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Planning your ceremony
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Planning a personalised ceremony
One way to think about a ceremony is to see it as being made up of different sections, for example Introduction - Prayer - Poetry - Declaration of Intention (the "I do" part) - Vows - Exchange of Rings - Pronouncement - Signing of Register - Blessing and Dismissal. Although your celebrant will have their own way of working, expect them to provide you with lots of ideas and examples of successful ceremonies.
It is a good idea to have a ceremony that is at least 10-15 minutes long. This gives you and your guests enough time to fully appreciate the significance of the occasion. Possible rituals to symbolise your unionCheck through the ideas below for additional ways to express what your vows mean to you - but be sure to add your own personal touches.Sharing of wine. Here the groom might pour a glass of wine, and the bride and groom drink from this glass to symbolise their union as husband and wife. Candle lighting The bride and groom could light a candle each representing themselves as individuals, and then take their candles and together light a larger candle representing the marital bond. Sometimes heads of families perform this ritual representing the uniting of the two families. Tying of hands together For this a special scarf, or length of fabric is wound around the bride's and groom's hands, binding them together. A blessing is then read, (or you could use this time to say "I do"!)
Rose Ceremony In the old language of flowers, a single red rose always meant "I love you". Here the bride and groom give each other a rose to symbolise their commitment to making their marriage a union based on love.
Other things to consider
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