Weddingbee Boards

A wedding ceremony is held to officially mark the beginning of a marriage between two people. The ceremony itself may be legal in nature (getting a marriage license at City Hall), for religious purposes (held in a church), or to allow the two individuals to publicly vow their commitment to each other (with their friends and family as witnesses of those vows).

Typical Timeline

The ceremony may proceed in a number of ways. The addition and of readings and special music in the ceremony will depend on the couple's preferences. This is just one possible timeline:

A. Prelude

B. Seating of the families

C. Processional

D. Opening Words & Welcome

E. Presentation of the Bride (& Groom)

F. Blessing/Prayer

G. Statement of Intent

H. Special Music - optional [Instrumental or vocal]

I. Readings - optional [Religious or literary]

J. Message/Homily

K. Exchange of Vows

L. Exchange of Rings

M. [Special Ceremony Elements] - see below

N. Declaration of Marriage/Presentation of the Couple/The Kiss

O. Closing Prayer/Benediction/Blessing

P. Recessional

Personalization

The options to personalizing a wedding ceremony are numerous. The following are ways to represent the union in a marriage. Some are just symbolic; others are rooted in rich tradition and culture.

• Unity Candle
• Sand ceremony
• Handfasting Ceremony
• Wine Ceremony
• Lasso Ceremony
• Jumping the Broom
• Breaking of the Glass
• Rose Ceremony
• Loving Cup/Celtic Quaich Ceremony
• Readings

Popular locations

• Beach
• House of worship
• Inside the home
• Outside in the backyard
• At a park

Weddingbee Posts

• Hand-Writing Our Wedding Ceremony by Mrs. Cherry Pie
• Ceremony Bookmarks by Miss Cheese
• Lasso Ceremony & other Hispanic traditions by Mrs. Hydrangea
• Sand Ceremony by Mrs. Sundae
• Was It Legal by Mrs. Penguin
• The Ceremony by Mrs. Cream Puff
• The Ceremony Continued by Mrs. Cream Puff
• Vow-Writing by Mrs. Cheese
• The Easiest Part Of Wedding Planning Is... by Mrs. Toucan
• Planning The Ceremony by Mrs. Petunia