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That special someone has asked you to marry him and you said yes. Now comes the daunting task of planning a wedding. If you are like many couples these days, you and your sweetie are not practicing the same religion, which means you will have the extra tricky task of planning an interfaith wedding. Here are a few suggestions to help alleviate some of the stress this situation can create.

Research

Even though you have spent lots of time with your significant other and may have even attended church or a religious gathering with them, you probably do not know all the customs or beliefs. Take a course in each other’s religions. It will serve as a refresher for the one practicing the religion and a guide for the one who practices a different religion. You might also get a better understanding of what customs are traditionally performed at a wedding. Of course, you may not incorporate them all, but the ones that mean the most to either of you can be discussed. Be sure to include both faiths in the wedding, though.

Get Counseling

Consult clergy or someone with training in family counseling to help identify the issues you may face while wedding planning and later in life. You’ll want to discuss the religious practices each of you plan to continue observing and what your expectations are once you have children. Decisions do not have to be set in stone, but having these discussions up front will help you proceed through the wedding planning and deal with your own families’ questions.

Find the Right Officiant

Not all clergy will be excited to perform an interfaith wedding. Some believe that by not marrying someone from within your own religion that you are rejecting your religion and how you will lead your life. If one (or both)of your own clergy are not willing to marry the two of you, then do a web search to find officiants willing to perform an interfaith marriage. Ask your family and friends as well, especially if they had an interfaith wedding.

Include Your Parents

Some parents may not understand your decision to have an interfaith wedding. Be patient with them and explain how you plan to incorporate both of your religions into the wedding. Ask them for advice or what their expectations might be. You may find they have some good ideas in how to blend the two religions into a wonderful ceremony. Be open and honest with them from the beginning so everyone can understand what you are planning and why. Spend some extra time with each other’s families as well. This also may help each of you see how religious beliefs and customs are practiced in everyday life.

Personalize

Whether you choose to follow traditions closely or do things a bit more unconventional, just make sure the wedding is a reflection of your personalities. The two of you are the ones getting married and the ceremony should include customs, readings and rituals that are special to the both of you. It may be helpful to create a program that explains specific religious customs that may not be familiar to everyone. This will allow your guests to understand what is taking place.

Doing all of these things will allow you to relax and enjoy the excitement of marrying the one you love on your wedding day.