Like many couples, whether you’re planning a traditional or more contemporary wedding, you are looking for ways to customize and personalize your ceremony. Although relatively short in comparison to the rest of the wedding day, your ceremonies deserve some thought. After all, it is the point of the day. So what are some ways you can personalize your ceremony?
Many couples choose to compose part or all of their wedding vows. However, even if you aren’t allowed to alter your vows, or really don’t want to, there are other ceremony elements that you can adjust to make it more personal and unique to you and your groom. Some easy and low cost (or no cost) ways are:
- A special reading or prayer
- A special hymn or song (how about a children’s choir or a hand bell choir?)
- Observance of ethnic or family customs
- Carry your grandmother’s handkerchief or wear your mother’s pin
- Use a type of flower that was in your sister’s bouquet
One bride who wanted to wear her mother’s wedding gown, was disappointed to find out that it had deteriorated to a point where it couldn’t be worn. She chose to use fabric from mom’s gown to make her ring bearer pillow and garter. This idea also works well for brides who are having their gowns custom made. Use leftover fabric for the ring pillow, or to make special handkerchiefs for your mom and future mother-in-law.
For another wedding, the couple was under the impression that since they decided not to have scripture readings, they couldn’t have any type of reading at all. The bride was very excited when I suggested poetry – she wrote poetry as a hobby, and one of her poems was absolutely perfect for their ceremony reading.
Let your imagination be your guide when coming up with ways to personalize your ceremony. But before making any specific changes, as always, check with your officiant. He/she may have specific ideas on what can or cannot be included in the ceremony, and you don’t want to get your heart set of something, only to be told on your wedding day, “No, you can’t do that!”
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
For planning help and unique ideas for your wedding contact me at jean@weddingsfromtheheart.net or at 937-581-3647!
Photo credit: Monique Studios