Planning Your Ceremony

Is your ceremony stressing you out? Are you (consciously or subconsciously) leaving it to last in your planning process?

Don't.

Your ceremony is an important part of your wedding, and there is plenty of room for personal and unique components. It may only be a quick 15 minutes, or lengthier and includes mass or religious components. Either way, take the time to think through it. And if you aren't sure where to begin or whether you are including everything, talk to us!

Photo Credit: Vanessa Halliday Photography

The Processional (Walking down the Aisle)

It's the first thing you will do and it can be surprisingly overwhelming and emotional. For couples that do not do a first look, this is the first time you are seeing your soon-to-be-spouse!

Even if you have already done first looks, this can be the culmination of all of your hard work, investment, and planning. For many of your guests, this will be the first time they see you; they'll gasp, they may cry, and many will congratulate you.

Who goes first, and who do you walk with? That's completely up to you! The "traditional" progression is the Groom, Groomsmen, Groom's parents, Mother of the Bride, Bridesmaids, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer, and finally the Bride and her father or paternal figure. Is this the perfect formula? Absolutely not. There is no perfect formula!

In the last few years, we have seen some really cool breaks from tradition: Grandmothers or guy friends as "Flower Grannies" and "Flower Guys" has definitely been one of the more fun and memorable. This past year, one trend we have seen and think will continue is the couple walking themselves down the aisle together. This can be the perfect solution for non-conventional couples who want a break from tradition; Brides who don't have a special male figure present and don't want to walk alone; same sex couples; second marriages; or even couples who have been together for a long time before tying the knot.

Regardless of how you get down the Aisle or who it is with, make sure to take in the moment. Remember, everyone there is there to see YOU! Take a breath, and take in the moment.

Photo Credit: Jacquelyn Potter Photography

What do you do at the end of the Aisle??

Tradition says: When the bride and her father reach the end of the aisle, the officiant will ask "who gives this woman to be married". The father will say "I do", and the bride is "handed off" to her new husband. This doesn't have to happen - it can be handshakes, high-fives, or hugs. We've even had a bride and her father take a shot at the end of the aisle!
It can be any interaction that you want.

Simplicity says: Find your place, take a breath, turn to face your loved ones, and smile. Sometimes there's a little awkwardness, and that's ok. Just keep repeating:
"All of these people are here because they care for us."

Grab your significant other's hands and listen to the officiant - they will walk you through the steps. If you have pockets, don't stick your hands in them (this goes for the bridal party too!), and don't cross your arms. It's ok to hold your hands in front or behind you, but you don't want photos of "angry groomsmen" as your keepsake post-wedding.

Want to do something unique with your bridal party?? We would LOVE to see this idea from @TheWeddingTalk turn into a trend: https://fb.watch/hR-sZex7uf/

Photo Credit: Tim Zimmerman Photography

Your Officiant

They run the show. It can be a friend, family member, a Justice of the Peace, a religious leader, or professional officiant.

Regardless of who you choose, you need to have a good relationship with them, built on trust. Feel comfortable asking them questions and talking through your ceremony so that they understand your vision.

Still looking for an officiant that fits your style or needs? Or has Uncle Mark offered to be your officiant and you have no idea what needs to be done to make him official? Let's talk!

Photo Credit: Dana Ullman Photography

Your Vows

You can write your own, stick to the traditional paragraph many people use, or do a combination. If you want to add some personal lines about your relationship, you would fit those in before the traditional "I do's" that your officiant will have you repeat after them:

"I, <your name>, take you, <your soon-to-be-spouse>, to be my <husband/wife/partner/spouse>, to have and to hold from this day forward. For better, for worse; for richer, or poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish; 'til death do us part."

Vows can be incredibly personal, and something so special that we've seen recently is a Private Vow Exchange. If you aren't comfortable speaking in front of people or you want to keep your very personal promises between just you and your fiancé, this is for you. Last year, we had several couples meet privately before their ceremony, as their loved ones assembled at the ceremony site, to quietly exchange their personal vows before walking down the aisle. It was intimate, beautiful, and most-importantly, perfect for these couples.

Photo Credit: Winding Roads Photography

Unity Ceremonies

Handfasting, candle lighting, sand pouring, "tying a knot", wine blending, or a harmony glass. Adding a Unity Ceremony that is meaningful to you is beautiful symbolization of your individual life stories merging into your new union. This can be done in any way that speaks to you.

Create a time capsule to seal during your ceremony that you will open on your first anniversary. Do you enjoy hiking and the outdoors? Maybe do a version of sand pouring, but with dirt, leaves, rocks, or sticks from special places and adventures in your life. Want a more environmentally friendly option? Holding your ceremony at your family property? Plant a tree that will grow with you through the years (this could be done with a small tree in a planter, if you wanted an indoor plant to take home). Or maybe create a branding iron of your and your new spouse's initials to burn into a piece of leather or wood that will be used in your home.

As with everything - it is your wedding to celebrate you and your soon-to-be-spouse. Personalize it as much or as little as you want so that your ceremony suites you perfectly!

Photo Credit: Nicole Sauer Photography

Religious Components

Circling under the chuppah, breaking a glass, exchanging varmala, reading scripture, prayers, and blessings - each component has deep spiritual meaning. If it is important to you, then it is important to bring pieces of your culture and spirituality into your wedding. Multicultural and multi-faith weddings can come together brilliantly, and introducing pieces of each of your backgrounds weaves together into your story and wedding.

Photo Credits: Winding Roads Photography & Dana Ullman Photography

Last, but not least: The Kiss!!

When your officiant says "It's official; You're married! Go ahead and kiss!!", you do!

Our advice: talk to your officiant ahead of time, before your wedding, and (politely) ask them to move as soon as they announce you're married. The reason? You will want the first pictures of you and your new spouse to feature just you! Trust us....it makes a difference. This way you don't have to ask your photographer to try and retouch the photos, and you have a beautiful picture of you and your spouse, perfectly framed beneath your wedding arbor.

Now...Onto the party!!

Photo Credit: Lorraine Weathers Photography

Photo Credits: (First Row, L-R) Shem Roose Photography (x2); Moments Photography + Red Bird Photography; Amy Bennett Photography;
(Second Row, L-R) Amy Bennett Photography (x3); Nicole Sauer Photography;
(Third Row, L-R) Winding Roads Photography (x2); Vanessa Halliday Photography (x2);
(Fourth Row, L-R) Dana Ullman Photography (x2); and Jacquelyn Potter Photography (x2)