Feel free to pick and choose what elements of the service you wish to include as well as the order that is meaningful to the both of you.
Prelude
The Prelude is background music played as guests are coming in. It will get louder when the time comes to actually begin the ceremony. The beginning of the ceremony is signaled by the seating of the bride and the grooms parents and or grandparents. Once they are seated the music for the Processional begins.
Professional
This is the part when your bridal party begins to make it's way down the aisle to the place where the Minister, Groom and Best Man will be waiting. Once the bridesmaids and groomsmen have marched down, there is a short pause as the bride makes her entry accompanied by her chosen escort. Usually a different musical selection is chosen for her entry and march. The traditional.."Here Comes The Bride..."
Greeting and Words of Welcome
Simple remarks done by the minister, to express appreciation to those present and make them feel welcome.
Opening Prayer
A moment in the ceremony where God is acknowledged and invoked to bless the union of the couple about to make their vows and to bless their families which are being united. (Click on the button called "Prayers" for some examples)
Scripture Readings
Here you can have one or two readings. Traditionally one reading comes from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. (Click on the button called "Scriptures" to see examples)
To encourage family involvement in your ceremony you can have someone from each side of the family or friends do a reading. Or you can have 2 people you select from the bridal party do the readings, like the best man and maid of honor.
A third option is to just have the minister do the readings.
Special Music
Special music could be an instrumental solo or a meaningful sacred song that can be sung. Also, people can have someone recite a poem. Whatever you choose be sure to coordinate it with either the DJ or musicians.
Sermonette or Homily
Here the minister takes about 5 to 10 minutes to speak about the importance and the sanctity of the commitment that is being made. Here there is room to either personalize it for each couple or just make it a general statement of what the marriage covenant entails.
Exchange of Vows
Your vows need to be promises that use words that are meaningful to you and your spouse. Vows are public statements of love, commitment and permanence. It is the most serious and sacred part of the ceremony. (Click on the button "Vows" to see examples)
You can have the minister speak them for you, your only response is "I DO."
Or you can hold an index card and speak them yourselves to each other.
Exchange of Rings
Rings are exchanged after the vows and are visible tokens of belonging. Couples can simply exchange them in a personal moment without any comment, or the minister can verbally facilitate the placing of the ring on each finger with special words that can be selected.
Unity Candle
This like other features of a ceremony is optional. The bride and groom after taking the vows and exchanging the rings walk forward to a table where 3 candles are placed. The two end candles can be lit by the parents or grandparents before the ceremony begins. The two end candles represent the families of origin from which each spouse comes. More specifically, they represent the separate lives of each spouse. The bride and groom take the end candles and together they light the middle one which now represents their newly united lives burning with the warmth of God's love.
Closing Prayer
A moment to ask God to bless the lives of the newly united couple as they prepare to turn around and face the world and walk the first steps of their new standing and journey of life together.
Kiss and Embrace
After the prayer, the minister will invite the groom to kiss his bride. Forget who's watching, make it a wet one!!! Some people watching can use some instruction.
Introduction of Couple
As the couple turns around and pauses, the minister introduces them as Mr. & Mrs. for the very first time. After the introduction, the music for the recessional begins.
Recessional
The bride and groom make their way out first, then the entire bridal party follows in the reverse order they came in for the processional.