I'm getting married next september and I have lots of things to decide!
Firstmost, I am wiccan and I'm planning an outside ceremony with the traditional handfasting with a lot of other aspects of my religion tied in. Trying to make it so it's not all"in your face". I want people to see the beauty of it all and not take offense but alas, can't please everyone! So I have been writting my own ceremony and I'm getting a nondemonational officiant to read and perform it.
I beleive I have figured out the majority of it: Having stands with a pillar candle in each corner and having ushers stand by them and light them at the beginning of cermony. Following that, officiant says thier opening and we light the unity candle as the "alter candle". Another important aspect is that we are doing the cord tying at the same time as ring exchange. While we are exchanging the vows, the cords gets tied. At the end we are jumping the broom before kissing. Then the ushers blow out the candles in oppostie order while the officiant says a closing phrase.
Any suggestions on this would be wonderful!
For reception i am going all out masquerade ball. Tulle everywhere, a big momogram banner (also ties in with my religion), mask, potted plants, christmas bulbs, beads, candles, twinkle lights, stars and moons.
Anybody tried to do masquerade themes before? I'm limiting the colors to green and silver (wedding colors) with a dash of gold, copper, and cream to make the colors stand out more.