In a Hindu wedding it is typical to offer praise and ask for the blessings of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god who is prayed to before all others in any Hindu religious service.

In a traditional wedding service, a priest or pandit will usually honor this deity -- known for his elephant head and his many powers -- with a puja or ritual known as Ganesha Pujan.

Some Hindu-Interfaith couples prefer to just include the important rituals without specific religious prayers. Since there are two faiths or more represented in their ceremony, it is sometimes more fitting to leave out divine names.

But sometimes Hindu parents will express how important it is to honor Ganesha, so I created this wedding blessing/prayer using several sacred sources.

To the Holy Son of Shiva and Parvati,
To the remover of all obstacles, Lord Ganesha,
We Petition for Blessings,
To sanctify this ceremony of marriage,
And to bless this marriage in all ways.

Lord Ganesha.
You are the speaker.
You are the listener.
You are the giver.
You are the sustainer.
Please protect us from all directions.

Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one.
Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy.
With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek divine grace and accept the noble order of all our lives.

O Lord Ganesha, please provide for the welfare of this family.
Guide prosperity and abundance to their door.
Please help them feel your goodness and Divinity within their home.

We place any challenges of married life at your feet
And trust you will always help.
We thank you with all of our hearts.

One of the sources used for this prayer is the book, Loving Ganesha, which explains the back story, powers, rituals, mantra, and brings the beloved deity to life.