What is a wedding blessing?

A wedding blessing is a religious recognition of a marriage. According to Martha Stewart Weddings, blessings are used at the end of the service, before the pronouncement. The blessing often takes the form of a religious reading. Sometimes the religious blessing must be conducted separately from the legal service.

Laws regarding marriage vary from country to country. As well as a legal requirement to separate religious and legal wedding ceremonies, there are also social reasons for separating the two services. Historically, some religions refused to conduct the marriage service of a couple who had previously been married to other people. In some areas, this tradition has been relaxed.