having friend officiate-- what do I do for the wedding ceremony?

jenn.lan

We're getting a friend to officiate the wedding? What should we include in the ceremony and not have a 5 min ceremony? I mean, I am paying for the venue, might as well have a decent length ceremony. Help please!

jedaniel

well i would have him obviously do the wedding vowels, and maybe do a nice reading of some sort like a poem or something. maybe a unity candle ceremony.

vsgal

This was ours:

Entrances
Greeting by Officiant to our guests.  This was about 5 minutes.  He talked about FI and me and our relationship.  He was one of our good friends.
Declaration of intention
Reading 1
Unity Candle
Reading 2
Our Father.  We wanted some religion for our parents since we did not get married in a church
Wedding VOWS, not vowels
"blessing" and exchange of rings
Smooch
Presentation to our guests
Depart

The whole thing took about 20 minutes.

Also, make sure that you can have a friend do the ceremony legally.  Some states only require a notary public.  Some states require a judge or an ordained religious head to perform the ceremony.  You can call the Clerk of Courts office or look at their website for your state.  It is the same place you will get your license.

desrosiersl

We're having a friend do ours as well - following a typical wedding format, but les formal
-processional with music
 greeting/welcome
declaration of intents
2 readings - non-traditional
exchange of vows
sand ceremony/unity candle
sharing of the blessing
commentary
Announcement and breaking of the glass
Recessional

We are also having music played during the sand ceremony 

There's plenty to fill the time.

desrosiersl

http://www.programsandbulletins.com/catholic.php

here's a link that might help - take away the Catholic Mass and you've got your ceremony