How to Make a Ceremony Special

The ceremony is the most important part of the wedding, and small details can make all the difference in making it extra special. Here are a few tips that we have found really give that little extra something.

§ One of the first key elements in creating the perfect ceremony is to know the kind of ceremony that you want. Whether you are religious or non-traditional, there are many kinds of ceremonies, so it’s important to do your research to discover what your particular type of ceremony entails. For example, will you be reading your own vows? Will there be any sort of candle or sand ceremony? Is there a set script or more leeway to create your own unique ceremony? It’s essential that you and your officiant take the time to meet so you can get to know one another. This will allow him or her to add personal details about you through-out the ceremony that will create an atmosphere of intimacy.

Photo from the talented Laura at {Vanderbeek Images}

§ Another important aspect of the ceremony is picking the music! Music is a powerful component in setting the right mood and can be reflective of your personalities. Here at The Canterbury Place, we’ve heard everything from the traditional “Here Comes the Bride”, to something more dramatic like Led Zepplin, to a romantic piano arrangement of Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”. Music is bound to be one of the things your guests remember most, so if it’s special to you, it will be special to them.

Photo from the talented Laura at {Vanderbeek Images}
Photo from the talented Laura at {Vanderbeek Images}

§ Decor is a great way to bring your personality into the ceremony. Remember that what you use to decorate your ceremony area will be in a large number of your pictures! A great tip is to use decor that can work for both your ceremony and then later be moved into your reception location. I have seen brides use large floral arrangements for the ceremony and then bring them inside to use for their buffet table or a centerpiece.

§ One last way to make your ceremony special is with a unique presentation. You can do a dove send-off after you say your vows, have a close friend sing your love song, or even have your dog be your ring bearer! These will be details that your guests will never forget.
We hope these tips will help make your ceremony perfect. Talk to your wedding coordinator for more information on how you can incorporate these details into your wedding ceremony!

All photos in this post are from a beautiful Paris event we hosted recently this summer (see another post that featured pictures of this event here). The dove send off was truly magical- there were around 30 doves! It was a dramatic end to a beautiful ceremony!

Post by Madison and Elysha