Reaffirmation of marriage vows
For those who married before becoming Bahá'ís (or recognized as such), though one may not have another Bahá'í wedding ceremony, one may have a meeting of friends where Bahá'í prayers and readings are said on behalf of their marriage now that they are Bahá'ís, as long as it is understood this is not a Bahá'í marriage ceremony[edit]
"As you will see, the Bahá'í Faith accepts as man and wife couples who, prior to becoming Bahá'ís, have had a valid marriage ceremony, whether this be civil, religious or by tribal custom, even if this has resulted in a polygamous union. Furthermore, the Faith accepts in certain cases unions which are 'immoral but accepted' by the society in which the people live. In all these cases, because the union is accepted by the Faith, there is no question of a couple's having a Bahá'í wedding ceremony subsequently because, as the Guardian says, 'Bahá'í marriage is something you perform when you are going to be united for the first time, not long after the union takes place'. If, however, such a couple would like to have a meeting of their friends at which Bahá'í prayers and readings are said on behalf of their marriage now that they are Bahá'ís, there is no objection to their doing so, although it must be understood that this does not constitute a Bahá'í marriage ceremony."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Peru, June 23, 1969, in Lights of Guidance, no. 1272)
Should not have a Bahá'í ceremony after one has enrolled in the Faith if already married (or recognized as married)[edit]
"The Bahá'í ceremony is something that takes place at the time the parties are first married and not something that occurs long afterwards. Therefore, persons who were married prior to becoming Bahá'ís should not have a Bahá'í ceremony after they have enrolled in the Faith."
- (Letter from the Universal House of Justice, dated December 23, 1964, to a National Spiritual Assembly, page 16.21, in Developing Distinctive Bahá'í Communities)
