For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

Your own vows? Readings?
Tell me

I have a reading called 'These Hands' that is beautiful that I want the priest to read when he tells us to hold hands.

Anyone have unique church ideas?

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

We didn't do anything that uniqu at the church...

we did personalize our readings - especially the Prayer of the Faithful. We used Bible readings but shifted things around a bit (and avoided the common readings: Love is Patient, Love is kind...)

We didn't write our own vows (though we thought about it). Its a good thing we didn't, cause I was already holding back the tears...

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

We will write our own vows, as well as recite the traditional ones.

Oh, yeah, I booked the harpist, which I think will be a nice touch.
For the Unity Candle lighting, I will dedicate it to my Mother, who is no longer here, and I will have the harpist play something special.

My sister will recite a poem that she will write especially for us.

Last but not least, I will have my Father AND my Brother walking me down the isle.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

We did a poem called 'The Key to Love' instead of the first reading. We wrote our own vows. We had a string quartet and trumpeters doing music. And my Children's Choir also sang during mass. We also walked out to a piece that my husband's grandfather wrote, and I walked in to Kenny G's 'The Wedding Song'

People said that it was one of the best wedding masses they've been to. Made me feel like it was worth all the effort.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

We did the hands reading as well.
Also, my dad sang a song for us (w/his guitar) during one of the interludes.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

we are not allowed to do ANYTHING unique!

They are really strict. But originally we were going to write our own vows, and have the rings passed from person to person for their own little blessing. I was also going to include 'within the ribbon' cards in certain invites. Little cards wrapped with a ribbon that would be presented to the usher for special seating.

Also - the paper cones but made from light blue doilies (something blue) with ivory rose petals to toss. The programs were going to be in a barrel with the cones at the front of the ceremony room. We were going to have our MOH and Best Man tie the doors shut with an ivory satin ribbon (Italian tradition). We were also going to break the glass - even though we are not Jewish. And we were going to exit to a big band Sinatra song!!

Now..Pachalbel's Canon and Ode to Joy! But...St. Patrick's Cathedral!!!!! So I am not complaining!!!

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

We personalized our prayer of the faithful. In the last part of the prayer it mensioned our grandparents and my husbands friend who are no longer with us. We thought it was a nice way to remember them without bringing everyone to tears.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

We have a harpist (Janet King) instead of an organ
I am doing pew bouquets instead of bows
I am walking in to the theme from Life Is Beautiful
I wrote our Prayer of the Faithful
We are trying to right our own vows
The communion song is a song that I found on kazaa called How Beautiful, it is a gospel song but not very popular. I just love it.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

Very nice Michele, you are so creative!

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

We are not doing the traditional 'Bridal March' but rather will be playing different pieces of classical music. We are having a 'different' version of the 'Ave Maria'. During the lighting of the Unity Candle we are having a song played that was written by John Lennon (Supposedly, it was the only song he ever wrote that was permissable for use in church and my FH loves the Beatles, so he's all for it. ) We are bringing flowers as an offering to the Blessed Mother.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

Our ceremony is different anyway. My FH is Eastern Rites Catholic and they crown us during the ceremony and its a little different from what I am used to. We'll find out more this month during our last Pre-Cana. We'll probably combine a little bit of his and a little bit of the Roman Catholic ceremony.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

The John Lennon song is Grow Old With Me and it is my 1st dance song- although I am using the Mary ChapenCarpentar version which is a little less folk song sounding.

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

Hi Jen!! The only thing creative we did during the church was me hyperventilate saying my vows and everyone thinking I was about to pass out and ready to rush the altar!!! LOL It's quite funny on the video and my DH cracks up everytime we watch it!!!

Re: For CHURCH brides-What are you doing to make your mass/ceremony unique?

lol bearsbabe!