If you and your fiancée grew up in different faiths, you are not alone: currently, interfaith marriages in the United States are on the rise, with 25% of all couples now marrying someone from a different faith background than their own. Among Jewish people, nearly 50% of young people are marrying outside of the faith. While this trend points to an opening in our society and a natural mixing of cultures and religions, couples planning interfaith weddings still face unique challenges. Creating a wedding that honors both partners’ backgrounds and feel spiritually authentic to both sides of the family takes creativity and thoughtful planning. The following tips can guide interfaith couples through the wedding planning process.

   The union of differing religious faiths in marriage is as common today as the melding of any two individual personalities committed to becoming one.  Many priests and rabbis refuse to officiate at mixed weddings, though, because of orthodox views and a concern for the declining roster of devout Christians and Jews. Interfaith ministers such as Reverend Ellyn Kravette fill this gap by working with couples who may not subscribe to the dogma of any one religion, but still want to affirm their spirituality with religious ceremonies.

A traditional Hindu wedding is steeped in elaborate ritual and appear far more exotic than anything you may have seen or experienced in the typical American wedding.

  "My love life is like a Quaker wedding, short periods of activity with long periods of silence between!", commented a non-Quaker guest at Mary Eagleson’s Quaker wedding.  Quiet reflection is the order of the day. The traditional Quaker wedding is simple and informal.

A look at Jewish wedding customs and some of their meanings.