The Nest

Ceremony Outline and Notes

Posted Wednesday, March 26, 2008 10:41 AM

In my exhaustive research of ceremonies, I have made this master list of all the different parts of a traditional wedding ceremony.  These are the notes I used as a rough outline in organizing my thoughts and to help me direct the flow of the ceremony.  I thought I'd put it here to help any other brides who may take on the humongous task of writing their own ceremony!

The Convocation: Words spoken to commence the wedding.  Here the guests are called upon to note what is about to transpire and to create a ceremonial halo of love around the couple.  The intent is not only that you are affirming your love to one another, but also in the presence of the witness.  Witnesses are not mere observers but by their very presence they are bearing high witness and setting a seal of approval.

The Invocation: Call upon God or a higher power; put witnesses into a higher frame of mind, to focus on the serious.

The Readings: Inspire contemplation, expand your views on marriage & the meaning of love, bind yourself to the great tradition of marriage and celebration.  Readings may be done by the officiant, the bride and groom, or any other person.  Readings can also be sprinkled throughout the ceremony.

The Address: Usually chosen by the officiant: directed at the couple personally, and inspire a deep sense of the meaning of love and marriage.

The Consecration: to make holy: remind you of the sacred.

Expression of Intent: Make public your desire to be wed.  Having heard about the challenges, demands, and joys of marriage, you now state publicly that you intend to move forward.

Vows: What you are willing to do for one another, under what circumstances, and for what length of time.  Make yourself accountable through intention.

Blessing and Exchanging of Rings: Because you wear your rings forever, what is spoken about them and the meaning of what they embody is of great consequence.

Pronouncement of Marriage: I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Kiss: seals the promise, claims each other for forevermore.

Benediction: final ceremonial flourish of wedding, offers good wishes.

 I have written a rough draft of our ceremony that includes all these parts, plus a handfasting.  I now have to re-read what I have written to make sure it flows cohesively, makes sense, and isn't too long (it's about 3.5 pages so far, a 3 minute poem runs 1.5 pages, so I think I'm good). I will rewrite certain parts, I will delete certain parts, I will further research and rethink certain parts.  When I am 90% satisified, I will shop it around my poetry workshop to let my brillant colleagues take a crack at it.  Then I will come home, rework it according to their suggestions and worries, and probably a month after that, check again for any revisions needed.  Oh, and somewhere in there, I will read it to my fiance to make sure it flys with him also.  Of course, I'll post it on here too!

This is the work of a writer, ever revising, never satisfied!