simple wedding

Customizing A Simple Ceremony

 in Ceremony / Personalization / Wedding Ceremony  tagged personalized ceremony / simple ceremony / simple wedding / Vow exchange by

Customizing a simple ceremony takes only a little thought and time. Even if you opt for an elopement style ceremony – I call it a Vow Exchange ceremony – you can leave your personal mark on it. From venue to vows, from music to rituals, your short and sweet ceremony can still be uniquely yours.

When you’re working with me and choose a Vow Exchange Ceremony you still get to choose from sample vows that I offer. And of course, a great way to personalize your ceremony is to write your own vows. The promises you make to each other are always going to be unique to you, because your relationship and your personalities are unique. However, if you’re shy, vows can be adapted to allow for a simple, “I do,” response to keep you relaxed and comfortable.

Choosing music to be played as you enter and/or leave the ceremony space is totally optional for these simple ceremonies, but is another way to make the ceremony reflect your personalities. Just make sure you’ve identified the person who will play the music and provided the necessary equipment so the music can be heard by your guests.

Vow Exchange ceremonies don’t usually include a unity ritual following the vows, but one can be added if you wish. Selecting or creating a meaningful unity ritual will certainly make the ceremony memorable for you and your guests.

An additional option for customizing a simple ceremony is by choosing a venue that reflects you as a couple. I recently did two Vow Exchange ceremonies on two consecutive days, and they were very different. One took place at an historic park, included white chairs for the 15 guests, and began with a somewhat elaborate processional. The second ceremony took place on the family farm with three generations of family gathered to celebrate. Guests sat on hay bales covered with hand made quilts. The couple chose a seed planting as their unity ritual, so appropriate for the farm setting.

Vow Exchange Ceremony in historic park
Vow Exchange ceremony on the farm

Both ceremonies were authentically perfect for the couples being married and demonstrate how customizing a simple ceremony can make it memorable for everyone from the couple to the attendants to the guests who come to celebrate. Just remember that wedding ceremonies don’t have to be elaborate, lengthy, or complex to reflect you as a couple.

Being True to Yourselves

 in Ceremony / Weddings  tagged ceremony / certificate signing / elopement wedding / simple wedding / wedding / wedding ceremony by

Being true to yourselves guarantees that you will have a successful wedding day. It’s important to respect your personalities, style, finances, and priorities when planning your wedding. Doing so creates an experience that you are comfortable with on many levels and can remember fondly. My daughter-in-law coined the phrase that she and my son “win at weddings” to capture this idea. And you can feel that way, too.

The centerpiece of any wedding day is the ceremony – it is, after all the marrying part that is the reason for the entire experience. Your ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Options range from meeting the minimal requirements of your state’s marriage laws to constructing a ceremony full of personal and meaningful moments. Being true to yourselves when deciding what kind of ceremony you will have means that you can relax and enjoy the experience.

If you want to be married quickly with little fanfare and expense, a certificate signing might be the right answer for you. Meeting with a celebrant and your witnesses (required in Minnesota), you can be married and the paperwork signed in under five minutes. This kind of ceremony can happen at your home or nearly any public location – park, coffee shop, etc. If timing is critical, finances are tight, or you simply don’t like being the center of attention, this can be a good choice for you. And remember, if you decide you want a larger celebration at a later date, a vow renewal ceremony with family and friends can always be arranged.

Being true to yourselves could also mean planning a very small, intimate gathering that includes a simple ceremony. This allows for an exchange of vows and (optionally) rings, and provides a brief “ceremony experience”. Again, this can happen in your home or a small private room at a restaurant, or even in a park. If your priorities are to marry your partner and celebrate with an intimate circle of family and friends, this might be your perfect wedding.

Perhaps you’ve always dreamed of a big wedding surrounded by many loved ones and friends, and want a personalized ceremony that reflects you as a couple and launches you into married life. Being true to yourself then means investing time, effort, and of course money to plan and execute a day that fulfills that vision.

All these options are available to you. Picking the one that fits you and your circumstances best allows you to truly be “in the moment” on your wedding day. Being true to yourselves will always feel most comfortable and right. Then you can focus on your partner, the love you share, and the life you will build together. Best wishes for a long and happy marriage.