| As you envision your wedding day, take the time | | | | a great selection of Inter-faith Officiants, |
| to consider what you want and desire for your | | | | Non-Denominational Ministers, Celebrants and |
| wedding ceremony. | | | | Secular Officiants for your wedding ceremony. By |
| If you are being within a religious institution, your | | | | doing an internet search, you can create a "short |
| options for a "personalized wedding ceremony" | | | | list" of candidates who may be open and flexible |
| may be somewhat limited. If you are being | | | | in working with you to create a fun and |
| married outside of a church or religious tradition, | | | | personalized wedding ceremony. |
| you have many options in terms of creating a | | | | 3) Selecting Your Wedding Party ~ Get Creative: |
| beautiful and personalized wedding ceremony for | | | | A wedding party doesn't have to be boring and |
| your day. | | | | the number in your party is up to you! Some |
| Here are four easy and fun steps to help you | | | | couples want a big gathering around them on the |
| create a fun and personalized wedding ceremony: | | | | wedding day and other couples want only a Best |
| 1) Venue For Your Ceremony: As you and your | | | | Guy and Best Lady at their side. To personalize |
| Sweetheart talk about what you want and don't | | | | your ceremony, how about involving your |
| want for your wedding ceremony, one of your | | | | wedding party in your ceremony? Consult with |
| first big decisions will be "where" will we hold this? | | | | the person officiating your wedding ceremony for |
| Do you want to be married in a traditional church, | | | | ideas around this. Perhaps this includes the passing |
| chapel, private home, park, waterside venue or | | | | blessing of your wedding rings by your wedding |
| the side of a mountain? Your venue sets the | | | | party during your ceremony or a group reading. |
| tone and feel of your wedding ceremony and also | | | | 4) Your Vows: Kick Things Up A Bit! If you like |
| provides opportunity to personalize your | | | | and desire traditional vows, go for it. If you want |
| ceremony around your venue or location. | | | | to take the opportunity to kick things up a bit, do |
| Tip: As you plan your ceremony site, consider the | | | | it! Your ceremony is a marvelous opportunity to |
| advantages of holding your ceremony and | | | | share very personalized and heartfelt wedding |
| reception at the same location. This helps create | | | | vows. And this is one of the best ways to create |
| less "move around" stress on the wedding day | | | | a most memorable "ceremony moment." |
| and often creates a more elegant transition | | | | There is no right or wrong way to write and |
| between the ceremony and reception. Just | | | | deliver non-traditional wedding vows. Focus on |
| consider this a 2 for 1! | | | | what you love and admire about your |
| 2) Who Will Be Officiating? If you are being | | | | Sweetheart and what you want your family and |
| married in a church or within your religious or | | | | friends to know about this special person on your |
| spiritual tradition, your selection options with | | | | wedding day. |
| regard to your choice of Minister, Pastor or Rabbi | | | | One idea to create very unique vows? Decide on |
| may be somewhat limited. Make an appointment | | | | the length of your vows and send them |
| with your church or synagogue and have a | | | | separately to your Officiant/Minister. On your |
| meeting to determine if the venue is available for | | | | wedding day, your vows will be handed to you |
| your selected date and who is available to | | | | and they will be a surprise for the two of you to |
| officiate. If possible, get your agreement in writing. | | | | share with each other. There is something about |
| If you are being married at a venue outside of a | | | | "surprise wedding vows" that couples really seem |
| religious tradition, and depending on what part of | | | | to like and this also is a treat for family and |
| the country you live, you most probably will have | | | | friends as well. |