Each wedding ceremony is unique. You may be as involved as you want in the creation of your ceremony, or you may merely approve suggestions developed by me. There are four ceremony packages, beginning with the Essential and moving to the Premium ceremony package. Each package is larger than the previous. Also, these packages are based on the number of guests, the larger the wedding, generally, it is more formal and have larger wedding parties, thus more time and coordination is involved. The premium ceremony length is about 20 minutes, a ceremony longer than 20 minutes generally will lose the interest of your audience. I have officiated hundreds of wedding ceremonies and have tailored the ceremony packets over time to provide you with the memorable wedding ceremony you envisioned. Wedding ceremonies that last longer than 20 minutes are generally religious ceremonies.
Once you reserve my services, I begin by sending you a ceremony packet. The packet is emailed and arrives in a Microsoft Word document, or we can make other arrangements if this does not work for you. There are roughly 14 different sections in the Classic Ceremony packet. The Premium Ceremony packet is substantially larger. Couples choose which sections they want to include, and also choose from several suggested wordings in each section, or suggest new wordings or elements of their own. There are no limits to creating your ceremony. I also have additional materials, such as more suggestions for vows or readings, and, of course, I am available for any questions or concerns. Most couples like to look on the internet for additional readings. When we are done, your wedding ceremony will be a personal, joyful and memorable event.
The sample Essential ceremony below provides a glimpse of the types of ceremonies I generally officiate, they are described more as a romantic/contemporary ceremony, or civil/secular.
Welcome to SITE NAME. Today we are gathered here in the presence of friends and family to share in, and witness, the vows and the joy of BRIDE and GROOM as they commit their lives, hopes and futures to each other.
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Marriage is an honorable estate, not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly. BRIDE and GROOM, you have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry each other today. You are entering into a sacred covenant as life partners. As when tending flowers in a garden, the quality of your marriage will reflect the effort you put into nurturing this relationship. You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind and tender relationship. We wish for you the wisdom, compassion and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you both can grow in love. BRIDE and GROOM, do you understand and accept this responsibility and do you promise to do your very best each day to create a loving, healthy and happy marriage? (Responses: I do, from each)
As family and friends, you form the community of support that surrounds BRIDE and GROOM. Each of you, by your presence here today, is being called upon to uphold them in honoring and loving each other. Always stand beside them, never between them. Offer them your love and support, not your judgment. Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts, and honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today.
(Reading inserted here)
I, ____, take thee, ____, to be my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, so long as we both shall live.
Wedding rings are symbolic reminders of the unbroken circle of unending love. Within the safety and comfort of a true marriage, love given freely has no beginning and no end. Love freely given has no separate giver and receiver. Each of you gives your love to the other, and each of you receives love from the other. And the circle of love goes around and around. May these rings serve to remind you of the freedom and power of your love.
_______, with this ring, I thee wed.
BRIDE and GROOM, you have declared your intention and vows before this gathering of friends and family. May the grace of this day carry forward with you all the days of your lives. May you find delight in each other and may your love continue to grow and to nurture you throughout your lives. I wish you the strength to be true to the vows you have made here today. May you always have the wisdom to cherish the precious love you share, and nurture and respect yourselves and this marriage with acceptance, understanding, cooperation and love. May the life you share be peaceful, healthy and filled with joy.
And now, by the power vested in me by the State of Illinois, I witness and affirm your union of love and now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may now kiss the bride.
It is my pleasure to present to you Mr. and Mrs. ________
