YOur ceremony
Photo credit Katinka Kleppe Photography
There is only one 'non-negotiable' you have to have in your wedding or civil union. This is the legal vows "I x take you y to be my legal husband/wife/partner". The rest is up to you! You can be as creative or as traditional as you want to be. When thinking about your personal ceremony, you may want to think about the following:
- Music - yes or no? Entering, signing the documentation, leaving? Who is going to be in charge of the music?
- Readings and or poems? - inspiration can also come from song lyrics or books (I have been known to quote Dumbledore)
- Prayers, karakia or whakatauki?
- Who will walk you in? Or will you come in together?
- What languages do you want spoken - Alongside English, I have used te reo Maori, French, Tagalog, Polish, Spanish and even Klingon!
- How would you like to recognise the place and space where you stand?
- Is there a person or people who were unable to make it? How will you honour or recognise them?
- Who has helped you to get to this place, individually and as a couple, that you would like to acknowledge? How would you like to acknowledge them?
- Who would you like to be part of your ceremony? Children, grandparents, best friends, siblings - there are many ways to involve them!
- Who will be your witnesses? Will it be a surprise to them (or even to you)?
- Promises and vows
- Style of ceremony - Funny, sentimental, formal, casual?
- How would you like to be introduced after the ceremony?
- What rituals would you like to include? Ring warming? Candle lighting? Sand ceremony? Hand fasting? Something just your own?
- Unplugged or photos galore
It is a lot to think, about but this is where I come in.
I can help you create the ceremony that works for you. I have resources and ideas that can help if you are stuck and I am happy to either guide you or be guided by you if you know exactly what you want!