Best Wedding Ceremony Tips

Consider including one or more rituals in your wedding ceremony. They can add a wonderful visual aspect to your ceremony as well as reflecting your values and cultural background. It is also a lovely way to include family and friends. If you can’t find a ritual that suits you, I can create one for you.

It is always worth considering using live-streaming or social media to allow guests who are unable to travel, to attend your wedding. Do make sure that there is Internet available at the venue, before the wedding, so you can organise an alternative internet connection, if necessary.

It’s always a good idea if the Groom and Best Man have an abundance of tissues in their pockets, who knows who will need them first! On so many occasions I have had to remove the tacking stitches from suit jackets – don’t forget to check, especially if the suits are new! And, load someone’s handbag with muesli bars and water, it’s really important you don’t forget to eat or the first toast will knock you off your feet.

Some photographers are better than others but all of them love it when you can make it a little easier for them. Like: try not to have the bride and groom and celebrant looking straight into the sun, squinting never looks good in a photo and sunnies are a no-no. Light and ‘unmottled’ shade brings out the best in you. Next, ask your celebrant to step out of the photo for The Kiss, it’s a better picture if they’re not in it. And then, make it as easy as possible for the photographer to get around, nothing blocking their way – sometimes that can be other cameras! And lastly, run through the ceremony with the photographer so they know what is going to happen, i.e. readers, special items, rituals, surprises! You will want good photos of these things too and you will only get them if the photographer knows what to expect.

Many couples would love to write their own vows but don’t know how to start. The whole thing seems too daunting! It is really worth the effort though, your wedding is a once in a lifetime opportunity to tell your spouse-to-be how special they are to you. Begin with “I love you because” or “I promise” and see how creative you can be.

Blisters on your wedding day are something everyone can do without. Wear your shoes at home and find out where the pressure points are and wear plasters if you need to. Have extra plasters in someone’s handbag too.

The music you choose for your bridal entrance is what sets the scene for your ceremony for both you and your guests. Choose something that is meaningful to you. Like this one! Chosen because Opa played it!

Now this is only my personal opinion, but I don’t like having microphones in the photos, unless you absolutely have too, i.e. it’s blowing a gale!

So check what selection your celebrant has – I recommend 2 lapel microphones, one on the groom and one on the celebrant, and that should pick up the bride’s voice too. The rehearsal is the right time to check this.

This is the perfect opportunity to run through all the ceremony logistics. Where the wedding party will be standing, where the celebrant will stand, the timing of the Bride and Wedding Party’s walk up the aisle, making sure the chosen music is long enough. It helps everyone relax on the day.

It is very helpful to the celebrant if the seats for the family either have a name on them or something to ‘designate’ them. Guests are reluctant to take their seats if they don’t know which ones are reserved.

I suggest you turn this into a little ceremony of its own. It will make whoever is giving the bride away feel special. A kiss on the cheek for the bride, a handshake for the groom then the bride’s hand is placed into the groom’s hand. If anyone wants to say anything, feel free!

Think about what you want to do with your bouquet during the ceremony. Do you want to hold it? Is it light enough for you to hold in one hand so you can hold hands with your husband-to-be at the same time? He will need to think about what he will do with his other hand. If you prefer to hold both your hands you will need to organise a ‘bouquet handover’. A nice solution is to hand it to your maid-of-honour as you are being given away. Don’t forget to collect it as you go to sign the register, place it on the signing table while you are signing and carry it with you for your exit.