A 'Traditional' Wedding!
Photo by Kat Mooney
Your mother, aunt, grandmother, siblings, cousin(s), best friend(s), and countless website sites
all will tell you their version of what a 'traditional' wedding is ...
all will tell you their version of what a 'traditional' wedding is ...
The fact is, there are as many definitions of 'traditional' as there are families!
Back Garden ~ Green Mountain Inn (Stowe)
Having said that, these are typical elements common to a "Traditional Wedding Ceremony" ...
... and, of course, each of these elements can be crafted to suit your taste and beliefs!
The Procession
The Officiant's Greeting, setting the tone for the ceremony
An Opening Prayer or Blessing ( optional )
Readings
Typically, one or two poems, scripture verses or paragraphs of prose
read by the officiant, members of the wedding party, or close family members/friends
A Unity Ceremony ( optional; this could also occur between the Vows and Ring, or after the Rings )
This may be Unity Candles (indoors!), a Sand Ceremony, a Rose Ceremony,
a Wine Ceremony, a Wishing Well ... there are many variations!
The Officiant's Charge to the Wedding Couple
Often brief, leading directly to the Vows...
The Vows
These can be personal vows written by the couple,
vows where each repeats after the officiant,
or vows read by the officiant and answered "I do" !
The Ring Exchange
The Blessing This may be a prayer or a secular blessing
The Pronouncement
including 'the kiss' (!), and often
'introducing' the newly-married couple
to the assembled guests
The Recession
... and, of course, each of these elements can be crafted to suit your taste and beliefs!
The Procession
The Officiant's Greeting, setting the tone for the ceremony
An Opening Prayer or Blessing ( optional )
Readings
Typically, one or two poems, scripture verses or paragraphs of prose
read by the officiant, members of the wedding party, or close family members/friends
A Unity Ceremony ( optional; this could also occur between the Vows and Ring, or after the Rings )
This may be Unity Candles (indoors!), a Sand Ceremony, a Rose Ceremony,
a Wine Ceremony, a Wishing Well ... there are many variations!
The Officiant's Charge to the Wedding Couple
Often brief, leading directly to the Vows...
The Vows
These can be personal vows written by the couple,
vows where each repeats after the officiant,
or vows read by the officiant and answered "I do" !
The Ring Exchange
The Blessing This may be a prayer or a secular blessing
The Pronouncement
including 'the kiss' (!), and often
'introducing' the newly-married couple
to the assembled guests
The Recession