wedding ceremony

[low_delta]

Have you ever listened to that part of the wedding where the minister asks if anyone knows any reason why the couple should not be married, and wondered why he'd ask such a thing? In the wedding I was at last weekend, the minister asked, "if any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now, or else for ever hold your peace." I thought that was rather interesting. It still seems like a formality, but the question was for "lawful" reasons. That was the original intent of the question. It was in the olden days, where word of legal decisions travelled far more slowly, and once marriage licenses were issued, it would take a while for word to get around, and the marriage ceremony was the last chance to stop a marriage.

Comments

[banana.livejournal.com]

I'm puzzled by the "forever hold your peace" part. Suppose that I can't bring myself to say out loud in front of everyone in the church that the bride is actually the sister that the groom never knew he had. Does this mean that I shouldn't mention it later somewhere less public?

*shrug*

[low-delta.livejournal.com]

I don't know. Like I said, it's still a formality.

[serendipity.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's what it means. Say it now in front of tons of people or never say it at all to just one or two.

Formalities can be mighty strange!

[banana.livejournal.com]

"You knew she was my sister? Why didn't you say something?"
"Well, I was too shy/embarrassed/drunk in the church, and the vicar told me to forever hold my peace, so I did."
"That's the lamest excuse I ever heard!"