Feet Washing at Ceremony

In Christian churches that follow the traditional liturgical year, the ceremonial foot washing is done on Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday. Which is this coming Thursday actually. It is one of my favorite services during the church year and always brings tears to my eyes. I'm not sure about taking it out of that context and putting it into a wedding ceremony. However, if it has meaning to you then go for it.

@Erin: My only advice is to talk about this with your priest or pastor. Depending on the religion you practice, it has a completely different meaning or very specific contexts. Like Julie (ETA: and SimpleSeamstress) said, it's never done in Catholic weddings, because it's supposed to be done only on Maundy Thursday as preparation for the Holy Week. Same goes for Orthodox churches.

I know very little of what other churches do regarding feet washing, so I looked this up. Just like previous posters mentioned, there are churches where feet washing is part of the ordinance rituals, and apparently in some churches it is a sacrament, but I didn't see it mentioned regarding weddings. So just check with your church to make sure it matches their usual rites or customs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_washing

One of my couples had planned to wash each other's feet. We worked out the logistics at the rehearsal. The bride's father was going to sing during the foot washing. The last thing the bride said was "I hope I can sit on the chair in my gown."

When I showed up the next day, the planner was carrying away everything needed for the foot washing. Turned out the bride's gown was so fitted, she could not sit. Her dad still sang his solo.

I didn't stay for the reception, so I don't know if she stood the rest of the day or if she changed.

People really don't get it. It doesn't matter if it's 2016, the Bible spells out how things should be - aka man head of the house and the wife in submission, just like Christ is the head and the Church is in submission.

We don't submit because the husband is in submission to Christ, because that contradicts 1 Peter 3:1 "Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,"

I say do it if u want to. I'm a Christian but FH and I are not doing it. And I can also say as a Christian if I was doing it, wrinkling pants or other little things others are worried about would be the least of my worries because of how important the symbolism is. Just plan for it. It's not that big of a problem. Your Pastor( if you are using one) is probably familiar with the logistics.

Just as a side note, in Yoruba culture of Nigeria, feet washing is part of tradition. But it's usually the women/wives in FH'S family that washes the brides feet as a way to welcome her into the family.

If you want to do this and find it meaningful, I would do it in a private ceremony before hand. The logistics are problematic, it's very weird for guests not used to it, it signals a type of submission that is also problematic to many people watching it. You church may not even allow it.

Most of my couples don't even want someone to be 'given away' using that language, so I doubt that any reference to submission would go over real well. They are more on board with an expression of mutual empowerment through their love for each other, deriving strength from the relationship, not submitting.

I can tell you this; I went to seminary, and every Maunday service included this. Even career ministers found it uncomfortable and awkward.

We did a feet washing ceremony at our wedding. We did it before we said I do. The article above is correct, it's because Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. He also had His own feet washed in perfume by Mary. It's a sign of respect and humility to your spouse. That you will love and take care of them. It's not like your sitting there scrubbing there feet. We just washed water on them and then dried them with a towel. We did the rest of the ceremony bare foot. I'm really glad we did it.

I think it's beautiful and intimate, recently got engaged and we are considering doing this ceremony

Ok. So as a Christian this is the most beautiful act of servance and love and devotion to one another. Here is my opinion. Jesus did this as a servant to man. Like a servant would. Then he laid down his life for the sins of all mankind. Yes the Bible does say that a wife must submit to her husband. BUT. Do not take out of context or forget the very next verse which is " Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her," Ephesians 5:24-25. Meaning the husband must also love his wife so much that he would lay down his life for her as Christ did for us. Christ was actually the first feminist if you read the Bible. Mary Magdalene? People who don't know Christ take things out of context and get the wrong message and it breaks my heart. I will fully submit to my husband knowing he would do the same for me and we both submit to Christ. That's as it should be. A servant of all and serve all in love. Footwashing ceremonies may not be for everyone but salvation, grace and mercy are. May whomever is pursueing Christlike ideals in their day to day or at their wedding be blessed and may it bless and affect those who are in their lives or witness it. Thank you fellow sisters and brothers.

View Quoted Comment Do you remember at what part of the ceremony she worked it in?

I'm trying work it in to my order of service

Why wouldn't one do this in a more private and intimate setting, perhaps just you and your future husband and pastor.

If the true essence of the act is submission to one another, why would one feel the need to put on a show for a great audience?

View Quoted Comment First, your not sitting or washing each others feet in a bath tub so I'm sure the dress is not in harms way. Your spouse would towel dry your feet. third, I would hope that you wouldn't go to your wedding ceremony with (icky dirty feet) in the first place.. Again its not a bath tub of (dirty feet water). And you dont "scrub" each others feet so im sure he could be gental enough so you dont kick him.. Haha So when your spouse is older and not as capable you mean to say you would never bath him? Assist with his socks and shoes? If you were not able would you be hurt if he said he hated feet and that "its gross" to have to touch yours?
Also, you didn't read anything further than (wife's be submissive) did you.. good luck in your ever lasting marriage. If its not for you its not for you.

View Quoted Comment It not a show for attention. Its TO show how far you will go for each other. Do you feel that its more appropriate for the husband to go fishing up your dress to pull off a garder in front of everyone? That show is about sex. In front of all to see. That is a show. This "show" is about caring for each other during the lowest of Lowes. Showing you are no better than the other.

View Quoted Comment You are so right.. Its much more appropriate to have your husband stick his hands and head up your dress to pull off an under garment in from of everyone.

Courtney, this is an old thread. The people you're talking to are not reading it any longer.

Also, nobody said anything about garter tosses at receptions. It's a straw man argument to try to claim that they're in favor of garter retrieval and tosses and then use that claim to make them look ridiculous for being uncomfortable with foot washing in a wedding ceremony.

Hi! My fiancée and I are really interested in doing this to show our strong faith and commitment to each other, any tips on how to make it tasteful? Possibly any photos or videos so I can get an idea of how to set everything up?

Did you decide to incorporate foot washing into your ceremony?
If so, can you share your experience.

My husband and I did a foot washing ceremony and it was amazing. We felt so connected and have even had people say they are doing it at their wedding! People raved about how it was a great way to show how the Lord loves and how a husband and wife can honor one another. Completely recommend this to anyone getting married!! The photos also came out perfect

This is a 2016 thread. Perhaps you should start a current one.

View Quoted Comment Amen! Thank you for mentioning the second half of the verse!