8 fun ways to involve your family & friends in your ceremony
The best part about having a civil marriage ceremony is that you and your partner get to decide what you do and don’t want include. Apart from a few details that our friends in the Australian Government have mandated (the Monitum, legal vows and signing the paperwork) everything thing else is totally up to you! Which means, if there are special people in your lives that you wish to have involved in your ceremony, you totally can.
Here are 8 fun ways to you could do this:
1. Wedding Party – this is an easy one. You can have as many or as few people in your Wedding Party (FYI the term Bridal Party is so 1989 – Wedding Party is where it’s at now!) Choose people who will make the whole day so much more enjoyable. And don’t forget, you don’t NEED to have a Wedding Party if you don’t want one.
2. In the Procession – while I full believe that neither party is an object to be ‘given away’, I love when the partner who is arriving second to the ceremony is escorted by someone important to them. Why? Because in that very special moment in their life, they are supported – emotionally and sometimes physically- by someone they care deeply about. It can be a parent, a sibling, or even just a very close friend. Plus, they get a moment together before the ceremony starts which can really calm the nerves.
Image: Love is Sweet Photography
3. Readings- a reading is a great way to include people in your ceremony, however it’s important to choose the right reading for the right person! There are so many different types of readings you can include- gone are the days where bible readings were the only option. If you want to a have a reading or two, work out what tone works with the ceremony vibe you are after and look for a reading that suits. And try to match the reader with the reading. Your Granny might not get the fun reading you picked out and your best mate might not be right for poetry.
4. Rituals- like readings, including a ritual in your ceremony can be an easy way to involve others. There are some easy ones, like a ring warming or where family/friends can add a flower to one partners’ bouquet. Then there are candle lightings, sand ceremonies and even cocktail making rituals- the list goes on. Just remember, when deciding if you want to include a ritual in your ceremony, work out if you want to do it for the sake of doing it, or because it’s really important to you. Nothing in your ceremony should be filler!
5. Crowd Vow of Support- you and your partner aren’t the only ones who can make a vow during your ceremony. A Crowd Vow of Support is a fun way to engage your guests. Your celebrant can ask them a fun statement and get them to respond “We do” or get them to repeat after the celebrant in a short statement about their intentions to support the couple and to really celebrate hard at the reception. A Crowd Vow of Support can also set the mood of your ceremony early and let your guests know that they are not going to be bored for the next 20 minutes.
Image: Sean Tak
6. Present the Rings- super simple. You choose someone to hold onto the rings and bring them forward at the key moment in the ceremony. Especially necessary if you are not having a Wedding Party.
7. Witnesses (x2)- under Australian law, you are required to have two adults, aged over 18, sign your paperwork as legal witnesses to your ceremony. So long as they understand the language in which your ceremony was delivered, are not intoxicated or under the influence of any drugs and are over 18, you can pick anyone you want to be your witness.
8. Toast to the happy couple- if your venue allows drinks in the ceremony space, this is a great way to finish your ceremony and get everyone in the mood to celebrate. During the signing, guests can get a drink (or top up an existing drink) and can all join together in a toast to the newlyweds. For an extra level of difficulty, make the drink a shot and really get the party started!
If you want to chat about your ceremony, book a free, no obligation Discovery Call here.
