Post # 1

Member
33 posts
Newbee
Hi Bees!!!
I am trying to write up my program but I have no idea how the ceremony is supposed to run… (meaning I don’t know when certain parts need to be done like readings, lighting unity candle, vows, etc).
Every website I go to gives me different options, but there has to be one “popular” way…. what is common practice for this???
Thanks!
Post # 3

Member
1026 posts
Bumble bee
It depends. Are you having a religious ceremony? If so what religion? Religious services have definite orders for things to happen, and depending on the religion you may not be able to pick the order of the ceremony. If not what elements are you wanting to incorporate? In general weddings go something like this
Seating of parents
Groom enters
Wedding party enters
Bride enters
Officiant welcomes guests to the wedding of…..
Statement of intent by bride and groom( if it’s part of your ceremony)
Any readings or special prayers
Exchange of vows and rings
Unity candle, sand ceremony etc
Officiant introduces bride and groom as mr and mrs and say you may kiss the bride
Wedding party bride and groom exit.
But it really depends on you and your officiant. I would start by talking to them to see if they have a standard program, and then adjust things from there. It would suck tofigure out just how you want things and find out your officiant won’t do them in that order. Hope that helps a little!
Post # 4

Member
33 posts
Newbee
@nikkialys: Thanks. That helps a lot! I’m hoping I can talk to my officiant in the next week or so to discuss the program. We want it to be fairly denominational, but there are going to be definite parts of it that follow a (baptist?) religion… (ie blessing the rings). I didn’t even think about a unity candle – I had seen it done, but never really needed it in my ceremony; my officiant told me that he would get the candles for us… (Btw we are using a military padre because they are of “all religions” lol) It sounds almost like he plans it to be of a religious nature…
Post # 5

Member
786 posts
Busy bee
Since it sounds like you’re having a religious ceremony, definitely just ask your officiant. He or she will be able to give you the order of things.