Wedding Ceremony Archives - Page 2 of 2

Catholic Wedding Prelude Songs

Today, we’re going to be looking at Catholic wedding prelude songs. It’s important to note that what songs a church allows will vary. We’ll be looking at some of the most popular Catholic wedding processional songs and prelude songs.

However, it’s best to consult the priest and the church itself before making any final decisions. Every church is unique and has different requirements for wedding songs. It is a requirement that all songs throughout the ceremony are prayerful. So let’s take a look at what songs you can choose.

Catholic Wedding Music

There is a huge selection of songs on offer for Catholic weddings, but please check with your priest on whichever choices you make. Their decision is final and should be respected, even if it’s a song you had your heart set on.

Catholic Wedding Prelude Songs

A prelude is 10-15 minutes of music before the ceremony begins. As your guests are gathering and seating themselves for the wedding, it’s a good idea to have some gentle music playing. Or if you’re lucky enough to have a choir/singers at your wedding,

Not for Tongue’s of Heaven’s Angels – Michael Joncas
A Nuptial Blessing – Michael Joncas
Set Me as a Seal – Matt Maher
My Heart, Your Home – Chandler Moore and Alton Eugene
How Beautiful – Paris Twila
The Prayer – David Foster and Katharine McPhee
Sheep May Safely Graze – Bach

You usually play around 5 songs for the prelude, and there are lots of other options to choose from if these don’t feel right. Many churches will have their own selection of songs to choose from, which may make it easier for you.

Catholic Wedding Processional Songs

The procession music is played when the Bride and Bridal party enter the ceremony. You can choose one or two songs for this part of the wedding. This is all dependent on how large your bridal party is.

If you have one or two bridesmaids, one song will be enough. However, if your party consists of grandmothers, mothers, bridesmaids, flower girls, etc., you may need two. These songs can be played or sung.

The entrance of the bride usually has a different song to announce her arrival. She deserves all the attention, after all.

It’s worth noting that some of the songs we’ve looked at in the prelude, can also be used as processional music, and vice versa.

Song Choices

Some popular options include:

Come to Thou Fount of Every Blessing – Chris Rice. It’s worth mentioning that this song has multiple versions, so choose which one suits your wedding most. It’s a gorgeous solo song that will leave your guests weeping with joy, with lyrics such as, “Come Thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace, Streams of mercy never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise”.
This is the Day – Scott Wesley Brown. This has been an extremely popular Catholic wedding song for decades now, and it’s not difficult to see why. With lyrics like, “This is the day that the Lord hath made, and I’m so glad, He made you, with each rising sun you are here by my side, you are more than a dream come true”, it’s a beautiful and heartfelt choice.
Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel. It wasn’t composed as a Bridal march, but it’s now a wedding favorite. It makes for a lovely entrance choice, especially if you want a song that does not have any words.
Arioso – Bach. Bach is one of the most popular composers to use at Catholic weddings and it’s not hard to see why he’s a favorite. It’s the perfect melody for any wedding.
Panis Angelicus – Andre Rieu. There are many versions of this song, and it’s a great piece for the Bridal party procession to walk down the aisle too, rather than the Bride herself.

Catholic Wedding Ceremony Songs

Catholic weddings usually have music playing throughout their ceremony. If you opt for music throughout the ceremony, here are some choices you may like to use.

God is Able – Hillsong Worship. It may not be a traditional choice, but with lyrics such as, “God is with us, He will go before, He will never leave us”, it does make a good one.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach. Back with much-loved composer, Bach. You can’t go wrong choosing Bach as any part of your wedding music. It’s relaxing, calm, and truly beautiful.
Ave Maria. This is one of the most popular choices, and there are so many versions of this song to choose from. It’s one of my favorite choices.

For more song choices to use throughout the remainder of your wedding, Love and Lavender have a Guide to the Best Catholic Wedding Songs.

Live Music and Instruments

When choosing your music, it’s important to bear in mind what instruments you’ll have throughout your wedding. And how many singers you’ll have if any. These are all things to bear in mind when choosing music. Some pieces of music sound better with certain instruments, and may not sound best on instruments such as a violin, or organ, etc. Your musicians will be able to help you with any questions you may have, and guide you through your wedding music options.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to become more familiar with Catholic wedding prelude songs. The church your ceremony will be held at will likely have many options at hand to help you if you’re still struggling to make a decision. There’s a plethora of beautiful Catholic songs to choose from, so you will certainly be spoilt for choice!

Did you have a Catholic wedding, or are you planning to have one? If so, let me know which songs you’re choosing. If any of your choices, didn’t make the list – I would love to hear them! Please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below. You may be helping out future Brides and Grooms with their own weddings.

Wedding Without Religious Aspects

Today, we’re going to be looking at having a wedding without religious aspects. You may be an atheist (like me!) and that is completely fine. Your wedding can still be as formal and special, as any religious wedding is. But what may need to be changed to have a wedding without any religious aspects? Let’s take a closer look.

How Do Atheists Get Married?

A wedding between two atheists, or a couple that wishes to have a non-religious wedding holds the same principles as a religious wedding. You both wish to spend the rest of your lives together and want to make a commitment to show your love for one another. There is no place in a non-religious wedding for a higher power. This will all depend on your faith (or lack of it), culture, and tradition.

It’s important to tell the officiant who is marrying you that you do not want your vows to contain any religious undertones or words when you have your meeting with them beforehand. You may wish to scrap that tradition altogether and write your own vows for one another.

Non-Religious Aspects To Consider

There are several points to consider to start planning your wedding. To ensure it maintains non-religious throughout, here’s some things to bear in mind.

Atheist Wedding Officiant

At a religious ceremony, it’s usually quite self-explanatory who will be marrying you both. Whether it’s a priest, rabbi, or any other religious officiant. At a non-religious ceremony, the answer is: it’s up to you! It can be a legal official (such as a judge) or a secular officiant. Or if you’d like a family or friend to marry you both, that’s an option too! It’s easy to be ordained online now – and there’s nothing religious about it at all. You can find out more about becoming ordained here.

NOTE: Please check your country/state’s laws as to who you can allow to marry you and your partner.

The Venue

You may have always dreamed of getting married in a church. While that may still be available to you, it may come across as disrespectful to request a church ceremony if both of you are non-religious. However, if this is something you’d like, speak to the church and discuss their feelings around it. I would highly advise not having a church wedding if you’re both atheists.

Outside of a church (and any other place of worship), you can choose to have your wedding almost anywhere if you’re looking for a non-religious wedding! Hotels, castles, beaches – the world is your oyster. As long as it’s meaningful to you and your partner, that is the most important thing.

NOTE: Again, before deciding on the place of your wedding, check your country/state’s laws to ensure where your wedding is taking place is legal.

The Ceremony

There are lots of vows that include God and religious aspects throughout. When discussing your wedding with your officiant, be sure to disclose to them that you’re both not religious and would like your vows to reflect that. Be sure to remove any religious readings and hymns that may be seen as “standard” where your wedding is taking place.

And if you’d like something truly original, writing your own vows and choosing your own readings is a great way to veer away from the religious side of a wedding ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony Ideas – Non-Religious

If you’re looking for some alternative ceremony ideas that stray from “traditional” altogether, here are some great non-religious ceremony ideas, that still convey your union, and love for one another, beautifully.

Sand Ceremony. Each of you chooses a different color of sand and mix the sand into one container. The idea behind it is that now the sand is mixed together, it’s almost impossible to make separate, just like you and your new life partner
Candle Ceremony. Candles are extremely popular in non-religious weddings and can be utilized in a range of ways. You each light a candle, with a large, unlit candle in the middle. At the end of the ceremony, you each light the large candles with the small candle you lit earlier. This symbolizes two becoming one, and your unity.
Tree Planting Ceremony. Not only is this a beautiful idea, but it’s good for the environment too! Each gets soil from a place that’s special to you (or your garden if that’s easier!) and plant a tree in the combined soil. Over the years, you can watch trees grow, just like your relationship continues to. It’s symbolic and is a landmark you and your partner can cherish forever.
Tying the Knot Ceremony. We often refer to a wedding as “tying the knot”, so why not take that in it’s most literal sense? Bind your hands together (and your children if you have them), to show that you are eternally bound together, and choose a knot that is special to you. Go wild with colors and materials!

There’s a range of other ceremony ideas that are non-religious over on the Confetti website. From water ceremonies to wine ceremonies, to love letter ceremonies – there’s so many to choose from, that can be personal to you.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you to understand how easy it is to get have a wedding without any religious aspects. The most important part of any wedding is declaring your unwavering love for one another, and committing to spending the rest of your lives together. As long as your wedding has those principles, your marriage is just as perfect as a religious one.

Did you have a non-religious wedding? I did! If so, what ideas do you have for any future bride and grooms? Was there anything that didn’t make the list that you think is worth sharing? If so, please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below. You may be helping out any future couples with their own wedding day.

Tiffany Blue and Yellow Weddings

Today, we’re going to be looking at Tiffany blue and yellow weddings. In more recent years, a Tiffany blue and gold wedding has become increasingly popular. And it’s not hard to see why. Tiffany blue is the signature color of the infamous brand, Tiffany and Co. The color is bold, but somehow still remains subtle. It adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your wedding, in the most beautiful way.

It’s a color that radiates calm when you see it, and that’s why it’s the perfect addition to your wedding day. The color is versatile and works well with a range of colors (we’ll be looking at those later!), but more commonly, Tiffany blue and gold are the preferred color theme. But how can you inject those colors into your wedding? Let’s take a closer look.

How Can I Incorporate Tiffany Blue and Yellow into my Wedding?

Whether you want the color scheme of your wedding to be obvious, or you’d rather opt for more subtle ways, there’s a range of ideas to incorporate the colors into your wedding. Let’s take a look at a few.

Bridal Party. If you’re wanting something really striking, a super cute idea would be Tiffany blue bridesmaid dresses. Their bouquet of flowers could be something less traditional, like Sunflowers. This pairing is bold and looks beautiful.
Groomsmen. For something more subtle, the men of the wedding could wear a Tiffany blue tie/cravat and have their pocket square/handkerchief a cheery yellow color.
Décor. Decorating is one of the best parts of the wedding – so feel free to go wild! Yellow and blue bunting works well together. Even down to alternating blue and yellow straws at the tables!
Wedding Cake. A Tiffany blue cake with yellow and white flowers cascading down would look stunning, and fit in with the scheme perfectly.
Chairs. Decorating chairs is time-consuming if you’re doing it yourself, but worth the extra effort. A Tiffany blue banquet cover with a yellow bow is an idea you could use on your big day. This is definitely not a subtle look!

Tiffany Blue Wedding Centerpiece

Centerpieces are by far the easiest way to incorporate the color theme into your wedding, in the most natural way. They take pride of place on each table and one of the first things your guests will see when they enter. Let’s take a look at some ideas!

Tiffany Boxes. A popular choice that adds a touch of class to your wedding is a tower of boxes, that resemble the iconic Tiffany and Co boxes. You can actually make these yourself reasonably easily. All you’ll need is scissors, boxes, glue gun and sticks, white ribbon, and spray paint. Here’s a video where you can learn to do it yourself!

Balloons. If you’re looking for a budget open that still looks beautiful, balloons are a great option – and also what I used at my own wedding. I bought my own helium tank and made arrangements on the day (you can get someone to do this for you if you do not have time). Whether you opt for Tiffany blue balloons on their own or add yellow/white for a touch of color – they’ll look amazing.
Flowers. Lots of couples opt for flowers as their centerpieces. Whether you opt for something subtle like a Tiffany blue ribbon tied around the arrangement or have Tiffany blue flowers themselves, this is a great way to incorporate the color into your wedding.

For more Tiffany blue wedding decorations and centerpiece ideas, Wedding Forward has a great article that you may find useful.

What Color Goes With Tiffany Blue for a Wedding?

If you’d like Tiffany blue in your wedding but are unsure on yellow/gold as the secondary color, never fear – there’s plenty of other beautiful alternatives! Let’s take a look at the most common colors paired with Tiffany blue.

Blush Pink. Blush pink is my personal favorite to go alongside blue. It’s the perfect wedding day color and is easy to add touches of pink to whatever you choose. Blush pink is a more traditional wedding color, so perfect for a more traditional wedding. Cake, bouquets, and bridesmaids/groomsmen are easy ways to inject these colors into your wedding.
White. Another traditional color is white. Tiffany blue and white look amazing together; it’s a comforting and peaceful pairing. As the bride is usually already wearing white – you already have a start!
Orange. This is a bold one that would work great at a more casual wedding or a Fall wedding. An orange, blue and white wedding cake is a good starting point. Also, bright orange bouquets with Tiffany-colored bridesmaid dresses looks eye-catching.
Grey. If you’re wanting something in the middle of traditional, yet striking – why not opt for Tiffany blue and grey? These colors can work at a casual or formal wedding. Getting the groomsmen to wear grey suits and the bridesmaids to wear Tiffany blue dresses looks stunning in photos.

Although those are the most popular color choices, you can pair Tiffany blue with any color that you like! It’s your wedding day, so choose whatever works for you. What other colors do you think work well with Tiffany blue?

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped with your Tiffany blue and yellow weddings. As Tiffany blue is such a gorgeous, versatile color – it really does work well with almost anything. And it’s one of the easiest colors to find items themed around, so it can make your wedding planning as easy as possible.

Did you have Tiffany blue at your wedding? I did! How did you incorporate it into your big day? My flowers, centerpieces, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen accessories, and even my wedding favors, were all blue and white. I would love to know any ideas you have, so please feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below. You may be helping out future couples with their wedding.

Best Time Of Day To Have A Wedding

When it comes to wedding planning, there are so many different things to take into consideration. One of the biggest decisions will be deciding what time to have your wedding. Knowing the best time of day to have a wedding can help you decide the perfect time for your big day.

Choosing a wedding time can be tricky, as you want to make sure all your venues can accommodate the date and time you choose. In addition, you want the time to be convenient for your guests. You want to minimize the time your guests need to take off work and travel.

Best Time of Day to Have a Wedding

The best time of day for a wedding ceremony will vary according to the day of your wedding. In addition, some places will offer discounts for weddings on Sundays or weekdays, as they are not as popular months. Certain venues may even offer discounts for winter weddings as they are not as popular.

Best Time to Have a Wedding on a Friday

If you are planning on having your wedding on a Friday, the best time to have your ceremony is in the evening. Choosing an evening time, such as 6 or 7 p.m. will give your guests time to plan accordingly after work.

In addition, having an evening wedding on a Friday can help minimize the time out-of-town guests need to travel. By having an evening wedding, they will likely only have to take one or two days off of work.

Best Time to Have a Wedding on a Saturday

Saturday is the most popular day to have a wedding. For out-of-town guests, they are able to travel in the night before your wedding and likely won’t have to take any time off. In addition, you don’t have to worry about most people working the next day.

For Saturdays, the best time to do a wedding is in the afternoon or evening. Saturdays give you more flexibility in the time of day you can have your wedding. Depending on your preferences, anytime from 1 p.m.- 7 p.m. is an ideal time for your wedding.

Oftentimes 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. are the most popular times to have a Saturday wedding. This gives your guests that are traveling plenty of time to arrive at your wedding. In addition, this allows you to have dinner after your ceremony and then your reception at night, which is great for those who love to party.

Saturday mornings can also be a great time for a wedding. If you don’t plan on having your reception be a big party, 11 a.m. can be an ideal time for a Saturday ceremony. Lunch can follow your ceremony and you will have plenty of time to get pictures during the daylight, no matter the season.

Best Time to Have a Wedding on a Sunday

If you are planning on having a Sunday ceremony, the best time to have your wedding is morning or afternoon. This will give your guests from out-of-town plenty of time to travel home after your wedding.

For Sunday, anytime between 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. is an ideal time for a wedding. You can incorporate lunch after your wedding or even stick with just hors’ devours. Evening weddings can also work for Sundays, but people will likely not be able to stay out as late as they would for a Friday or Saturday wedding.

Best Time to Have a Wedding During the Week

Some people will choose to have their wedding on a weekday since they can get discounts from venues. However, not all venues operate during the week.

If you have your wedding on a weekday, it is best to go with a late afternoon or early evening ceremony. This will be easier for the majority of your guests. However, it is important to note some guests will not be able to attend your ceremony if it is during the week.

Benefits of Each Time of Day

Each time of day comes with its own benefits when it comes to deciding on a ceremony time. By knowing these benefits, it can help you decide which time of day is right for you.

Benefits of a Morning Wedding

Having a morning wedding allows you to take pictures at sunrise, prior to the ceremony. This will allow for some truly breathtaking shots. In addition, some venues will be cheaper for morning weddings between 9 a.m.-11 am.

For morning weddings, you can opt to serve brunch or lunch after your ceremony. You will likely have a smaller budget for alcohol, as people won’t be drinking as much in the morning.

Some people will make their wedding into an all-day-long event. This is a great way to celebrate for as long as possible, but it can get very expensive to rent venues out for an entire day.

Benefits of an Afternoon Wedding

Afternoon weddings can be a great option as they are a more ideal time for families. You can serve lunch afterward or even just serve hors’ devours, which will save money.

Some people will take a break between the wedding and reception that is a few hours long. This will allow the reception to be held at night, allowing for a party.

Benefits of an Evening Wedding

Having a wedding in the evening will give you plenty of time to get ready and take pictures. In addition, you can even get some stunning sunset pictures after your ceremony.

At an evening wedding, you can have dinner following your ceremony. You can then spend the rest of your night celebrating with your guests.

In addition, an evening wedding will give your guests ample time to arrive at the ceremony location. This can make things easier for guests who are traveling from far away.

Deciding on What Time Should You Get Married

Figuring out when is the best time to get married is a big decision. The best time will vary depending on the day of the week. For Fridays, evenings are best, for Saturdays, any time works well and for Sundays, mornings and afternoons are best.

Do you have any questions on the best time of day to have a wedding? If so, please ask your wedding planning questions in the comment section below.

Read more about How To Make Corsages For Weddings.

Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Script

No matter how you plan your wedding, whether big or small, it is still a special day. If you are planning something simple, you will want a courthouse wedding ceremony script that is fitting for you and your partner. Having a courthouse wedding is simple, but can still be just as romantic as an extravagant wedding.

Many people opt to have a courthouse wedding because it is more affordable and intimate. Oftentimes, there will only be a handful of guests attending and the ceremony will be short. Having a civil ceremony can be a great option for a lot of couples.

Courthouse Wedding Ceremony Script

Just like any wedding ceremony, you will have a script for your courthouse wedding. Some people will keep their courthouse marriage vows traditional, whereas others prefer to make it more personal. In addition, some people choose to only do the vows, whereas others also like to include a small reading as well.

No matter how you plan your courthouse wedding, you will need at least one, in some cases two, witnesses. The witnesses must be at least 18 years old.

Though many people opt to have their civil wedding at the courthouse of their hometown, not everyone does. In fact, your civil ceremony might not even take place in a courthouse, it could even happen at a wedding chapel.

Courthouse Wedding Vows

When it comes to a wedding, it is important you and your partner agree on the vows you want. No matter if you want personal or traditional, it is important that you both agree on them. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to choose from, as the American Marriage Ministries has multiple court-approved and couple-approved courthouse wedding ceremony scripts.

American Marriage Ministries Vows Option One

The following vows are written by American Marriage Ministries and are a common choice for civil ceremonies.

“I [Partner A], take you [Partner B] to be my wife (husband), my partner in life, and my one true love.

I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before.

I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you,

loving you faithfully through good times and bad,

regardless of the obstacles we may face together.

I give you my hand, my heart, and my love,

from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”

Partner A repeats the vows line by line.
Officiant to partner B:

“Repeat after me:
I [Partner A], take you [Partner B] to be my wife(husband), my partner in life, and my one true love.

I will cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before.

I will trust you and respect you, laugh with you and cry with you,

loving you faithfully through good times and bad,

regardless of the obstacles we may face together.

I give you my hand, my heart, and my love,

from this day forward for as long as we both shall live.”

American Marriage Ministries Vows Option Two

The following vows are written by the American Marriage Ministries and are commonly used for courthouse weddings.

“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

If so answer ‘I do’.”

Partner A Says ‘I Do’.
Officiant To Partner B

“Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live? If so answer I do.”

Partner B Says ‘I Do’.”

American Marriage Ministries Vows Option Three

These vows are by the American Marriage Ministries and can easily be customized to you and your partner.

“Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, please face each other and join both your hands.”

The couple does as instructed.
Officiant to Partner A:

“[Partner A], please repeat after me:

I, [Partner A], take you, [Partner B], to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life.”

Officiant to Partner B:

“[Partner B], please repeat after me:

I [Partner B], take you, [Partner A], to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you all the days of my life.”

Officiant to Partner A:

“[Partner A], have you any special words you’d like to say to [Partner B]?”

Partner A recites their vows.
Officiant to Partner B:

“[Partner B], have you any special words you’d like to share with [Partner A]?”

Partner B recites their vows.”

Civil Ceremony Wedding Vows

Having a civil ceremony is a wonderful option for many couples. It is convenient, intimate, and affordable. Though most civil ceremonies do happen in courthouses, there are plenty of other places that you can have them as well.

Just like any wedding ceremony, you want to have a ceremony script planned out with the vows you plan on saying. Fortunately, the American Marriage Ministries provides wedding scripts that are specifically designed for civil weddings, making your job much easier. You can opt for the more traditional vows or go for a more customizable option.

When choosing your vows, make sure that you and your partner agree on them. It is important you both decide on something that will be meaningful to both of you as a couple. Your wedding is a special day, so you want to choose vows that will make the day memorable.

Do you have any questions regarding finding a courthouse wedding ceremony script? If so, please ask any questions relating to courthouse weddings and vows down below in the comment section.

Read more about Wedding Readings For Blended Families.

Wedding Readings For Blended Families

A wedding is a special time for any couple. For blended families, incorporating everyone can sometimes be tricky. Fortunately, there are some great wedding readings for blended families that will make the couple and their kids feel special and loved.

Started a blended family is both exciting and nerve-racking. It can be a big change for your children, as they will now have step-siblings. A meaningful wedding reading can help ease the entire family into the new transition.

Blended Family Wedding Ceremony Script

Planning the ceremony script is an important part of every wedding. Some people prefer to use traditional vows and readings, whereas others opt for personalized vows and modern readings. No matter the route you take, there are many great ways to interpret both families into the ceremony.

For your ceremony script, you can incorporate different aspects of your blended family in wedding readings, poems, and even in your vows. In addition to you are your partner doing vows, you can do vows for your children as well. The vows to your children and step-children can include how you will love and support them all as family.

Blended Family Vows

For blended families, it can be important to incorporate the whole family in the vows. In some cases, the children may want to read vows as well as they are gaining a new family. Fortunately, there are some great vows for the couple and their children as well.

Sample of Vows for Couple

Bride/Groom: I, (name), take you, (name of spouse), to be my beloved spouse. In marriage, I promise to respect, love, honor, and cherish you and our family. I also commit to providing care, support, guidance, and love for (children’s names), promising to be there in both the good times and bad times.

Sample of Vows to the Children

To the Children: I promise to be there for (children’s names) no matter where life takes you. I promise to love, support, and care for (children’s names) no matter the circumstances. No matter what, I promise to be honest, kind, and respectful as grow together as a family.

Blended Family Wedding Poem and Readings

Poems are a great way to show love and affection to your family. They can be a meaningful way to make your wedding even more special for your entire family. They are a great way to further incorporate your children and step-children in the wedding.

Wedding Idea One

“What is REAL?’ asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender before Nana came to tidy the room. ‘Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?’
‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When someone loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’
‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit.

‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.’
‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,’ he asked, ‘or bit by bit?’

‘ It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.’

‘I suppose you are real?’ said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse only smiled.

‘Someone made me Real,’ he said. ‘That was a great many years ago, but once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.” – The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams.

Wedding Idea Two

“Family comes together
For always and forever
In sickness and in health
In poverty or in wealth
Family comes together
For always and forever
Without any reason
Anytime or any season
Family comes together
For always and forever

In death or in life
In happiness or in strife
Family comes together
For always and forever
In anger or in kindness
Whether all-seeing or in blindness
Family comes together
For always and forever
Whether for work or for play
They somehow find a way

For family to come together” – Glaedr the poet

Wedding Idea Three

“To be a part of a family, like mine is so divine where love is shown, hurt is shared, our love for each other is never impaired.

We talk, we laugh, we cry, but we are a family and we do it all together, for as a family we do it all as one.

For we are family, a family full of strength, a family full of love, a family no one can touch, that’s why I love my family so much, my family is my life and always will be forever.”- “I Love My Family So Much” by Filoi Hemopo.

Beautiful and Meaningful Wedding Readings for Blended Families

Having a blended wedding can be nerve-racking, but with the right planning, it can all go smoothly. By incorporating your children in the vows, you are making the ceremony extra meaningful. You are showing that you and your partner love the new family you are starting.

In addition, having poems or readings can add a wonderful touch to your wedding. It is important that your children feel loved and accepted as they become a part of your new blended family. In some cases, they may want to do the readings themselves, whereas some children may prefer to have another family member do them.

Do you have any questions about wedding readings for blended families? If so, please ask any of your blended wedding-related questions in the comment section down below.

Feminist Wedding Ceremony Script

The script is an important part of any wedding ceremony. However, some traditional scripts have become outdated. Having a feminist wedding ceremony script is a wonderful way to have a modern take on your big day.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can personalize your wedding ceremony to make it unique to you and your spouse. You can change any outdated script to have a feminist outtake that is more empowering. There are plenty of ways to modernize your wedding ceremony script that are still meaningful and respectful.

Making Your Wedding Ceremony Script Feminist

A lot goes into planning a wedding. From the venue, catering, dress shopping, and photographer, there are so many things you need to plan out. One of the most important things to plan out is your ceremony script.

Some people choose to keep traditional vows, whereas others opt to write their own. When deciding on the ceremony, it is important you and your spouse agree on how long it should be. Some people prefer a short and sweet ceremony, whereas others like something longer.

When planning your ceremony, there are several aspects you need to take into consideration. There are the vows, readings and some people even opt to also have poems as well. Prior to your wedding, you and your significant other need to plan what all you would like included in your ceremony script.

Feminist Wedding Vows

Whether you are writing your own or using traditional ones, you can easily put your own spin on your vows. By using empowering language, you can not only make it more feminist but also more meaningful.

Eliminate Non-Feminist Language

Traditional vows often contain language that is non-feminist and quite frankly outdated. For example the phrases “Do you promise to honor and obey your husband?” and “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?” are not exactly feminist.

Instead of using “obey” opt for saying words such as support and encourage. This is something both partners can say that is meaningful and also a modern take on traditional vows. In addition, ensure the vows are balanced and do away with any implication of possession and power imbalance in the script.

Feminist Wedding Readings

There are plenty of feminist wedding readings you can add to your ceremony that are special and meaningful. They are a great way to instill the love and respect you have for your significant other.

Wedding Reading Idea One

“Loving does not at first mean merging, surrendering, and uniting with another person … Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest people infinite distance exists, a marvelous living side-by-side can grow up for them if they succeed in loving the expanse between them, which gives them the possibility of seeing each other as a whole before an immense sky.” ― Rainer Maria Rilke, from Letters to a Young Poet.

Wedding Reading Option Two

“People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time all we let each other see is is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square. Love lets you find those hidden places in another person, even the ones they didn’t know were there, even the ones they wouldn’t have thought to call beautiful themselves.” – Hilary T. Smith, from Wild Awake.

Wedding Reading Option Three

“Love is tricky. It is never mundane or daily. You can never get used to it. You have to walk with it, then let it walk with you. You can never balk. It moves you like the tide. It takes you out to sea, then lays you on the beach again. Today’s struggling pain is the foundation for a certain stride through the heavens. You can run from it but you can never say no.” ― Amy Tan, from The Hundred Secret Senses.

Feminist Love Poems

Poems are one of the most romantic aspects you can add to a wedding. They are a beautiful and also special way to express how you feel about your partner.

Love Poem Option One

“To love is not to possess,
To own or imprison,
Nor to lose one’s self in another.
Love is to join and separate,
To walk alone and together,
To find a laughing freedom
That lonely isolation does not permit.
It is finally to be able
To be who we really are
No longer clinging in childish dependency
Nor docilely living separate lives in silence,
It is to be perfectly one’s self
And perfectly joined in permanent commitment
To another–and to one’s inner self.
Love only endures when it moves like waves,
Receding and returning gently or passionately,
Or moving lovingly like the tide
In the moon’s own predictable harmony,
Because finally, despite a child’s scars
Or an adult’s deepest wounds,
They are openly free to be
Who they really are–and always secretly were,
In the very core of their being
Where true and lasting love can alone abide.”

“To Love is Not to Possess” by James Kavanaugh.

Love Poem Option Two

“Leave the dishes.
Let the celery rot in the bottom drawer of the refrigerator
and an earthen scum harden on the kitchen floor.
Leave the black crumbs in the bottom of the toaster.
Throw the cracked bowl out and don’t patch the cup.
Don’t patch anything. Don’t mend. Buy safety pins.
Don’t even sew on a button…
Don’t worry
who uses whose toothbrush or if anything
matches, at all.
Except one word to another. Or a thought.
Pursue the authentic-decide first
what is authentic,
then go after it with all your heart.”

“Advice to Myself” by Louise Erdrich.

Love Poem Option Three

“Search your profile
For a translation
I study the conversation
Like a map
’cause I know there is strength
In the differences between us
And I know there is comfort
Where we overlap”

“Overlap” by Ani DiFranco.

A Romantic and Meaningful Feminist Wedding Ceremony Script

There are many beautiful ways you can update traditional wedding vows and readings to make them more feminist. This can help make your wedding day more meaningful to you and your partner.

Do you have any questions about what to include in a feminist wedding ceremony script? If so, please ask any wedding script questions in the comment section.

Read more about Wedding Ring Tattoos Pros and Cons

Non-Traditional Wedding Readings Of Harry Potter

If you are looking to add something personal to your wedding, non-traditional wedding readings of Harry Potter are a great option. This allows you to choose a reading that is special to you and your partner, instead of opting for traditional readings. There are many passages from the Harry Potter book that make for beautiful readings.

Whether you want something short or long, there are many different options to choose from. Each one is special and is a great way to share your love with your spouse. Whether you are wanting to incorporate Harry Potter into your vows or have a reading, there are many wonderful options to choose from.

Harry Potter Wedding Vows

Many people now choose to make their own vows instead of using traditional ones. This allows them to be more unique and special to the couple. If you are a fan of Harry Potter, there are many special passages you can incorporate into your own vows.

These quotes are great to add to your own vows as you write them. They are magical, romantic, and meaningful, making for some memorable wedding vows. These non-traditional wedding readings of Harry Potter are great for any lovers of the Wizarding World.

Vow Idea #1

“You are protected, in short, by your ability to love!”

Vow Idea #2

“Happiness can be found in the darkest times if one remembers to turn on the light.”

Vow Idea #3

“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

Vow Idea #4

“It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love.”

Vow Idea #5

“You’ll stay with me?” “Until the very end.”

Vow Idea #6

“Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure.”

Vow Idea #7

“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”

Vow Idea #8

“Even after all this time?” “Always.”

Harry Potter Wedding Reading

Many people choose to have a reading during their wedding ceremony. This is often a bible passage or a passage from a book that is important to the couple. These wedding readings from Harry Potter are the perfect addition to make any wedding more magical.

Wedding Reading #1

“A chilly breeze that seemed to emanate from the heart of the Forest lifted the hair at Harry’s brow. He knew that they would not tell him to go, that it would have to be his decision.

‘You’ll stay with me?’

‘Until the very end,’ said James.

‘They won’t be able to see you?’ asked Harry.

‘We are part of you,’ said Sirius. ‘Invisible to anyone else.’ Harry looked at his mother.

‘Stay close to me,’ he said quietly.”

And he set off. The dementors’ chill did not overcome him. He passed through it with his companions and they acted like patronuses to him. And together they marched through the old trees that grew closely together, their branches tangled, their roots gnarled and twisted underfoot.

Harry clutched the cloak tightly around him in the darkness, traveling deeper and deeper into the forest with no idea exactly where Voldemort was, but sure that he would find him.

Beside him, making scarcely a sound, walked James, Sirius, Lupin, and Lily. And their presence was his courage, and he was able to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

Wedding Reading #2

“We’ll be there, Harry,” said Ron
“What?”
“At your Aunt and Uncle’s house,” said Ron, “And then we’ll go with you wherever you’re going.”
“No-” said Harry quickly; he hadn’t counted on this, he had meant them to understand that he was undertaking the most dangerous journey alone.
“You said it once before,” said Hermione quickly, “that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We’ve had time, haven’t we? We’re with you whatever happens.”

Wedding Reading #3

“So then I thought, I’d like you to have something to remember me by, you know if you ever meet some veela when you’re off doing whatever you’re doing.’

I think dating opportunities are going to be pretty thin on the ground, to be honest.’

There’s a silver lining I’ve been looking for,’ she whispered, and then she was kissing him as she never kissed him before, and Harry was kissing her back, and it was a blissful oblivion, better than firewhiskey; she was the only real thing in the world, Ginny, the feel of her, one hand on her back, the other in her long sweet-smelling hair…”

Wedding Reading #4

“There was a clatter as the basilisk fangs cascaded out of Hermione’s arms. Running at Ron, she flung them around his neck and kissed him full on the mouth. Ron threw away the fangs and broomstick he was holding and responded with such enthusiasm that he lifted Hermione off her feet.

“Is this the moment?” Harry asked weakly, and when nothing happened except that Ron and Hermione gripped each other still more firmly and swayed on the spot, he raised his voice. “OI! There’s a war going on here!”

Ron and Hermione broke apart, their arms still around each other.

“I know, mate,” said Ron, who looked as though he had recently been hit on the back of the head with a Bludger, “so it’s now or never, isn’t it?”

Wedding Reading #5

“Harry looked around; there was Ginny running toward him; she had a hard blazing look in her face as she threw her arms around him. And without thinking, without planning it, without worrying about the fact that fifty people were watching, Harry kissed her. After several long moments, or it might have been half an hour-or possibly several sunlit days- they broke apart.”

A Magical Wedding

Adding snippets from the Harry Potter books to your vows or reading a passage during your ceremony is a great way to make your wedding more magical. Not only does it make it unique to you and your spouse, but it also makes the whole experience more special.

Do you have any questions regarding non-traditional wedding readings of Harry Potter? If so please ask them down below or share your favorite Harry Potter quotes.

Read more about Wedding Readings For Blended Families.