if they were christians or not) thought it was very special and spiritual. As a matter of fact we are adding a foot washing section in our ceremony. I think that this is a perfect start for us as a christian couple to incorporate in our wedding. I look at it this way, if we can go to church and do a foot washing in public with our congregation, then why would FH and I do this in private on one of the most important days of our lives?

Thank y'all for the laughs and opinions. @Mrs.Soon2Be I agree with you, that it is something special for us as a couple to begin our marriage off with.

FH and I will be doing a foot washing service during our wedding. It's simi popular in our church (foot washing is often done at our church and I've seen it at several weddings). I think it's such a beautiful demonstration of love and service to each other. My sister will be singing How Beautiful while we perform the foot washing. I think people will focus more on her lovely singing than us.

I don't think it's awkward at all. I have gone to weddings for every religion under the sun and really enjoy seeing a part of their culture and a tradition that is meaningful to them. (Even went to a wedding where there was foot washing!) If it's something you both want to do, then do it. Everyone else can sit tight for a few minutes--that is a moment for you to glorify God and show humility toward one another. My 2c

Hey OP! I think it's great you're considering your guests but this is your wedding. I'm Christian and FH and I are definitely going to have a ceremony that focuses on our marriage in relation to Christ. I've heard people say that they've been to weddings that were "too religious" but I don't understand how you can say a wedding is "too much" like the couple that's getting married! Especially, If most of your guests are Xtians I think you'll be fine. I understand that wedding ceremonies are supposed to be beautiful and picture- perfect beautiful but marriage is about sacrifice and dedication to your spouse. I think foot washing showcases this well, even if it doesn't make for pretty pictures.

No do the cord braiding. The feet washing was for Passover and occurred at a really sad time for Jesus; he was preparing for his death and having to say goodbye to the people he loved. It doesn't seem wedding appropriate.