Tips: A Traditional Wedding Ceremony
We share a lot of weddings here at Santa Barbara Wedding Style, but today we are getting back to the basics and sharing with you an easy-to-follow outline of a traditional wedding ceremony. You can personalize each and every step of the ceremony with your own touches and traditions. But, these are the bare bones and the order they typically fall into to help you in your wedding planning process.
Be sure to also ask your wedding officiate what their experience has been and suggestions for how to organize your own ceremony and make it run as smoothly as possible.
The Procession
The beginning of the ceremony where everyone walks down the aisle and takes their places for the ceremony. Familly such as grandparents and parents can start the processional.
Groomsmen can make their way from the side (sometimes the officiate leads the pack), or, the groomsmen can walk in pairs with bridesmaids. The couple makes their way to the altar separately, symbolizing that they come from different backgrounds.
In a Christian procession, the bride is escorted by her father, while the groom waits for her up front.
In a Jewish procession, both the groom's parents escort him down the aisle, and then the bride's mom and dad walk with her.
In the same sex procession, I have found grooms to walk down the aisle together, while brides maintain the separation. This is ultimately a matter of preference.
The Officiant's Opening Remarks
The line can begin "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…." or my personal favorite, from the Princess Bride "Mawiage, mawiage is what bwings us togethaaa today….."
The Charge to the Couple
This is an opportunity for the officiate to exemplify the significance of the vows one is about to exchange. This may also include a reminder of your duties and roles in marriage.
The Exchange of Vows
Vows are promises to each other. One may repeat the traditional "to have and to hold, for better or for worse" vows, change them up a little bit for a more modern twist, or recite ones you have written yourselves.
The Ring Exchange
A suggested but not verified symbol of the ring exchange is that the circle was the symbol of eternity, with no beginning or end to many ancient cultures. There is the traditional line that goes with the exchange, "With this ring, I thee wed."
The Pronouncement of Marriage
It is official ("I now pronounce you husband and wife").
The Kiss
This is where guests will clap hoot and holler—the first kiss as a married couple.
The Closing Remarks
A closing with a few last words and, for a religious wedding, a blessing.
The Recessional
This is the reverse of the professional, however, couples exit the ceremony together as a married couple, followed by the wedding party, and family.
As a non-traditionalist, my wedding planning tends to take you down the aisle in a more unique and personalized manner. I find that couples who do not get married in a church prefer this, and can accomplish it with a few tweaks.
Marriage License
Be sure to ask witnesses (ahead of time) to stay behind after the ceremony and ensure that you all sign your marriage license.
Photography by ByCherry Photography
