A wedding is a beautiful and moving event that is meant to celebrate the commitment between two people. In this commitment, the couple promises to love each other through thick and thin and to comfort and honor each other in good times and bad. Depending on your traditions and culture, there are many things you might include in your ceremony to make it truly unique.
For example, some couples may choose to read passages from the Bible or poems before they exchange vows. These readings can be a great way to get your family members involved in the ceremony. Having someone read is also a good way to add a personal touch to your ceremony, especially if that person is a close friend or relative.
Once the readings are over, the couple will usually exchange their vows. This is an emotional part of the ceremony, and you may want to write your own vows or use traditional phrasing. After the couple recite their vows, they will exchange rings and the officiant will pronounce them married. Then the bride and groom usually kiss each other.
After the ceremony, the couple and their guests go to the reception hall for dinner and dancing. Typically, there are ushers to guide people to their seats and there is a wedding program that lists the order of events. During this time, the couple will often make a round of the tables to say hello and thank everyone for coming. Some couples also give speeches during this time, including the maid of honor and the best man. These can include stories about how the couple met and how they fell in love, as well as a bit of gentle ribbing on each other’s bad habits or quirks.
Some cultures have special bonding rituals for newlyweds, like lighting a unity candle or passing a glass of wine between the two of them to share in the cup of life. These are a great way to add more personal touches to the ceremony and to remind the couple of what their marriage is all about.
Once the cake is cut, the couple will typically throw the bouquet and garter (although superstitions may call for them to wait until the reception to do this). They will also likely cut the first slice of wedding cake, which they will then feed each other. This is a very romantic moment, and it’s great to capture on video or photos for later enjoyment. Some couples also take this opportunity to thank their vendors by giving them tips. This is typical of photographers, videographers, and florists, but it’s not necessarily the case for other services, like hair stylists or makeup artists. It is important to have a clear understanding of your budget at the beginning of your planning process so you know what is and isn’t realistically within your reach. This will help you prioritize your spending and make the right decisions throughout the planning process.