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Where Will Your Wedding Take Place? Perhaps
you have already decided where you wedding will be held.
Or maybe you have no particular ideas in mind.
Like many couples, you may be checking out personal referrals, bridal
magazines, local papers, websites and the yellow pages for the perfect site.
Your options are many! Wedding
ceremonies can take place in all kinds of settings.
Religious settings, banquet halls and ballrooms, restaurants, private
homes or backyards, libraries, under elaborate outdoor tents, in forests, on
jetties, on sandy beaches, rooftops, on yachts, at quaint country inns, city
parks or botanical gardens, at historical sites.
I have led ceremonies in many of these types of venues. As
you consider your options, think about the atmosphere you wish to create.
Your taste and considerations of what will make you and your guests
most comfortable will dictate. Which
Celebrant? There
are more than 80 celebrants in Your
celebrant should be someone you can work with and someone who is keen to
prepare, rehearse and conduct the type of ceremony you want.
You can present elements you have selected as you tailor your
wedding, but he or she is the one to implement them.
Even a simple script can be transformed into something memorable when
conveyed with heart by a personable celebrant. There are many caring celebrants with differing backgrounds. It is essential that you feel comfortable with your celebrant; it is essential that you trust this person. Do some research and interviews - a personal referral from someone is often helpful.
Some qualities you might look for when choosing the right celebrant are:
What you might expect from your celebrant
Working
With Your Celebrant – The First Steps Once
you have selected your celebrant, firstly make sure he or she is available
on the chosen day and able to conduct the type of ceremony you want.
Discuss your ‘special’ wishes up front.
Once these first steps have been decided, the next step will be to
arrange to meet to discuss the legalities, prepare the initial paperwork and
discuss the basics, as well as considerations you might take away with you
for further discussions later. Relationship
Education. All Celebrants are
required to provide you with information in the form of a pamphlet – to
encourage relationships skills for love, family and life – should you wish
to explore further.
The
Rehearsal Do
plan for a rehearsal – it eases everyone’s nerves and people usually
have a wonderful time. It
is a good opportunity for participants to practice readings, and any
questions the bridal party or those involved may have, can be addressed.
The main purpose is to ‘walk’ through the procession, its pace
and spacing, making sure everyone knows where he or she will stand or sit.
The
Music Music
is key in creating the mood you
want. Once
again, it’s your choice! You
may be inclined to choose music to move your souls, or purely romantic,
music that is very special to you both, something uplifting, inspirational
or something more lighthearted.
If
the ceremony is traditional, you might consider choosing three pieces of
music, one for the procession (entrance), other music while the register and
certificates are being signed, and finally music for the recession (exit)
which should be joyous and upbeat reflecting your happiness.
The
Poetry,
well chosen words, reciting or reading words from well known songs, even
pieces from children’s comic books can enhance a wedding ceremony.
People invited to present these types of readings usually feel
honored and privileged to take part, often seen as giving of a gift to the
bridal couple.
Cultural
/ Intercultural / Interfaith /Traditions and Rituals/ Symbolism To further personalize your wedding, there are many, many ways of adding special meaning to your overall ceremony, for you, your friends and your family. (see more)
The
Vows Here’s
where you and your loved one get to look deep into each other’s eyes and
express words close to your heart. Forget
about the rest of your wedding plans – this part of the ceremony is
between the two of you. Listen
to your heart and the words will follow. These
days flexibility is the key and you may like to uncover a classic message
that is right for you, or mix and match, even compose your very own vows,
incorporating words you might have seen on a card, a favorite song or poem.
The nature of the vows, however, has not changed.
You’re still making a pledge and you may like to consider – what
exactly are you promising your betrothed?
Most
celebrants can provide a selection of vows and advise you where to find
readily available books and web resources (see more / link to wesites and
books)
The
Basic Order of a Ceremony Civil,
cultural and religious rituals differ of course, but if you were to outline
a standard service it would look something like this (words
in bold are required by the Marriage Act 1961): Processional
- The couple and wedding party enter the ceremony ‘space’ usually with
accompanying music. Opening
Remarks
- The celebrant speaks about the purpose of the ceremony - the joining of
the two of you in marriage. The
‘Giving/Away”
- If you opt for this tradition, that could happen now.
If present, this is also a time to acknowledge friends and family and
the importance of their presence. The
Monetem
- A statement by the celebrant saying this is a legal ceremony within the
requirements of the Marriage Act. Statement
of Intent/Asking - The
celebrant asks the two of you whether you are each coming of your own free
will to marry each other and if you are prepared to do so.
This is your public announcement to the guests as witnesses, of the
vows you are about to take. Exchange
of Vows - Must be said
by the couple being married (may be repeated after the celebrant).
These are your personal words to each other. Ring
Presentation/Exchange
- Usually accompanied by personal vows.
There may be only one ring, or you give each other wedding rings.
This can be added to by the celebrant about the meaning of the ring/s. Closing
Remarks
- From the celebrant Declaration
of Marriage
- You are pronounced husband and wife. Signing
of the Registers
– Takes a few minutes. Music
could be played at this time. Presentation
of Certificate
- By the celebrant to you. Recession
- The celebrant invites guests to welcome the newly married couple and music
begins as close of ceremony.
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