10 Unique Ceremony ideas:
Now that you have picked the perfect dress, booked your favorite DJ and tasted hundreds of cakes; it’s finally time to think about your ceremony details. We have created a list of 10 ways to make your ceremony perfectly unique!
1. Revamp the Standard Vows
Consider expanding your vows beyond promises made between you and your spouse-to-be. Get all your loved ones involved in the commitments. After you make your promises to each other, invite your guests to make a commitment of their own. After the two of you say, “I do” continue with,
“Now that you, beloved friends and family of the couple (names), have heard them recite their vows, Do all of you promise to support this couple, offering your love, encouragement, guidance, and compassion?” to which they will reply, “We do”
This is a great way to show how much you value your friends’ and family’s attendance and support on your big day.
For blended families, consider making separate vows to each other’s children. Making a promise to love and support their children as your own will add a heartwarming touch to the ceremony and kick off your beginnings as a new family.
2. Reverse Unity Candle
We have all seen the traditional unity candle ceremony. Each mother lights a candle, then you and your fiancé light a larger candle together. One way to make your ceremony stand out is by reversing the unity candle ceremony altogether. Have an unlit candle distributed to each guest as they arrive at the ceremony. Start with the bride and groom lighting one candle together. Then use that flame to light the candles of the wedding party and spread the flame to all the guests. This is another great way to involve all your guests and also creates a romantic candle-lit atmosphere.
3. Have a Drink
Your wedding day is a celebration, so why not start celebrating as soon as guests arrive! Throw a mini cocktail party before the main event takes place. Give your guests just about an hour to socialize before the ceremony begins. This will also ease your worries about the inevitable traffic jam or wardrobe malfunction that delays some of your most important guests from arriving on time. Keep the pre-ceremony cocktail party simple by serving a favorite cocktail or two and a small treat.
4. Create a Memory Wall
Want to show off just how cute your fiancé was as a baby or highlight some of your favorite moments together as a couple? Consider creating a memory wall or playing a slideshow before your ceremony, either as guests are arriving or right before you walk down the aisle. This is a great alternative to squeezing a slideshow in during the rehearsal dinner or reception. The show will also entertain your guest as they anticipate your entrance.
5. Choose a Calligraphed Runner
Personalize your aisle runner by asking a calligrapher or crafty friend to decorate your runner with chalk or fabric paint. This could be anything from a favorite quote, poem or even your names and wedding date. If you’re not exactly the crafty type, try online stores that allow you to create a custom runner such as, originalrunners.com.
6. Walk Down the Aisle Together
Can’t stand to spend a minute of your wedding day away from your fiancé? Skip the tradition and walk down the aisle as a couple! Kick off your new life together by walking down the aisle side by side. This is especially a good idea if you are opting for first-look photos and will already be spending time as a duo before you say, “I do”.
7. Pick an Altar Backdrop
If your church doesn’t have the beautiful stained glass backdrop that you’ve always dreamt of, or if you are getting married at an untraditional venue, place something beautiful behind the altar. A flower-filled hedge, some sparkle, or a curtain of ribbons will add a unique and photogenic touch to your ceremony. This is also a great opportunity to bring some of the style or colors that will be seen at your reception to the ceremony.
8. Gather ‘Round Your Guests
You’ve invited each and every guest for a reason, they are the people you want to spend this important day with and share in the celebration of your love. For an intimate feeling, seat your guests in a circle around the altar. This will add a unique personal element and you’ll be surrounded by love throughout the ceremony.
9. Create a Family Memento
Have your wedding day be the start of a new tradition. Ask all the married couples in your family to sign their names and wedding dates in a book. You and your fiancé will sign and date your names as a part of your ceremony and pass it along to future generations.
10. Tie the Knot
Bring back the old Pagan tradition of handfasting. You and your fiancé will bind your hands together with a ribbon before, during or after the exchange of vows to symbolize your connection, devotion and joining of two lives.
