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Planning
Your Wedding Ceremony
A General
Checklist
So, you are getting married. No doubt this is going to be one of the
most important days of your life, and you will want it to be everything
you have dreamed of. Planning your wedding ceremony is going to at the
top of your list of things to do in the next few months. There are many
different things to consider, such as the location of your wedding, the
décor, choosing an officiant, the seating arrangements, and the ceremony
music. Getting everything all in order for your wedding can be a bit
daunting, so here are some tips that can help.
Choosing a Location
Of course one of the first things you will want to do is to choose a
location for your wedding. While many people choose a house of worship
for their ceremony, you are not tied to this. You can choose a beach
side wedding, a wedding in beautiful gardens, or even in your backyard.
The most important thing about your location is that it is what you
really want. Once you have a location in mind, then you will need to see
if they have availability on the date you have chosen, and if they do,
then be sure to reserve your location for the date.
Decorating for the Ceremony
When you are decorating for your wedding ceremony, you will want to make
sure that you make the area look beautiful; however, you do not want to
overdo it. Decorations for your ceremony should be focused on the
entrance, the altar, and the pews or seats for your guests. Make sure
that you nicely decorate the entrance so that it provides a lovely
welcome to your guests. Just a nice table for your guest book, some nice
flower arrangements, and maybe even a beautifully decorated arch will
look wonder. Then you have the altar to decorate, and usually just a few
nice flower arrangements and maybe some matching bows will look nice.
Candles also make wonderful decorations and set a romantic mood; however
pick non-drip candles and make sure that the wax will be properly
contained. The last thing you want is a fire on your wedding day.
Choosing an Officiant
One very important thing that you will need in planning your ceremony is
to decide on a wedding officiant. If you are very religious, you may
want a priest, minister, or a rabbi that you know to do the ceremony for
you. Some couples may also decide that they prefer to be married by a
justice of the peace. No matter which you pick, be sure that you are
comfortable with the officiant and also be sure that he or she will work
with what you want in your wedding.
Seating Arrangements
On the day of your wedding, you definitely want to be sure that you have
seating for everyone. This means that you should be sure to know how
many your location can hold and invite no more than that. Also, you will
want to consider the seating arrangements as well. Usually the bride’s
family will sit on the right and the groom’s family will sit on the left
side. Make sure that close family members have seats near the front, and
of course the parents of both the bride and groom should have special
seating.
Picking Music for Your Ceremony
The music for your wedding ceremony is an important consideration as
well. You will want to have music playing for about 30 minutes before
your wedding begins. This music should be soft and in the background as
your guests arrive, and a simple piano or organ soloist will do the job.
You will probably want to have special songs played as your family is
seated, so make the song choice something that reflects your special
bond and love with them. Then of course you need the processional for
your attendants to come up the isle, followed by music for the entrance
of the bride. While the traditional choice is the Bridal Chorus, you can
choose any song you want to walk up the isle. During the ceremony you
may also want some special songs that are meaningful to be played or
sung. Last of all you will want a recessional to be played when you walk
out as a happily married couple. Be sure that the music you choose for
the recessional is upbeat and happy.
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