An Easy Outline for Your Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony can be beautiful and nerve-wracking, with all the details to plan and decisions to make. What’s the order of service? How should we handle the unity candle? What kind of ceremony readings should we include? Even after you’ve chosen your venue and florist, there’s still plenty to do to create an unforgettable ceremony. This simple outline can help you create a wedding ceremony that fits your beliefs and style.

What is the Order of a Wedding Ceremony?

For the most part, wedding ceremonies are divided into two main parts: the ceremony and the reception. The order in which these events occur can vary from location to location and from religion to religion. However, some basics tend to remain the same no matter where you go. That’s why you can prepare for what’s coming and ensure that you’re always in the right place at the right time!

How to Plan the Order of Your Wedding Ceremony?

Here are some steps to plan the order of your wedding ceremony.

Step Into The Ceremony

It’s a common misconception that the bride always walks down the aisle first. In most traditions, it is tradition for either the bride or groom to walk down the aisle and be waiting at an altar. Traditionally, who walks first depends on whether you are walking with a family member or a friend. If you have a child with your partner, the child should precede their parent down the aisle.

If you are walking alone or as one couple in a larger wedding party, then this choice can go either way. For example, some couples prefer to get married outside before the ceremony begins. And some other couples may want to enter during the service as part of a professional. You’ll need to discuss this with your wedding planner.

Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians (or another close adult relative) must stay at your ceremony, but figuring out where they should sit can be tricky. A few factors will impact where they are seated and how long they’ll be there. For instance, if you’re using Ketubah as your wedding certificate, you may want your parents or guardians present. If this is not the case, they will likely head to their seats when you say I do.

If you want them to see both rings and don’t have a rabbi officiating, then it might make sense for them to remain in their seats.

Officiant

An officiant is a religious figure who presides over a wedding ceremony. One factor you will want to consider is which faith tradition you plan to follow. And then, if your officiant is not in that particular faith. For example, suppose you have an interfaith marriage with Christian and Jewish family members. In that case, your officiant may be able to perform both ceremonies as long as they’re knowledgeable about both faiths.

If this isn’t possible, you may need to hire two officiants for different parts of the ceremony. One consideration when choosing an officiant is whether or not they have performed weddings.

Bridal Party

The bridal party has one or two members from each side. Often, the most influential people in a person’s life are asked to be at the wedding party. However, when it comes to your ceremony, you will want them front and center on your big day. Send people with long dresses up first so they can sit on either side of the aisle waiting to turn down. Send children (if you have any) up next. The edition of wedding centerpieces in this ceremony can make this scene special.

For example, I had my parents go first as they walked me down the aisle as my Mom and Dad. Then came my grandparents, then all of my other family members, including my sisters, nephews, nieces, and cousins. Finally came our best friends, who walked us both down the aisle while carrying our flowers.

Children From Either Family

One consideration when arranging your ceremony is how children from either family will be involved. Involving children can add a lot of fun and sentimental value and help keep them occupied during the service. The two most common arrangements are either for kids to sit on one side with all adults on the other.  This option, however, can lead to a massive imbalance in one direction.

Honoring Deceased or Absent Family Members or Friends

A beautiful way to honor deceased or absent family members or friends is to be deliberate about including them on your wedding day. One way you can do this is by including a moment of silence instead of missing guests during the ceremony. You could also include a photo of them and mention that they were there in spirit.

What Are Wedding Words?

A wedding vow is a promise to your spouse. You will love, honor, and cherish them for the rest of your life. They are one of the most critical parts of a wedding ceremony. They can be written by the bride and groom or anyone else who has an important message to convey to them on their special day.

One popular set of vows is often referred to as Unity candle vows. These vows are read before the exchange of rings, symbolizing the blending of two lives into one. The tradition originates from the Eastern Orthodox Church and comes with a candle-lighting ritual. Two candles are lit—one representing each partner. When they make their vows, they light the third candle together in front of all those gathered.

What Are Some Alternative Wedding Ceremony Ideas?

Live Streaming

Sites like Facebook Live, Periscope, and Google Hangouts are great for lifestreaming your wedding. They make people feel more connected to your marriage. All they need is a wifi connection, and they can watch as the celebration unfolds.

There’s no better way to make your guests feel involved in the festivities without being there themselves. They can follow along on social media and take snapshots to share with all their friends during the event.

Destination Weddings

Destination weddings have become popular over the past few years. Thanks to reality television shows that follow celebrity couples as they plan their weddings. They require more planning than traditional ceremonies. Something romantic about eloping away for you and your partner on one of these exciting adventures!

Outdoor Weddings

An outdoor ceremony is a great way to have an intimate and unique wedding. You can hold it in gardens, forests, or other natural areas with scenic views. Couples who have not had the opportunity to explore the outdoors might want to hold their weddings in the city. This is still a pretty great choice for an unforgettable ceremony. Although it may sound strange initially, it’s pretty beautiful when you think about it.

You’ll experience more of what your partner loves and some fresh air and sunshine. If you’re on a tight budget, this is also perfect because you won’t need much decoration!

Get Married in A Hot Air Balloon

While it is rare, some couples like the idea of getting married in a hot air balloon. If you and your spouse are adventurous and love seeing new landscapes and experiencing new things, this option might be right for you. It can also be a vow renewal ceremony if you got hitched years ago. Plus, everyone will watch you float over the scenery together on your way down.

Beach Wedding

Swimsuits, sand, and a serene ocean are perfect for a beach wedding. Being close to the water can make you feel more in touch with the environment and may make your guests happier. There’s no better backdrop than the crashing waves on a sunny day. If it rains, you’ll be able to dry off quickly with the sun out again.

Conclusion

The wedding ceremony can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of your day, especially if you aren’t sure what to do. Don’t let yourself get anxious over it. Take the above easy steps to create a perfect and memorable wedding ceremony—and stress-free!