Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions — The Knot Community

catholic churches near great neck

mpucci32 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 20:33:05 +0000

Hello!!! I just booked my venue: Leonards of Great Neck for a 4pm reception sunday Sept. 1st 2013. I know that I have to wait until the afternoon to get married in a catholic church because of mass and all. Does anyone know of a catholic church that's reasonably priced? I have heard that Saint Mary's in Manhasset can be very difficult to deal with so I was planning to avoid that one. Any pointers would mean so much! Thanks!

Ring dedication?

heylady87 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 16:34:09 +0000

It has been about two months since our wedding, and we have come to realize hubs is allergic to his white gold wedding ring. We knew he was allergic to nickel, and like total sillyfaces, we believed the jeweler when she said white gold wouldn't cause an allergic reaction. It did! A nasty one! So now we are negotiating with our jeweler to trade in his gold band and some old gold I had to upgrade him to a platinum band. It isn't cheap, but we wanted a "safe" metal that can be resized and cut if needed. He works with tools a lot and we would hate to have him lose a finger because the ER couldn't get his ring off in an emergency. He also is a weird size, so we can't get his ring in cobalt or surgical steel, according to our jeweler. Now, my hubs is a very nostalgic, sentimental guy, and he hates the idea of giving up the ring I put on his finger on our wedding day. However, it is the only way we can afford the platinum. That being said, I promised him we would make getting his new ring special with some type of ceremony. I need ideas for said "ring dedication" ceremony. I know I am going to order a cake or cupcakes in the same flavor and style of our wedding cake, as well as saying some type of vow with the new ring. Beyond that, I am stumped. It doesn't have to be extravagant, but it does need to be special and memorable, because he is pretty heartbroken. Thank you in advance for what I know will be awesome ideas.

Awkard Family Drama and Processional...

Vehige2012 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:30:01 +0000

So, here's the story:

My parents have been divorced for 20+ years. My dad THINKS he's been a good father (I have had conversations with him to let him know that I get along with him as a friend, but father, no way). He is remarried (over 10 years). My mother is not, never has been. She is wonderful. The wedding is on her mother's property and my mother is doing everything and has learned not to expect anything from my father (i.e. coming in on Friday for a Saturday wedding and leaving Sunday, offering no help-already happened with my bro's wedding).

I am walking myself down the aisle. I explained this to my mom as to not hurt my dad's feelings and well because I'm 33 and I've lived on my own since I was 17. I don't need the symbolism. I have 3 bridesmaids and 3 groomsmen (and 2 ushers who don't really have a job yet). I have 4 little boy attendants and 1 little flower girl.

How do we proceed up the aisle so that my mom doesn't walk by herself? And then what do I do with my father so that he feels somewhat important? My mom will be giving the reception greeting and prayer before meal.

Thoughts?
seating of grandmother
seating of parents
-fiance walk both mothers as father in law walks behind
-my dad walks with his wife behind them?
OR
-Future in laws walk themselves
-Dad walks his wife
-finace walks my mom?
bridal party
child attendants-or do these come before bridal party? my maid of honor?
me?

ugh...so much. please help!

nervous.

kaceymarie — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 23:06:38 +0000

i don't have a bridal party and my father isn't walking me down the aisle. the idea was for me and my fi to walk down together. i'm just nervous of how that's going to look. :/

Our flower girl is too young to participate in the ceremony

schoe342 — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 18:20:06 +0000

My fiance and I are getting married in a Catholic church next May. We just found out that there is a strict age limit for anybody participating in the wedding-- 6 years. Our niece will only be 3 at the wedding time and we are heartbroken that she cannot be a flower girl. Our priest told us that they had a flower girl fall and break her arm, so they just aren't going to deal with it anymore. I am not worried about her walking or anything-- my brother had a 2 year old in his wedding and she was adorable, plus both of her parents are in the wedding party and I have no problem with them walking with her if need be. Are there any other suggestions for what we can do with her aside from flower girl? She is adorable and we really want her to be a part of our special day.

Now what?

Lilshell812 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:08:21 +0000

Ceremony site has been booked for Sept 2013 -- it's an old mansion that was convered into an art gallery. It's on 20+ acres so we're probably going to have the ceremony outside in the sculpture garden. If it rains, there is an indoor pavillion we could use.

Now that it's booked, what do I do now? Should I ask the event coordinator there what the next steps are? I'm confused.

In Memory of?

KrissyAnGel — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:54:56 +0000

My grandma passed away when I was 6, she has always been important to me. My fiance's Uncle whom he was really close to passes away 5 years ago. We want to recognize these two with a candle and their pictures. Other family members have passed away as well, some more recently than the two we want to recognize.Do we need to also recognize them? Will people be offended if we pointed these two out and just listed the names of others? Should we name the others at all?

need help thinking of a plant for alternative unity candle?

coastiewife1022 — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 01:48:39 +0000

So, for my wedding I am trying to make everything as unique and one-of-a-kind as possible. So, as an alternative to the unity candle or sand ceremony, I want to have a plant that we water with water from our hometowns- so it's like the water from both of our lives mix together to keep the plant alive, symbolizing our lives being entertwined forever.

My problem is I want to find a plant that can be an indoor plant, but also have some kind of nice meaning behind it. Like roses = love, lucky bamboo = good luck, etc.

I want an indoor plant vs. one we can plant because we don't have a permanant home due to my hubby being in the military and us moving around a lot.

I mean I COULD pick one to plant and we can plant it at his parents house... but what plant can we have? I don't want roses.... can anyone understand what I'm trying to do here and can help me!?!

WILL HELP WITH WEDDING VOWS!

wordsfromyourheart — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 17:28:46 +0000

I am an official business now and would love to help write your wedding vows for little or no cost!! Check out the website http://wordsfromyourheart.com. I would love the professional experience of doing it! I have done this for years and now I have turned it into my business! I look forward to hearing from you!

Help with vows please?

cgillespie24 — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 14:27:52 +0000

My fiance told me today that he doesn't want to do the traditional vows where you have to repeat what the officiant says but I don't know what to do in place of that. He says he just wants to do something simple instead. Any advice on what I can do so that both of us will be happy with how things turn out?

Readings during Ceremony

hmccurdy9 — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:44:25 +0000

Anyone have any suggestions on readings during a ceremony? I don't want to do the typical readings you always hear during a ceremony.

How many people come to ceremony vs reception?

gottadance64 — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:53:39 +0000

We are expecting about 150 at our reception. I've heard that usually fewer people come to the ceremony than the reception. We've found a ceremony venue we like, but it only seats 120. Will this work?

Wine box ceremony

LDubHawksFan — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:05:30 +0000

To any ladies that have done this, where did you get your box?

Ideas for a short ceremony after a religious service?

spanne — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 07:22:29 +0000

Since we are both catholic, we are getting married in a church and then going to a nearby private garden for the reception. Since the church is very small, we can only fit family and close friends for the mass, and the remaining guests we will see at the reception following.

We are trying to come up with a quick ceremony or entrance we can do at the reception so those that couldn't fit in the church won't feel left out without it being too repetitious for the family that did attend the mass.

Any suggestions or ideas? We'd greatly appreciate them!

critique my ceremony! (secular)

entropicbeauty — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:50:41 +0000

My FI and myself are putting together our entire ceremony and I am looking to get some feedback from others on length/content etc.

We intend to write our vows ourselves, but I included the traditional vows as a placeholder and so the flow is there.

If anyone has any feedback, I would greatly appreciate it! (sorry for the formatting of this post, I copy/pasted from Word and it seemed to mess it up).

01. Greeting:

OFFICIANT: Angelique and Nathaniel have brought us together here for an occasion of great joy and cause for celebration. Having found each other, they have built the kind of relationship that will serve them well as the foundation for their marriage. They have chosen us to be here with them to witness their wedding vows as they join together as husband and wife.

Each of us knows that a marriage is not created by a law or a ceremony, rather in the hearts of two human beings. It grows out of loving, caring and sharing ourselves with one another. And so it is that Angelique and Nathaniel have connected their hearts and souls, one to the other. So in witnessing this ceremony today, we are observing only an outward union that already exists between Angelique and Nathaniel.

02.) Love/Wine Box (alternative to unity candle)

OFFICIANT: Nathaniel and Angelique have both written love letters to each other.

These letters describe the good qualities they find in one another, the reasons they fell in love, and their reasons for choosing to spend their lives together. The letters are sealed in individual envelopes and they have not seen what the other has written.

Today, the letters will be placed inside this box, along with a bottle of wine and will be sealed shut. Five years from today, on their 5th wedding anniversary, Nathaniel and Angelique will open this box, read their letters to one another, and toast to the success of their marriage, replenish the contents of the box and repeat on their 10th anniversary, and so on.

Nathaniel and Angelique - even though this box is intended to be opened in celebration and as a reward for five years of marriage, should you ever find your marriage enduring insurmountable hardships before that time, you are to open this box, sit and drink the wine together, and read the letters that you wrote to one another. Doing so will remind you of this day that you were united as a couple in marriage. By reading these love letters, it is hoped that you will reflect upon the reasons that you fell in love, will be reminded of why you chose to marry each other, and find the strength to overcome whatever obstacles led you to open the box.

(love letter carriers) Michael & Emma, will you please bring up the letters?

Love letter carriers hand letters to bride and groom

Angelique and Nathaniel, I now ask you to place the letters in the box and seal it shut.

03.) Reading

OFFICIANT: The Bride and Groom have asked Ben, brother of the Groom, to share a reading.

Ben takes microphone and completes reading.

04.) Declaration of Intent

OFFICIANT: Nathaniel, do you take Angelique to be your wife, your partner in life and your one true love? Will you cherish your union and love her more each day than you did the day before? Will you trust and respect her, laugh and cry with her, love her faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face together. Will you give your hand, your heart, and your love, from this day forward for as long as you both shall live?

GROOM: I do!

OFFICIANT: Angelique, do you take Nathaniel to be your husband, your partner in life and your one true love? Will you cherish your union and love him more each day than you did the day before? Will you trust and respect him, laugh and cry with him, love him faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face together. Will you give your hand, your heart, and your love, from this day forward for as long as you both shall live?

BRIDE: I do!

OFFICIANT: Take each others hands and speak your vows to one another:

05.) Wedding Vows (writing our own)

GROOM: I Nathaniel take you Bride to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse , for richer or poorer, to love and to cherish from this day forward.

BRIDE: I Angelique take you Groom to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse , for richer or poorer, to love and to cherish from this day forward.

06.) Ring Exchange

OFFICIANT: The wedding ring is a circle symbolizing the sun, and the earth, and the universe. It is symbol of wholeness, perfection, and peace. As you enter into the circle of your shared love. May you be blessed through your union. May your journey as husband and wife be filled with peace, love, and joy.

BRIDE: Nathaniel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow to always love you, cherish you, honor you, and respect you.

GROOM: Angelique, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow always love you, cherish you, honor you, and respect you.

07.) Pronouncement

You have made your marriage vows to one another, witnessed by your friends and family. You have sealed your vows with the giving and receiving of these rings. So now, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife and invite you to kiss one another.

High school choir at wedding?

MadamBelladonna — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:54:20 +0000

I have been thinking a lot lately about having one of the choirs from my old high school sing the processional song: I would like to do "You Raise Me Up." I was in choir from 5th grade all the way up to my senior year of high school-all 4 years of high school with the same teacher. The choir director at my old school is an absolute miracle worker and I think that any choir at that school would do an amazing job. I also am fairly certain that ol' Mr. D would be bursting with pride that someone asked one of HIS choirs for the most important day of their life (meaning he would probably be totally on board) Any thoughts? Other song suggestions? Is this just a totally weird idea?

Flameless Candles

JessicaAnn2612 — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 23:38:25 +0000

Hi everyone!

I am kind of new here, basically been browsing for some new and different ideas and would appreciate some input on an idea I had!

Our venue has hardwood floors so we decided not to use an aisle runner but instead have flameless candles in groupings of 3 in varying heights on with rose petals to make an asile.

I have been looking around and to purchase the amount of flameless candles we would need is pretty costly. I came across Save-on-crafts..the websie offers 3 varying sized flameless candles for $6. Has anyone boughten these? I'm just wondering about the quality of them.

Thanks!

Shawn and Jessica

So Exited! And relieved...

MadamBelladonna — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:39:35 +0000

So, originally, my fiance and I were going to get married this October. Our bank account had other plans-so we're shooting for March 1st 2014 (still a ways off, but I figure the more time I have to plan, the better, plus I can spread out the cost over a longer period of time).

My mother was extremely opposed at first-she thinks I shouldn't be getting married at this time of my life and blah blah blah...So I didn't ask her come with me a few months ago when I got my dress or anything. I just took it to her house last night to show her and she started giving me so many cool ideas! She found the PERFECT venue for both the ceremony AND the reception (http://www.mellonscommunityhall.com/default.html) and it is beautiful! I know that the wedding is really to far away to think about actually booking a place yet, but so far this is the best I have found. I love it!

Anyway, just totally jazzed that my mom not only seems to approve now, but is actually kinda having fun helping me with it. We talked wedding stuff for about 4 hours straight lol

couple things :)

funandfreckles — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:07:33 +0000

First of all, has anyone written their own ceremony, or have you seen someone's bio or someone around here thath as done theirs? We don't want to write our own vows to each other, but write our ceremony together with our officiant. I'm looking for inspiration.

Second, what is or was your recessional song? I want something upbeat and fun...but I think I am on wedding overload because I can't think of anything!

To sit or not to sit?

sierraberry32 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 05:57:47 +0000

I am having a very short wedding ceremony. I'm thinking less then 5 minutes. And my one question is should I even worry about putting chairs out? Or should I just have my friends and family stand, surrounding us while we say "I Do"? That or, I could put some chairs out and have the others stand behind those who are seated? I don't know what to do, I am stuck...

BEACH WEDDING - SOUTH FL - NOV OR MARCH????

Mojitarita — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:49:49 +0000

Hello! I am newly engaged and my fiance and I are starting to browse ideas. We live in Miami and , of course, want a beach wedding! We want to have it in a secluded area, maybe West Palm or the Keys. Also, we don't know whether to have it in Nov or March. I am going for March 2014 being the fact that I am getting my bachelors and that will be my last semester so it won't be too hard (my internship). Also, tax returns come in (;. My fiance wants it in Nov 2013 being the fact that it is not too far away and March of 2014 is.
My problem with NOv is people are going to be thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas and definately not about buying a ticket for a Nov wedding... Any help and ideas would be great!!! Venues??? We are still looking but want to choose a place where it isn't too expensive...

Also colors!!! We were thinking turqoise + a tropical green??? Any goodies will be good!!!

Day of Coordinator

AirmansLady — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:59:31 +0000

I'm my own wedding planner :D but I obviously don't want to be running around the day of making sure things are running smoothly. So, my question is - should I (and how do I) hire a coordinator for the day of, or just find someone to keep things in order? My mother knows of someone who works in special events that can do and if she trusts him to handle things, then so do I. But I'm just not sure if it's worth it/necessary to hire a PROfessional or if it would be ok without one.

???

Ceremony Program Wording

jbates926 — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:33:18 +0000

My mother unexpecidely passed away a few months ago. Our wedding is in October and I am trying to decide how to word the ceremony programs.

We will be placing a vase with flowers on the alter in memory of my mother and will be putting a small note in the program that the flowers are to honor her. I dont want to do anything too sappy, as I dont want to reflect too much on her death, but I want to say something more that just "The flowers on the alter are in memory of..."

Any suggestions?

A Rustic Ceremony

shan22choice — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 03:30:37 +0000

My wedding is the Berkshires and I looking for some ideas that are cute and country. Not too out there though...

Spanish vs. English Wedding Vows

nicholezepeda — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:24:30 +0000

My first language is English and my fiance's in Spanish. most of our family and friends are not bilingual. My Uncle will be our officiate and is not bilingual in any way shape or form. There will be a translator for the ceremony. We are going to blend everything in very nicely, and it WILL be beautiful. I would rather do my vows in English so i can say what i'm really feeling and i know my fiance will wish to do the exact opposite. I had a great idea, though. I really would like everyone's opinion. I would like to do Corinthians 13 4-7 (i know really original, huh?). What is had in mind though was like me reading, "Love is patient", then Victor reading "Love is kind (in Spanish)", and so on. I will talk to the interpreter more on this. i just want a few opinions. If you came to my wedding would you like to see this or not?

budget beach ceremony advice in southern california

nanab825 — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 02:32:40 +0000

Hey everyone! I just moved to southern California with my fiancee because he got accepted to medical school out here. We are in the market to find a budget beach wedding venue. Of course, as soon as I typed that into google, about a gazillion sites came up. Its all so confusing! I just want to find a place that is gorgeous and lower in budget. We will only be having about 25 people at the wedding. I am not a fan of doing it at a public park, solely based on the fact that its public- people and their dogs/children could be in the pictures/background causing distractions. Plus, I'd like to avoid the gawking. Does anyone have any suggestions on a nice place to get married on the beach in SoCal? Please help!!! :)

How long is the wedding march?

Sbaty1001 — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 01:25:38 +0000

I have found a beautiful song that I'd like do my own wedding march to down the aisle. I am still working on the song for all of my beautiful maids to walk down to as well. Back to the bridal march... how long does this usually take? The song I like works until about 2:30 minutes then it would need to fade out.

Is that enough time to get down the aisle? I honestly have no idea. Thank you!

Handfasting Cords

kelcrenee87 — Sat, 02 Jun 2012 20:31:43 +0000

Where can I buy one either custom made or make it myself? Can I use necklace charms with it. How can my soon to be husband explain a Handfasting to his family?

DIY ceremony/reception music

annamhisle — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 01:08:38 +0000

Hi everyone :)

My wedding is about 3 1/2 months away and I still have some details to work out, one of which is the music.

I plan on doing the music myself, renting speakers and having my computer to play the music. I have a playlist already made, but I was just wondering if anyone else is doing this too & any tips or suggestions would be great. It's kind of hard to imagine it all going smoothly. Like when to start the music, timing it just right so when my song comes on, to walk through the door. AH! So much that could go wrong.

Anyways, thanks in advance :)

A new concept for Unity Ceremonies

Lee Ware — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 17:07:41 +0000

About a year ago a bride came into my glass blowing studio and wanted a custom vase made for her sand ceremony. Working to try to keep the sand from shifting after the ceremony, she and I came up with a new idea.

Crushed colored art glass--- not sand--- then about 2100 degree molten glass to pull it all together, forever.

After the ceremony I made a sculptural piece for her at my studio. http://www.facebook.com/unityinglass

Unfortunately it's alot more expensive than a sand cereomony or a candle, but it will last forever.

Thoughts? I'm always trying to improve it so share any ideas you have please. Thanks!