[cholleyhomeob]

Our friends should accept us for who and what we are, not who and what they are. If they cannot, perhaps the friendship should be looked at. Besides, this will give them an insight to religion I am sure they have never experienced before just as you are asking alot of good questions, perhaps they will as well. AND, after the pre-warning letter that has been suggested you send out is read, it is very possible many of them will decide not to attend anyway.

Remember, this is YOUR special day; not theirs. YOUR wedding; not theirs.

Keep in mind everything in Orthodoxy is symbolic of something. The crowns are not to represent the bride and groom as king and queen for a day as my priest puts it, but they represent the crowns of martyrdom we share for each other. We should be willing to die for each other and kill within us the passions that love us so as to present ourselves a spotless lamb to our spouse as we are to present ourselves spotless to Christ.

Paul