Presentation of the Bride (and Groom) In Your Wedding Ceremony Script with PDF's
Presentation or Giving Away of the Bride
The giving away the bride at the beginning of a ceremony is definitely one of the icon moment of a wedding. It's the first, followed by the "I do's," the exchange of rings, the pronouncement and the kiss!! But this tradition has actually come a long way. It's evolved from the exchange of ownership to the simple declaration of support or blessing upon the marriage.
I have a few questions I ask every couple and one of them is, "Do you want to be 'given' or 'presented' in marriage?" Sometimes the response is, "what to you mean?" Other times brides just know that their daddy is giving them away! That's the way they've always dreamed it would be and that's what it is! Many brides already know that they will most definitely be presented. No one owns them. Other Brides simply choose to leave the phrase out altogether. They will have someone escort them down the aisle but they will just leave it at that.
I will always remember a wedding I did several years ago. the couple met online playing Minecraft. He lived in Indianapolis and she lived in the Netherlands. I married them the first time when she first arrive on her K1 fiance visa. It was just one of my quick $50 Quickie Weddings. 6 months later, here family came over and they had an actual wedding. Prior to the wedding I asked her father if he wanted to give his daughter away. He looked at me incredulously and said "I do not own her, she is not mine to give away. I will walk her down the aisle and leave her there!" It was awesome!
I will always remember a wedding I did several years ago. the couple met online playing Minecraft. He lived in Indianapolis and she lived in the Netherlands. I married them the first time when she first arrive on her K1 fiance visa. It was just one of my quick $50 Quickie Weddings. 6 months later, here family came over and they had an actual wedding. Prior to the wedding I asked her father if he wanted to give his daughter away. He looked at me incredulously and said "I do not own her, she is not mine to give away. I will walk her down the aisle and leave her there!" It was awesome!
The Giving Away of the Groom During a Wedding Ceremony
A few years ago I married a very progressive couple. They were seeking to have a completely equal wedding. A perfect balance of male and female to the point where they were both planning to hyphenate their names after marriage. Acknowledging the tradition of the presentation of the bride, they were both escorted down the aisle by both of their parents and were each formally presented in marriage.
The Jewish Presentation of the Bride and Groom
In the Jewish tradition, the bride and groom are each escorted down the aisle by both of their parents and they presented in marriage. This tradition, but it is also the parents giving their blessing upon the marriage. Many couples are choosing this more and more, maybe not having their parents formally escort them down the aisle, but having their parents formally giving their blessing and promising their support.
Children Giving Their Blessing on the Parents' Marriage
I perform a lot of smaller, intimate weddings, as well as second weddings. In such an intimate setting, if their children are old enough, I will ask them if they are OK with the marriage. Once or twice, we received a little cheek back from one or two of those darling children (angsty teenagers)but for the most part, it gives the children a small part in the wedding and a shines a momentary spotlight on the coming together of a new family. It's also very common for children to walk their mother down the aisle, be her Maid of Honor or dad's Best Man.
Something Different
Since I've been giving couples more choices for their wedding ceremony more of them have been finding more meaning in this part of the ceremony and their relationship with their family and friends. Some of these options also include their wedding guests, givina not to the traditions of the marriage ceremony in many mainstream churches.
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Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 1
You can download this jpg file, the PDF below or
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Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 2
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 3
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 4
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 5
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 6
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 7
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 8
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 9
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 10
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 11
Presentation Of the Bride (And Groom) 12
I do not claim to be the original author of this script. I am sharing it like this to make it easier for anyone to use.
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