Your Ceremony

Breaths are held, eyes brim, hankies are at the ready … it’s the moment they’ve been waiting for. And if it makes your guests’ hearts beat a little faster, just wait till you feel what “I do” does to your own.

This is what gives the rest of your celebrations meaning and the strength of your emotions may take you completely by surprise. You are saying “I love you” in the most profound way possible – and it’s a moment that is both sacred and utterly moving.

You may like the sound of traditional vows, or prefer to set free the poet within and pen your own. Whichever option you choose, the vow factor is part of proceedings whether you are being married in a religious or in a civil ceremony.

Your wedding should reflect your personal values, and whether you get married in a place of worship, on a riverbank, a beach, or in a registry office is entirely up to you and your partner.

A religious ceremony generally follows a particular structure, and if you wish to stay true to the traditions of the faith to which you belong, it’s important that you meet with your priest/minister well before the wedding to discuss what protocols need to be observed.

It will add greatly to the spiritual depth and meaning of your wedding if you understand the beliefs and practices that underpin the ceremony. Your minister will no doubt be happy to discuss these with you.

A civil ceremony can be as imaginative and as personal as you choose. The only real requirement (a legal one) is that your vows are publicly exchanged.

You will need to engage a celebrant and you should spend some time finding one with whom you feel comfortable, and who understands your vision for your ceremony.

Registry offices are becoming an increasingly popular option. Your ceremony can be either formal or informal, and you can wear a traditional gown if you’d like and have bridesmaids. Your guest numbers will be limited by the size of the office, and this is a detail you should check with the registrar before sending out invitations.

Whether you have opted for a civil or religious ceremony, a rehearsal is always a great idea. It is preferable to hold your rehearsal a week or two before the wedding to allow for fine-tuning. However, this may not be possible if some members of the wedding party are from out of town. In this case, try to schedule the rehearsal two nights before the big day, so that you have the chance to rest on the eve of your wedding.

During the rehearsal, take the opportunity to brief your ushers and to check with your celebrant or minister that all the necessary paperwork is in order. At the end of the rehearsal, check that all the participants know exactly what to do and when. Then it’s time to go and enjoy a traditional wedding rehearsal dinner.

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