Having a friend Perform Your wedding Ceremony

For a variety of reasons, many couples are turning away from church weddings in favor of nontraditional locations in which to hold their wedding ceremonies. Some couples site the desire to hold their wedding and reception in the same location. Others opt for outdoor ceremonies. Still others have no ties to organized religion and refuse to compromise those beliefs by marrying in a church. Brides and grooms with different religious upbringing and beliefs (e.g. He is Muslim, she is Christian) often opt for a non-church wedding simply to avoid having to harmonize their different religious philosophies. Oftentimes couples simply want to avoid church-mandated pre-marital counseling.

With more creative options for ceremony locations, it was inevitable that a similar rise in options for ceremony officiants would follow. Couple this with the current precipitous economy, and some brides and grooms are leaning toward asking a friend or family member to officiate at their wedding ceremony.

A good idea? Maybe. It depends on the personality and talents of the person you ask. Here are the pros and cons.

Pros:

It's a great way to be married by someone who knows you personally. A friend or family member can share stores about you as a couple from their firsthand experience and really make your ceremony unique.

It's cost effective if the friend will perform the ceremony for free.

You'll have free reign to put whatever you want into your ceremony.

Cons:

Much can go wrong in the delivery of your wedding ceremony. Even those who are proficient speakers under different circumstances may become rattled at the everyday glitches that can crop up in a wedding ceremony. Consider how your friend will do if the groom becomes emotional, the bride flubs her vows, the flower girl is whining, the musicians play the wrong selection, inclement weather conditions suddenly arise for your outdoor wedding, your feuding divorced parents refuse to sit next to one another, the microphone dies mid-sentence, or someone faints. Handling these situations requires a special set of skills. Professional officiants have "been there, done that" with every situation above and more!

Unless one has had experience in writing a ceremony, putting one together can be time-consuming and a lot of work. Don't expect to find much in the way of innovative ideas on the web without doing a ton of research. Most books deal with writing your own vows, but that is only one part of the ceremony.

Affordable does not mean free. Unless it is your friend's wedding gift to you, expect to give them the courtesy of compensating them for their time in some manner, be it an outright payment, a gift card or a dinner out.

There is nothing binding to stop your friend from changing his or her mind as the big day approaches. This happens all the time as people get cold feet or egos start to conflict between the couple and the officiating friend. We receive calls all the time from couples looking for an officiant because their friend backed out at the 11th hour.

If your friend or family member is very close to you, consider the possibility that he or she will become overly emotional during the service.

Bottom line advice

Be sure you are 100% confident of your friend's ability to handle a myriad of circumstances that can creep up on your big day. If you have any reservations at all, then bite the financial bullet and hire a professional.

Consider your own personality. If you and your honey are incredibly laidback and okay with imperfections in your wedding ceremony, then by all means go for it. But if you are not so inclined, then consider the fact that having an inexperienced amateur facilitating your ceremony may be more stress than you can handle on such an emotion-packed day.

Start the process of writing your ceremony early--at least six month before the wedding date, so that there will be lots of time for research, practice and revisions.

Bear in mind that an online ordination is not recognized as sufficient to legally perform weddings in every state. You must check with your local County Clerk and Recorder to see if your state validates the legality of such ceremonies. In some instances, your aspiring officiant must also register with the county before performing a ceremony, which sometimes requires a fee.

Having a friend perform your wedding ceremony can be wonderfully warm, personal and fun. Just be sure you go into it with your eyes open to the potential pitfalls as well as the benefits. If you go this route, remember to choose your "volunteer" officiant with care, plan for contingencies, and practice, practice, practice until it all flows smoothly.

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How To Arrive At Your Wedding Ceremony In Style!

Arriving at your wedding ceremony in style is every girls dream. However, unless your Father is a Third World dictator or an Estate Agent, your choice of transport to the church or wedding venue will be determined by many important factors such as:

* cost
* what you have always dreamed of having
* cost
* practicability
* cost
* distances to travel
* cost
* the theme of the wedding
* cost
* the colour scheme of the wedding
* and last, but no means least...cost!

However, let's be serious. Although cost is obviously a factor for anyone, when it comes to weddings, it may not be "the" most important factor. For example, a bride may be willing to stretch her budget to pay more for a Pink Cadillac simply because it matches the colour scheme for the wedding. So, because aspirations and emotions are also involved in the decision-making process, it may be fair to say that many brides pick their mode of transport based on the three most important questions:

* Does it look good?
* Will it look good in the wedding photographs?
* Will it fit in with the colour scheme of my wedding?

With these questions in mind, here are some traditional and not so traditional ideas of how to arrive at your wedding looking good and colour matching!

Classic or Vintage Cars

These usually offer style, luxury, comfort, and more than ample room for most wedding dresses. Whether you choose a Bentley, Rolls, Daimler, or Cadillac, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful journey. However, if you are considering an open top car, then please remember it could cause havoc with your hairstyle. The simple solution to this is hire a car with a top that can be taken down just as you are arriving at the ceremony venue. This will ensure you arrive in style - and you will not look like Kate Bush performing Wuthering Heights.

Limousines

As you are the star of the show, you might as well act like one and arrive in your own Limo! For town weddings, the Limo also offers a bit of privacy. You have the option of not feeling like a goldfish in a bowl. Also, as most Limos usually have a bar, then you and your new husband can have a quick glass of champagne on the way to the wedding reception. Very nice...

Horse and Carriage

Very romantic and great for photographs. However, you would have to calculate whether it would be feasible if there was a long distance between the ceremony venue and the reception venue. Also, does the carriage have sufficient cover if the weather is wet or windy.

By Boat

If you are having your wedding at a venue by a Loch, Lake, or river, then you could explore the possibilties of arriving by a little, romantic boat or a flashy speedboat!

By Hot Air Balloon

Not for everyone - but it has been done. The bride arrives at the venue by hot air balloon and makes a stunning entrance. However, just make sure the wind is blowing in the right direction!

Otherwise, there could be quite a delay before your big entrance....
Michael Breck is a professional Magician and Entertainment Agent in Scotland. He has been entertaining at weddings and booking entertainment for weddings for over twenty years. For more ideas about wedding entertainment go to Entertainment For Weddings and Events or Magical Entertainment For Weddings and Events.

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Is Just One Wedding Ceremony Enough?

Not all marriages end up being happily ever after tales. Some, sadly, end in divorce even after the most elaborate and romantic weddings. Take, for example, the interesting weddings actress Pamela Anderson and musician Kid Rock had before their marriage came to a quick end in November.

Short Engagement
On July 29th, the couple were married on a yacht in Saint-Tropez, France just eleven days after announcing their re-engagement (the couple had been previously engaged but broke up in 2003). While photos of the wedding show her wearing a white string bikini similar to the one she wore when she married Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee in 1995, she insists that she wore the bikini only after the wedding was completed.

Although the wedding was reportedly a lot of fun – at least based on claims by people who attended, such as Elton John 's husband, David Furnish – it wasn't legal. French law requires all couples to exchange their vows in the mayor 's office.

Making It Legal
On August 3rd, Pamela and Kid ended up making it legal in a much more subdued manner at a courthouse in Beverly Hills, California. No one but the couple and a friend were present to see their vows exchanged.

Just fourteen days later, the couple were married again. This time they tied the knot on stage at Tootsie 's Orchid Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee in front of a surprised crowd of patrons. The ceremony was done by an actual judge from the county and ended with Kid singing a “Some Kind of Wonderful” to Pamela.

With three ceremonies under their belts, the couple tried to make a go of the whole marriage thing only to find out within just a few months that it wasn't meant to be. However, that doesn't mean you can't take something away from their adventure.

Taking Weddings to Your Relations
While it may seem crazy to have so many ceremonies, it might not be such a bad idea for some couples. You both want your families to be able to attend but what if the distance is too far for them to travel? Who makes the sacrifice of not having their family present on the most important day of their lives? Well, the answer could be neither. You could have multiple ceremonies – although you might want to keep all of them a little low-key for budget reasons – in different locations.

Or perhaps you want to get married quickly because you're expecting a child or one of you is being shipped out with the military. You could have a quick courthouse marriage now, then plan a bigger event later.

You might also have your heart set on a destination wedding, such as Saint Tropez, yet your families want to be present as you exchange your vows. There 's no reason you couldn't have both weddings and make everyone happy, right?

The bottom line is that while Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock 's multiple weddings may have seemed like a crazy publicity stunt leading up to another failed celebrity marriage, there 's no reason why you couldn't do something similar in order to have the wedding(s) you want.

About the Author

Chris Morton ran hotels and restaurants for 10 years, organising many successful weddings in the process. rHis wife Sue is a wedding coordinator who has help many nervous brides and their families. rVisit http://www.theweddingwizards.com for 100 's of tips showing you how to plan a great wedding

Article Source: Content for Reprint

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Proper Placement of Music for Your Wedding Ceremony and Reception

When planning a wedding ceremony, one of the most common questions wedding planners receive is, "How many songs do I need and where should they go?" The answer to that question varies simply because there is no wrong way to go. There are some guidelines to follow when placing music within a wedding ceremony. One sample program is included below.

Sample Wedding Ceremony Program

Prelude - For the prelude, you might select a pianist or perhaps a string quartet or flutist. The music played in the prelude is usually instrumental.

Processional - Whether you choose "Here Comes the Bride" or another accompaniment as you march down the aisle, your processional will announce your arrival. All in attendance will stand as you make your way toward the center point. The most common instrumentalists used for the processional are a pianist and organist. You could certainly opt for another instrument if you prefer. However, keep two things in mind. The instrument(s) need to be loud enough to hear. A flute would not be recommended. Also, if your wedding ceremony is indoors, be sure the instrument isn't too loud, as it will make guests uncomfortable.

Poetry/Scripture Readings - If you choose to include this optional segment, you might consider having a soft instrumentalist playing in the background. A harpist, string quartet, organist or pianist would work well here. Most brides use the same instrumentalist who played during the prelude for the readings also.

Unity Candle/Soloist - A popular practice in a wedding ceremony is to light a unity candle. The bride's parents and the groom's parents each light separate candles. Then the bride takes one candle, the groom takes the other and they simultaneously light a new candle symbolizing the union of the two families.

Three scenarios have taken place during the unity candle lighting. Instrumentalists play softly in the background during the lighting or a soloist sings during the lighting. A third option is to have a gentle melody playing during the lighting and afterward have a soloist sing to the couple.

For those who choose not to light a unity candle, this section of the wedding ceremony is an excellent place for your soloist's first song.

Vows - There are several places within the exchanging of vows where a soloist could sing a song. Before the vows, after the vows or before the rings are all practical and acceptable places for a soloist to sing.

Recessional - The part of the wedding ceremony you've been waiting for! Congratulations! You're husband and wife. Of course, you'll need music to leave by. The same principles apply to the recessional as did to the processional. All in attendance will stand as you make your way out of the gathering place. The most common instrumentalists used for the processional are a pianist and organist. If you choose another instrument, remember it needs to be loud enough to hear, but not loud enough to make guests uncomfortable.

Sample Wedding Reception Program

Your wedding reception will generally have some sort of entertainment. Typically, a wedding band or DJ will be used.

Arrival - Upon your arrival to the reception hall, the bandleader or DJ will announce you as man and wife.

Mingling - For the next few minutes, you and your groom will mix and mingle as you make your way to your reserved table. In order to alleviate feelings of awkwardness, music should be playing in the background.

Service of Food - At this point, if a formal meal is being served, it will generally take place now. If hors d'oeuvres are offered, guests and the bridal party will simply help themselves throughout the wedding reception. Throughout the meal, soft music should be playing.

First Dance - Obviously, you'll want to select a special song for the band or DJ to play for your first dance. This is probably one of the most touching memories you'll have of your wedding reception.

Best Man's Toast - Just before the cutting of the cake, the best man will generally offer a toast to the couple. While no music is needed during the toast, your wedding band or DJ needs to be aware of the events, so they can stop and start the music as needed.

Cutting of the Cake - A fun and potentially dangerous portion of the wedding reception! Be gentle with one another. Don't do anything you'll regret later. As with the toast, no music is needed during this event.

Tossing of Bouquet - No music is played during the tossing of the bouquet or that of the garter.

Departure of Bride and Groom - As your friends and family gather to toss rose petals, rice or bird seed, or to blow bubbles, your special day will make way for a special life with your new mate.

Congratulations!

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About the Author: Kevin Kinyon is President of Gigmasters.com, the Internet's premiere live entertainment booking service. Find audio & video clips, client reviews, and secure bookings for over 4,000 performers throughout North America. When you're ready to hire wedding music, visit http://www.gigmasters.com. © 2007, All Rights Reserved

What Music To Choose For The Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony is very important on this momentous occasion and using live music can give the ceremony a unique perspective to the wedding. A ceremony that has no music or a wedding ceremony that does not have the appropriate music may work out but it will not have that romantic feel and it will feel lifeless.

The wedding ceremony is the more serious part of the wedding while the reception in the grand celebration which congratulates the couple on their marriage. There are 2 general types of music available for a modern wedding, they are a DJ or live musicians. A DJ is a person who plays CDs through a sound system at your reception and provides stage lighting for additional effect. The advantage to hiring a live band for your reception is that there is a certain synergy that occurs when live musicians perform together that cannot be achieved with a DJ, and live musicians can are also able to adapt to the “vibe” of the room – playing faster, slower, louder or softer depending on the preferences of you and your guests.

Unless, of course, you're determined to have a band sing at your wedding. One of the critical steps during wedding music planning is to decide the type of music to be played, and who will perform it, a live band or a DJ. Regardless of a live band or a DJ, your goal is to hire the right person(s) for the job to enliven your wedding.

A four or five-piece band with a small PA system is generally required if the party is 100 or more. Listen to recordings of the band performing live, where available. If the band is having fun on stage, so will you on the dance-floor. You need a band that wants to party as much as you do.

Here are some tips you can use when you choose music for your wedding. When choosing the music for your wedding make sure you choose something that you and your guests will dance to. Experienced musicians are able to play songs that will be appropriate to the wedding even if you don’t know what songs to choose from.

If there is no theme and you are having trouble choosing the song this means you will have many choices to choose from. Why not walk down the aisle to an appropriate pop song or soundtrack from a favorite movie or musical. Choosing music for your wedding you need to find a piece that stands apart from other music.

Many people are still using traditional bridal songs, but many are not because most want to walk down the isle to music that fits their personalities.

There should be songs that are exciting and that will make the guests get up and dance. During the first dance of the wedding most people never forget how their spouses looked. The most enjoyable part of the wedding reception is the dance music. When choosing dance music for your wedding, you need to decide if you want the services of a DJ or a band for your wedding.

When your marriage is over many grooms and brides can recall the songs that were played at their wedding are able to relive the day they were married. There are so many wonderfully romantic and very suitable songs available today.

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About the Author: David Marc Fishman is the owner of www.bornasuperstar.com The online talent shows

Conquer the Five Most Common Fears about Your Wedding Ceremony

by: Chris Simeral

It’s safe to say that of all the important events in your lifetime, your wedding day is certain to be right up there with those that are the most meaningful. And throughout the entire wedding day – the preparations, the ceremony, the reception, and the wedding night – the moment when you recite your wedding vows to each other is the most meaningful. It is a time that you will remember forever, exactly as it felt: a sublime, dreamlike fantastical moment, when everyone significant to you is watching as you join in wedlock with the most important individual in your life.

Conquering Your Fears

Since this is such a unique and central moment to your romantic life, you’re probably wondering how it is that you’ll make the experience better than that 10th grade public-speaking assignment where you blanked out halfway through and fainted in front of all of your peers. Begin by telling yourself that it is perfectly natural to feel nervous when speaking in public. Moreover, not everyone is born with perfect public-speaking skills that accurately demonstrate what they feel in their hearts. However, fortunately for the majority of us, these things can be learned.

Of course, being well-prepared and armed with wedding vows you know are the absolute best they could possibly be is one of the easiest ways to overcome these fears. How do I know? Because the home-study course I put together, The Ultimate Wedding Vow Toolkit, has helped hundreds of couples take the fear out of their wedding ceremony by giving them the tools they need to write truly amazing wedding vows. You can find out more about the kit at http://www.weddingvowtoolkit.com.

But beyond that, when you think logically about each of these fears, you’ll realize there is nothing that cannot be overcome with a bit of care, technique, and practice. Let’s take a realistic look at these five incredibly common worries. In a few minutes, you’ll see that none of them are likely to spoil your ceremony.

Common Fear #1: Freezing Up

This is a direct result of being excessively nervous. Therefore, it’s important to come up with some calming techniques that will help you to keep cool. It’s only natural to be a bit nervous. In fact, the added rush from being a little on the anxious side can actually help you to speak better and with added feeling. The best technique that you can give yourself is breathing. Most often, when we are overly frightened, we either breathe much too quickly or we hold our breath. Therefore, as you’re keeping yourself calm, concentrate on breathing smoothly, neither too fast or too slow, but regularly, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Practice a few times in advance, especially in other situations that you’ve found a bit stressful in the past. You’ll be surprised at what an enormous difference something as simple as breathing can do for you.

Common Fear #2: Going Blank

This is another trick played by your overly-nervous brain. To stop yourself from becoming so nervous that you go blank, or even to remove any fear that you may go blank, bring a “backup” copy of your wedding vows on cue cards that you can slip into your pocket. Make sure they are very crisp and neat looking so that you won’t hesitate to use them if you have to, and write clearly on them so that you won’t get stuck due to sloppiness.

Common Fear #3: Blushing, Dry Mouth, and Shaking.

These are extremely common physical responses to being nervous and having to perform in front of others. However, even if they do begin to occur, you can bring yourself to a calmer state where these physical symptoms will begin to fade. Try to ignore blushing and shaking as much as possible and just concentrate on your vows and how much you love the person to whom you are making those vows. With regards to dry mouth, drink lots of water beforehand, and try not to think about it. As long as you concentrate on what you’re doing, instead of the fact that you are blushing, shaking, or have a dry mouth, they will actually begin to resolve themselves quite quickly.

Common Fear #4: Having Someone Heckle

This is a common fear, but it simply doesn’t happen at weddings. Remind yourself that everyone there with you is hoping the very best for you and your future spouse. They are all nervous right along with you and wouldn’t dream of saying anything but best wishes for your future together. The closest they will come to “heckling” is sending a mental prayer to provide you the strength and the courage to continue so that you may enjoy long and happy lives together.

Common Fear #5: Being Judged

The people attending your wedding are all people who know you, like or love you, and who wish you the very best. They know how much adrenaline is running through your system as you say your wedding vows, and wouldn’t judge you at a time like that; except to think about how well suited you are to the love of your life.

About The Author

Chris Simeral’s Ultimate Wedding Vow Toolkit has helped hundreds of people across the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain compose completely personalized and ultra-romantic wedding vows. Find out more at http://www.WeddingVowToolkit.com.
chris@weddingvowtoolkit.com

Wedding Ceremony Music – Top Tips on Making Your Wedding Ceremony Special

by: Jennie Evans

Music makes your wedding ceremony special.

"If music be the food of love, play on!" ... so wrote William Shakespeare. Are you wondering how to make your wedding day stand out as a truly magical occasion? Live music may well provide the solution to your dilemma. Whether it's in the form of romantic melody, upbeat Swing Jazz or exotic world rhythms, the live musical experience adds a unique presence and excitement to any event.

At which points in the wedding ceremony is music most appropriate?

The focal point of the wedding ceremony, whether church or civil, is the public exchange of promises between a man and woman in front of their family and friends, to love and care for each other for their lifetimes. The ceremony sits right at the heart of a very special day. Live music, introduced judiciously, is a device that can greatly increase the sense of occasion as the ceremony unfolds.

The musicians can play softly in the background as the guests gather together before the service starts. An appropriate choice of music can of itself announce and accompany the entrance of the bride. A song or short musical performance during the signing of the register provides a contemplative focus for your guests. The sense of celebration can be fully released through the choice of joyful music as the newly-married couple receive congratulations.

Selecting the music and musicians for a religious wedding ceremony.

The wedding ceremony in a religious setting carries an ancient tradition. In England, the sound of the organ, choirboys and a peal of bells instantly springs to mind. Whatever your persuasion, there will be a long tradition of music appropriate to each moment in the service. Making use of that tradition links your marriage service with the generations of couples who have made the same promises contained in the wedding ceremony down the years before you.

Whether you decide to stay firmly within traditional guidelines or break away, make sure you talk through your choice of music with the minister who will be officiating at the ceremony. The music you choose must be of a sacred nature, and he or she must feel happy that it will fit with the tone of the service to be conducted.

The music you choose needs to be appropriate to the size and style of the religious building in which the service is taking place. Classical chamber music generally fits into this scenario well. You might consider a string quartet ... or if the venue is smaller, a duo comprising an accompanying instrument such as the piano or guitar with a top-line instrument such as violin, flute or saxophone.

Choosing the music and instrumentation for a secular wedding service.

The secular wedding ceremony is a relatively new phenomenon in the UK. You have the freedom to choose from a much wider selection of music, from traditional to modern, to make your particular ceremony unique. But where do you begin? If you're stuck for ideas, visit Hop Till You Drop’s Wedding Music Guide. There's a wealth of info regarding resources available on The Internet to "get you on the right track", so to speak.

The range of musical styles that will fit the bill in the secular setting is broader. Traditional folk tunes, classic modern love themes, tried and tested jazz standards may all possibly suit your style. Intimate acoustic duos and trios will suit a small gathering. If the venue is large, a fuller band will be needed to make sufficient impact.

Be aware, also, that strictly sacred music cannot as a rule be used outside a religious setting. When you've made your musical selection, do run it past the officiating registrar to make sure that it is acceptable.

About The Author

Jennie Evans runs Hop Till You Drop, a company that provides music of all styles and types for weddings, birthday parties and corporate events in the UK. To find out more about all aspects of wedding music planning and to get up-to-date info on live music for weddings in the UK, why don't you check out Hop Till You Drop Wedding Music Services ? Hop Till You Drop is a company run by musicians, so you can be sure that all the important aspects of your live wedding music will be attended to by knowledgeable, experienced professionals.

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The Roman Catholic Wedding Ceremony

by: Pepper Montero

As a contributor to www.bridalblog.info, there are frequent questions that arise by people attending weddings, not just planning them. Often times, people are a bit nervous when they go to a wedding ceremony that is of a different faith than their own. To that end, I have contracted with www.bridalblog.info to do a series of articles discussing what guests can expect when attending wedding ceremonies of various faiths.

The Roman Catholic wedding ceremony is the most formal in the Christian tradition. The most common traditional type of ceremony held is known as the Nuptial Mass. Many religious restrictions bound the bride and groom and limit some of their choices when planning a wedding.

To understand the Roman Catholic wedding ceremony, it is important to understand that, in this denomination, a wedding is considered one of seven sacraments (others being Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, etc). In this tradition, the ceremony is extremely serious. There are not any contemporary Christian songs being sung or any contemporary bands playing.

Although the Roman Catholic ceremony is bound by stringent rules, the church does allow inter-faith marriages. However, these ceremonies can only be performed in a Roman Catholic church. Destination weddings and out door weddings are prohibited.

There are certain actions that must be taken when a bride and groom want to be married in the Roman Catholic Church. The priest must have a baptismal certificate from the parish in which the individual(s) were baptized. The bride and groom undergo premarital counseling anywhere from six months to one year before the ceremony. The bride and/or groom who is of the Catholic faith must sign a document stating that he/she/they will raise any children in the Catholic tradition.

When attending the ceremony, you may be surprised to see that the bride is not given away by anyone. In addition, the maid of honor or the best man must be of the Roman Catholic tradition.

Although the Roman Catholic Church does put many restrictions on the wedding ceremony as well as the wedding itself, many people feel very strongly that these traditions be strictly adhered to. As a guest at a Roman Catholic wedding, you may indeed feel a little lost among all of the goings-on. As long as guests are reverent and serious in their endeavors to keep up with the ceremony, most people will be accommodating. As in any social situation, just follow along as best you can and fake the rest!

Pepper Montero

About The Author

Pepper Montero and her husband run a wedding coordination business in the Upstate of South Carolina. They have been coordinating weddings for the last two years.

This article may be reprinted freely as long as all links remain active.

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