Making the Special Day Your Own
When I married my husband we were both in college, very much in
love, and had no money to work with. Yet our guests complimented
us over and over on our beautiful and memorable wedding. The
secret was in making our celebration uniquely our own.
Invitations set the tone for your wedding and are easier than
ever to personalize. Online card companies like Hallmark and
Moonpig make it easy to customize your own stationary by easily
editing a photo, fonts, and colors of existing designs.
Specialty sites offer Indian influenced scrolls, calligraphy, or
medieval themes.
Handmade cards allow for unusual papers, styles, sizes, and
shapes but may be more expensive if someone is making them for
you. Also be sure that you can mail your missives. The Post
Office has very specific guidelines posted on their website.
The Order of Service
The ceremony is the heart of your special day. Wording written
by the engaged couple speaks of your intentions for a happy
future but once you’re at the alter, on the beach, or dangling
from the parachute together what steps make a wedding a wedding?
There is a basic structure to follow.
A few opening words from your officiant to welcome the guests
and introduce the ceremony.
The giving in marriage may be next, though this is optional.
An opening prayer or reading might be serious, humorous, or
elegant. It sets the tone for your wedding.
Definition of marriage, explaining this new partnership.
Vows, whether chosen from a book of traditional vows or written
by the bride and groom and should feel fitting and right.
Second reading or song.
Exchange of rings or gifts. Some token of the pledge you make
each other.
A unity ceremony, such as the lighting of a candle, would occur
after the rings are exchanged though this is optional.
Declaration of marriage. The officiant at this point declares
the bride and groom officially married and they share their
first kiss as a married couple.