Since the pandemic has changed the way we are able to host weddings for the time being, we are seeing more emphasis on ceremonies while receptions are being postponed. At this time in Ontario, you can host 50 guests at an outdoor ceremony and 30% of the capacity in an indoor ceremony. The ceremony is often overlooked, so now is the time to really focus in on personalizing. Your ceremony can reflect your personality just like your attire, florals, and décor! Here are 7 ways to do it:

Programs

Your programs are one of the easiest ways to bring your personality and wedding theme to the ceremony. You or your stationery designer can match the style of the programs to your invitations, RSVP cards, seating chart and menus! This will ensure that all your details flow throughout the entire wedding. The program does not have to be traditional. You can make it more fun by including fun facts about yourself, your partner and the wedding party, photos from your engagement shoot, what the guests can expect for the rest of the day or any details from your relationship like where you first met, your love song or the day you first said you loved each other! Tip for summer weddings – make your programs double as fans by adding a simple holder on the back!

Change the order of your processional

There are no rules that you must follow the traditional order of a processional. It is your wedding, and you can decide whatever you want! Feel confident that you can walk down the aisle, your way. Take time to consider how you want your wedding party to walk and who you want to walk down with. Perhaps you want the groomsmen to walk after the bridesmaids or you want your mother and father to walk you down the aisle. You may even want to walk down the aisle yourself, literally anything goes!

Music

Your ceremony music is one of the most fun details when it comes to planning your ceremony. There are many opportunities for song changes that include: guest seating, parents, groom, groomsmen & bridesmaids, ring bearer & flower girl and bride walking down, signing of the license and recessional. You may also have songs during the ceremony which will be discussed further on in this blog post. I highly recommend choosing songs that are meaningful to you, your partner, and your love story.

Officiant

Make sure you are 100% comfortable with the officiant you hire. You want to ensure that they understand you and your partner so that there is no confusion when it comes to the ceremony. Better yet, ask a friend or relative to officiate your wedding! They have been there throughout your entire relationship and can recall key moments. This will make the entire ceremony feel much more personal and intimate.

Vows

A big must is to personalize your vows. This is where you can profess your love for your partner and exchange promises in unison so the traditional vows may not cover everything you feel for them! This is the best and easiest way to make your ceremony completely your own. I also recommend bringing humor into your vows, you’ll be sure to share a few tears so adding in a laugh will help to control that.

Readings/Performance

If you’re looking to add something extra to your ceremony, the easiest way is to include readings, marriage advice or a performance. You could invite a loved one to read a passage or poem that represents your relationship or marriage, invite a couple in your family that have been married for many years to provide marriage advice or if you have a talented friend who can sing or play an instrument, have them perform something! This is something that your guests are sure to remember.

Unity Ceremony

There are many unique unity ceremonies that you can add in. Some examples include a candle lighting ceremony which involves each party lighting a single flame with their own candle and using those two candles to light one bigger candle which represents two lives becoming one. You could also plant a tree together, mix two types of sand together into one or put a modern spin on the unity ceremony and mix a cocktail together!

Looking for help on implementing these ideas into your ceremony? CK & Co. Events can help! We offer Full & Partial Planning as well as Month of Coordination and Event Design. Reach out to us today to learn what we can do for your Wedding and Event!