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

[SOM Z28]

I've come to love this website. Here is a page with a couple of articles on the order of reception events. 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.

[nle5]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by nle5

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]

Originally Posted by koolade

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 ***e 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]

Originally Posted by reecey

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 ***e 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]

Originally Posted by koolade

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