When you aren't getting married in a church and your uncle who gets ordained is the person marrying you, you pretty much have to plan the ceremony by the minute. If it were not for google and the many random Internet sources, I'm sure I would have gone crazy. I also had collected a bunch of programs from other weddings, and used them to follow the order around and what not. I would say it took me a couple hours total planning everything. This is how our ceremony went down.
Prelude (Bach)
Seating of the Grandparents
Order: Grandma D (Seated by Groom)
Grandma V (Seated by Best Man)
Grandma G (Seated by Groom)
Grandma N (Seated by Bride's Brother)
Seating of the Parents
Order: MIL (Seated by GROOM) he then goes to front
Bride's Mom (Seated by Bride's Brother) he walks back out (after everyone is seated mom and MIL will go and light the unity candle) - Except we didn't end up lighting it because it was slightly windy. I think we ended up having it at our head table.
Bridal Party Processional –Jesu of Man’s Desiring
Order: yada yada yada
Bride – Uncle Jeff sings “She” by Elvis Costello (dad walks me down and then sits down next to mom then we do the welcoming)
Welcoming - Friends, we have been invited here today to share with Emily and Anthony, a very important moment in their lives. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife. At this time they would like their friend Jenny to read a special poem. ( I found this online and probably copied it word for word with a few changes.)
Reading (By Jen)
MY LOVE~ Linda Lee Elrod ~
When I met you, I had no idea
how much my life
was about to be changed...
but then, how could I have known?
A love like ours happens
once in a lifetime.
You were a miracle to me,
the one who was everything
I had ever dreamed of,
the one I thought existed
only in my imagination.
And when you came into my life,
I realized that what I
had always thought
was happiness
couldn't compare to the joy
loving you brought me.
You are a part of everything
I think and do and feel,
and with you by my side,
I believe that anything is possible.
(this day) gives me a chance
to thank you for the miracle of you...
you are, and always will be,
the love of my life. (end sappy fest)
Officiant – Discuss seriousness of marriage. How he knows the bride and groom. About our relationship from what he has witnessed.
Wedding Vows –
Anthony says: I (Anthony), take you (Emily) to be my (wife), my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.
Emily says: I (Emily), take you (Anthony) to be my (husband), my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.
Solo – Megan singing “When You Say Nothing At All” by Allison Krause
Lighting of the Unity Candle (while Megan is singing Anthony and I will light it)
Exchange of Rings –
Anthony says: This ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am.
Emily says: This ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am.
Solo – Uncle Jeff singing “Looking Through The Eyes of Love” originally by Melissa Manchester
Closing: Because Emily and Anthony have desired each other in marriage, and we have witnessed this, affirming their acceptance of the responsibilities of such a union, and they have pledged their love and faith to each other, sealing their vows in the giving and receiving of rings, I do proclaim that they are husband and wife. Let all people here and everywhere recognize and respect this union, now and forever. Anthony, you may now kiss your bride.
Introduction of the Bride and Groom: It is now my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. .....
Recessional: Music “My Best Friend” by Tim McGraw
Reverse Order of the Bridal Party
Anthony and Emily return to greet and dismiss guests
And all of that took around 20 minutes or so.
Anyone else have to write out their whole ceremony? What songs will you/did you have at your wedding? Any particular poems or readings you would want?
4 comments:
Beautiful!
I also had to write out our ceremony and your Wedding Wednesday inspire me to write about our wedding in August when we have our 5th Anniversary. My husband's brother got ordained over the internet for us, it was also an outside wedding at our friend's house but instead of 20 mins I was told it lasted about 7 mins :) We didn't have anyone sing. My mom did read a prayer though.
I have really enjoyed reading about your wedding!
That sounds like so much work! But at least it definitely makes the ceremony very personal :)
Love it! My fave part is that you walked down the aisle to "She". How special that it was sang by your uncle! Wow! Sounds like such a special ceremony. I bet it would be a pain to plan it all out but it sounds like it was worth all the planning! :)
Post a Comment