What Kind Of Wedding Ceremony Do You Want?
Congratulations, you're getting married! You're probably excited to start dress shopping and planning your reception. But before you begin anything else, you first need to answer a few questions about the ceremony.
What Type of Ceremony Do You Want?
Some brides know without a doubt they want to get married in a church or other house of worship, as outlined by their faith. These ceremonies tend to be easier to plan as they typically follow a set protocol.
For the bride who doesn't want to marry in a house of worship, she must decide if she wants a formal or casual wedding ceremony and choose an appropriate site. Options include:
- Wedding chapel, often a former church converted for secular ceremony use
- Government agencies, such as your local city hall, county courthouse, or mayor's office
- The home or grounds of yourself or a generous friend or family member
- The reception venue
Who Will Officiate the Wedding Ceremony?
With a religious wedding ceremony or marrying at a government agency, the officiant is an easy given, but for a secular ceremony, a bride must choose her own officiant. The officiant you choose can help set the tone for the rest of the wedding.
For example, you may want an officiant who is laidback, casual, and brings a touch of humor to the proceedings. Conversely, some brides may want a more formal officiant to underscore the seriousness of the commitment of marriage.
Another option is asking a close friend or family member to be the officiant. Many states have relaxed laws on who may be ordained to officiate over weddings, so if your nuptials are scheduled far in advance, this gives your favorite uncle time to be able to legally marry you.
Who Will Play a Role in Your Ceremony?
Will you need witnesses? Marriage witnesses attest to both parties being willing participants. Laws vary by state. Some require a couple to have one or two witnesses over the age of 18 who knows both parties while other states don't require anyone to oversee the ceremony. Who will your witnesses be?
Is someone going to walk the bride down the aisle? If not her father, which is traditional, will it be a brother, uncle, grandfather, or friend? Perhaps the bride wants to shine on her own and doesn't feel the need for an escort. Consider other participants' roles, such as bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearers, and flower girls.
For more information or to get some ideas, visit a local church like Pristine Chapel Lakeside.
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