Your wedding ceremony is the start of your celebrations, so here are a few tips on how to personalise your wedding ceremony so that you are aligned to your personal styles, keeping it uniquely you and reflect your love story.
Before you meet with your Celebrant to discuss all of your ideas, let’s look at the following information that will help you to create an enchanting, memorable ceremony:
Reflect on Your Love Story:
Take a moment to reminisce about your journey as a couple. What are the defining moments, shared experiences, and those moments and memories that have shaped your relationship? And yes, you can include that time when you fell off the bar after too many shots of tequila, or when you climbed the Eiffel Tower instead of taking the lift. Including a few of these in the ceremony help to personalise your wedding ceremony and really get to the heart of who you are as a couple.
Wee note: if I’m your Celebrant I’ll send you a list of questions that will help you to unlock your memories and moments, and will also help to vet what gets included and what doesn’t get said in the ceremony!
Write Your Vows:
Your vows are an opportunity to express your deepest feelings and promise to one another. Taking the time to write heartfelt vows that really capture the love, commitment, and dreams you share will help to personalise your wedding ceremony. Feel free to use anecdotes, poetry, or any other creative expressions that resonate with your unique bond.
Wee note: if I’m your Celebrant I’ll give you lots of hints and tips on how to write your vows and can even help you to practice saying them, or, if you’re too shy I can say them for you on the day, but bear in mind you still have to say your declarations!
Select Readings and Quotes:
Incorporate readings or quotes that hold special meaning for both of you. Whether it’s a passage from your favorite book, a meaningful song lyric, or a poem that captures your emotions, these readings can add depth and beauty to your ceremony. And yes, they can be humorous – don’t be afraid to go all in with what you love, research what you want to include, and remember that you are you and in a Humanist wedding you get to personalise your ceremony your way.
Wee note: this is a great way to include family and friends. You can ask who you love to write and read something on your day (vetted by your Celebrant, of course) to make the day even more special. Including loved ones really add extra heartfelt moments that become memories to treasure.
Honor Loved Ones:
Consider including a special moment to honour loved ones who have played significant roles in your lives. Whether they are present or watching over you from above, finding a way to acknowledge their impact can make your ceremony even more meaningful. Often this is done by lighting a candle or by mentioning their names in the ceremony. However you do it, remember that you may be very emotional on the day, so you want to ensure that you include and honour your loved ones in a way that doesn’t detract from you, or causes upset for the guests.
Wee note: your Celebrant will work with you to make sure loved ones are honoured in a way that will work with the tone, vibe, and style of the ceremony, making sure they are remembered, but you both, as a couple remain the centre of focus and attention.
Symbolic Rituals:
Infuse your ceremony with symbolic rituals that symbolise your union and shared values. Whether it’s a unity candle, a sand ceremony, handfasting, drinking from the quaich, or any other ritual that resonates with you, these gestures can beautifully embody the joining of your lives.
Wee note: if I’m your Celebrant I LOVE creating rituals that embody who you are – ask me how we can create something completely unique to you as a couple to truly personalise your wedding ceremony.
Personalise Music Selection:
Choose music that reflects your personalities and resonates with your love story. From the processional to the recessional, each song can create a captivating atmosphere, leaving a lasting impression on you and your guests. Music can truly tell a story and carefully chosen, can help to personalise your wedding ceremony, taking your guests on an engaging journey throughout the whole ceremony.
Wee note: I’m often asked if certain songs can be included because they contain religious connotations, my advice is to choose music that reflects your values and beliefs, not songs that are necessarily what you’d expect to hear at a wedding.
Involve Your Guests:
Make your loved ones feel connected and involved by incorporating interactive elements into your ceremony. This could be as simple as inviting them to share their well-wishes or participate in a group vow of support, you could include a warming of the rings as a lovely way to include everyone.
Wee note: folk love to get involved and feel like they are a part of something really special, although it’s not necessary to involve your guests, by doing so you’ll add an extra element to personalise your wedding ceremony in a way that is remembered for years to come.
Remember, this is your wedding, and the possibilities are as limitless as your love. Feel free to mix and match these suggestions, or let them inspire you to create something entirely unique. The most important thing is that your ceremony authentically reflects your love and celebrates the beautiful bond you share.
Should you have any questions or need further guidance during the planning process, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I am here to assist you every step of the way, ensuring your wedding day is nothing short of magical.
Wishing you both an incredible journey as you prepare for your wedding. May your love keep on shining brighter with each passing day!
Love Susan x
