Wedding Ceremony Ideas

Wedding ceremony ideas that are an expression of you and your partner

Wedding ceremony ideas are specifically about the wedding ceremony, and not the entire wedding event although there should be continuity between the two.

There is traditionally a great deal of personal involvement on the part of the engaged couple when it comes to planning so many aspects of the wedding. No one would leave it up to the florist to determine the types, colors, and arrangement of flowers for the wedding. Nor would any couple let a logistics coordinator pick the location, date, and venue of the wedding.

It seems strange that often the elements of the ceremony and the words that will mark the meaning of this most significant milestone in life are left completely up to someone else, who in some cases is a stranger to the couple.

For more focus on the wording of the actual ceremony, be sure to visit: Wedding Ceremony Script for dozens of options in creating your wedding ceremony.

Treasure chest

Relationships are personal treasures, and so is the story of the most significant relationship that we can enter into. That story should be told on the day that officially marks the beginning of married life. And, the marriage ceremony itself is the best place to express in specific terms the life to which each is committing.

The wedding is about you. Having said that, you will want to be sure to stay within a measure of the key aspects of your personality when considering wedding ceremony ideas.

For example, you may be a delightfully fun person, but you are also a wise and thoughtful individual. You will always want to stay within the spectrum of what is tasteful rather than fanciful, especially for the ceremony. The wedding reception is designed more for light hearted expressions of the day.


Wedding ceremony ideas

The following suggest a few wedding ceremony ideas, however, there are many more. Click on Wedding Ceremony Script  to see many more wedding ceremony ideas.


Include your family and guests

There are many ways to create a ritual, story or symbol as an inclusive expression of the sentiments of family and friends.  This section on wedding ceremony ideas will give you a few easy ways to add color, creativity, and the gift to family and friends of being an active participant in your special day.


Our hearts will be connected

A great way to include family and friends right at the beginning of your wedding ceremony is to have a collection of granite polished hearts or small river rock. These should be laid out attractively over a small table located at the entrance of the gathering space. Artistic creativity will set a great tone with the addition of a few flowers, pedestals of different heights, and candles. Electronic battery powered candles are easy to obtain and removes the risk of fire and someone getting hurt.

In the center, place a large clear acrylic vase with a very wide opening, or use a clear acrylic bowl. Use acrylic, NOT glass. No matter how sturdy you think the glass will be, it will break. You will want to choose something with an attractive design and shape. It should be clear and as close to mirroring crystal as you can find. Don't use something opaque or translucent. It will not be as dynamic and will not give you the effect that you are looking for. 
   
Invite family and friends to be included in your wedding ceremony by placing, in a suitable picture frame or acrylic stand, wording on parchment or linen stationary. I suggest the following:

Thank you for being part of our special day.

We invite each of you, our family and friends, to select two hearts that you are drawn to. Hold them both close to your heart, close your eyes, and offer a silent intention, prayer or sentiment.

Take one of the hearts and place it in the goblet. The other heart is yours to keep. Our hearts will be connected.

Sincerely,

Jordan and Chris

Granite Heart


Stepping stones

If you are using river rock the following wording would work well:

Thank you for being part of our special day.

We invite each of you, family and friends, to select two stones that you are drawn to. Hold them both close to your heart, close your eyes, and offer a silent intention, prayer or sentiment.

Take one of the stones and place it in the goblet. The other stone is yours to keep as a reminder that our bond is strong and sure, and that your are helping to create the stepping stones that will guide us into our future.

Sincerely,

Jordan and Chris

As guests arrive, make the entrance of family and friends special as well. Have a Fountain of Friendship near the entrance of the gathering space. Place two or three pitchers of water on a table near the fountain, accented by flowers. The sound of the flowing water is relaxing and romantic. 

Each arriving guest would be invited to pour a small portion of water into the fountain as a gesture of their love, support, and the contribution that they make in the lives of the couple.


A variation on this idea

Acrylic Gems

Use colored clear acrylic pebbles, acrylic ice, or engraved stones. If you are using clear acrylic imitation ice, fill the container or vessel with lightly colored water. It will add a new dimension to the display. The color of the water can match the wedding theme colors.

If the right container is selected, a small battery powered light can be placed at the bottom underneath the container to shine up into the water. Although it is a little more complicated to find just the right features that will work, lighting always adds special appeal and ambiance to the setting that can be striking if done well.

Soft music playing in the background adds a very warm touch and helps set the mood. There is a huge selection of love songs about hearts, love, life together, the support of family. Do a search on the internet, listen to online music love stations, or talk to friends for ideas. There are so many love songs from which to choose. 


Fountain of Friendship wedding ceremony ideas

Consider having a portable fountain with two or three pitchers of water on a table nearby, accented by flowers. This should be placed near the entrance where the wedding ceremony will take place. The sound of the flowing water is relaxing and romantic. 

Each arriving guest would be invited to pour a small portion of water into the fountain as a gesture of their love, support, and the contribution that they make in the lives of the couple.

Waterpot Fountain

Ensure that the fountain has the capacity to contain the added water. The wording on the invitation near the fountain could be something similar to the following:

Thank you for being part of our special day.

We invite each of you, family and friends, to pour a few drops of water into the fountain. This will be for us, an expression of your love and support, and a reminder of the contributions that you have made in our lives.

At the conclusion of this day we have asked that members of our wedding party place some of the water from the fountain in beautiful containers and deliver them to our new home.

Over the coming days and weeks, we will use the water to refresh the roses planted in our garden as a living reminder of you and our friendship.

Sincerely,

Jordan and Chris


A love letter just before the ceremony

One of the most romantic things that I have seen was when our son-in-law to be, just before the wedding ceremony was to take place, had the Best Man hand deliver a beautiful card to his fiancé.

I don't know what it said, and it really didn't matter. It was the fact that he pre-planned to communicate with his bride just before the ceremony letting her know one last time during single life that SHE was his greatest joy and deepest desire.


Here comes the bride, and the groom too

Consider how both the bride and groom will enter the gathering space at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. Tradition suggests that the groom, groomsmen, and officiant enter from the side and are positioned at the front of the sanctuary ready for the entrance of the bride who walks down the aisle, typically escorted by her father.

Options include having the entire wedding party enter down the main aisle except for the officiant who is stationed at the front. In this case the entrance can be as couples, or individually.

You may consider having the groom’s attendants walk down the aisle first, followed by the bride’s attendants, followed by the bride.


Positioning the wedding party

The wedding party traditionally faces the front of the gathering space with the officiant facing those gathered. The wedding party can also be off to each side on a sight angle facing the couple.

Another option is to have the wedding party face the congregation with the officiant facing the wedding party. This is my personal preference as the couple is then facing the congregation and does not have their back toward the invited guests. It is easy and simple for the officiant to reposition her/himself when speaking directly to the congregation or to the bride and groom.


Music sets the tone

The selection of music during the processional can be very personal ranging from traditional, classical, to modern day selections.

I suggest that the music selection marking the bride’s entrance should be different, and include a slight pause before her entrance.

Wandering string minstrels, a soloist, or even bagpipes can be very moving and are great options to consider.


5 Things when considering wedding ceremony ideas

  1. Interview potential officiants. Find an officiant with whom you can relate.
  2. Well in advance, review and discuss your wedding ceremony ideas. Be sure to discuss the content of what the officiant will say during the ceremony.
  3. Match participants to their skill set. In other words, don't ask someone who is extremely shy to speak publicly during the ceremony. 
  4. Consider rituals, music, soloists, and the involvement of guests.
  5. Develop a statement about marriage that reflects YOUR idea and concept of marriage. This can be presented on expandable signs that include a picture of you and your partner.


Think outside the box

Create Design

We invite you to consider how your commitment to each other might be expressed, and to explore many more wedding ceremony ideas than we have suggested.

See if there is something that fits, something that you can own, something that can be adapted, and above all, something that tells the story of your relationship.

There are many elements that come together to create the wedding ceremony. Think both inside and outside the box. Play with the these suggestions to come up with even more wedding ceremony ideas; ideas that reflect you and your partner's personality and character. 

Please click on this link Wedding Ceremony Script for many more creative wedding ceremony ideas.

Think outside the box