Monthly Archives: October 2021

Making The Day Your Own

 in Personalization / Readings / Rituals / Wedding Ceremony / Weddings  tagged custom wedding ceremony / handfasting / ring exchange / wedding ceremony / wedding readings by

Making the day your own is often a desire expressed by couples planning their wedding. I’ve seen some great examples this year of couples including elements of the wedding day that reflect who they are and honor their relationship. Enjoy reading about these thoughtful, original couples!

The first couple each had interesting passions. He loved all things from the Viking era, and she researched and appreciated all things Celtic. They wanted to include both interests in their ceremony.The rings were presented on an ax in an adaptation of the Viking ritual that placed the rings on family swords that were exchanged during the wedding.

After the exchange of vows and rings, the couple invited their siblings to perform a handfasting ritual honoring the bride’s Celtic heritage. The sash used was made from the family tartan.

Ax and Sash

The second couple used rock music by Metallica throughout the ceremony, and the bride wore black. Both were authentic for the couple and both were appreciated by their friends. I did notice a shared glance between a few of the older relatives, but the couple felt seen for their authentic selves.

Black Wedding Gown

And last, but not least, another couple was creating a blended family with the bride’s two daughters. They wanted the ceremony to recognize both the marriage of the couple and the formation of the new family. The bride located a children’s book titled, “Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You” by Nancy Tillman. The sweet sentiments were reinforced when the couple presented a copy of the book to the girls so they could follow along during the reading. Later in the ceremony the new stepdad gathered the girls close and made promises to them and placed gold necklaces around their necks to remember the day.

My Love Will Find You

Each of these couples took the concept of making the day your own to heart. The results were as different as the couples were, and each was spectacularly successful. So don’t get burdened by traditions or trends. Making the day your own will result in an authentic wedding day filled with memories to treasure.

Honoring Loved Ones at Weddings

 in Ceremony / Uncategorized / Wedding Ceremony / Weddings  tagged honoring loved ones / memorial moment / remembering loved ones / wedding / wedding ceremony by

Honoring loved ones at weddings can be accomplished in a few different ways. If the person (or people) were close to you, you’ll want to find a way to include them in your special day. But weddings are happy occasions, and you don’t want everyone getting sad and distracted during your ceremony.

Honoring loved ones can be done subtly or in a bolder fashion. If you’re having a ceremony program, a remembrance section naming family and friends who have passed may be sufficient. Including a general comment early in the ceremony can also be done gracefully. It can have more impact if you name your loved ones. You can even include a moment of silence in their honor. But if you want something more visual, here are a few options to consider:

  1. Set up a table at the back of the ceremony space with pictures of your loved ones with a plaque and/or candle. Memorial Pictures & Message Memorial Candle
  2. Place a flower or other memento in their honor on the chair they would have occupied. Memorial Mementos
  3. Bring a memento of them into the ceremony – this couple hung a favorite wind chime to honor the groom’s mom. Memorial Wind Chime
  4. At one ceremony I performed, the bride placed a uniform and dress on chairs to honor her grandparents.Honoring Grandparents

Moving beyond the ceremony, honoring loved ones can also be a part of your reception. Place wedding pictures near your cake or gift table can bring them symbolically into your celebration. Or perhaps you’ll dance to their favorite song or raise a toast to them. All are ways to honor the role and impact they’ve had in making you the person you are on your wedding day. Honoring loved ones can be a sensitive topic, but it’s worthwhile to reflect on those important people in your life and choose a way to include them in your wedding day.