| Wedding ceremonies can be performed by both | | | | instrumental. Remember to ask about the duration of |
| religious and civil officials, and generally follow a similar | | | | the ceremony before you plan any readings, as some |
| format as set out below:o Entrance of the bride, | | | | officials perform more than one ceremony a day and |
| introduction and welcome by the officialo Music, | | | | may be only able to allocate you a certain amount of |
| literature, poetry or readings from the Bibleo Wedding | | | | time. |
| Vows are spoken aloud and agreed by both the bride | | | | It might be a nice idea to do some research into |
| and groomo Exchange of ringso The official sanctions | | | | different types of wedding ceremonies around the |
| the marriage and offers a blessing or expressing of | | | | world. There are many touching traditions that you |
| good wisheso The first kiss as a married coupleo | | | | could incorporate into your own wedding ceremony |
| Witnesses sign the wedding certificate or marriage | | | | such as a candle blessing. This is a lovely way to |
| license.o All guests stand whilst the newly married | | | | involve all of the guests in the ceremony. In a candle |
| couple exit the ceremony | | | | blessing, each guest is given a small, unlit candle as |
| Although the main format of weddings is standard, | | | | they enter the room. Once the rings have been |
| many couples like to change some aspects to | | | | exchanged and the official has sanctioned the |
| personalise the ceremony, and the presiding official | | | | marriage the bride and groom light their own candle, |
| should be able to give you some guidance on this | | | | and then turn and lit the next candle with their own. |
| matter. Some people like to write their own vows, but | | | | This passes round the room, and then the person with |
| remember that there may be some words or | | | | the last candle to be lit walks to the front and lights a |
| sentences you cannot deviate from, so check with the | | | | central candle to complete the circle. If this is not |
| official before attempting this. You can make your | | | | practical with the venue you have chosen because of |
| wedding vows romantic or even humorous, as long as | | | | safety issues, then you could incorporate the |
| you both agree! | | | | 'exchange of love and peace' tradition instead. This |
| A good way of personalising your wedding is to ask | | | | involves each guest turning to the person sitting next |
| some guests to read out special passages for you. | | | | to them, shaking hands and saying "Peace and love", |
| These may be personal poems or writings, specially | | | | or something along those lines. |
| created for the day, or quotes from existing literature | | | | Other nice touches to your ceremony include giving a |
| that have some special meaning. If you are having a | | | | rose to everyone as they enter the room, which could |
| religious wedding, passages from appropriate text | | | | be in the form of a button hole/corsage, or a Hawaiian |
| such as the Bible are popular. Some of your guests | | | | tradition of giving everyone a garland of flowers, called |
| may be musically gifted and would be willing to | | | | a leis, which they can then exchange with the person |
| perform a small piece of music, either vocals or | | | | next to them to symbolize love, unity and giving. |