The Huron Expositor, 1995-02-22, Page 43The ideal wedding ceremony
reflects the couple's personal beliefs
r 4 •,
They've officially joined
thousands of couples in holy e'
matrimony and have seen it
all — rain -soaked brides,
well-meaning relatives
singing off-key renditions of
Oh, Promise Me, and
ringbearer dogs with the
wedding bands on pillows
strapped to their backs.
After performing so many
nuptials, what wisdom do
officiants offer?
What do they see as the
keys to creating an ideal
ceremony, one that reflects
a couple's beliefs,
personality and style?
Here are some
suggestions from the 'other
side' of the altar — a priest,
rabbi, cantor and judge give
practical and personal
planning advice:
✓ Keeping the ceremony to
a reasonable Length. Unless
there are religious
requirements, try not to
exceed 35 minutes so the
celebration with guests can
begin.
♦ Don't use microphones.
If the wedding is in a large
space, have readings at a
lectern with a microphone,
but keep vows intimate.
• Accept a friend's or
relative's offer to write a
poem, sing or play an
instrument only if they
actually have talent.
✓ Engage the guests in the
ceremony.
One pastor turns to the
congregation and asks
whether they promise to
support the couple. They
respond, "We do."
♦ Incorporate personal
touches wherever possible.
Select your favorite music,
mix and match traditional
vows so the marriage is not
a 'carbon copy' of everyone
else's.
• If not restricted to a
house of worship, choose a
site that relates to your
backgrounds or hobbies
(under a tree that grew up
as you did at the family
home; atop a mountain
ridge; in a fragrant garden).
• Acknowledge the
merging of families. One
popular ritual — regardless
of religious affiliation — is
the Unity Candle. Each set
of parents lights a candle
and tells the congregation
an anecdote about their
child.
Wednesdayz February 22, 1995 -PAGE 3D
O Portraits
O Weddings
0 Group
Gatherings
O Sporting
Events
David Hamilton
Goderich, Ontario
(519) 524-61711
tob
441
Goderich Arena
AUDITORIUM
FOR RENT
For your special event
Call 524-9032
or 524-6610
The
bride
and
groom
then take
these individual
flames and light the
Unity Candle.
• Ask your officiant what
documents are required, and
select two witnesses in
advance who will sign your
marriage certificate.
✓ The cost of a ceremony
depends upon its size, length
and location. Use of the
church or synagogue is
usually free for members,
and non-members may be
asked to pay a fee.
♦ Ask the church or
synagogue representative
how they prefer to be paid -
by cheque made out to the
house
of
worship
or clergy
member, or cash.
Traditionally,
the best man hands the
payments in envelopes to the
officiant and other assistants
after the ceremony.
♦ An interesting note for
those seafaring romantics
who intend to throw caution
to the wind and have a
ceremony afloat, be warned
— it's no longer legal in
many places for ships'
captains to officiant
weddings.
One solution: Get legally
married in advance, then ask
the captain to preside over a
mock ceremony.
CJ
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