Type and Tone

Creating the Ceremony Wedding Help How to Hire Rev. Fuller Site Map
Sample Ceremonies Photo Gallery Marriage Education Wedding Vendors
Beach Weddings About Rev. Fuller

Contact Form

 Home Page

Rites of passage are an important part of human life whether we are members of a religious community, consider ourselves "spiritual but not religious," or are completely secular. Our loved ones gather with us to celebrate our greatest happiness or alleviate our deepest pain. Our joys are multiplied and our sorrows divided in a communal context in which ritual, whether religious or secular, is involved. This site is primarily devoted to weddings, but it is my pleasure and an honor to assist you with commitment and vow renewal ceremonies, child dedications and baptisms, or memorial services and funerals - any ritual for which you feel a professional celebrant would be most appropriate.

Registration now open for the autumn marriage education class!

In This Section

Exchange of Vows
Blessing of Rings
Exchange of Rings
Readings
Unity Rituals
Additional Rituals
Blessing of the Marriage
Declaration of Marriage
Including Family &  Friends
Order of Service
Type and Tone

 

  

Each wedding has a different feel and flow. Some are extremely casual intimate gatherings and others are large elaborate formal affairs. The type of wedding refers to the content and the tone refers to the level of formality, in both verbage and appearance. The type and tone are not tied to one another.

The size of your wedding does not dictate either type or tone either. Odds are a 400 guest wedding will be more formal than a 4 guest wedding, but that is by no means a rule. I have officiated quite casual large weddings and fairly formal intimate gatherings.

Your wedding should reflect who you are. If you are not formal people by nature but feel obligated to invite hundreds of people than by all means have a casual or semi-formal wedding ceremony. If you are having a private ceremony but want to dress to the nines than do so.

I have my couples rate their tone on a sliding scale of 1 to 10. A one being an extremely casual ceremony in which I use less traditional vocabulary with a light-hearted delivery, can ad lib if deemed appropriate and play along if something funny happens during the service. A ten being a very formal ceremony in which I use highly traditional vocabulary with a solemn delivery, refrain from ad libbing and ignore it if something funny happens during the service.

Ceremony Type

  

Ceremony Tone

 
RELIGIOUS CEREMONY: These ceremonies include religious elements, rituals and/or traditions within a single denomination.

ECUMENICAL CEREMONY: Blends the religious elements, scripture, rituals and/or traditions from two or more religions. Also referred to as multi-faith, inter-faith or interdenominational. 

NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY: Conveys the religious aspects of a major world religion, but does not refer to the specific traditions of a particular denomination within that tradition.

SPIRITUAL CEREMONY: Evokes a sacred or divine feeling within the context of the union. Spirituality means different things to each of us, but I like the definition, "a thoughtful love of life." Inspiring and beautiful readings are included, but remain universal and are not necessarily connected with any particular religion. Sacramental language may be used such as "holy matrimony" or "sacred covenant."

CIVIL / SECULAR CEREMONY: Celebrates love and commitment every bit as much as religious ceremonies but includes no religious elements, rituals or traditions. Secular invocations and poetry typically replace prayers and scripture readings.

MULTI-CULTURAL CEREMONY: Combines traditions within a couple’s respective cultures and heritage. The ceremony may be civil, spiritual or highly religious.

 

The liturgy (wording and selected elements) of the ceremony and the attitude of the wedding party determine the tone of a ceremony more than does the attire. You are less likely to attend a casual-tone wedding when the groom is in white tie and tails but it is possible.

CASUAL: The officiant can "lighten-up" and ad lib when deemed appropriate. Contemporary rather than traditional wording is used in the ceremony. Guests may be standing around rather than seated. Nicknames may be used during the exchange of vows. Attire - whatever anyone wants to wear as dictated by the bride and groom.

SEMI-FORMAL:  Exactly what it sounds like--somewhere in between a casual and formal wedding. Traditional language may be used, but with a light-hearted delivery. Or contemporary language with a more solemn delivery. Attire - the bridesmaids are in matching or complimentary dresses, usually knee or cocktail length while the men wear sport coats or suits.

FORMAL: The officiant will restrict wording to the prepared liturgy, use more traditional language, speak in a somewhat solemn tone of voice and may use full names for the bride and groom. Attire - the bridesmaids are in matching or complimentary dresses, usually cocktail or floor length while the men wear tuxedos. Shoes can be optional however, I once officiated a formal wedding where the bride was barefoot. It was beautiful!

HIGH-FORMAL: The officiant will restrict wording to the prepared liturgy, use very traditional language, speak in a solemn tone of voice and use the full legal names for the bride and groom. Attire - the bridesmaids are in matching or complimentary floor length dresses and the men are in white tie.

 

 

  

Email: brevardminister@cfl.rr.com                  Phone: 321-255-9086

Home • Creating The Ceremony • Sample Weddings • Beach Weddings • Wedding Help • How to Hire Rev. Fuller • About Rev. Fuller • Photo Gallery • Marriage Education • Wedding Vendors • Site Map • Contact Form