Wedding Ceremonies
What is a marriage ceremony?
When something as profound or important like marriage happens in our lives it is our custom, our tradition to mark the occasion. And how do we do this? We make a special time to celebrate with ceremony and ritual.
The ceremony is the focal point of your wedding day. Without a ceremony there is no marriage, no matter how brief, how long, how personalized, informal or how formal. You can make it a special time devoted to the sharing of your thoughts and feelings on marriage, of and to one another.
You can make it a time when you articulate your hopes or wishes and promises for each other and your future together as a united couple.
Where to begin?
Welcome, I will help you to create your own personalized and truly inspirational ceremony, one that will reflect your ideals, beliefs, true feelings, your hopes and desires for your marriage, for each other and your future life together!
I have dug into my file of wedding ceremonies actually conducted with couples and have chosen 12 of my best ceremonies to assist you to create your truly unique wedding ceremony.
I have done all the hard work for you!
Ceremonies compiled, ready for you to choose from...
These ceremonies come complete with marriage vows, ring vows, marriage readings and poetry, wedding ceremony traditions, wedding rituals and traditions and wedding music suggestions for you to consider!
A wedding day checklist, planner !
Guide to ensure you have a stress free day!
I include a comprehensive wedding day checklist, planner-guide for you to ensure you have a stress free wedding ceremony and celebration! No stones left unturned. No excuses.
What can I expect to find in a marriage ceremony?
All the legally required parts of the ceremony ~ just delete if not required in the state or county where you live.
Acknowledgement and or inclusion of family, children in the ceremony.
Acknowledgement of your journey, separately and together
Readings, poetry and music reflecting your intimate feelings and thoughts on your marriage and about each other.
Inspirational, insightful and very personal marriage vows and ring vows
Wedding traditions and cultural rituals involving the rings, deceased relatives or friends, ancient marriage/love traditions.
Your ceremony could be...
A traditional wedding ceremony ~ the bride being given the blessing of her father and family; includes beautiful and meaningful readings by the celebrant, a family member or guest.
A more spiritual ceremony provided by candle/s and acknowledgement/s of family, deceased relatives, acknowledgement of country
A more cultural ceremony enhanced by the recognition - acknowledgement of your ancestry. [Italian, Spanish, Jewish, Greek, Asian, Celtic, Polish etc
Large, with the bridal party and guest list that you always wished for.
Intimate ~ just you, witnesses and the marriage officiant or celebrant
Thematic ~ you may wish to have a theme flowing through your ceremony. You may also wish to dress in costumes!
12 complete ceremonies for you to consider!
There are 12 complete traditional ceremonies for you to consider, to copy from and to paste, adapt to suit your personal tastes, beliefs, cultural ancestry and unique circumstances.
The ceremonies, marriage vows, ring vows, marriage readings and poetry and wedding traditions in this e-book have been designed for you to copy and paste, to add new material to or for you to adapt to suit your personal situation.
Here are the Ceremony Guidelines
Ceremonies have structure and if guidelines are followed a ceremony with interest, variation, good length and natural flow will be the end result.
The Introduction.
A Reading.
Celebrant statement of authorization. Giving Away.
The Commitment.
The vows.
Ring ceremony
A Reading
The Declaration / Conclusion
Signing of the Documents Presentation of Marriage Certificate to the couple Presentation of the Couple to guests
An additional Blessing or Reading.
That all sounds great, but...!
...how does it all come together?
1). Read and decide what you like, what suits your situation.
2). Consider your questionnaire answers and construct a flowing narrative from them.
3).Decide which headings you will be using.[Delete what you don't want eg if the bride isnot being given away, delete 'giving away
4). Copy material (and adapt) whichever you decide to use.
5). Include any of your own material
6). Paste it all under your headings.
7). Choose your font........ print!
. .......and your ceremony is ready!
Meet the author
I’m Elizabeth Gray, a popular celebrant who gained a Diploma of Marriage celebrancy at the International College of Celebrants in Melbourne, Victoria in 2003.
I found that working as a celebrant very rewarding and I feel I have privileged to be part pf peoples lives at times of celebration and healing.
I am excited about being able to share my experiences with you so that you can create a very personal celebration of your own.
Look forward to assisting you, and wish you well on your special occasion!