ace at a church, in a rose garden, on the beach or in a deeply wooded forest. And despite the differences of venue, there is an expectation of familiar activity such as a wedding march, giving away of the bI first came across the word ‘Quaker’ in the film ‘Friendly Persuasion’. Gary Cooper starred as the Quaker, who now and then allowed the devil to get the better of him – in the nicest possible way. And then there were those liquid eyes and feckless smiles of the Oscar nominated Anthony Perkins. But for me, the most memorable of all, was the theme song, starting with the words, ‘Thee I Love’.

I don’t know whether ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ are still part of the Quaker language. But certainly the Quakers came across as a very different type of people, especially when it came to the formal part of their religion. This is particularly noticeable in their celebration of marriage when compared to the way we celebrate it.

To most of us a wedding invitation usually promises a spectacle of some sorts whether it takes place at a church, in a rose garden, on the beach or in a deeply wooded forest. And despite the differences of venue, there is an expectation of familiar activity such as a wedding march, giving away of the br

there were those liquid eyes and feckless smiles of the Oscar nominated Anthony Perkins. But for me, the most memorable of all, was the theme song, starting with the words, ‘Thee I Love’.

I don’t know whether ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ are still part of the Quaker language. But certainly the Quakers came across as a very different type of people, especially when it came to the formal part of their religion. This is particularly noticeable in their celebration of marriage when compared to the way we celebrate it.

To most of us a wedding invitation usually promises a spectacle of some sorts whether it takes place at a church, in a rose garden, on the beach or in a deeply wooded forest. And despite the differences of venue, there is an expectation of familiar activity such as a wedding march, giving away of the b

w whether ‘thee’ and ‘thou’ are still part of the Quaker language. But certainly the Quakers came across as a very different type of people, especially when it came to the formal part of their religion. This is particularly noticeable in their celebration of marriage when compared to the way we celebrate it.

To most of us a wedding invitation usually promises a spectacle of some sorts whether it takes place at a church, in a rose garden, on the beach or in a deeply wooded forest. And despite the differences of venue, there is an expectation of familiar activity such as a wedding march, giving away of the b

is particularly noticeable in their celebration of marriage when compared to the way we celebrate it.

To most of us a wedding invitation usually promises a spectacle of some sorts whether it takes place at a church, in a rose garden, on the beach or in a deeply wooded forest. And despite the differences of venue, there is an expectation of familiar activity such as a wedding march, giving away of the b

ace at a church, in a rose garden, on the beach or in a deeply wooded forest. And despite the differences of venue, there is an expectation of familiar activity such as a wedding march, giving away of the bride and the exchanging of rings.

Whatever happens, there will be sights and sounds either familiar or a variation on the familiar.

The Quaker wedding celebration stands apart from what we are used to, as indeed does the Quaker religion itself.

Both the religious observance and the wedding ceremony tends to be on the quiet, gentle side and a bit of a shock to the system to the stranger used to the hymns and prayers that happen everywhere else.

The Quaker bride and groom are in no way elevated, being seated either in a circle with the rest of the congregation, or facing the congregation. They are without attendants.

There is no set ceremony as such. And the silence that reigns supreme is not broken with any specific readings or homilys, but with a spontaneous reflection or prayer by the