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Be a bit different - add personal touches to your wedding ceremony

by Wendy Davidson on Dec 6th 2007 9:30AM

Filed under: Alternative Weddings, Wedding Lore/Traditions, Ceremonies

Your wedding really doesn't have to be a staid affair filled with dull hymns, sombre readings and yawning guests. I'm not suggesting you go bonkers and get married whilst parachuting out of a plane, or bungee-jumping, (unless adventure is your thing) but you could add a few little touches to a traditional ceremony that make it very personal and very much you.

None of these ideas cost a lot, but they do add something unique to a normal wedding service.

1. Personalise your ceremony program:

  • If the location where the wedding is taking place is significant, you could explain this, as well as any special personal aspect, such as vows you have specially written.
  • Put some pressed flower petals with the ceremony program.
  • If you know someone who can draw well, get them to illustrate highlights of your courtship and print them on the ceremony programs.
  • Include special photos of you both.
2. Wedding music
  • Swap the wedding march for a piece of music that is meaningful to you both.
  • Write a song and have it sung during the service. Or choose a song you both love and that has significance to you.
  • If you have a friend who can sing well, or who plays a musical instrument, ask them to sing it for you, or to play the music.

3. Use candles instead of flowers.

  • Candles are not only cheaper, but also create a beautiful romantic mood for your wedding. Use different types to create texture and structure to your decoration.
  • Give each guest a candle at the beginning of the ceremony. As you walk down the aisle, stop at each row to light the candle of the nearest person. That person lights the candle of the next person, until the entire congregation has a lighted candle. (Check to make sure that the church will allow you to do this.)

4. Use flowers in a unique way
  • Ask a few close friends and family members to hand you a flower of their choice as you walk down the aisle. Ask them to choose a flower that they think signifies something about you. At the end of the bridal march, ask your mother or father, or someone else who is special to you, to tie a ribbon around the bunch of flowers, as a symbol of their love for you.
  • During the processional, give your mother a flower from your bouquet and do the same for your new mother-in-law during the recessional.

5. Face your guests during the ceremony.

6. Remember deceased relatives and friends
  • Say a prayer
  • Light a candle
  • Place a special bouquet of flowers at the altar
  • Choose a reading