FROM THE START

We'll meet with the bride and groom to go over the details of their individual wedding. From setting a date to specifics in the ceremony, to helping them write there own vows. From day one we'll be in contact with them on a regular basis to insure that their wedding is a memorable one. We'll work with them one on one, with their family, or others if need be. We'll answer their questions and concerns in a quick and professional manner and settle any fears they may have about the big day. All this and more up to and through the ceremony.

 

JUST BEFORE THE CEREMONY

I'll meet with the bride and groom on an individual basis for last minute details or changes or questions. Most importantly, I will need to gather the marriage license and the witnesses that will be signing it. This will be done about an hour prior to the ceremony.

 

THE CEREMONY

Common Ceremony Structure
The key elements utilized in most Western wedding ceremonies, in their most common order, are:

1) Introduction, Opening, or Invocation -- in which the officiant typically announces the purpose of the gathering, indicates the names of the bride and groom, welcomes the guests and solicits them to participate in the ceremony by their presence and, perhaps, their prayers.

2) Main Body -- in which the officiant ruminates on the meaning of marriage and the significance of the bride and groom's decision to join together in wedlock. The officiant may also share more casual remarks about the bride and groom as he or she has come to know them, and about the fitness of their union. This portion of the ceremony might also include religious or other readings by the officiant or by other persons who have been asked by the bride and groom to speak.

The Main Body is sometimes divided into the Interrogation and the Presentation (either may come first). The Interrogation specifically refers to the officiant asking the couple if they come of their own free will to marry; it may also include the officiant asking the potentially show stopping question, "If anyone has just cause why these two may not wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace." (With any luck your ceremony will be peaceful.) The Presentation is when the bride, or the bride and groom, are presented for marriage by their parent or parents (the familiar, "Who gives this woman").

3) Introduction to the Vows -- in which the officiant explains the significance of the vows which the couple are going to exchange.

4) Vows -- in which the bride and groom individually affirm their commitment to one another, in response to questions posed by the officiant; the responses usually take the form of "I do" or "I will." In the Western Christian tradition, this is the point at which they are officially married.

5) Exchange of Rings -- in which the couple, usually repeating phrases at the officiant's direction, declare their commitment to one another and place a wedding ring on the hand of their betrothed. In the Western Jewish tradition, this is the point at which they are officially married.

6) Closing/Announcement of the Couple -- in which the officiant announces that the couple is officially wed. This may also include a final prayer or benediction, the officiant indicating that the groom may "kiss the bride," and/or the officiant "introducing" the newly married couple to the guests.

This ceremonial order is usually preceded by a processional, in which the wedding party members enter the ceremonial location, and is followed by a recessional, in which they exit.
 

POST CEREMONY

At this point the witnesses will sign the marriage license. Then turn them in to the court house for filing. They'll send you back original copies of them.

A few weeks later we'll gladly contact you to see how things are going.

This is just a brief overview of a wedding performed by us and may vary per your requests