Your ceremony should be a reflection of you as a couple and it should include parts of your heritage, traditions, beliefs and personalities. Your wedding can be as diverse or traditional as you desire. Nowadays, many couples infuse their ceremony with rituals from many different cultures and start their own traditions.
If you have attended a wedding that has really touched you, feel free to borrow from the content. Ask friends and relatives about their customs, cultures and ceremonies to create your own unique experience. For instance, to ensure a sweet married life, a Greek bride will sometimes carry a cube of sugar in her glove. Perhaps you’d like to start your own tradition by carrying a piece of your favorite candy as a reminder of your “sweet.”
Typically, ceremonies are comprised of the following:
 Processional. The wedding party makes its way to the altar.
Introduction or Invocation. Your officiant welcomes the guests and declares the purpose of the ceremony.
Main Body. The officiant talks about the ritual of marriage and its significance. It is appropriate at this time for the officiant to talk casually about the couple, how he/she met them, and their reasons for joining together.
Vows. The big moment when you publicly state your intentions, love and devotion to each other — probably the most important words that will ever cross your lips. The vows typically incorporate religious and cultural beliefs and traditions. The officiant will more than likely have prepared vows for you to repeat. If, however, you are uncomfortable with a particular word or phrase, be sure to speak with the officiant about making a modification prior to the ceremony.
If you were the creative type, perhaps you’d like to write your own wedding vows. Save the big words and prolific phrases — just speak honestly and freely about your love and commitment to each other. Select words and phrases that are special to the two of you. Keeping it simple doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be prepared. It is probably not a good idea to “wing it” on the big day. Be prepared and practice saying your vows aloud.
Exchange of Rings. The couple recites phrases further declaring their commitment while placing a ring on the finger of their beloved.
Closing/Announcement of the Couple. The officiant proclaims the couple man and wife and announces the newly married couple to the guests.
As we’re seeing more and more second weddings, new ways for the bride and groom to express their commitment to the union of their families are evolving. Whereas first weddings are a uniting of two individuals, seconds weddings are a uniting/blending of two families. The ceremony provides a wonderful forum for the parents to reinforce to the children that they are a part of this major life event and that they are loved.
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