Wedding Ceremony Officiant
Serving the Wedding Needs of Couples of All
Faiths
Serving Virginia,
Maryland, Washington DC., and West Virginia including
Leesburg, Hillsboro,
Martinsburg,
Winchester,
Reston, Manassas, Centreville,
Fairfax, Loudoun, Middleburg,
Silver Spring, Potomac,
Front Royal, Woodbridge,
Arlington, Vienna, Alexandria
Winchester Office:
149 N Loudoun St Ste 7 Winchester, VA 22601
Alexandria Office:
7900 Andrus Rd Ste 12 Alexandria, VA 22306
Mailing Address: PO Box 247, Winchester, VA 22604 Lance2010@
WeddingsByLance.com
Sample Ceremony
This
sample ceremony page list and describes the typical
wedding ceremony parts that Lance uses. Generally speaking,
the only difference between a
civil, religious, or spiritual wedding
ceremony is the wording of each
ceremony part used. But most use
the same order of parts. Whether all parts
are included, or just a few,
I pace the ceremony to last about 25 minutes.
Different Ceremony Types (ordered from religious to non-religious)
Basic Parts of a Wedding Ceremony not all parts will apply in every ceremony
Processional This how you get the minister, wedding party and parents to the
front. My preferred style is for the minister to come in first followed
by those groomsmen not escorting, then groomsmen that have someone to
escort like parents or grandparents who are seated during procession,
then groom with his parent(s), then ring bearer, bride's maid
individually, flower girl, bell ringer, then bride.
Introduction
Giving of the Bride
Moment of Remembrance for those deceased or not able to attend.
Pledge of Support by parents
Parent(s)/Sponsors Involvement This may be accomplished with the mothers lighting unity candle
tapers, receiving flowers from the bride and groom during a mini-parent
greeting, or sand preparation for a sand ceremony. This is when the
minister talks about the important of parents getting us to this day.
Cording & Veil This is a Pacific rim and South American tradition where the
sponsors, Godparents, or mothers pin a veil to the couple then place a
cord over their heads. A Blessing is invoked then the cord and veil are
removed in opposite order.
Reading #1
Recognition of Parents Before we go on to say more about love, it is
important to recognize from where love comes in our lives. Of course,
someone first loved Laura and Lantz. Someone cared for them as children,
showed them what love, compassion, kindness, and care is. Of course we
are speaking of the parents. The work of our parents is critical in
preparing us to be the loving adults we are, so today, Laura and Lantz
want to make special recognition of their parents today, for making
today possible. I speak for everyone here when we say “Thank You mom’s
and dad’s for beginning in Lantz and Laura something so special. (Now
Bride and Groom present flowers to their parents)
Words on Love or Marriage
Blessing of Rings
Exchange of Rings & Vows
Reading #2
Charge to the Couple/Affirmation of Love
Prayer A prayer can be done religiously or a spoken blessing from a guest,
parent, or sponsor.
Couple Unity Activity The couple can light a unity candle, complete the sand ceremony, or
drink from a chalice. The drinking of wine or pseudo-wine can be done in
a religious, spiritual, or earthy way. No matter what activity is used,
its the couples first formal act as husband and wife.
Joining of the Children This is where brides and grooms have an opportunity to include their
children in the ceremony. This may include a blessing, exchange of vows
of commitment of care, and exchange of gifts, medallions, or rings.
Sharing of Cup of Wine Bridal-couple-only Communion/Eucharist
(see above)
Nuptial Blessing
Pronouncement of Marriage Formal legal declaration of unity.
Announcement of Marriage
Benediction/Conclusion
Breaking of the glass (combined
Christian/Jewish)
Jumping the Broom
Recessional May be astraight forward exiting of the bride, groom, and
wedding party or it can include the groom picking up the bride and
carrying her away before the wedding party recesses.
Receiving Line
Weddings by Lance -
Phone: (703) 552-2726
Winchester Office: 149 N Loudoun St, Ste 7, Winchester, VA 22601
Alexandria Office: 7900 Andrus Road Ste 12, Alexandria, VA 22306
Mailing Address: PO Box 247, Winchester, VA 22604