Cover Photo Credits: Elle Ivy Photography, Nymph Florals, Junto Studios, The Marry Men
Your wedding ceremony should be a one-of-a-kind experience that everyone will remember. By working closely with your officiant, you can bring your vision to life and create cherished memories that will last a lifetime. Remember, your wedding day should be a reflection of your love and commitment to one another. Personalizing your ceremony will make it even more memorable. Enjoy every moment of this beautiful journey together!
Collaborate with a Professional Officiant
Working closely with a professional officiant allows you to personalize your ceremony. Share your love story, personalized preferences, and anything of cultural significance you would like to include. Your officiant can help craft a ceremony that truly reflects your journey as a couple to getting to the altar that day.
Invite a Close Friend or Family Member to Speak
Looking to include someone special on the wedding day somehow but not sure where? Include them in the ceremony. You can ask a person close to you, who knows your story, to read lyrics, recite a poem, or share a meaningful passage at your wedding. They can also include heartfelt stories, inside jokes, and personal anecdotes that will make the ceremony truly unique. Your officiant can work with you to suggest an appropriate time to include this in your ceremony.
Get Your Guests Involved
Looking to have more than just one person involved? There are few moments where you can have ALL of your guests involved, and the ceremony is one of them. Your officiant can lead moments of audience participation, such as having everyone form a circle around the couple and hold hands, recite a communal blessing, or pass around a symbolic item for a spiritual connection.
Incorporate Traditions
Infuse your wedding ceremony with traditions that hold significance for you both. Your officiant can guide you through the process of incorporating meaningful rituals, prayers, or cultural traditions into the ceremony that’s being customized just for you. For example, a ring-warming ceremony or tying a knot!
Surprise Rituals or Gestures
In addition to any special traditions, you can always add surprise rituals or symbolic gestures, facilitated by your officiant. It could be anything from a surprise musical performance, a symbolic planting of a tree, or even an exchange of memorable gifts to create a truly magical moment during the ceremony.
Write Personalized Vows Together
Your officiant is your best resource if you need any assistance in the structure, flow, or general suggestions of what to put in your personalized vows to each other! They will help to keep you speaking directly from the heart, in your own voice, and expressing your deepest and most loving sentiments. Sit down with them to review if you need the extra support!
Add a Touch of Humour or Storytelling
Inject humour and storytelling into your ceremony. Discuss with your officiant how to include funny anecdotes or share amusing stories that showcase your personalities and make everyone smile. Did you meet in a funny way? Are there things you are opposite at or that compliment each other, but in a loving and funny way? Include them! This is not the time for cookie-cutter ceremonies. Your officiant should be able to weave together a unique ceremony that authentically reflects your journey.
Photo Credits: Jennifer See Studios and Lydia Ivy Photography, Flower Treasures, Steam Whistle, The Marry Men
Customize the Officiant's Attire
Coordinate the officiant's attire with your wedding theme or personal style. Whether it's a traditional outfit or a custom-made ensemble, the officiant’s attire can add an extra touch of personalization to your ceremony. The Marry Men, for example, always source a customized brooch that corresponds to the couple’s colour palettes and themes.
About The Marry Men
Reverends Jason and Michael are licensed religious officiants with The Province of Ontario and ordained ministers with the Canadian International Metaphysical Ministry (CIMM) serving couples in the Toronto area. The Marry Men are all-inclusive, LGBTQ+, and inter-faith friendly.
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