Religious Ceremonies A religious wedding may be a Protestant ceremony, Jewish wedding, or Roman Catholic rite. By Italian law, the only church permitted to perform a legally binding Church wedding is the Catholic church. A Protestant blessing is the most common type of blessing performed, and has a great degree of flexibility. The blessing can be held in a Protestant church in Florence, or in the halls and grounds of villas and hotels, or in the private chapels of many of the villas we work with. The rite is identical to a Protestant blessing you may be familiar with, and will include prayers, readings, vows, exchange of rings, the bride being given away, the choice of music, and in many cases, if the couple prefer, Eucharist may be included. Some previous religious weddings: Ellie and Josh, Protestant blessing Sara and Ben, Jewish blessing Maria and Bruce, Villa blessing Joanne and Justin, Church ceremony Adriana and Sean, Catholic ceremony Maria and Jason, Catholic chapel Nina and Dave, Villa blessing Lynnett and Angus, Protestant blessing In the Protestant Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church. A priest or a bishop normally presides at the Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage, because such ministers alone have the function of pronouncing the nuptial blessing, and of celebrating the Holy Eucharist. One or more of the following passages from Holy Scripture is read. If there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always concludes the Readings. Genesis 1:26-28 (Male and female he created them) Genesis 2:4-9,15-24 (A man cleaves to his wife and they become one flesh) Song of Solomon 2:10-13;8:6-7 (Many waters cannot quench love) Tobit 8:5b-8 (New English Bible)(That she and I may grow old together) 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (Love is patient and kind) Ephesians 3:14-19 (The Father from whom every family is named) Ephesians 5:1-2,21-33 (Walk in love, as Christ loved us) Colossians 3:12-17 (Love which binds everything together in harmony) 1 John 4:7-16 (Let us love one another for love is of God) Matthew 5:1-10 (The Beatitudes) Matthew 5:13-16 (You are the light ... Let your light so shine) Matthew 7:21,24-29 (Like a wise man who built his house upon the rock) Mark 10:6-9,13-16 (They are no longer two but one) John 15:9-12 (Love one another as I have loved you) Here's some common church music: Prelude - G.F.Haendel : from "Water Music" (Organ) - J.S.Bach: Aria "Be Thou Near Me" (Organ, Soprano, Violin, Trumpet) - J.S.Bach: Cantata N. 147 "Joy of Man's Desiring" (Organ, Soprano, Violin, Trumpet) - J.Pachelbel: "Canone in D" (Organ, Violin) - A.Vivaldi: "Le Quattro Stagioni" (Organ, Violin) Processional - R.Wagner: "Wedding March" (Organ) - F.Mendelsshon: "Wedding March" (Organ) - J.Clarke/H.Purcell: "Trumpet Tune" (Organ, Trumpet) - J.Clarke/H.Purcell: "Trumpet Voluntary" (The Prince of Denmark's March) (Organ, Trumpet) - H.Purcell: "Processional" (Organ, Trumpet) During the Ceremony - F.Schubert: "Ave Maria" (Organ, Soprano, Violin) - J.S.Bach-C.Gounod: "Ave Maria" (Organ, Soprano, Violin) - C.Saint-Saens: "Ave Maria" (Organ, Soprano, Violin) - W.A.Mozart: "Ave Verum" (Organ, Soprano, Violin) - G.F.Haendel: "Largo" (Organ, Soprano, Violin) - J.S.Bach: "Air on the G string" (Organ, Violin) Recessional - F.Mendelsshon: "Wedding March" (Organ) - J.Clarke/H.Purcell: "Trumpet Tune" (Organ, Trumpet) - J.Clarke/H.Purcell: "Trumpet Voluntary" (The Prince of Denmark's March) (Organ, Trumpet) - L.v.Beethoven: "Hymn to Joy" (Organ, Soprano, Trumpet) - Widor : "Toccata" (Organ) - H.Purcell: "Processional" (Organ, Trumpet) In all cases, Italyweddings staff are more than willing to share with you our experience and pass on our knowledge to assure the ceremony you choose is the more appropriate for you.