Let's Help Each Other & Share Ceremony Ideas
Good morning, everyone!
My DH and I continue to be eternally grateful for all the help that we have received here planning our wedding, and want to give back as much as I can!
I thought it would be nice if we could all share ceremony ideas to help the brides and grooms who are working on their ceremonies.
Here are a few things that we did to add special touches:
1) We included our grandparents in the processional and in the programs
2) My Mom and Dad walked me down the aisle
3) My DH's parents walked him down the aisle
4) We made rose petal cones with sheet music of Pachelbel's Canon (what I walked down the aisle to)
5) We included our grandma's in the ceremony. 1 lit the Memory Candle, and the other three each read a section of a poem. (It was so sweet)
6) In the program, under the each BP member's title and name, we included their relation to us. For example, 'Best Man, Name, Brother of the Groom'
7) We had an outdoor ceremony and string quartet (something I have always wanted)
8) Ladies with outdoor ceremonies who want to light a unity candle - we got a big hurricane glass at Pottery Barn to protect it from the wind. It worked Beautifully. Our candle stayed lit the Entire night - it was amazing. (Althought getting it lit was a bit of a challenge!)
9) We included the Rose Exchange and Hand Blessing - they were both big hits, and tear jerkers! I'll include the text below. (I made an edited version of the Hand Blessing to suit us more. I encourage everyone to edit/tailor each piece of the ceremony to fit you and your FH/FW.)
Rose Exchange
Bride and Groom] have exchanged their rings, an outward symbolic gift of the union they share. They have publicly announced their love and devotion by the exchange of vows. Before their pronouncement as husband and wife, I request that they perform one more act of symbolism. Since ancient times the Rose has been synonymous with the words “I Love You.” In your hands you each now hold a single red rose. For your first gift as a married couple, I ask that you now exchange your roses.
In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, marriage is like this. Tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
[Bride and Groom], I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love and trust.
If in the course of your life together, you should ever find that you are at odds or at a loss for words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose says what matters most of all, it says, 'I still love you.' The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.
Hand Blessing
It is now my privilege to be the first to address you as husband and wife and to perform one last, very special ceremony.
(Insert Bride’s Name) please face (Insert Groom’s Name) and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as you build your future together, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.
These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes, eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
(Insert Groom’s Name) please hold (Insert Bride’s Name) hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
My DH and I continue to be eternally grateful for all the help that we have received here planning our wedding, and want to give back as much as I can!
I thought it would be nice if we could all share ceremony ideas to help the brides and grooms who are working on their ceremonies.
Here are a few things that we did to add special touches:
1) We included our grandparents in the processional and in the programs
2) My Mom and Dad walked me down the aisle
3) My DH's parents walked him down the aisle
4) We made rose petal cones with sheet music of Pachelbel's Canon (what I walked down the aisle to)
5) We included our grandma's in the ceremony. 1 lit the Memory Candle, and the other three each read a section of a poem. (It was so sweet)
6) In the program, under the each BP member's title and name, we included their relation to us. For example, 'Best Man, Name, Brother of the Groom'
7) We had an outdoor ceremony and string quartet (something I have always wanted)
8) Ladies with outdoor ceremonies who want to light a unity candle - we got a big hurricane glass at Pottery Barn to protect it from the wind. It worked Beautifully. Our candle stayed lit the Entire night - it was amazing. (Althought getting it lit was a bit of a challenge!)
9) We included the Rose Exchange and Hand Blessing - they were both big hits, and tear jerkers! I'll include the text below. (I made an edited version of the Hand Blessing to suit us more. I encourage everyone to edit/tailor each piece of the ceremony to fit you and your FH/FW.)
Rose Exchange
Bride and Groom] have exchanged their rings, an outward symbolic gift of the union they share. They have publicly announced their love and devotion by the exchange of vows. Before their pronouncement as husband and wife, I request that they perform one more act of symbolism. Since ancient times the Rose has been synonymous with the words “I Love You.” In your hands you each now hold a single red rose. For your first gift as a married couple, I ask that you now exchange your roses.
In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, marriage is like this. Tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage.
[Bride and Groom], I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love and trust.
If in the course of your life together, you should ever find that you are at odds or at a loss for words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose says what matters most of all, it says, 'I still love you.' The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.
Hand Blessing
It is now my privilege to be the first to address you as husband and wife and to perform one last, very special ceremony.
(Insert Bride’s Name) please face (Insert Groom’s Name) and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as you build your future together, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.
These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family.
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes, eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
(Insert Groom’s Name) please hold (Insert Bride’s Name) hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go.
These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.
