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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

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Wedding
ceremonies are generally shorter than most people expect. I once officiated a
wedding with a processional, presentation of the bride, words of
welcome, declaration of intent, blessing of the parents, reading,
full homily on marriage, lengthy self-written vows, blessing of the
hands, ring exchange,
unity candle, second reading, blessing of the marriage, declaration of marriage,
introduction of the couple and recessional
that lasted a whopping 21 minutes.
If you would like to include anything beyond the required vow exchange,
each element it is unlikely to add more than a minute or two to the
overall length of the service. This is your day and your relationship. If you
have a reading that perfectly describes your relationship, have someone read it.
If you like the symbolism of the vessel and rose ritual, do it. A competent
officiant should be able to help you put together an order of service that is
most meaningful to you.
Note
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The Presentation of the Bride is when the officiant asks "Who
presents this woman at her wedding this day?" of my simply
instruct the groom to join his bride.
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The Declaration of
Intent is when the officiant, in formalized language, asks the
couple if they are come this day to "joyfully and without
reservation to give themselves to one another in marriage."
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The Affirmation of
the Couple
(also referred to as Charge to the Couple, Admonition to the Couple or Challenge
to the Couple) is a few words about the couple, their regard for one another and
the gifts they bring to the relationship. It is usually written
by the officiant and provides a smooth transition to the vow exchange.
Here are some sample Orders of Service for weddings that last approximately
fifteen minutes.
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Processional
Presentation of the Bride
Words of Welcome
Declaration of Intent
Reading
Affirmation of
the Couple
Exchange
of Vows
Exchange
of Rings
Wine
Ceremony
Declaration
of Marriage
Recessional |
Words of Welcome
Declaration of Intent
Reading
Affirmation of Marriage
Exchange
of Vows
Blessing
of the Hands
Exchange
of Rings
Musical
Interlude
Sand
Ceremony
Community Vow of Support
Blessing of the Marriage
Declaration
of Marriage |
Processional
Words of Welcome
Declaration of Intent
Opening Prayer
Blessing of the Parents
Homily on Marriage
Exchange of Vows
Exchange of Rings
Vessel and Rose Ritual
Unity Candle
Blessing of the Marriage
Declaration of Marriage
Recessional |
Here is an example of an order of service for a longer wedding.
Processional
Presentation of the Bride
Words of Welcome with Memorial Statement
Flower Presentation to Mothers
Blessing of the Parents
Declaration of Intent
Reading
Affirmation of the Couple
Exchange of Vows
Blessing of the Hands
Exchange of Rings
Blended Family Sand Ceremony
Community Vow of Support
Reading
Bell of Truce
Signing of the License
Blessing of the Marriage
Declaration of Marriage
Introduction of the Couple
Recessional
25 minutes! I told you weddings go faster than you think.
Where to Find Examples of the Elements in an
Order of Service
....or how
to have everything in your wedding except the kitchen sink.
SAMPLE WEDDINGS
http://www.brevardminister.com/samples.htm
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