Religion and wedding ceremonies have been combined in some form or other throughout all of human history. In ancient Sumeria, present-day Iraq, the Akkadians welcomed the new year with a ritual during which the king symbolically married the goddess Inanna, to ascertain prosperity and a rewarding harvest.

They even had sacrifices during weddings. Often to the goddess Artemis in old Rome and Greece.  Artemis was the goddess of virginity, fertility and childbirth. Such sacrifices were a way to ask for the benediction of the couple's spriritual guides upon the marriage.

Nowadays, lots of the globe's religions have importance in wedding ceremonies. Judaism tells us that marriage joins a couple not just in the earthly dominion, but in addition in the spiritual. The Talmud, the ultimate compilation of Jewish law, notes that Rav Yehuda taught that 40 days before a male heir is conceived, a heavenly voice proclaims whose daughter he is going to wed. This is considered "bashert," or fate or kismet. Abiding by Jewish law, a rabbi is not necessary for a bride and groom to be married, but many traditions include one because of Western laws calling for either a religious or civil representative to supervise the ceremony. At the ceremonies, the rabbi will ask for God's benediction and give thanks to God.

In Christian wedding ceremonies, the actual wedding rite is completed by a priest or minister. He will read quotes found in the Bible about the inviolability and beliefs about marriage. The clergyman will also pray for God's benediction and thank God. Spriritual hymns are often a part of this. And, often the wedding includes the couple taking Communion. For the most part, Christianity holds that God created male and female to be partners and together, and, therefore, the wedding is executing God's plan.

Islam tells us that marriage is a spiritual obligation, meant to ensure the human race and good fortune of the family. During the ceremony, the ecclesiastic will read from the Koran, and will have the couple recite prayers while the holy book is laid between them. Like Judaism and Christianity, Islamic marriage traditions are tied to Abraham's agreement with God from Genesis 15, where God told Abraham he would have as many descendants as stars in the firmament.

Hinduism believes marriage to be a sacred rite, during which a pair commence their lives together, joining spirit and matter. The pair embody the goddess Lamxi and the god Lord Narayana. During the wedding ritual, the couple pledges their commitment before God, and the ceremony is observed and validated by Agni, the God of Fire.

The Buddhist religion plays no big role in the marriage ceremony. Buddha makes no regulations to have or not have a marriage. However, a lot of couples will still request blessings from their area monks on their special day.

For a lot of cultures, religion and spirituality are big parts of a wedding, both as traditional rituals and as a well of significance and strength. An enhanced understanding of the history and sources behind the rituals furthers a broader awareness of partnership, commitment and love.