How To Create Your Perfect Wedding Ceremony
First, you need to narrow it down.
What type of ceremony do you want?
What do you mean? What type of ceremonies are there?
There are two basic wedding ceremonies to choose from:
Religious/Spiritual
or
Non-Religious/Secular
Here is a link to my 6 most chosen ceremonies
The link will take you to my main website. Don't worry, there is a link to bring you right back here.
You can read through the ceremonies to get an idea of what a ceremony sounds like and how it flows.
There is a traditional ceremony right on top. It will give you a good feeling of how a basic ceremony flows. Each part of the ceremony has an example and then links back to this website to options for each part. Readings, vows, ring exchanges, unity ceremonies blessings, everything.
The second ceremony is the most popular ceremony in the moment. It's romantic and perfect. I'm pretty sure it originated on the website Offbeat Bride. It been popular for a few years but extremely popular right now. That's how trends are.
The third and fourth ceremonies are Christian. One is more formal and can be customized. The second is shorter and a little more modern. It's my favorite!
The fifth ceremony is a Secular Humanist Ceremony.
The sixth ceremony is an interfaith/Jewish ceremony.
Once you've read through a ceremony or two, you will get an idea about how a ceremony works. What it sounds like and how it flows.
Religious/Spiritual
or
Non-Religious/Secular
Here is a link to my 6 most chosen ceremonies
The link will take you to my main website. Don't worry, there is a link to bring you right back here.
You can read through the ceremonies to get an idea of what a ceremony sounds like and how it flows.
There is a traditional ceremony right on top. It will give you a good feeling of how a basic ceremony flows. Each part of the ceremony has an example and then links back to this website to options for each part. Readings, vows, ring exchanges, unity ceremonies blessings, everything.
The second ceremony is the most popular ceremony in the moment. It's romantic and perfect. I'm pretty sure it originated on the website Offbeat Bride. It been popular for a few years but extremely popular right now. That's how trends are.
The third and fourth ceremonies are Christian. One is more formal and can be customized. The second is shorter and a little more modern. It's my favorite!
The fifth ceremony is a Secular Humanist Ceremony.
The sixth ceremony is an interfaith/Jewish ceremony.
Once you've read through a ceremony or two, you will get an idea about how a ceremony works. What it sounds like and how it flows.
Photo by Dimensions Photography
Want to look at more formal prewritten ceremonies?
Christian Wedding Ceremony Scripts
Non-Religious/Secular Wedding Ceremony Scripts
Pagan Handfastings and Modern Day Handfastings
Non-Religious/Secular Wedding Ceremony Scripts
Pagan Handfastings and Modern Day Handfastings
How long is a wedding ceremony?
A formal wedding ceremony is about 30 minutes from start to finish. That includes the entire processional and when you recess as a married couple!
Where does the format for a wedding ceremony come from?
Wedding ceremonies, as we know them today, are based on church services. A church service has a lot parts to it. Readings from the old testament, new testament, psalms, the gospels. Hymns, a sermon and communion are also usually included in a Christian wedding.
Many formal, secular wedding ceremonies have just copied the Christian format and replaced the parts with non-religious options. Poems and readings about love and marriage, friends singing songs, the "sermon" is words about love and marriage or telling the couples story.
Many formal, secular wedding ceremonies have just copied the Christian format and replaced the parts with non-religious options. Poems and readings about love and marriage, friends singing songs, the "sermon" is words about love and marriage or telling the couples story.
Photo By Brittany Erwin Photography
Can I have a short wedding ceremony?
Can you have a short wedding ceremony? Absolutely!! It's more than OK to have a short ceremony! It's totally up to you. Most wedding guests just want to hear you say "I Do," watch you exchange rings, hear you be pronounced married and watch you kiss.
Some couples want a longer, more meaningful ceremony. That does not mean that a short ceremony is not meaningful. Not at all. It's a personal preference. Readings are great, if you love what's being read. Unity ceremonies can be interesting, meaningful and even fun, if you want. Or they can just be a silly waste of time and money.
My purpose for putting all of this wedding ceremony information together is so you know our options. I don't want you to look back and think... we should have...
Some couples want a longer, more meaningful ceremony. That does not mean that a short ceremony is not meaningful. Not at all. It's a personal preference. Readings are great, if you love what's being read. Unity ceremonies can be interesting, meaningful and even fun, if you want. Or they can just be a silly waste of time and money.
My purpose for putting all of this wedding ceremony information together is so you know our options. I don't want you to look back and think... we should have...
Want to look at some short wedding ceremony scripts?
Photo by Brittany Erwin Photography
The Parts of a Wedding Ceremony
The Presentation
This could be the presentation of the Bride of the Groom, of both!
Opening Prayer
An opening prayer is an option not a requirement.
Welcoming
Welcoming you, the couple and our guests to the wedding.
Moment Of Silence
This is an option some couples choose to observe.
Words about Love and Marriage
This could be like a mini-sermon or telling your story.
Readings
You can choose one, two or three readings.
Or you can choose none.
I've got many to choose from
Readings About Love
Readings About Marriage
Christian Readings and Scriptures
Spiritual and Multifaith Readings
Hindu Wedding Readings
Asian Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Non-Traditional Wedding Readings
The Declaration of Intent
The declaration of Intent is the "I do's"
They are wedding vows stated as a question.
Wedding Vows
You can always write your own or use these for inspiration
Secular Wedding Vows
Christian Wedding Vows
Wedding Rings
This can be broken down into several parts
The Meaning of the Wedding Rings
The Christian Blessing of the Wedding Rings
Secular Ring Exchanges
Christian Ring Exchanges
Unity Ceremonies
These are optional, and there are endless options
Wedding Box Unity Ceremony
Unity Candle Ceremony
The Hand Ceremony
Jumping the Broom
Foot Washing Ceremony
Tree Planting Ceremony
Tying of the Fisherman's Knot
Hand Washing Ceremony
The Cord of Three Strands
God's Cross/Unity Cross
Ring Warming
The Rose Ceremony
Unity Sand Ceremony
Final Blessings
Final Words of Encouragement/ Secular Blessings
Christian Marriage Blessings
Marriage Pronouncement!
This could be the presentation of the Bride of the Groom, of both!
Opening Prayer
An opening prayer is an option not a requirement.
Welcoming
Welcoming you, the couple and our guests to the wedding.
Moment Of Silence
This is an option some couples choose to observe.
Words about Love and Marriage
This could be like a mini-sermon or telling your story.
Readings
You can choose one, two or three readings.
Or you can choose none.
I've got many to choose from
Readings About Love
Readings About Marriage
Christian Readings and Scriptures
Spiritual and Multifaith Readings
Hindu Wedding Readings
Asian Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Non-Traditional Wedding Readings
The Declaration of Intent
The declaration of Intent is the "I do's"
They are wedding vows stated as a question.
Wedding Vows
You can always write your own or use these for inspiration
Secular Wedding Vows
Christian Wedding Vows
Wedding Rings
This can be broken down into several parts
The Meaning of the Wedding Rings
The Christian Blessing of the Wedding Rings
Secular Ring Exchanges
Christian Ring Exchanges
Unity Ceremonies
These are optional, and there are endless options
Wedding Box Unity Ceremony
Unity Candle Ceremony
The Hand Ceremony
Jumping the Broom
Foot Washing Ceremony
Tree Planting Ceremony
Tying of the Fisherman's Knot
Hand Washing Ceremony
The Cord of Three Strands
God's Cross/Unity Cross
Ring Warming
The Rose Ceremony
Unity Sand Ceremony
Final Blessings
Final Words of Encouragement/ Secular Blessings
Christian Marriage Blessings
Marriage Pronouncement!
Looking for More Wedding Ceremony Ideas?
Harry Potter Quotes for your wedding ceremony
Dr. Who Quotes for your wedding ceremony
Star Wars Quotes for your wedding ceremony.
Blended Family Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Vow Renewal Ideas
The Seven Blessings for a Jewish Wedding
Breaking Of The Glass
Celtic Wedding Ideas
Disney Wedding Readings
Cats and Dogs in your ceremony
Handfasting Ceremony Scripts
Dr. Who Quotes for your wedding ceremony
Star Wars Quotes for your wedding ceremony.
Blended Family Wedding Ceremony Ideas
Vow Renewal Ideas
The Seven Blessings for a Jewish Wedding
Breaking Of The Glass
Celtic Wedding Ideas
Disney Wedding Readings
Cats and Dogs in your ceremony
Handfasting Ceremony Scripts