A same-sex commitment ceremony resembles a wedding in that both involve two people making a statement of their commitment to each other in front of witnesses. Like a wedding a commitment ceremony can be large or small, quiet or festive. Both are celebrations. A same-sex commitment ceremony is not the same as a heterosexual marriage. An important difference lies in the legal recognition that the same-sex partnership is given. In the US, states differ on how or if a same-sex ceremony is given legal credence.
Deciding what you want
Decide whether legal recognition as partners before the law is important to you. If so, you need to find a location where that is possible. If not, you will need to create your commitment ceremony and what it really represents for you and your partner. Outline the sequence of what your ceremony to include. Revisit it in a few days to revise as needed. You may decide that element B leads more to element A in your ceremony.
Making your day meaningful
Give your friends plenty of notice so that they can be sure to attend. This will be particularly necessary if you are making reservations at a club or restaurant, but even a home occasion is much richer if all the people you want to be present have time to plan to be there. If you are creating your own ceremony, let your guests know what will occur and if there is something special you would like them to do. You may wish to give them a way to participate, perhaps by reading poetry or asking everyone to bring a flower to contribute to a centerpiece. For example, one couple asked everyone attending their ceremony to bring a donation to a charity the couple supported. They included an envelope with each invitation and all the envelopes were put into a box to be mailed to the charity. Another example is a tree can be planted as part of the ceremony--the possibilities are numerous and can be almost anything that brings extra meaning to your day. Keep your eye on the main point. Details of even a simple commitment ceremony can become frazzling. It's easy to get lost in weather-worries and menu-choices. Whatever happens, it's the commitment that matters, and, when the day is done, that is what remains. However the details go, have a wonderful day!
