How to Involve the Family in a Civil Wedding Ceremony
Couples choose to have a civil ceremony for many reasons, such as for the freedom to include various traditions, readings or songs that may not be permitted by certain religions. Contrary to popular belief, a civil ceremony does not always take place in a courthouse. A civil ceremony can allow the couple to include their families in their wedding, even if they are from different religious or cultural backgrounds.
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Instructions
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Determine where your civil ceremony will take place and who your officiant will be. This is important, as the venue or officiant may have limitations that interfere with your plans.
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Decide which family members you want to include in the ceremony, and determine any special talents they may have. Knowing who you want to include will help you figure out how to involve them all. Knowing their talents or what's special to them will help you decide the best way to involve each of them.
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Incorporate a family ritual, such as a unity candle or sand ceremony. These can involve multiple relatives from both families, including parents and children.
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Ask family members to read a poem, story or verse that you'd like to include in your ceremony, such as the story of how you met your fiance. Another member of the family could sing your favorite love song while others play instruments. Utilize the talents of family members you want to include.
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Involve an adult child, older brother or favorite uncle of the bride by asking him to walk her down the aisle on one side with her father on the other, or in place of her father if he's unable. Some brides opt to have both their mother and father walk them down the aisle. Or, walk down by yourself but have those that are important to you stand up to "give you away" in unison at the appropriate time.
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Tips & Warnings
A unity candle ceremony typically consists of two candles on either side of a larger candle. The mothers or parents of the bride and groom can light the small candle that represents the couple, then the couple can use those candles to light the larger candle that represents their new life together.
A sand ceremony can include more family members, especially if either the bride or the groom has children to include. Each member of the family involved pours sand into a large container from their own smaller container. The large container of sand represents the new family unit, with each layer representing the person who poured it. Use colored sand for a dramatic effect.
Go over your plans with your officiant to confirm he is on board with your plans. Ask him for help planning the ceremony if needed; he most likely has experience in writing ceremonies.
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Resources
- Photo Credit unity sand wedding ceremony image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
