As you and your intended bind your lives together during your wedding ceremony, you want to make sure the vows truly reflect what is in your hearts. After all, the promises made on this day are meant to last and bring joy and comfort in the years ahead.
Unfortunately, deciding upon the right type of wedding ceremony can be more difficult than many brides and grooms realize. Some couples prefer going with the standard ceremony promoted by their personal religions. Others opt for purely secular ceremonies. Still others create their own hybrid of both.
What type of wedding ceremony is right for you and your spouse-to-be? Start by answering these questions:
Do either of you have religious leanings in a particular direction? If so, you may want to consider going with a wedding ceremony that reflects personal beliefs. Should you not see eye-to-eye on religion, sometimes a ceremony that reflects both sets of beliefs can work wonders as a compromise. In other cases, couples choose to have two wedding ceremonies to properly honour each religious tradition.
How much time do you have before the wedding? In some cases, a religious wedding ceremony may not be possible if there isn’t enough lead time. Certain religious ceremonies call for the bride and groom to attend classes and/or counselling before a religious officiate can conduct a wedding.
Are there specific vows you would like to say? Some religious wedding ceremony options may not offer the flexibility to say your own vows or add to the wording. If this is a concern and saying your own vows is important, a secular ceremony might make more sense.
What do you truly want? It doesn’t matter whether a wedding ceremony follows a particular religion’s traditions or is 100 per cent secular – if it’s what you and your partner want it will be perfect. Talk out the options together and make the decision to have the type of ceremony you desire.
Your wedding ceremony is the moment in time you and your spouse will remember forever. Whether you choose a religious observance, a secular path or a hybrid of the two isn’t as important as what is in your hearts. Select your path together and your ceremony will be perfect.