1. ‘There is no ritual, according to the Aqdas [Kitáb-i-Aqdas], and …[Shoghi Effendi] is very anxious that none should be introduced at present and no general form accepted. He believes the ceremony should be as simple as possible....
2. The only compulsory part of a Bahá’í wedding is the pledge of marriage, the phrase to be spoken separately by the Bride and Bridegroom in turn, in the presence of Assembly witnesses.’”
(On behalf of the Universal House of Justice: Lights of Guidance, pp. 387-388)
"The witnesses can be any two trustworthy people whose testimony is acceptable to the Spiritual Assembly under whose jurisdiction the marriage is performed. This fact makes it possible for a lone pioneer in a remote post to have a Bahá’í marriage." (Universal House of Justice, August 8, 1969, to a National Spiritual Assembly)
Note: Civil laws have varying requirements, so please check with the appropriate Spiritual Assembly for guidance. Assemblies also have extensive guidance about choice of venues, when there is more than one ceremony occurring, and much more. Couples are wise to check all the guidance before planning their wedding.
Note from Marriage Transformation: Interracial and interfaith marriages are permitted for Bahá’ís. There is no conversion of faith that occurs with the saying of the Bahá’í marriage vow.
Story: An interfaith marriage between a Baptist (Christian) and a Bahá’í.
