Muslim/Pagan Interfaith Wedding

I'm glad his family is supporting him. Most of my students are first-generation Americans and their family comes from all over - Jordan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Syria, Iran, etc. and I know that within the Muslim faith, each country has additional traditions. But one thing was for sure - my students (for the most part) were not allowed to date non-Muslims. The girls needed to marry good Muslim boys and the boys needed to marry good Muslim girls and have Muslim babies. It's something that ties a lot of those families together, no matter which country they're from.

Good luck!

Christianity took pagan traditions for Christmas trees, the Easter bunny, lent, etc... all pagan roots

Lara, that's not exactly true. My partner Michael officiated with an Imam for a couple last year; the bride actually found me here. I've worked with several Imams; in most cases, we did the Muslim ceremony either before or after the "western' one. (When I work with cantors or rabbis, we tend to alternate back and forth.....) The two ceremonies were not integrated at all. I'm sure that there are varying attitudes with imams, just as there are varying attitudes with priests, rabbis and other denominational people.

You might look into Celebrant USA (they are here) but I think the really important question is what you want to have in the ceremony. People tend to seize on handfastings as a 'pagan' ritual, but that's not exactly true either.

A really good non denominational officiant will be able to incorporate nature based rituals like the four directions and reading from Muslim literature.

Celia - I'm a fan of you.

FallBride- Paganism is older than Judaism. A lot of your Jewish rites and rituals can be traced back to or find huge similarities to old druid/pagan traditions.

Also paganism itself is not a religion but rather a blanket term that encompasses MANY pantheistic and polytheistic earth or nature based religions. Saying "Pagan" is sort of like saying "Christian".

OP, listen to Celia. This is going to be tough to incorporate into one ceremony but if it can be done I truly think Celia can help you find a way.

ETA: Celtics= Pagan

I would look for a Pagan or secular officiant. Our ceremony is secular, and I know our officiant has performed interfaith ceremonies involving pagans. He isn't the leader of a church, so he has a bit more flexibility. Because your situation is so unique, you may have to provide the officiant with a bit of guidance as to what you want. Also look at officiants from Wilmington NC. Its not a far drive, and a pretty religiously diverse city.

You're in luck. SC is one of only 3-4 states that allow their Notaries to officiate weddings. Look for someone who advertises as a Notary Public or Civil Wedding Officiant, or Secular Officiant.

I've done combinations of many different religions and cultures.

This why FH and I are having a DW. FH is Muslim and I'm Christian. We didn't have any problems finding an officiant with Sandals Resorts, because they pretty had officiants for all faiths (Catholic, Jewish, Christian, Non domination etc).