Category Archives: Wedding Planning

7 Tips on Writing your own Wedding Vows

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 Check with your Officiant

Before rolling up your sleeves and writing your own wedding vows, you’ll want to check with your wedding officiant to make sure they don’t mind custom wedding vows. If you don’t yet have an officiant, consider asking a friend or family member to get ordained, so they can preside over your ceremony. Some ministers or churches may require that you use the traditional set of vows, however this isn’t always the case.

Get started early

A wedding vow is a promise that is meant to last a lifetime. If you’re writing your own, don’t wait until the last minute. You’ll want time to write and rewrite your vows until they are perfect.  Much of writing is rewriting, and with time you can compose several drafts, each a little better than the last. It helps to set goals, like coming up with a final draft a week before the wedding. This will allow some wiggle room should anything unexpected happen.

Borrow From Tradition

To get ideas flowing, take a look at some traditional wedding vows. You might also want to look at vows from other religions. You can deconstruct traditional vows to get the foundation for your own. Then with your own words you can build up new vows and fashion a script that is to your liking.

Determine the mood for your wedding vows

Will your wedding vows be humorous or serious? Romantic or hopeful? Or a combination? Whatever you decide, make sure it comes from the heart. This will also depend on your spouses’ personality. Keep in mind that if you write humorous vows, make sure they capture the seriousness of the commitment you are entering. Being too silly would undercut the mood during the ceremony.

Technical Aspects

­If you and your spouse are writing custom vows, will you be writing them together or separate? Writing together creates the opportunity to play off each other’s words, but writing separately could be better depending on your relationship dynamic. Also, if writing separately you may want to have a third party look them over before the wedding to ensure they are the same length and similar in tone.

 Consider the Audience

If you write your own vows you get the freedom to write what you want, but don’t take it too far. If your vows or too personal, the audience might not understand, or may even become embarrassed. A wedding is not just about the couple- friends and family come to witness your union, so make sure the audience can feel included as well.

 Practice, practice, practice!

Writing the vows is only half the work; you will want to deliver them eloquently as well! Reciting vows at your wedding is ultimately the same thing as giving a speech in front of all your friends and family. This makes it important to practice out loud, and by doing so you will catch any tongue twisters or sentences that are too long.

7 Tips on Writing your own Wedding Vows

Posted on by

 Check with your Officiant

Before rolling up your sleeves and writing your own wedding vows, you’ll want to check with your wedding officiant to make sure they don’t mind custom wedding vows. If you don’t yet have an officiant, consider asking a friend or family member to get ordained, so they can preside over your ceremony. Some ministers or churches may require that you use the traditional set of vows, however this isn’t always the case.

Get started early

A wedding vow is a promise that is meant to last a lifetime. If you’re writing your own, don’t wait until the last minute. You’ll want time to write and rewrite your vows until they are perfect.  Much of writing is rewriting, and with time you can compose several drafts, each a little better than the last. It helps to set goals, like coming up with a final draft a week before the wedding. This will allow some wiggle room should anything unexpected happen.

Borrow From Tradition

To get ideas flowing, take a look at some traditional wedding vows. You might also want to look at vows from other religions. You can deconstruct traditional vows to get the foundation for your own. Then with your own words you can build up new vows and fashion a script that is to your liking.

Determine the mood for your wedding vows

Will your wedding vows be humorous or serious? Romantic or hopeful? Or a combination? Whatever you decide, make sure it comes from the heart. This will also depend on your spouses’ personality. Keep in mind that if you write humorous vows, make sure they capture the seriousness of the commitment you are entering. Being too silly would undercut the mood during the ceremony.

Technical Aspects

­If you and your spouse are writing custom vows, will you be writing them together or separate? Writing together creates the opportunity to play off each other’s words, but writing separately could be better depending on your relationship dynamic. Also, if writing separately you may want to have a third party look them over before the wedding to ensure they are the same length and similar in tone.

 Consider the Audience

If you write your own vows you get the freedom to write what you want, but don’t take it too far. If your vows or too personal, the audience might not understand, or may even become embarrassed. A wedding is not just about the couple- friends and family come to witness your union, so make sure the audience can feel included as well.

 Practice, practice, practice!

Writing the vows is only half the work; you will want to deliver them eloquently as well! Reciting vows at your wedding is ultimately the same thing as giving a speech in front of all your friends and family. This makes it important to practice out loud, and by doing so you will catch any tongue twisters or sentences that are too long.

Planning a Cross-Cultural Wedding

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Cross-cultural WeddingPlanning a wedding comes with a lot of stress, but additional worry and difficulties might surface before and during a cross-cultural or inter-faith wedding. The clash of traditions, customs, and radically different ways of life can create quite a storm for the bride and groom.

More cross-cultural wedding ceremonies occur each year than ever before due to the connections brought about by travel and global economies. This means that a lot of people have had to deal with mothers-in-law that aren’t just protective of their baby boy, but who are sometimes wholly unable to communicate with their future daughter-in-law.

For example, it was extraordinarily difficult for a Jewish person to marry outside their faith in the past because it was socially unacceptable and even condemned in ancient times. Fortunately, engaged couples often no longer need to worry about any real penalty associated with marriage and their faith or culture.

The sharing of wedding vows between people from different sides of the planet doesn’t need to be a stressful experience, and it can indeed be wonderfully memorable. Advanced planning and the acceptance that everything might not go exactly how the bride and groom might wish are important for creating a wedding ceremony that is the start of a beautiful life together.

One of the most significant elements of planning a cross-cultural or inter-faith marriage ceremony is the effort made to reduce the chance of offending a family member or guest. A lot of creativity is required to maintain adherence to relevant social customs while still offering a couple a chance to design their own, unique wedding together.

Even engaged couples who are from similar countries or nations where there is a common language, such as the United States and England, might have a hard time arranging everything to everyone’s satisfaction. The first project should usually involve looking into local wedding traditions and figuring out which events should be included as a show of inter-faith or cross-cultural unity.

Today, one of the biggest issues might be the officiant, and which faith to which that person might adhere. A modern solution to this problem, for some couples, has been to include officiants of both faiths in the ceremony in an effort to combine the most significant elements of the ceremonies as they are observed by different faiths.

For some couples, the officiant might not be someone with a religious background, and while this might make things simpler, there may still be elements of wedding ceremonies that might be traditional for the bride, but not for the groom.

For example, one intriguing element of a Saudi Arabian wedding that an American might never have considered is the traditional “Sabaa,” which is a party that takes place one week after a marriage and is attended by only the women who were part of the wedding party. The fascinating thing is that this traditional party actually has an American equivalent in the bridal shower, which is held months before the wedding in the United States instead of after it, as in Saudi Arabia.

It may also surprise some couples to find out that there truly are a lot of similarities between cultures regarding marriage. It is a worldwide phenomenon that marriage is an exciting time in anyone’s life and is a celebration for all involved, no matter what their faith or national origin. Focusing on these universal elements of a happy marriage will help to make the wedding vows a powerful, memorable, and incredible experience for the couple and their family.

Planning a Cross-Cultural Wedding

Posted on by

Cross-cultural WeddingPlanning a wedding comes with a lot of stress, but additional worry and difficulties might surface before and during a cross-cultural or inter-faith wedding. The clash of traditions, customs, and radically different ways of life can create quite a storm for the bride and groom.

More cross-cultural wedding ceremonies occur each year than ever before due to the connections brought about by travel and global economies. This means that a lot of people have had to deal with mothers-in-law that aren’t just protective of their baby boy, but who are sometimes wholly unable to communicate with their future daughter-in-law.

For example, it was extraordinarily difficult for a Jewish person to marry outside their faith in the past because it was socially unacceptable and even condemned in ancient times. Fortunately, engaged couples often no longer need to worry about any real penalty associated with marriage and their faith or culture.

The sharing of wedding vows between people from different sides of the planet doesn’t need to be a stressful experience, and it can indeed be wonderfully memorable. Advanced planning and the acceptance that everything might not go exactly how the bride and groom might wish are important for creating a wedding ceremony that is the start of a beautiful life together.

One of the most significant elements of planning a cross-cultural or inter-faith marriage ceremony is the effort made to reduce the chance of offending a family member or guest. A lot of creativity is required to maintain adherence to relevant social customs while still offering a couple a chance to design their own, unique wedding together.

Even engaged couples who are from similar countries or nations where there is a common language, such as the United States and England, might have a hard time arranging everything to everyone’s satisfaction. The first project should usually involve looking into local wedding traditions and figuring out which events should be included as a show of inter-faith or cross-cultural unity.

Today, one of the biggest issues might be the officiant, and which faith to which that person might adhere. A modern solution to this problem, for some couples, has been to include officiants of both faiths in the ceremony in an effort to combine the most significant elements of the ceremonies as they are observed by different faiths.

For some couples, the officiant might not be someone with a religious background, and while this might make things simpler, there may still be elements of wedding ceremonies that might be traditional for the bride, but not for the groom.

For example, one intriguing element of a Saudi Arabian wedding that an American might never have considered is the traditional “Sabaa,” which is a party that takes place one week after a marriage and is attended by only the women who were part of the wedding party. The fascinating thing is that this traditional party actually has an American equivalent in the bridal shower, which is held months before the wedding in the United States instead of after it, as in Saudi Arabia.

It may also surprise some couples to find out that there truly are a lot of similarities between cultures regarding marriage. It is a worldwide phenomenon that marriage is an exciting time in anyone’s life and is a celebration for all involved, no matter what their faith or national origin. Focusing on these universal elements of a happy marriage will help to make the wedding vows a powerful, memorable, and incredible experience for the couple and their family.

The Purpose of a Wedding Reception

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Wedding Reception Tradition

People gather for a Wedding ReceptionThe wedding reception is a party held after a wedding ceremony. When the ceremony is over, it is customary for the newlywed couple to invite guests who attended the wedding ceremony to a reception. But where does this tradition come from? No matter what cultural or religious tradition, the wedding reception represents the community’s affirmation of the new couple.

Weddings have always been celebrations of the unity of two people through a religion or a civil institution. Although customs vary across the world, most cultures would always organize a gathering after a wedding ceremony. These receptions would range from a small meal to a mighty feast provided for guests. For the most part, however, these gatherings were held at the bride’s family’s house or the house of worship where the ceremony took place. By the Industrial Revolution, when aristocracies and the rich became more affluent in the U.S. and Europe, the wedding receptions began to take place in public venues. The venues could accommodate larger parties and became more lavish and elaborate. Over time, more and more people were able to invest in public receptions hosting family, friends, and members of the community. However, tradition has remained the same regarding receptions: it is a time for the newlyweds to thank the community and family members for attending the ceremony and affirming their marriage.

Diverging Traditions

The Challah, served in Jewish wedding receptions.

The Challah, served in Jewish wedding receptions.

There are cultural differences in how receptions are organized, and many of these traditions are rooted in religions and cultures. For example, in Judaism, a wedding is a mitzvah, a religious commandment rooted in the Talmud. Tradition and particular customs have evolved across the existence of Judaism to make the reception both a holy and festive event. The wedding ceremony begins when braided bread, known as the challah, is given to the groom. The groom then leads the reception with a prayer over the bread. Then the seudah mitzvah begins, which is the traditional Jewish meal observed during holy ceremonies. Some Jewish communities perform the Horah, where the bride and the groom sit in chairs that are then lifted by strong guests. The reception ends when the birkat hamazon is said, which is the concluding prayer for a festive celebration. Overall, this type of a wedding reception affirms tradition and religious significance from holy texts.

Islamic wedding receptions vary since Islam crosses into many cultures across Africa and Eurasia. Generally, a Muslim wedding is the unification of the couple as equals, and the wedding ceremony reflects a civil tradition and commitment rooted in the Qur’an. After a Muslim couple has signed the marriage contract, known as the meher, the wedding reception can begin. The reception, called a walima, can sometimes last for two days depending on the local customs and the couple’s wishes. The reception allows for family, friends, and the community to celebrate the unified couple and to bless them with a fertile future. This often includes various symbols of fertility, such as almonds or eggs being presented as gifts to the couple. Overall, this wedding reception affirms the unified couple and their desire to start a family.

A Christian wedding reception is similar to a conventional Western ceremony. This is because of the interconnected nature between the development of Western culture and Christianity in Europe and the Americas. However, various Christian denominations may present religious symbolism, language, and ceremony more vocally in the reception. Spiritually, the wedding ceremony and reception in Christianity are public acknowledgments of the couple’s unification toward Jesus Christ. A Christian reception may include song and prayer. Conservative Christian denominations may minimize or shun alcohol at the reception completely. Overall, this form of a wedding reception affirms the unity of the couple under Christ.

The Purpose of a Wedding Reception

Posted on by

Wedding Reception Tradition

People gather for a Wedding ReceptionThe wedding reception is a party held after a wedding ceremony. When the ceremony is over, it is customary for the newlywed couple to invite guests who attended the wedding ceremony to a reception. But where does this tradition come from? No matter what cultural or religious tradition, the wedding reception represents the community’s affirmation of the new couple.

Weddings have always been celebrations of the unity of two people through a religion or a civil institution. Although customs vary across the world, most cultures would always organize a gathering after a wedding ceremony. These receptions would range from a small meal to a mighty feast provided for guests. For the most part, however, these gatherings were held at the bride’s family’s house or the house of worship where the ceremony took place. By the Industrial Revolution, when aristocracies and the rich became more affluent in the U.S. and Europe, the wedding receptions began to take place in public venues. The venues could accommodate larger parties and became more lavish and elaborate. Over time, more and more people were able to invest in public receptions hosting family, friends, and members of the community. However, tradition has remained the same regarding receptions: it is a time for the newlyweds to thank the community and family members for attending the ceremony and affirming their marriage.

Diverging Traditions

The Challah, served in Jewish wedding receptions.

The Challah, served in Jewish wedding receptions.

There are cultural differences in how receptions are organized, and many of these traditions are rooted in religions and cultures. For example, in Judaism, a wedding is a mitzvah, a religious commandment rooted in the Talmud. Tradition and particular customs have evolved across the existence of Judaism to make the reception both a holy and festive event. The wedding ceremony begins when braided bread, known as the challah, is given to the groom. The groom then leads the reception with a prayer over the bread. Then the seudah mitzvah begins, which is the traditional Jewish meal observed during holy ceremonies. Some Jewish communities perform the Horah, where the bride and the groom sit in chairs that are then lifted by strong guests. The reception ends when the birkat hamazon is said, which is the concluding prayer for a festive celebration. Overall, this type of a wedding reception affirms tradition and religious significance from holy texts.

Islamic wedding receptions vary since Islam crosses into many cultures across Africa and Eurasia. Generally, a Muslim wedding is the unification of the couple as equals, and the wedding ceremony reflects a civil tradition and commitment rooted in the Qur’an. After a Muslim couple has signed the marriage contract, known as the meher, the wedding reception can begin. The reception, called a walima, can sometimes last for two days depending on the local customs and the couple’s wishes. The reception allows for family, friends, and the community to celebrate the unified couple and to bless them with a fertile future. This often includes various symbols of fertility, such as almonds or eggs being presented as gifts to the couple. Overall, this wedding reception affirms the unified couple and their desire to start a family.

A Christian wedding reception is similar to a conventional Western ceremony. This is because of the interconnected nature between the development of Western culture and Christianity in Europe and the Americas. However, various Christian denominations may present religious symbolism, language, and ceremony more vocally in the reception. Spiritually, the wedding ceremony and reception in Christianity are public acknowledgments of the couple’s unification toward Jesus Christ. A Christian reception may include song and prayer. Conservative Christian denominations may minimize or shun alcohol at the reception completely. Overall, this form of a wedding reception affirms the unity of the couple under Christ.

Why Become a Wedding Officiant?

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Wedding Officiant

As a wedding officiant, you could work in places like this.

Most people remember their wedding days for the rest of their lives, which makes it important that the wedding officiant is someone of great personal significance. Traditional weddings in the United States have generally been performed by clergy of the church that the bride or groom belong to. However, as society moves away from mainstream religious institutions, more and more couples are looking for someone outside of traditional churches to perform their wedding ceremony.

Alternative partnerships have seen a dramatic increase in recent years due to progressive legalization in many states, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. A great need exists for those with the desire to get ordained and act as wedding officiants for nontraditional couples as well as those who have decided to follow a personal religious path rather than adhering to strict religious tenets. People of all religions are beginning to realize that respect and understanding of other faiths is an important part of their own spiritual enlightenment.

Many people decide to seek ordination so that they can perform wedding ceremonies for their family and friends, but others are beginning to see it as a viable business venture. Because nontraditional unions are becoming more mainstream every day, the demand for wedding officiants is growing at similar rate. Someone with the proper ordination could easily make a decent income by presiding at marriage ceremonies.

It is important that you keep in mind that you will need to take the necessary steps to make certain that the marriages you perform are legal. For instance, you will need to check the specific state laws where the marriage ceremony will take place in order to ensure that all legal guidelines have been followed. Every state has different laws concerning marriage, and it is important that you fully understand the laws of the state where you plan to perform marriages. In some states, it will be necessary for you to register at the county courthouses in order for the marriages that you officiate at to be legal, while other states have more relaxed criteria.

Developing a niche for yourself in your community will help you to build up a good following among those who need a nontraditional wedding ceremony performed in your community. Word of mouth is the most effective form of advertising, so if you build up a good following, you can probably stay busy with wedding ceremonies during the majority of the year. This will allow you to have a fulfilling career and provide a needed service in your community.

Why Become a Wedding Officiant?

Posted on by

Wedding Officiant

As a wedding officiant, you could work in places like this.

Most people remember their wedding days for the rest of their lives, which makes it important that the wedding officiant is someone of great personal significance. Traditional weddings in the United States have generally been performed by clergy of the church that the bride or groom belong to. However, as society moves away from mainstream religious institutions, more and more couples are looking for someone outside of traditional churches to perform their wedding ceremony.

Alternative partnerships have seen a dramatic increase in recent years due to progressive legalization in many states, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. A great need exists for those with the desire to get ordained and act as wedding officiants for nontraditional couples as well as those who have decided to follow a personal religious path rather than adhering to strict religious tenets. People of all religions are beginning to realize that respect and understanding of other faiths is an important part of their own spiritual enlightenment.

Many people decide to seek ordination so that they can perform wedding ceremonies for their family and friends, but others are beginning to see it as a viable business venture. Because nontraditional unions are becoming more mainstream every day, the demand for wedding officiants is growing at similar rate. Someone with the proper ordination could easily make a decent income by presiding at marriage ceremonies.

It is important that you keep in mind that you will need to take the necessary steps to make certain that the marriages you perform are legal. For instance, you will need to check the specific state laws where the marriage ceremony will take place in order to ensure that all legal guidelines have been followed. Every state has different laws concerning marriage, and it is important that you fully understand the laws of the state where you plan to perform marriages. In some states, it will be necessary for you to register at the county courthouses in order for the marriages that you officiate at to be legal, while other states have more relaxed criteria.

Developing a niche for yourself in your community will help you to build up a good following among those who need a nontraditional wedding ceremony performed in your community. Word of mouth is the most effective form of advertising, so if you build up a good following, you can probably stay busy with wedding ceremonies during the majority of the year. This will allow you to have a fulfilling career and provide a needed service in your community.

Muslim Wedding Officiants

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Unique Wedding Ideas for Muslim Traditions

Creating a unique Muslim wedding will require additional details for the wedding officiant. Besides the specific traditional details, unique wedding ideas are still a vital part of the ceremony so as to set the wedding apart for the couple. These unique details will inspire memories for the couple and their families. The ULC (Universal Life Church) has generated information and ideas to inspire a ceremony for this special day.

A Muslim Couple holding hands.There are many factors to consider. For example, Muslim dietary requirements must be considered for the reception or refreshment table. Pork products even as an ingredient are forbidden. Alcohol is another forbidden item for the ceremony or reception. As this is a common part of many wedding receptions, it will need to be discussed if the woman’s family is not of the Muslim faith.

In addition to the marriage license, the wedding officiant will need to inquire if a meher will be a part of the ritual. In a Muslim wedding with a meher, there is a mandatory price of money or possessions that the groom pays to the bride at the time of marriage. The couple may or may not choose to include this as a part of their ceremony but the payment takes place at the time of the wedding. The couple will need to define what role each participant of the wedding will need to have to complete their ceremony.

Another consideration is the faith of the couple. As religious views are passed down the male side of the family, this is an important aspect. A man may marry a woman of the Christian or Jewish faith but no other faiths are allowed. However, a woman may not marry out of the Islamic faith. Her fiancee would need to convert to Islam prior to the marriage.

Another factor is when the marriage will be held. It is considered highly inappropriate for a  marriages to be held during Ramadan. This is a holy month for those of the Islamic faith. These holy days should be discussed between the couple and with the wedding officiant.

A Muslim wedding does not have to be held in a mosque. An ordained ULC minister can officiate this wedding if there is no Islamic officiant available. The unique wedding ideas available at ULC will help with many of these small but pertinent details.

Muslim Wedding Officiants

Posted on by

Unique Wedding Ideas for Muslim Traditions

Creating a unique Muslim wedding will require additional details for the wedding officiant. Besides the specific traditional details, unique wedding ideas are still a vital part of the ceremony so as to set the wedding apart for the couple. These unique details will inspire memories for the couple and their families. The ULC (Universal Life Church) has generated information and ideas to inspire a ceremony for this special day.

A Muslim Couple holding hands.There are many factors to consider. For example, Muslim dietary requirements must be considered for the reception or refreshment table. Pork products even as an ingredient are forbidden. Alcohol is another forbidden item for the ceremony or reception. As this is a common part of many wedding receptions, it will need to be discussed if the woman’s family is not of the Muslim faith.

In addition to the marriage license, the wedding officiant will need to inquire if a meher will be a part of the ritual. In a Muslim wedding with a meher, there is a mandatory price of money or possessions that the groom pays to the bride at the time of marriage. The couple may or may not choose to include this as a part of their ceremony but the payment takes place at the time of the wedding. The couple will need to define what role each participant of the wedding will need to have to complete their ceremony.

Another consideration is the faith of the couple. As religious views are passed down the male side of the family, this is an important aspect. A man may marry a woman of the Christian or Jewish faith but no other faiths are allowed. However, a woman may not marry out of the Islamic faith. Her fiancee would need to convert to Islam prior to the marriage.

Another factor is when the marriage will be held. It is considered highly inappropriate for a  marriages to be held during Ramadan. This is a holy month for those of the Islamic faith. These holy days should be discussed between the couple and with the wedding officiant.

A Muslim wedding does not have to be held in a mosque. An ordained ULC minister can officiate this wedding if there is no Islamic officiant available. The unique wedding ideas available at ULC will help with many of these small but pertinent details.