Which One Is Recognized by God? Traditional, Religious Or Registry Wedding?
This is a very sensitive issue that needs to be approached cautiously and intelligently.
I have read in many places where people have expressed contrary views on this all time important issue. I have seen where a lady asked if she can move in with her husband after traditional wedding. I have seen a case where a lady insists that until a man does the white or church wedding, they are not considered married before GOD. I have even heard many people stating emphatically that as long as a lady's bride price have not been paid then the lady is not considered married to the man and so many other opinions too numerous to highlight.`
Now the big question is what exactly is the module for a wedding ceremony and what ceremony really is ordained by GOD? When can GOD acknowledge a man and woman as married? Is there any part of the Quran or Bible that stipulates a direct guideline of how a marriage ceremony must be conducted to be legitimate in God's eyes?
I will quickly answer this from the Quran and Biblical angles.
1. From the Quran:Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) considered simple weddings the best weddings: 'The best wedding is that upon which the least trouble and expense is bestowed". (Mishkat)
The Quran wedding ceremony module is simply hinged on Mutual Agreement of Bride and Groom called Nikah.
Marriage (nikah) is a solemn and sacred social contract between bride and groom. This contract is a strong covenant (mithaqun ghalithun) as expressed in Quran 4:21. The marriage contract in Islam is not a sacrament. It is revocable.
Both parties mutually agree and enter into this contract. Both bride and groom have the liberty to define various terms and conditions of their liking and make them a part of this contract.
2. From the Bible: I am very sorry to disappoint those who live by "my pastor said" or "my parents say" to empty their heads of every man made philosophy and get this straight...there is no place in the bible where white wedding, traditional or even court-wedding was ever mentioned and infact there was never a place in the bible that gave any preferred wedding ceremony and the issue of bride price was never mentioned as a yardstick for marriage but a punishment for rape.
It is quite absurd that today, many people have the erroneous belief that until all the three forms of wedding is done then GOD has not ordained such and while some say until a church wedding is conducted, GOD will not bless their wedding and i just look at the myopic mindset of these ignorant people and wonder where on earth they got that wrong doctrine from.
There is one scripture that sums up the steps to follow in any form of wedding ceremony you desire to have and that be found in Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and join to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."
1.The first step is for the man to make up his mind to leave his parents to be with a woman and start a family together.
2. A couple can be considered joined when they are legally married. The scriptural support typically given for this view is the biblical command to obey the government’s laws (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:17). The argument is that, if the government requires certain procedures and paperwork to be completed before a marriage is recognized, then a couple should submit themselves to that process.
It is definitely biblical for a couple to submit to the government as long as the requirements do not contradict God’s Word and are reasonable. Romans 13:1–2 tells us, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
A couple can also be considered joined together in God’s eyes when they have completed some kind of formal wedding ceremony whether in the church or culturally.
3.The third and final stage is becoming one flesh which occurs when sexual act occurs and this is why many people are warned against indiscriminate sexual acts as any sexual act is actually fulfilling the third stage of marital union and many people have actually been married to so many people in their life time.
So whether you decide to have just one of the 3 mode of celebration or you want to do church,traditional and court,you are very free but it is important to note that in God's eyes the only thing he recognizes as directed by him is for a man to leave his parents,be joined to his wife and lastly become one with her and which ever way he decides to go about the ceremony as long as its not against his ordinances,its perfectly okay.
I hope this makes sense.