Uniquely You
The traditional wedding ceremony includes six key elements; Processional, Invocation, Declaration of Intent, Vows and Ring Exchange, Pronouncement, and Recessional. A streamlined version of these basic elements can be completed in as little as fifteen minutes and can be just as meaningful as a more lengthy and extensive customized ceremony. I invite you to review the element descriptions below to determine what's most appealing for you.
Processional
Typically the start of the ceremony, the Processional traditionally involves the following components:
Invocation
The Invocation marks the beginning to the ceremony. Here, the Officiant typically welcomes guests and acknowledges the reason for the gathering. In its most simple form, an Invocation might be quite brief:
"Good afternoon and welcome. We gather today to celebrate the love of _______ and _______ as they are joined in marriage.”
Often, a couple desires an Invocation that’s more elaborate &/or personalized. A more extensive Invocation might include reference to honored guests, acknowledge the presence of friends or family who are present, or may speak to the memory of loved ones unable to attend or deceased. Additionally, an Invocation may be customized to share some background about the couple (e.g. how they met, some stories from their relationship, reference to special experiences, etc.). Many couples choose to incorporate some form of music &/or readings into this portion of their ceremony to complement the more basic elements with content that reflects their style, values, and personality. This might include religious readings, poetry, literary excerpts, or song lyrics.
Declaration of Intent
The Declaration of Intent is the publicly stated intention of the couple to be wed. It may consist of the Officiant simply asking each a question of intent, to which s/he replies, “I do.” For example:
Groom/Bride: “Do you, _______ come here freely, with the intent to give your heart fully to _______ in the commitment of marriage?”
Groom/Bride: “I do.”
Some couples desire a more detailed or extensive Declaration of Intent, with multiple questions, customized to reflect the important elements of their personal commitment.
Vow & Ring Exchange
The Vow & Ring Exchange, often experienced as the most exciting and emotional part of the ceremony, can vary significantly. A couple may decide that very traditional vows repeated after an Officiant may feel like the right approach, while others may prefer to write their own vows to express their unique feelings, humor, or tradition/culture. Like every element of the ceremony, there’s no “right way;” What’s most important is making and expressing the commitment in a manner that is meaningful to those involved.
Should a couple wish to incorporate an additional tradition, cultural practice, or other symbolic ritual, these would typically occur just before or after the Vow & Ring Exchange. Examples of such practices include the Unity Candle, Unity Sand, or Hand-Fasting.
Pronouncement
Following the Vow & Ring Exchange, and any other ceremonial rites of commitment, the Officiant will pronounce the couple “married."
Recessional
The newlyweds are typically the first to exit the ceremony, in most cases followed by the rest of the the wedding party. This can occur in whatever order and in whatever fashion seems appropriate to the couple’s preference. The location, timing, and “feel” of the wedding may influence decisions around music, applause, throwing rice/confetti, or any other celebratory element to conclude the ceremony.
Typically the start of the ceremony, the Processional traditionally involves the following components:
- Guests are seated
- Minister and wedding party enter and take their places
- Concludes with couple standing on either side of minister
Invocation
The Invocation marks the beginning to the ceremony. Here, the Officiant typically welcomes guests and acknowledges the reason for the gathering. In its most simple form, an Invocation might be quite brief:
"Good afternoon and welcome. We gather today to celebrate the love of _______ and _______ as they are joined in marriage.”
Often, a couple desires an Invocation that’s more elaborate &/or personalized. A more extensive Invocation might include reference to honored guests, acknowledge the presence of friends or family who are present, or may speak to the memory of loved ones unable to attend or deceased. Additionally, an Invocation may be customized to share some background about the couple (e.g. how they met, some stories from their relationship, reference to special experiences, etc.). Many couples choose to incorporate some form of music &/or readings into this portion of their ceremony to complement the more basic elements with content that reflects their style, values, and personality. This might include religious readings, poetry, literary excerpts, or song lyrics.
Declaration of Intent
The Declaration of Intent is the publicly stated intention of the couple to be wed. It may consist of the Officiant simply asking each a question of intent, to which s/he replies, “I do.” For example:
Groom/Bride: “Do you, _______ come here freely, with the intent to give your heart fully to _______ in the commitment of marriage?”
Groom/Bride: “I do.”
Some couples desire a more detailed or extensive Declaration of Intent, with multiple questions, customized to reflect the important elements of their personal commitment.
Vow & Ring Exchange
The Vow & Ring Exchange, often experienced as the most exciting and emotional part of the ceremony, can vary significantly. A couple may decide that very traditional vows repeated after an Officiant may feel like the right approach, while others may prefer to write their own vows to express their unique feelings, humor, or tradition/culture. Like every element of the ceremony, there’s no “right way;” What’s most important is making and expressing the commitment in a manner that is meaningful to those involved.
Should a couple wish to incorporate an additional tradition, cultural practice, or other symbolic ritual, these would typically occur just before or after the Vow & Ring Exchange. Examples of such practices include the Unity Candle, Unity Sand, or Hand-Fasting.
Pronouncement
Following the Vow & Ring Exchange, and any other ceremonial rites of commitment, the Officiant will pronounce the couple “married."
Recessional
The newlyweds are typically the first to exit the ceremony, in most cases followed by the rest of the the wedding party. This can occur in whatever order and in whatever fashion seems appropriate to the couple’s preference. The location, timing, and “feel” of the wedding may influence decisions around music, applause, throwing rice/confetti, or any other celebratory element to conclude the ceremony.