What's the wedding ceremony process?

Question

like in what order does everything take place?

i've never been to one :P

Answer 1

Here you go...

of course, different churches have differences in what they do...consult your local listings....

http://www.chicagomarriage.com/wedding_c...

Answer 2

Depends on the whoever is getting married.

Mine will be:

Welcome the attendees.

Why are we here.

Do you or don't you

Rings exchanged

Ok, you are hitched.

Move on.

I want short and sweet partly because I have balance problems and standing for any length of time is actually rather difficult for me. Generally, yakking about the sanctity of marriage and all that goes in after 'why are we here' part and I don't know anybody who used those Unity Candles, so don't know where that goes.

Answer 3

Is this religious or not? What faith/denomination?

It really varies a lot.

Answer 4

The wedding ceremony depends entirely on whether it is a civil (non-religious) wedding, and in what country or state it takes place, or whether it is a religious wedding and what type of religion.  Some ceremonies can go on for days, some are an hour, some are 20 minutes.

Regardless, there are parts to each kind of wedding which are the same, and are actually legal requirements.  

A basic ceremony consists of the following parts. (A legal ceremony can be held with 5 parts, the Statement of the names of the couple, the Intention, the Vows, the Signing and the Declaration).

THE GATHERING: (seating the guests, or gathering round on the beach/under a tree, etc.)

THE PROCESSION: (Bride and Groom and officiant walk to the front, 1 minute) OR the parents and the grandparents and the groom's party and the 15 bridesmaids and the junior bride and the junior bridesmaid and the 3 cute kids with the flower petals and FINALLY the bride walk into to music - this can take 15-20 minutes).

THE WELCOME, STATEMENT OF THE NAMES OF THE COUPLE WHO HAVE COME TO BE MARRIED: (1-3 minutes)

THE FAMILY BLESSING: (this used to be "who gives this woman to be married", but now it's usually a short request for the family to bless the wedding, mention of any absent family, lighting of candles or short moment of silence for anyone who has died). In an elopement or small private wedding, we might mention family or friends who are not present. (3 minutes, optional)

THE READINGS: (can be religious or poetry, or a piece of music. This is basically a break/transition and a good time to seat late guests) (2-4 minutes, optional)

THE INTENTION: "Is it your intention to take this person as your husband/wife"? (1 minute)

A SHORT STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE or the CHARGE TO THE COUPLE: ( 1-2 minutes). This is the part where the officiant states that this is not a barbecue, picnic, or engagement, but a marriage ceremony. Often includes a short reading.

VOWS: (1-2 minutes)

RING EXCHANGE/VOWS: (1-2 minutes). The ring exchange is optional.

BLESSING, 2nd READING, UNITY CANDLE, WINE BLESSING, SAND CEREMONY, etc. ; any one of several optional ceremonies to demonstrate the newly married state of the couple (optional 2-4 minutes)

PRONOUNCEMENT/DECLARATION: "In front of us all this couple have pledged their vows...and it is with the authority vested in me, that I declare they are man and wife." (30 seconds)

KISS: (length to be determined)

PRESENTATION: "I have the honor to present to you...) 15 seconds. Lots of clapping and excitement, (15 seconds).

RECESSIONAL: (reverse order, everybody goes out, taking as long as you like, but faster than the processional)

Add the SIGNING OF THE LICENSE: which can be done before the wedding, during the wedding (4 minutes) or after.

DECLARATION: (follows the signing, in which case the PRESENTATION is shortened, and the 2nd half of the sentence -- "By the authority invested in me.. I have the honor to present.." is used at this time.

I've listed some sample ceremony wordings for civil (non-religious) weddings below.