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Creating Your Ceremony Who We Are Rabbi Roger Ross Interfaith Message Kinds Of Weddings & Committment Ceremonies Second Marriages Rev. Deborah Steen Ross How We Customize Couples Wedding Music & Verses More Wedding Verses 10 Things A Couple Might Consider Home Page Contact Us |
 HOW WE CUSTOMIZE CEREMONIES by Rev. Deborah Steen Ross One of the most important things to consider when you are saying "I DO", is how will your wedding ceremony reflect what it is you wish to say, both to each other and about each other, to your guests. Will your ceremony be a traditionally religious one, or do you wish to bring parts of who you are into the ceremony? Will it be sweet and romantic, spiritual or cultural? Do you wish to play and have a good time, and at the same time recognize the importance of the commitment you are making? All of these things are possible. When we first meet a couple we like to find out what your likes and dislikes are, when and how you met, what your religious or spiritual backgrounds are and how much of that you would like to incorporate into your wedding ceremony. We look at where you are having the ceremony, outdoors or in, what time of year, size of wedding party and how much involvement do you wish members of your family to have? Would your mothers like to take part in lighting the Unity candle? Would your sister do a reading or perhaps sing? What are your favorite songs, pieces of poetry, readings? All of these things go into a discussion of how to create your unique ceremony. My own particular interest is in all things Celtic and Goddess based. Being somewhat of a Goddess worshipper myself, though not necessarily Wiccan, and definitely in connection with the Earth and all of Nature, I pay particular attention to the Solstices, Equinoxes and Fire Festivals. I always try to include something of the Celtic traditions if the bride and groom have Celtic roots and are willing. There are many web sites available to help with this or any other cultural traditions. I have had extensive experience with Chinese and other oriental weddings as well. During the time between our first interview and a date somewhere about a month before your wedding, we ask you to gather what you might like to include. There are several books we recommend for this purpose. Barnes and Noble has tables full. Just go and pick a few, get a cup of coffee in their café and read. Weddings of the Heart - by Daphne Rose Kingma For As Long As You Both Shall Live - by Roger Fritts Celebrating Interfaith Marriages - by Rabbi Devon Lerner Weddings By Design - by Richard Leviton There are also websites you can research. Do It Your Way The Knot – A Guide to Interfaith Weddings Modern Bride Manhattan Bride Other web sites for the wedding-minded are too numerous to mention. Use the above-mentioned sites as a beginning, and go forward from there. |