You have been thinking about this moment for a very long time, and it’s finally time to plan the part of the day that actually makes you married.

Some brides like it simple and traditional. Other like to mix it up, and this is for you. When planning the ceremony, there are several major parts to plan. Music, vows, traditions, rings, and logistics are all things to consider.

I’ll start by telling you about my day of wedded bliss. We were married outside by the lake at Wildwood Performing Arts Center. While we looked traditional in white gown and tux, our ceremony was distinctly us. I chose all 60′s music for the ceremony. The “This Magic Moment” and ” Just One Look” were played when our bridal party came in. I walked down the isle to “It’s Now or Never” by Elvis. We didn’t have ring bearers or flower girls, our mothers held the rings. His mother had mine, mine had his. As my pastor asked for them, the moms brought them up and kissed us on the cheek. It was a nice way to incorporate these people who are so vital to our happiness, and was a way of showing how much they supported our choice in a mate.
We skipped the candle/sand unity ordeal, as it still confuses me. I want to see some statistics that prove pouring sand together keeps you from getting a divorce. We also didn’t have programs. It seemed like an unneeded cost, and we wanted to keep the audience guessing.
We wrote our own vows. Time for a full disclosure, I was gonna wing it once I heard Brent’s. If he went funny so would I. While getting dressed I got word that he had color coded notecards. SNAP! I wrote mine on bathroom paper towels, and shoved them in my dress between my breasts, which got a big laugh as I pulled them out. Brent had written such beautiful, sentimental things, and I vowed not to buy more than two new pairs of shoes in a week. My reading was the poem Carrie Bradshaw wrote on a Sex and The City episode.  We gave our guests a chance to renew their vows, which was the first time our dear friends had the chance to say those words to each other in public, as unfortunately, some don’t recognize their love. We joke that we share the same anniversary.
Our pastor forgot to let us kiss, which I promptly reminded him, and we walked out to The Beach Boys “God only Knows.”

Some churches don’t allow secular music, so make sure you ask the church coordinator before you have your heart set on KC and JOJO. (kidding, but I just heard about a wedding where the bride walked out to their song. “close to me you’re like my mother” um, no thanks)
Ideas to consider:
*  each family member stands and says a prayer or blessing you’ve chosen.
* met in the theatre department? Play love songs from your favorite musicals
* create a reading by combining lines from the love letters you’ve written each other.
* really love your grandparents? Ask your pastor to include their advice for a happy marriage in the homily.
* instead of a pillow, tie rings onto the family bible or a photo album filled with relatives on their wedding day.
* have your technically advanced friend create a short movie about your relationship to show as guests come in and are seated.
* blend your family’s customs. I still remember reading about a Jewish  groom and Japanese bride who stepped on a sake bottle at the end of the wedding.

Find ways to make your ceremony as unique as your relationship. There is no rule that ceremonies have to be dull. Make your love obvious to the guests, and make them feel honored to be there