My very first wedding ceremony was for a friend… “Could you officiate at my wedding ceremony” she said. I have a history of public speaking so that part certainly didn’t phase me… but standing up in front of quite a few of my personal friends and being given the responsibility of presenting a script for the happiest day of their lives did feel a little daunting. However we worked on it and it was amazing! both for me and for them. Because of this experience I decided this was where my passion lay and it completely changed my world and I have since presented hundreds of ceremonies here in Mallorca.
Recently I have spoken to a few couples who are also thinking of having a friend present their wedding ceremony and asking me if I can give them some advice. I jumped at the chance … I am up for helping to make every wedding perfect whether it be in the foreground or in the back ground just offering little nuggets of my experience.
So if you are thinking of going this route here are a few essential things that need to be included in your ceremony:
An Introduction – Talk a little about love, Thank the guests for sharing the day. Talk about the couple, why are we all here? what brought them to this point, standing here today in front of all of the people they love?
A reading. – Try to include some other guests by inviting them to say a poem or a few words.
Wedding Vows
Ring vows
THE KISS – Very important moment!
Maybe another reading
Mr and Mrs – It is my great pleasure to introduce to you for the very first time… Mr and Mrs Smith
And remember that a wedding ceremony is a little like telling a story with a beginning, a middle and an end.
Although many of my clients actually feel like friends by the time they walk down the aisle as we will have spent sometimes up to a year planning the big day and it is always a huge responsibility, I am never nervous. Officiating at a friends wedding, if I am honest, always gives me the biggest butterflies!
Yesterday in my in-box I had a lovely testimonial from a wedding I presented last month for a good friend of mine… here is what she wrote:
presenting the ceremony at my friends wedding
I have a confession to make, I already knew Annie when I ‘chose’ her, so I cheated a little – but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Like many brides, I had (and have) the intention of only getting married once so wanted it to be just perfect. The venue, food, flowers, (groom!), all play a vital part, but the ceremony is really what everyone is there for – to see the dress for the first time, the exchanging of rings, the genuine outpouring of love, the laughter, the tears. It’s a tricky balancing act, but I knew Annie had the experience and the enthusiasm to get it just right. Together we drafted, edited, and edited again, until we had the perfect flow of words and emotion. With the Med shimmering in the background and all our friends and family around us it really was a special moment I know I will, and could, never forget Sarah, 15 July 2017, H10 Punta Negra
If you would like any help or advice regarding your ceremony then please feel free to contact me by phone/wassap +34676333065 by email hello@ceremoniesinmallorca or we can chat via facebook too https://www.facebook.com/weddingsinmallorca/
Whilst wedding ceremonies are primarily about the couple pledging their vows, it is always good to make sure your guests are totally engaged with the ceremony too. I always say my job is to make people laugh a little, smile a lot and shed the odd tear of joy, wedding ceremony readings help the ceremony to flow with emotions.
There are many ways to ensure that your guests feel they are an important part of your ceremony by involving them throughout with wedding ceremony readings.
wedding ceremony readings help the ceremony to flow
The readings can be anything for example; a piece of poetry, a few personal words from a friend or relative or can even take the form of a song! But do remember that the readings should reflect who you are as a couple and must be something you are both comfortable with.
In multicultural weddings it is a good thing to include both cultures and this can be through a reading done in a native language.
I have accrued over the years, a huge library of wedding ceremony readings that I send to all of my couples when sending out ceremony examples. From Funny to serious and some that will get you reaching for your hanky wither with tears of joy or laughter!
A few words of advice from a seasoned celebrant
Don’t make the readings to long up too 3 minutes is perfect for both the reader and your guests
Don’t get readings confused with evening speeches, readings are short, sweet and heartfelt. Evening speeches are the time to talk about the bride and grooms misdemeanour’s as youngsters
Always make sure that your celebrant knows exactly what is to be read.
Your celebrant will have the experience of knowing which readings are appropriate at which part of your ceremony so will incorporate them into the correct place when she is writing the wording.
A good celebrant will always speak to your readers prior to the ceremony starting to ensure they are comfortable with their words and are not feeling too nervous.
Your celebrant should always make sure they have a spare printed copy of each reading… just in case the reader forgets their precious piece of paper with the reading on it in the toilet!
Me doing a reading at my daughters wedding… I was really nervous!!!
