Are you neck-deep in Pinterest boards, wedding magazines, and a flood of advice on how to make your wedding day unforgettable? It’s such an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) time, right? But before you drown in a sea of options, let me sprinkle some magic dust over your planning. Here are six simple yet enchanting ways to ensure your wedding ceremony becomes the stuff of legends (and terrific Instagram posts!).
-
Speak from the Heart: Personalised Vows for a Unique Wedding Ceremony
There’s nothing more personal, original, beautiful, and memorable than writing and speaking your own vows. Your journey, your love story, your promises – they’re all unique. Why shouldn’t your vows be? Whether it’s a shared joke, or a touching promise, a powerful declaration of love, speaking from the heart ensures there won’t be a dry eye in the house. And it gives you the wonderful opportunity to remember and declare why you love this person so much that you want to spend the rest of your life together.
-
Rituals with a Twist: Creating Unique Moments in Your Wedding Ceremony
Candle and sand ceremonies are fun, but why not get creative and come up with a unique ritual of your own? How about planting a sapling to symbolise the growth of your love? Or creating a custom cocktail together to show the blending of two lives? Or exchanging items that have special meaning to the two of you, such as a map if you love travelling, or egg timers if cooking is your thing? The sky’s the limit! Let your imagination carry you away. The aim is to find something that resonates with your unique love story.
-
A Showstopping Entrance (or Exit!) to Kickstart Your Wedding Ceremony
Who says you need to just walk down the aisle with Pachelbel’s Canon playing in the background? You could dance your way in, have a flash mob, arrive on a horse, or even paddle in on a canoe if you’re having a lakeside wedding! As for your exit, think about biodegradable confetti, lanterns, or a vintage car decked out with flowers. And I’ve even seen the bride being carried piggyback on her new husband’s shoulders, and the groomsmen doing the same for the bridesmaids for their exit! Make an entrance (or exit) that people will chat about for ages!
-
Engage Your Guests – Interactive Elements for a Memorable Wedding Ceremony
You’ve got all your favourite people in one place, so why not make the most of it? Create a space where guests can pin up their advice, blessings, or even doodles. Or how about having a “wishing stone” ceremony, where each guest makes a wish for you on a stone? Over the years, you’ll have these tangible memories to look back on.
-
Share the Love (Story) – Personal Touches in Your Wedding Ceremony
Everyone loves a good love story, so why not have the celebrant tell yours – the authorized version of course! And there’s bound to be elements of fun, surprise, delight, strange mishaps, laughter and tears, and then the proposal that leads to today. Your story is different from any other one that’s ever been, so share the specialness of it with your guests – even though they may have heard some or all of it before. You can tell it just with the words, or you can go all out with songs, and slideshow. Your guests will find the story unforgettable.
-
Groove to Your Tune – Handpicked Music for Your Wedding Ceremony
While there are classic tunes associated with weddings, it’s totally okay to ditch them! Think of music that has significance to your relationship. Did you both belt out to “Bohemian Rhapsody” on your first road trip? Is there a song that sums up your relationship or an instrumental that brings back memories? These melodies, when played at the right moment, can elevate your ceremony to celestial levels! Hey, you might even be moved to sing to each other or with each other. But have the handkerchiefs ready as well, for music can bring out overpowering feelings.
So there you have it… Let your imagination and creativity run wild and enjoy dreaming up and including all or any of these six magical ways to make your wedding ceremony special, unique, memorable, and fun for you and your guests.
Catherine Sophia Kentridge – Interfaith Minister
