It seems everyone is looking to 2022 with hope and . . . well, a little caution.
Photo by Brant Bender
If you’re in the midst of planning your wedding or at the beginning stages, this new virus variant may have you feeling twitchy about making final decisions.
As a wedding ceremony officiant I can offer multiple options for performing your ceremony, including:
As we look forward to celebrating moms this Sunday, remember that as you are planning your wedding day there are so many special ways to include and honor your mother in your wedding ceremony.
This applies to stepmothers, grandmothers, and even you, too!
Opportunities to honor mom in your wedding ceremony:
By Your Side
Request that your mother escort you down the aisle. Many moms have played the role of both parents in their child’s life, and this is a beautiful way to acknowledge that.
Brant Bender Photography
Laura Christin Photography
True Photography
Ask your mother to escort you down the aisle
Or, even ask her to serve as your Maid/Matron of Honor. There is no reason why your very own mother can’t serve in this very important role as well.
Grooms, as you walk down the aisle, show how much you honor your mother by escorting her to her place of honor
Express Your Gratitude
At the beginning of the ceremony, together as a couple present a single rose to each mom (stepmothers, too!), in a gesture of gratitude for all the support and love they have given you throughout the years.
Tim Otto Photography
Photo by Paul Barnett
A gift of a rose to express your gratitude
Invite your mother to share a reading
A Reading
Invite mom to read a special poem or verse during the ceremony
ABM Photo
In Memory
If you mother has died, there are many ways to honor her in memoriam. Your officiant can acknowledge her during opening remarks. You can leave an empty chair at the front row, perhaps even with a single white rose on it. You can include photos of her at a special “In Memoriam” table at the ceremony.
New Mom
Are you taking on a role of mother or adopting your new spouse’s child? Are you already a mom? There are many ways to include the kids in your unity ceremony.
Though things are still a little tricky for planning your 2021 wedding, what with uncertainties around vaccinations, variants, etc. you can still have a beautiful wedding celebration.
CONSIDER THESE OPTIONSFOR YOUR CEREMONY
*“Just Us Two”: enjoy an intimate ceremony now, just the two of you, and your big celebration at the end of 2021, or next year.
*Virtual “I Do“: Hold a Virtual Wedding Ceremony! With the right elements in place, your ceremony can still feel intimate and sacred. And with the virtual option, everyone will be able to attend. Learn more in my guidelines.
*Small & Intimate If you want your immediate family and besties at hand, a small intimate social-distance ceremony is a great option. And you can still plan for a big bash later. Be sure your venue has clear protocol and procedures in place. Even better, hire a professional wedding planner to make sure it all runs smoothly. Photo by True Photography. Professional coordination by Holly Kalkin Weddings.
Remember to get your marriage license!
This is the LEAST ROMANTIC but MOST IMPORTANT part of your wedding ceremony!
Find your County Clerk where you will marry.
Make your appointment!
Your marriage license is generally valid for 90 days
These days due to Covid protocol, find out if the San Diego Marriage Hut is still in place with social distance to acquire your license.
I tell my clients when they pick up their marriage license, make a day of it! Walk along the San Diego boardwalk, visit the tall ships, or have lunch in the park.
MORE TIPS TO PLANNING YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY: Wedding planner extraordinaire Tahnie @ivy_weddingsandevents and I talked wedding ceremony tips! Including navigating some Covid-related challenges that may still apply. Check out the full interview here!
My final wedding ceremony of the year took place at one of my favorite venues under the trees. Gratitude to Asha Bailey Photography for beautifully capturing the day.
Like many couples trying to get married in 2020, these two had their share of struggles, including trimming their guest count considerably, eliminating reception, even challenges acquiring their marriage license due to restrictions at the county clerk. Still they maintained a great attitude and made their special day extra special for their guests – gift bags greeted everyone.
This intimate social distance wedding ceremony at Milagro Winery was a beautiful wrap to a challenging year. Milagro staff did a fantastic job of setting up the ceremony chairs with social distance seating and guests did their part wearing masks during the ceremony.
And I stood back 6 feet away from the couples and wedding party.
Here we are awaiting the arrival of the bride. Love this custom color Groom’s suit!
Lisa and Brandon shared their vows in front of this gorgeous creation of natural wood and florals.
Wedding ceremony under the trees at Milagro Winery
Mom and Dad escort the beautiful bride (can you even with that gorgeous chapel train??!)
Even Dakota got in on the act as adorable “flower girl.”
We had Gayle officiate our wedding … and she was sooooo amazing! The whole process was just a great experience overall! Gayle, really took the time to get to know us as a couple and it showed at the ceremony. It was really special.”
~Lisa & Brandon, Dec. 2020
A small but important act – I always step away for First Kiss so their photographer can capture that perfect moment.Congratulations Mr. & Mrs.!
Since a formal reception was not allowable, Best Man and Maid of Honor gave their toasts at the arch! Earl Henry of @mydjsevents made it possible as the professional emcee with mic and sound system on tap:
The gorgeous setting of Paradise Point lent itself perfectly for an outdoor, intimate, social-distance wedding ceremony. This couple, like many others, had the disappointing experience of having to reschedule their wedding multiple times due to pandemic challenges. When it finally all came together, with a much smaller guest count, their very apparent love for each other was even stronger.
You did a fabulous job with our ceremony! Thank you so much for working with us and making it very much our own story. We received many compliments about how lovely the readings were, how well you presented the ceremony, and your comic relief during the sand ceremony! We loved it all! You are wonderful!”
Photographer Avalon Richards caught the gorgeous light and this happy couple’s lively style. All photos by @truephotography
Great to work with these incredible professionals!
Holly Kalkin and the Paradise Point staff did a great job of setting up the ceremony chairs with social distance sections.
Social-distance ceremony seatingJewel-tone shoes for the bride!“First look” before the ceremony is a great option to have that exciting moment, while reducing the stress of walking down the aisle. (This is a nice time to share personal vows as well, for the particularly shy!)Want to honor someone special? Pinning keepsake mementos to your bouquet keeps them close.A proud moment walking with his groomsmen.
I printed their vows for them on beautiful gold-trimmed, heavy stock paper (doesn’t flap about in the breeze!). And, sometimes I bring my Italian glass paperweight to keep the vows secure.
With this ringA great way to include someone in your big day – ask them to read a special poem. And, have your DJ provide an additional mic and stand to the side so your reader is all set to go!Blending of the Sands is a meaningful ritual symbolizing two individual lives, joining together. Perfect for waterfront weddings, too!Always great to work with a professional DJ, and David Cutler is one of the best! Makes me sound great, too. 🙂How much do you love the pineapple aisle decor?
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