Creating unique, personal, meaningful wedding ceremonies from beginning to end
Writing A Wedding Ceremony
Although a wedding ceremony is an expression of a commitment between two people, that commitment is going to be witnessed by an audience. The bride and groom need to decide what to convey to that audience, and how to convey it.
Creating a meaningful, unique wedding ceremony begins with the couple putting down the pencils and asking themselves, and each other, a few questions:
- What overall impression are we trying to create? Do we want a traditional ceremony or are we going for something different?
- What is our theme? This doesn't necessarily mean dressing in costumes, although it could, or having a fantasy Cinderella extravaganza, although it might. The theme can be anything that's meaningful to the couple. If they met on the beach, they might want to have a beach wedding or include readings, poetry and music that convey an oceanside atmosphere. If they both love to garden, they might want to fill the room with plants and write a ceremony that reveals how they cultivated their relationship. The most important thing about the theme is that it matters to the couple. That importance will then come across to the audience.
- What mood are we trying to create? How do we want our guests to feel? The ceremony can be lighthearted and fun from beginning to end. It can be solemn and serious, or romantic and serene. It will absolutely be more effective for having been defined.
- What music will we use? Music is a powerful, evocative tool which can stir the emotions of both the couple and the audience.
- How do we want to tell our story? This can be a very moving element in a ceremony, with the bride and groom relating the story of their meeting, courtship, and engagement.
- What do we want to say in our vows? This is probably the single most important thing the couple will say to each other during the ceremony. The vows express the deep commitment that the bride and groom are making to each other. This is the place to get truly personal. However, the vows don't have to be stuffy and stodgy . If the bride wishes to tell her soon-to-be- husband that she'll accept his poker nights without complaining, she can say so. If the groom wants to assure his almost-wife that he'll always love her in spite of her addiction to the mall, he can include it. The couple can write vows that speak of their love and devotion, their pledges for the future, their hopes and dreams. The vows can be short or long, plain and simple or elegantly elaborate. The only thing they must be is written from the heart.
- How do we want our unique ceremony to end? Will we ask our officiant to give us a blessing, speak about our future, ask the audience if they acknowledge and accept us as a married couple? How do we want to be introduced?
At this point, the writing can begin! The couple may want to get help from websites that offer readings, vows, and writing services.
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The copyright of the article Writing Wedding Ceremonies in Wedding Planning is owned by Margaret Morris. Permission to republish Writing Wedding Ceremonies must be granted by the author in writing.
