My First Panama Wedding
I will be conducting my first Panama Wedding next month. From all indications, it promises to be an exciting and memorable event. The Bride-to-be and Mother-of-the-Bride, both members of FIBC are having the time of their lives. Basically, what that means is that plans are in high gear and mom is going crazy – as is expected.
Wedding Theme
A what? Wedding Planners will tell you how important this is. The theme for this wedding is a surprise so I cannot tell you now. After the wedding I will tell you all about it. If you want to know more about Wedding Themes, here is great place to start. Click here.
Marriage Outdated in Panama?
This wedding is a great opportunity for me to experience more of Panama’s culture. I think I had better savour the moment, as there won’t be too many of them. In a short time that I have been here, I realize that marriage is not a popular option for young Panamanians. The legal marital contract is shunned in favour of living together. This living together cannot even be called ‘shacking up’ as there is not even an idea of a ‘trial marriage’ involved.
True, there is sometimes an unplanned for baby in the picture. Yet, even with no baby on the way young people in early twenties just move in together. Or a young woman in late teens or early twenties move in with an older man. They do not want to get married, they just want to live together!
Panama Marriage Process
I have heard some say the process of getting married in Panama is too much of a hassle and so persons cannot be bothered. These two sites provide the basic information – mostly geared to the tourist, but with the exception of proof of ID bears the same requirements for Panamanian nationals.
Others say they have no money to get married now. This last reason is also common in Jamaica. Yet when the pastor offer to perform the wedding ceremony at no charge, there is some other excuse. The couple is reluctant to have a ‘no frills’ wedding and not be able to host a reception for friends and family. I have found the latter also to be the case among the native Indians of Panama.
Marriage among the native Panamanian Indians is too complex an issue for this quick post. Suffice it to say, that in the missions there are few persons who are living together on the basis of a legal marriage contract. This subject needs further treatment. And I promise to return to it soon. It will mean discussing legal and theological implications. Really interesting I tell you…
In the meantime, I understand that the JBU will be having a group discussion during the upcoming General Assembly 2007, on the subject ‘cohabitation’ (couples living together). Now that is one group study that I hope not to miss since I have such strong views on the church’s present position on the Common Law Union in Jamaica.
Anyway for the time being let me go back to enjoy watching the buzz around me. It’s a Panama Wedding!
More soon,
Marvia
well rev’d maybe that is where your work is cut out for you to educate as to the importance of marriage if they are adamant on living together…might be a challange…No that marriage is a must! but if that is the way they want to live why not do it as God commanded? HMMM
Empress,
My work is well cut out indeed. I have much to write on this subject. In the meantime you have opened up a debate.
You said..”if that is the way they want to live why not do it as God commanded?” Is it ever as easy as that? My questions are -
Can’t wait to see yours or anyone else who would like to jump right in.
- What is God’s command on marriage?
- Where can this command be found?
Marvia