Creating your Ceremony
1. Guests are seated.
Music is played softly
during the seating of the
guests before the
ceremony begins.
Your Ushers are to seat only your immediate family members and VIPs, not all your guests. Greeters may pass out Wedding Programs as your Guests arrive.
2. Mother's Processional
Music is played while Mothers enter and place Unity Elements on Table.
They hug each other and then are seated.
The Escort is seated
after the Mothers sit.
Mothers enter, each carrying Colored Sand or Light Taper Candles. They can be escorted in by the Groom's father. This is a great way to have the Groom's father included as he usually has no part in a ceremony.
3. Groom's Processional
Groom enters by walking down the center Aisle to his own music. He too will enjoy the smiles, tears and well wishes of those he passes by while making his entrance.
This is his wedding too! Your Guests will enjoy watching him enjoy walking down the Aisle to his own fun music like, U Can't Touch This, Another one Bites the Dust, or the Mission Impossible Theme, etc. Pick a song that reflects his personality.
4. Bridal Party Procession
Music is played as the Groomsmen escort their Bridesmaids to their
position at the Altar.
Then congratulate the
Groom.
5. Entrance of the Bride
Music is played. Guests stand as the Bride
makes her grand
entrance escorted by her father, both parents or
close friend.
The Bride enters, confidant, poised and so very beautiful on the arm of her escort. You stop just past the first row of chairs. The guests will then be seated and the ceremony begins.
Pastor Gina greets your guests, talks about why everyone is gathered together and what marriage is all about.
6. The Gathering Words
Pastor Gina welcomes
the guests, thanks them for coming and speaks
briefly about the
purpose of the
ceremony.
7. Opening Prayer
Pastor Gina's repeats a short prayer and invites the Lord's presence.
8. Moment of Silence
This is a brief moment that allows you to show respect and love to the
people in your life who have passed and could not be present for your
ceremony.
9. Mother's Rose Gift
Long stemmed Roses are presented to the Mother of the Bride
and Groom thanking
them for the many
selfless sacrifices they
have made and the unconditional love they have for them.
My prayers are pretty simple. It's a way of inviting God and asking for his blessing of the marriage and thanking Him for this gift of love.
The names and relationship of close family members who are no longer here with you are mentioned here. It is brief (10-13 sec.) but respectful of those who are with us in spirit.
Pastor Gina provides you with two Red, long stemmed, silk Roses to present to both of the Mothers. If a parent has passed, the Rose is placed on the chair where she would have sat. The Bride and Groom present the Rose to their mother. Great photo opportunity.
This is usually performed by the Father of the Bride, but anyone who loves and supports the marriage may stand in here. The Father may say, "I do'" or "Her Mother and I do," or the both parents may participate.
Marriage is a serious undertaking and is not to be taken lightly. It is intended to bind your lives together forever.
10. Giving of the Bride
This is an old tradition in which the
Father of the Bride gives his
daughter to the Groom in Marriage.
The father then lifts the Veil, kisses
her cheek and the Groom escorts
his Bride to the Altar.
This is the part your see on TV. It's when I ask if you will take the other as your Husband or Wife and your respond with those famous words, "I do."
11. Charge to the Couple
This is where I talk about what it
means to be married and what
it will take to make your marriage
successful.
Your Readers are from the audience, one of your guests. If you select two readings, one can be from the Bride's side and one from the Groom's. I will type them for your Readers.
12. Consent and Affirmation
Pastor Gina asks if you are ready
and willing to take the other as your
Husband or Wife. It confirms
you're willing to marry.
I have a selection of Vows that you may choose from should you decide not to write your own. I will type them on beautiful cards and hand them to you at the Altar to read from or you can repeat them after me.
13. Readings
You may have up to 2 Readings in
your Ceremony. I have a selection
for you to choose from. These are
short poems, scriptures, or words of
wisdom about love.
Sometimes children from another marriage are a part of the marriage union. This is a lovely way of accepting these children as your own and repeating promises to them as well.
14. Bride and Groom's Vows
Your Vows are the most intimate
part of the Ceremony. This the part
where you put into words the
intense feelings you have for each
other.
15. Vows and Promises to
Children
When a couple marries, often times
a child from another marriage is
involved. Here is where you make
a commitment to the child as well.
16. Hand Blessing Ceremony
The Hands are a connection to the
Heart, and a Hand Blessing
symbolically brings two hearts
together. This is usually placed
before the Ring Exchange.
17. Exchange of Rings
The Wedding Ring is a symbol of
your lifelong commitment to one
another and a testimony to all the
world of your devotion in marriage.
18. Unity Ceremony
This Ceremony is symbolic in that it
unites the two of you as one. Up to
this moment you have been
separate in thought, word and
deed. Music is usually played during
the Unity Ceremony.
19. Marriage Blessings
The Blessing of the Marriage is a
short prayer of good favor, wishes
for everlasting love, happiness and
friendship.
20.MarriagePronouncement
This is the part we've all been
waiting for. When I pronounce you
Husband and Wife, it is the exact
moment of marriage.
21. The Kiss
No ceremony is complete without
the Kiss. The kiss seals the
promises and vows made by the
Bride and Groom.
22. Presentation of Couple
It is my pleasure to introduce you to
your family & friends as Mr. &Mrs.
23. Recessional
Time to walk down the Aisle
amongst your guests. Music is
played as you smile and wave to
your guests.
24. The 2nd Kiss
Bride and Groom walk half-way
down Aisle after the Presentation,
then stop and Kiss again. The Music
changes to fun, loud, time-to-party
music.
The Bride holds the Grooms hand and I speak about what a blessing they are and how they will work hard, be gentle, etc and then they switch and I speak about the Bride's hands and how they will comfort him, hold him through difficult times, etc.
Typically the Ring Bearer has fake Rings on a Pillow. The Best Man usually has both Rings on his pinkie and hands them to Pastor Gina when she asks for them.
You have a choice of the Unity Candle, the Unity Wine Cup or Sand Blending Ceremony. I will provide everything you need for this...the Candles, the Wine or the Vase and Colored Sand.
Marriage Blessings are important as it brings the ceremony to full circle celebrating your love with wishes for its future.
You did it! You are now Husband and Wife. I like to take a quick peek at my watch and note the time. You can then celebrate your future anniversaries at exactly the time you married.
This is the fun part. All your guests are waiting to witness the love you share. Don't be shy about kissing the person you love.
Now you are introduced to your guests as a newly married couple and it is time to party.
The ceremony is over and the Bride and Groom leave the Altar and walk down the Aisle. Bubbles are floating in the air and every one is applauding your marriage.
It's time to celebrate! After the 2nd Kiss, the rest of the Bridal Party exits to "Celebrate," or James Brown's "I Feel Good," or Pink's "Let's get it Started" or some other lively song.