Wedding Planning 101 - Part 13 Ceremonies and Traditions (Cont)

SYMBOLIC CEREMONIES, HERITAGE, CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

WEDDING CEREMONIES AND TRADITIONS 

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RECOGNITION CEREMONIES

Honoring the special people in your life is always nice but there is no better time to do it than to include the recognition in your wedding ceremony. Honoring parents, grandparents, children, deceased family members and other VIPs makes a personal statement that the honorees and your guests are not likely to forget when they reflect on your wedding day. 

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RECOGNIZING THE DECEASED

This recognition ceremony is held in memory of a loved one or person close to you.  There are many ways to honor their memory during the ceremony.

• Place a photo of the person on the altar or place of honor 

• Include a moment of silence, have someone do a special reading, or play their favorite song

• Light a candle in their memory

• Use their favorite flowers somewhere in your ceremony and make a note of it in your program

• Light a candle in memory of those who have gone on

• Attach a picture of the deceased to hang from your wedding bouquet and then acknowledge them during the ceremony

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PARENT RECOGNITION CEREMONY

What a better way to start your married life than to honor your parents, grandparents, godparents or other significant relatives in your life.  These are the people in your life who have played a significant part in supporting you and your spouse.  Like the Memorial service, the way you choose to honor them is up to you but here are a few ways to consider.

• Flowers always say love.  Gift them with a special flower, a corsage or a bouquet during the ceremony

• Include a poem or song in the service to honor them

• Take time during the ceremony to simply give them a hug and a kiss and acknowledge why their support has meant so much to you

• After the couple says their vows and are acknowledged as husband and wife, they present a single long stem rose to their mothers and grandmothers as they begin their walk down the aisle.

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PARENTAL VOWS CEREMONY

The reality of today’s society is that many people marry someone who already has children.  Just as the bride and groom’s lives are changing, so are the lives of their children.  Giving the children a special recognition and a memento to remember this special day has become a part of many ceremonies including my own.

• After the bride and groom have taken their vows, a similar oath is taken to include the children.

• The girl children are presented with a ring, such as a promise ring or a birthstone ring from their step-parent

• The male children can be presented with a piece of jewelry such as an engraved watch or a bracelet from their step-parent 

• A family medallion is another way to welcome children into a new family