Wedding ceremony is the ultimate celebration of the union of a couple. This ceremony seals the loving relationship of a couple with sacred marital vows. Unfortunately, the importance and sanctity of wedding ceremonies nowadays, is shadowed by material things like venue, menu, wedding dresses, wedding photography, wedding decorations etc. No matter if you are going for a civil wedding or a religious one, you sure ought to give your wedding ceremony a serious thought. There is religious importance attached to every act in a wedding ceremony.
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Outline
Processional
Every wedding ceremony begins by presenting the bridal party and bride. The guests usually take their seats before the arrival of the bridal party. There is a definite sequence in which the processional takes place. Parents are to be seated as soon as the processional is set to music. Later, the bridesmaids walk the aisle, escorted by the groomsmen. This group is then followed by the maid of honor, escorted by the best man. The ring bearer and the flower girl come next, followed by the bride. The bride may or may not come with an escort. If she does, it is customary for the officiant or the minister to ask 'Who presents ______ to be married to _____ ?', to the escort of the bride.
Greeting
The minister or the officiant who observes the ceremony welcomes the guests and thanks them for attending the ceremony. The length of the greeting may vary depending upon the nature of the wedding. The officiant may simply spare a few words to welcome the guests and then proceed to the actual ceremony or he may go on elaborating the timeline of the couple's relationship.
Statement of Intent
The officiant explains the purpose and intention of the couple to marry each other. He also declares that the couple is marrying out of their free wills. He may also explain the significance of the marriage institution and the myriad qualities required to make a successful marriage.
Question of Intent
The officiant then affirms the intention of marriage by asking the question of intent to the bride and the groom. The officiant can phrase the question of intent in this way, "_____ do you choose _____ to be your wife (husband), companion and friend, and do you promise to love her (him), respect her (him) and accept her (him) as your equal through all the changing circumstances of your life together? If so, say, 'I do'."
Blessings of the Gathering
The officiant urges the guests to shower the couple with their blessings. Do all of you give your blessing to this marriage? If so, say, 'We do'" are the precise words uttered by the officiant.
Vows Exchange
This is the most important part of the wedding ceremony and the most emotional one as well. The whole wedding revolves around wedding vows, hence some couples make this act extra special by writing their own wedding vows. The officiant again questions the couple if they really want to be with each other, to which they respond, "I _____ take you _____ 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; in joy and in sorrow; to love and to cherish, as long as we both shall live. I give you this ring as a sign of my promise."
Rings Exchange
Rings exchange commences immediately after the exchange of vows. The ring bearer or the best man holds the wedding rings for the bride and the groom. The couple slips the rings into each others fingers to solidify their wedding vows. The rings symbolize undying love, passion and commitment towards each other.
Marriage Pronouncement
The officiant declares the couple as officially wedded. He may say a thing or two about the importance of marriage and then says the most important sentence in the whole wedding ceremony, that is "You may now kiss the bride!" The groom then kisses the bride to demonstrate a new beginning.
Presentation
The couple is then presented as officially wedded by the officiant, for the first time before the guests.
Recessional
The bride and groom then walk down the aisle together for the wedding reception, followed by their parents and the wedding party. This is pretty much the processional in reverse, only it is much less formal. A noisy celebration then follows, comprising cake cutting and a dance!
The above outline is only provided for reference. You can alter the acts as per your convenience or you may add your personal touches to every act. After all, it's your wedding and you have every right to make it memorable.
