Posts Tagged ‘ceremony’

• Doesn’t read the entire ceremony at rehearsal; but focuses on the elements that involve movement, actions and people
• Makes sure the ceremony site is ready for your wedding (sand, candles or ritual ready to go)
• Can be heard by your guests and knows how to use a microphone and what to do if it doesn’t
• Dresses appropriately
• Arrives early to ensure everything is ready to go and works with your other vendors to create your vision
• Is flexible and personable
• Has fun!
• Helps you to de-stress and relax
• Has a great speaking voice
• Enjoys working with others
• Can provide you with lots and lots of options
• Takes control of the rehearsal and ceremony so you don’t have to

Weddings by Sandy will be at this event to help you understand what an officiant does and how we can help you create the wedding ceremony of your dreams!

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Bridal Show at Smyth Jewelers

Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 • 6pm-9pm

Smyth Jewelers

▪ Timonium

One lucky bride will win a  Dream Cruise Giveaway!

One lucky bride will win a  $1,000.00 vendor shopping spree for her dream wedding

Delicious Food • Beautiful Gowns

Photographers • Fresh Flowers

Cake Tasting • Meet DJs

Meet Top Wedding Planners Char Libertini and Kay Frasier as they share their professional

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Register on line $7.00 at the Door $12.00

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Here is a short list of questions I typically ask during a meeting with a couple. I think these are just some of the things your officiant might need to know to understand what you are looking for so they can create a meaningful, personalized and special wedding ceremony. It is best to be open, honest and allow your officiant to get to know you so that the process will be easier. 

1.   Tell me how you met.

2.  Are you Religious, Spiritual or non-religious?   What is your religious background?   Is religion important to you? 

3.  Regarding religion; Is there anything you defiantly do or don’t want to include in the ceremony?

4.  Describe your perfect officiant.

5.  Speaking; are you comfortable speaking in public or do you want to keep it to a minimum?

6.  Writing; do you want to write vows to one another?  If you wish to write your vows but not read them to each other, you can repeat after the officiant.

7.  Are you interested in any of the rituals that can go on during a wedding such as sand, rose’s exchange, wine sharing, candle lighting?

8.  Are you planning to use a runner?  Please note:  these don’t work well on uneven surfaces such as grass or outside.  Save your money and use rose petals instead…besides rose petals are prettier.

9.  Are you including music?  Such as a vocalist or music that will play while I am speaking.  Please note: music and speaking don’t go well together, unless I use a microphone.

10.  Is anyone doing a reading?

11.  Describe your guests and your family.  How many are planning to attend?

12.  Have you worked out the processional? Will it include formal seating of parents and/or grandparents?

13.  Describe your relationship – What do you think the key for you to live a long and happy life together will be?

As a wedding officiant, I carry a basic wedding day emergency kit with me to each wedding.  My kit carries most of the items I have listed below.  But as a bride you can make your own emergency day kit that has your own stuff in it.  Being prepared can really help make your day less stressful and much more enjoyable.  Below is a list of things you might consider:   

For the Bride:
Brush or comb
Hair spray or extra hair product, pins, etc.
Dental floss
Extra panty hose (if you wear them)
Tissues
Mints
Compact mirror
Makeup essentials, such as blemish concealer, lip color, mascara, and foundation
Perfume or scented spray
Antacid and pain reliever
Hand lotion
A small sewing kit, which includes needles, thread, and safety pins.

A lint brush or you can add a roll of double sided tape, which can come in handy for quick hem fixes and other potential emergencies.
Stain remover
White chalk. If you get a spot or stain on your wedding dress, don’t panic. Dab it over with chalk to mask it. Also make sure to ask at the dress boutique or your seamstress what to do if you spill something on your dress. Should you get out the club soda or baby powder?
Deodorant. It’s a stressful day; smell your best.
Tampons or pads.
Wet wipes and/or stain removing wipes.
Cell phones and important phone numbers.
Healthy, energy-boosting snacks, such as fruit and granola bars.
Chocolate. Brides tend to get frazzled and stressed out on their wedding day.

For the groom stock:
Extra black socks
Brush or comb
Cologne
Corsage pins
Shirt buttons
Lint brush
Quick sewing kit with buttons, needles, safety pins, thread, and small scissors
Shoe polish
Breath mints
Deodorant

You can purchase pre-made wedding emergency kits, but it is just as easy, and much less expensive, to assemble your own.

What is the best ritual to include in your ceremony? Well, a lot depends on your personality as a couple.
Do you enjoy a lot of sentiment or are you more fun? Is your ceremony humorous or religious? Do you have children you would like to include? Maybe you’d like to include family members in your ceremony? There are a lot of factors to consider.
Choosing a ritual is as varied as the stars; you can choose whatever makes sense to your personality, theme, and situation.

Couples with children might choose a sand ceremony, as this is a wonderful way to include them in the ceremony and to represent the blending of the two families. One of the couples I worked with had eight children of various sizes and ages. During the ritual each child poured a bit of colored sand – prepared for them in small cups prior to the ceremony – into a large container; then the bride and groom followed up with their sand. When the pouring was completed, the glass container of sand created a beautiful bit of sand art. This wonderful piece of art is something the family can proudly display each day on their family mantel.
A more traditional couple may choose a candle lighting ceremony. This ritual, which typically involves the mothers of the bride and groom, is best completed indoors. It is always sad when the wind blows out the candle. Even if you cover the candles with a hurricane lantern, you can’t be sure they will stay lit. A candle lighting ceremony involves the use of 3 candles placed on a small table; sometimes a tea light is placed on the table to assist with the taper lighting. This tea light is lit prior to the start of the ceremony so that the moms don’t have to try to light the candle with a cigarette lighter or a match (much more elegant too!). As the moms walk in, before they take their seat, each lights a taper from the tea light, then places the taper into a candle holder. At an appropriate moment in the ceremony (usually after the vows and rings), the couple each takes a taper and lights a large pillar candle especially designed for this purpose. Usually this ritual is part of a Christian wedding where it represents the sealing of their vows and being united by God, or their marriage being blessed by God. In a non-Christian wedding it may represent the blending of two families or the sealing of their vows.

A non-traditional couple is all about trying something new and different. There are many rituals to choose from for the non-traditional couple; the hand fasting ritual is growing in popularity. This wonderful ritual is where the term “tying the knot” comes from. If you want to celebrate the sweetness of life, you can give each other chocolate kisses. You can give each other the first gift of marriage with a rose exchange.

If you are renewing your vows, maybe you can wash away the past and step forth into the future with a clean slate using a water ceremony.

Whatever ritual you choose, make it meaningful to you and your intended. Your wedding ceremony is something to be cherished and remembered. Adding something different or unique will make it memorable for you and will be something enjoyed by your guests too!