En ändamålsenlig vigselritual

Om löften, böner, yta och djup

Abstract

A proper wedding, according to popular expectations in contemporary Sweden, should be large and carefully planned, and take place in a church. This paper describes how such elaborate weddings can produce mixed feelings among clergy in the Church of Sweden, and how the organisation promotes the idea that a small and simple wedding is a good wedding. Furthermore, the paper shows how the wedding service has been discussed and reformed in the current process of revising the Book of Worship of the Church of Sweden, and finally reflects upon some alternatives when it comes to presenting, performing and perceiving the ritual. The paper can be read as an experiment in thinking about ritual form, but also as a window into current challenges and processes of change in the former state Church of Sweden.