order of ceremony

[koolade]

can anyone tell me an approx. timeline the ceremony goes in? we are having, of course, the vows, sand ceremony, 3 readings, and of course marriage liscence signing, and all the other stuff...i honestly cant figure it out :confused:

[SOM Z28]

I've come to love this website. Here is a page with a couple of articles on the order of reception events. (http://www.usabride.com/wedplan/t_reception.html) I'm using these to help me get my timeline in order too.

[SOM Z28]

Also, I see you mentioned the signing of the license. I've not seen that part mentioned in any articles I've ever read. Wouldn't you do that part after the ceremony, right before you start pictures or something? Or do people do that as part of the ceremony? I didn't do it as part of my ceremony before, although I'm not really sure at what point I signed my license...I can't remember. :confused:

[nle5]

Also, I see you mentioned the signing of the license. I've not seen that part mentioned in any articles I've ever read. Wouldn't you do that part after the ceremony, right before you start pictures or something? Or do people do that as part of the ceremony? I didn't do it as part of my ceremony before, although I'm not really sure at what point I signed my license...I can't remember. :confused:

Signing of the license is usually done before or after the wedding. I have seen it done both ways but it is not actually a part of the wedding. Usually you will have your witnesses, the officiant, and the photographer there to take pictures of the actuall signing of the license.

[koolade]

Signing of the license is usually done before or after the wedding. I have seen it done both ways but it is not actually a part of the wedding. Usually you will have your witnesses, the officiant, and the photographer there to take pictures of the actuall signing of the license.


thanks ladies. i wasnt too sure when the signing of licence happened either(obviously:)) so thanks for clearing that up!!!

[reecey]

thanks ladies. i wasnt too sure when the signing of licence happened either(obviously:)) so thanks for clearing that up!!!

Actually, I have seen it included as part of a wedding - one way that I thought was really cool was, after the lighting of the unity candle, the bride and groom came back to the front of the altar, and the BM and MOH went behind the unity candle where the marriage license was and signed it (in Michigan, you don't sign your own marriage license, your witnesses do)
Anyway - I thought it was really cool.

[nle5]

Actually, I have seen it included as part of a wedding - one way that I thought was really cool was, after the lighting of the unity candle, the bride and groom came back to the front of the altar, and the BM and MOH went behind the unity candle where the marriage license was and signed it (in Michigan, you don't sign your own marriage license, your witnesses do)
Anyway - I thought it was really cool.

Well, I guess if you want to include it in your wedding you can. I think having it after the unity candle lighting would be the most appropriate place to have signing of the license. I think each state is different with who is supposed to sign the marriage license. I do believe in AZ both the married couple and the witnesses sign it.

[Rev_Hansen]

GENERAL OUTLINE OF SERVICE
Outline of Wedding Ceremony from start to finish.
Times shown here are used only for this outline.
The simple rule of thumb is where ever there is a major brake you can insert music to show transition. Run thru your vows, allowing 5 - 10 mins for each section and play the song(s) you want. Get a feel for overall length of ceremony and crop where needed.

5:30 -- Entire wedding party dressed and in place for pictures
6:45 -- Wedding party waiting in annex
6:45 -- Music begins,
6:50 -- Family & friends begin to seat themselves.

7:00 -- Seating of Honored Guests
Begin Guest Processional Music of choice
1. Seat groom's grandmother
2. Seat bride's grandmother
3. Seat groom's parents
4. Seat bride's mother

7:10 -- Begin Processional

1. Pastor and Groom enter from side together
2. Groomsmen escort Bridesmaids
3. Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man
4. Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

Begin Wedding March
1. Bride with Father enters
2. Bride's mother stands as signal for all to stand
3. Wedding party turns to greet bride
4. Party turns to face the minister

-- Opening Prayer
Congregation asked to be seated

Initial Welcoming Remarks
SAMPLE -- We are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses to unite Bill and Sue in holy matrimony. As believers in Jesus Christ, they recognize that it was God who instituted marriage, and who said, "It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." The God who made and redeemed them also instituted this relationship they are about to enter.

The Concent is said
__________ and _________, the vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought and prayer. For in them you are committing yourselves exclusively the one to the other for as long as you both shall live. This love is not to be diminished by difficult circumstances, and it is only to be dissolved by death.
As God's children by faith in Jesus Christ, the relationship of marriage is especially meaningful. Certainly it is possible for non-believers to marry, but only members of God's family by faith in Jesus Christ can ever experience the joy and fulfillment which God intends for marriage to have. Let me remind you, ____ and ____ your home will never be what God intends for it to be if you leave Him out of your relationship. As you are obedient to the Word of God, and allow God to control your relationship, your home will be the place of joy and testimony to the world that God intends.
(I will, I will)

Giving Away of the Bride
Who gives this bride to this man..

Scripture Reading if any read


Church weddings -
Congregational Hymn or Solo
(Flower girl and ring bearer sit down)
Wedding Party Moves to Platform
(Bride and groom faces one another)


Wedding Vows are now recited
Do you I do , Do you I do

Ring Vows
Blessing of the rings

Pronouncement is made
For as much as ________ and _________ have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and these witnesses, and thereto have pledged their faithfulness each to the other, and have pledged the same by the giving and receiving each of a ring, by the authority invested in me as a minister of the gospel according to the laws of the State of Michigan, I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those that God has joined together, let no man put assunder.

(Some choose to add music here also)
Closing Prayer
Join with me as we ask God's blessing on this newly formed family. Let us pray.

Eternal Father, creator, redeemer, lover of our souls, we now turn to you, and as the first act of this couple in their newly formed union together. We ask you to protect their home. May they always turn to you for guidance, for strength, for provision, and direction. May they glorify you in the choices they make, in the ministries they involve themselves in, in all that they do. Use them to draw others to yourself, and let them stand as a testimony to the world of your faithfulness. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

The Kiss
You may now kiss your bride.

Introduction
Pastor - Ladies and Gentelmen, it is my happy privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. __________.

Recessional Music begins
Order of Recessional March out the door
· Bride and Groom
· Matron of Honor and Best Man
· Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
· Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
· Groomsmen/ushers exit, and then return for honored guests
who are escorted out in reversed order of their entrance.
· Ushers may dismiss the rest of the guests or usher them out row by row.

- Minister brings up the rear, and stands at the doorway.



PHOTO OPS
Arrangements should be made with the photographers to do all stage shots prior to wedding for the wedding party. This ensures your dress is crisp and wrinkle free in the photo.

If photos of the couple and minister are desired, they may be staged after the initial ceremony is compleeted. Your pastor and you may also Stage at the alter for photos such as rings, and kiss.

Key element shots such as candle lightings should be done durring the ceremony with out a flash if at all possible by one or even two or three key photographers to ensure your shots are recorded.

Group Family Photo Shots are conducted after the ceremony only

* A word of caution to the wedding couple - If you wear contacts you may experience red eye.

This gives everyone time to decorate the lead vehicle - DO NOT USE WIP CREAM ON THE PAINT as it will eat into the finish.

Couple Departs for the reception area.

[koolade]

Thank you so much Rev_Hansen!!! This helps me so much. And, on a side note, Im from Michigan also:)

[reecey]

Thank you so much Rev_Hansen!!! This helps me so much. And, on a side note, Im from Michigan also:)


Must be something in the water here - half the people on this board are from Michigan :) I'm one of them :)

[SusanM18]

OH :(
I am from upstate NY, but I still love all of my Michigan buddies from here :p

[Kelly1Mickey]

I am from Florida, but my Matron of Honor lives in Michigan! :)

[Debbie]

O.K. simple question for some of you, but I can't seem to fit this in... :eek:

The confetti? When is it thrown? As I remember it is as the bride and groom
is exiting the church... but how do you get all the guests out waiting for the
bride and groom? :confused:

[Kelly1Mickey]

The confetti (or whatever is used for your exit) is thrown when you leave the reception. Your guests would all go outside while you change into your going away outfits.

[koolade]

lol...reecey-must be something in the water!!! you are in traverse city right(you told me before)-my roommate in college was from traverse city-i guess technically lake leelenau. pointless info, i know, but just thought id share:)

[reecey]

lol...reecey-must be something in the water!!! you are in traverse city right(you told me before)-my roommate in college was from traverse city-i guess technically lake leelenau. pointless info, i know, but just thought id share:)

Yeah - its a small world :)

[Rev_Hansen]

Must be something in the water here - half the people on this board are from Michigan :) I'm one of them :)


Naw it's all that white stuff we get up here.. hehe THANK GOD SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!! IT'S ABOUT TIME

[koolade]

Naw it's all that white stuff we get up here.. hehe THANK GOD SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!! IT'S ABOUT TIME


LOL-youre right...im so excited about Spring! right now, im way in the upper peninsula....oringinally from port huron though, which is where the wedding is. but up here, there is still so much snow and definitely wont be gone by the time school is out in may!!! with these past couple of days of beautiful weather, snow is still up to my hips! anyway, sorry to get off topic an ramble on...lol

[nle5]

hehehe. I am from Arizona. I am lucky though that I am in the part of the state that is not too cold or too hot. Well, usually it isn't too cold or hot but our weather sure has been crazy lately. Like yesterday we actually had some snow here.

[katmaidhonor]

hehehe. I am from Arizona. I am lucky though that I am in the part of the state that is not too cold or too hot. Well, usually it isn't too cold or hot but our weather sure has been crazy lately. Like yesterday we actually had some snow here.


Kule , u're lucky to be in a state that has warm weather. :o

[Rev_Hansen]

WHEN SIGNING YOUR NAME ALWAYS USE A BLACK INK PEN - this is generally required by most county clerks offices.

When ever I do a wedding, I sign it first as the Clergy Member, I then will get with the Best man, and the MOH (or whom ever is to be the witness') They sign in the blocks that they each must sign in. I then will get with the B & G (bride and groom) and have them sign it shortly after I arrive on site..
Once all is signed, I grab the Groom, and prep to do the wedding itself.

If the family wants, we can do a staged photo op after - but first I have to ensure that each person signs on the "dotted lines" correctly.

I've ran into problems if I delay because of family photos, and other things that have to be done for the photographers both hired, as well as those who were at the wedding.

Myself, I ask that those whom wish to take photos join us at the alter area where we do a quick run thru of all major elements.. from walking down the isle to rings, candles, and presentations. Many family members will be in a poor area to get that perfect shot, so this allows them all a chance as well as your hired person to get a clean shot. Thus ensuring your wedding is captured on film for you.

Doing it this way all is compleeted, and I can then prepair them to be mailed to county without having to track anyone down. At the end of the day, I present the B & G with thier copy.

If I go to the reception (which is 99% of the time)
I will generally present it to the couple upon entering the hall so they can have it at the head table. If they have ordered a Cirtificate with frame, I give both the cirt, and lic together along with a copy of the vows themselves. After which, I say a blessing once again for the family and friends asking for a safe journey home with the couple standing beside me. And then I bid them all a great night of fun and generally leave. This is also when I pick up my Service Fee, If I haven't done it earlier. I've found that this has worked best for me.

Some ministers will want "cash up front" before doing anything so be sure to ask your clergy person how they want it. Most will tell you at your first meeting with them. Some may want cash only, other will take a check made out to them personaly. It's up to that individual and how they want this paid and when. So be flexable.

[Elle]

O.K. simple question for some of you, but I can't seem to fit this in... :eek:

The confetti? When is it thrown? As I remember it is as the bride and groom
is exiting the church... but how do you get all the guests out waiting for the
bride and groom? :confused:

I was wondering the same thing. If the Bride and Groom are to march out of the church first, how does everyone get out there to throw rice or whatever. Do we stand there and wait for all of the guests to follow? I am planning to do a butterfly or dove release at the end of our wedding ceremony, so we will be standing at the church exit waiting for everyone, I guess. I read a response to your question that the rice is thrown after the reception but I don't recall that being correct. Anyone here can help? Rev?

[Kelly1Mickey]

I was wondering the same thing. If the Bride and Groom are to march out of the church first, how does everyone get out there to throw rice or whatever. Do we stand there and wait for all of the guests to follow? I am planning to do a butterfly or dove release at the end of our wedding ceremony, so we will be standing at the church exit waiting for everyone, I guess. I read a response to your question that the rice is thrown after the reception but I don't recall that being correct. Anyone here can help? Rev?

I know I can remember seeing pics of brides and grooms leaving the church with the confetti, bird seed. etc. being thrown, but every wedding I have been to the confetti (or whatever) is thrown when the bride and groom make the final exit after the reception.

Actually, I work at a beach resort where we hold weddings and receptions and it is always that way too.

Usually after the ceremony, the receiving line will be formed so that as guests exit they go through the line. I was at one wedding where the church had a huge 'lobby' area. So, the bride and groom exited the actual congregation area and did the receiving line in the lobby. I guess if you had a facility similar to this then you could be the last to leave (since all of your guests will have walked through the receiving line and you will still be inside). Then have your guests waiting outside so you could walk out and do the release.

Did that make sense? :confused:

[reecey]

I know I can remember seeing pics of brides and grooms leaving the church with the confetti, bird seed. etc. being thrown, but every wedding I have been to the confetti (or whatever) is thrown when the bride and groom make the final exit after the reception.

Actually, I work at a beach resort where we hold weddings and receptions and it is always that way too.

Usually after the ceremony, the receiving line will be formed so that as guests exit they go through the line. I was at one wedding where the church had a huge 'lobby' area. So, the bride and groom exited the actual congregation area and did the receiving line in the lobby. I guess if you had a facility similar to this then you could be the last to leave (since all of your guests will have walked through the receiving line and you will still be inside). Then have your guests waiting outside so you could walk out and do the release.

Did that make sense? :confused:

that makes total sense. I think that the movement of the birdseed throwing thing occured as churches got smaller and weddings got bigger. I've noticed that a lot of churches that were built in the last 20 years have very small lobbies and a very large congregation hall. Old churches (mine's an older one) have larger lobby/waiting areas and that allows for the receiving line to be inside as well.

Speaking of which, we (my photographer and I) recently did a wedding at a church that was very very small - it didn't even really have a lobby area, just a small hallway that had restrooms - and then BOOM, you're in the congregation hall. So the suggestion that was raised was, for the bride and groom to exit after the ceremony and have all people remain seated. Then the bride and groom came back in, starting at the front, and greeted each guest, row by row and excused them. It was very efficient and ensured that everyone got to say hello to the bride and groom :)

[Debbie]

I was wondering the same thing. If the Bride and Groom are to march out of the church first, how does everyone get out there to throw rice or whatever. Do we stand there and wait for all of the guests to follow? I am planning to do a butterfly or dove release at the end of our wedding ceremony, so we will be standing at the church exit waiting for everyone, I guess. I read a response to your question that the rice is thrown after the reception but I don't recall that being correct. Anyone here can help? Rev?

Elle, as we are definitely doing the "confetti" rigth after the ceremony, we will
have the guests leave the church and wait outside while we go to sign the
license and take a photo or two... That way the guests will be waiting outside
the church doors when we come out.

We won't leave the reception early (we'll probably be of the last people
to leave :D ) therefore no confetti can be thrown at the reception.

Hope this helps :)

[Elle]

Elle, as we are definitely doing the "confetti" rigth after the ceremony, we will
have the guests leave the church and wait outside while we go to sign the
license and take a photo or two... That way the guests will be waiting outside
the church doors when we come out.

We won't leave the reception early (we'll probably be of the last people
to leave :D ) therefore no confetti can be thrown at the reception.

Hope this helps :)
Thanks, that makes sense! :)