Weddings by Dan    -Rev. F Daniel Latour

GENERAL PLAN TO BE CUSTOMIZED

Optional escorting of Grandparents

Optional Escorting of Parents

Entrance of Groom and Officiant

Procession of Attendants

Bride's Procession

Giving of Bride's hand

Greeting (with optional prayer)

Special comments

Officiant speaks of love

Optional guest readings(s) or song

Optional Parental honoring and presentation of roses to Mothers

Exchange of Vows

Exchange of Rings (optional  blessing)

Legal documents may be signed here or after Ceremony (with optional song)

Optional recitation of The Lord's Prayer

Advice to Bride & Groom (with optional blessing of marriage)

Pronouncement as Husband and Wife (sealed with a kiss)

Presentation as "Mr. & Mrs."

Recessional

Optional added ceremonies are below. There is no extra fee.

Sand Ceremony

This ceremony adds more interest to the ceremony, is easy to include children if desired, and provides a lasting sand sculpture as a keepsake. This ceremony is usually done after the exchange of rings and legal documents can be signed at the same time.

    Three colors of sand are poured from cups into a glass vase at different intervals to create a sand sculpture that can last a lifetime.  This ceremony is chosen over the Unity ceremony often as it is better for outdoor situations and the sand will retain it's freshness, while candles can melt and yellow over time. Children can easily participate in this ceremony by adding an additional color sand for each child.

Unity Candle Ceremony

The traditional Unity ceremony is great for indoor weddings. It is usually done at the end of the wedding after the pronouncement as husband and wife, before being introduced as Mr. & Mrs. [If wind or weather may effect lit candles, consider the Sand Ceremony above.]

     When Mothers of the Bride and Groom are escorted in, they each light individual candles for the couple before being seated. Near the end of the ceremony, the couple lights the central candle from the smaller candles representing two joined together in marriage.

     This is an old but brief ceremony which can include one or two children if desired.

Hands of the Bride and Groom

Two good friends or relatives of the bride and groom take turns addressing the Couple. This is considered a 'reading' and is done just before the vows.  There is also a shorter version on the Readings page where one reader or the Officiant addresses both at the same time.

     [Bride's name], please face [Groom's name], and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams. These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family. These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.
     [Groom's name], please hold [Bride's name]’s hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day. These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving. They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child, that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to reach for  your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Jumping the Broom

Jumping the Broom is a very old tradition. It is done at the end of the wedding after the pronouncement as husband and wife, before being introduced as Mr. & Mrs.

Broom sizes vary. Most choose to purchase their own broom and decorate it themselves. Be sure it either coordinates with your wedding colors, or if you plan to hold on to it as a keepsake, the colors you will decorate with in your home. Using your own broom can also be a great bonding activity for the brides-maids, perhaps the night, or week before the wedding.   Feel free to use bows, flowers (artificial or real), or other trinkets to make it unique.  It should be decorative, but something pleasing enough to keep in your home.
Minister calls attendants and family to form a semi-circle around the couple. He then  moves the broom in a circle while he tells of the origin of the broom ceremony. Minister will wave the broom over the Bride and Groom's heads as an additional blessing and then place the broom on the floor, and says a few more words.  Bride and groom hold crossed hands and every one is asked to count 1, 2, 3, Jump...crossing the boundary into married life. They are then introduced as Mr. and Mrs.

Coins (Arras) Ceremony

A Spanish/Filipino tradition, this symbolic ritual has been passed on by the Spanish colonizers. The Unity coins are presented by a friend or relative or coin bearer to the Bride who places them in the Groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the officiant who places the unity coins in the box and hands them to the Groom. The Groom will then pour the unity coins into the Bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. In times past the coins represented his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. However today they represent the couples willingness to embrace life and unite harmoniously as husband and wife. They agree to face the world together in a mutually supportive way and to affirm the vows they have taken. These tokens become a "Wedding Souvenir" or "Marriage Memory". 

Family Medallion Ceremony 

This ceremony is added after the exchange of rings to include children.

Often marriage is viewed as the union of two individuals. In reality, however, marriage is much broader. As we give thanks to God for the love that brings this couple together, so too we recognize the merging of families taking place and the additional love and responsibility that family and friends bring to this relationship. 

Child(ren) are called by name and asked to come forward)

As part of the family nature of God's creation, we recognize these children and the significance they play in this marriage celebrated today.  Two merged circles often symbolize love. This family medallion has three circles to represent not only the union of this marriage, but the importance of  (names) within this family.
Couple says: "[Names], we give  you this medallion as a symbol of our new family, and pledge our continuing love and support."

OR you can say the Vow to Children, and then give the Medallion--

“I have pledged myself to your Mom/Dad and now promise to be a faithful husband/wife. From this day forward I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow. I will share in your dreams, and support you as you reach for your goals. I will listen to you with compassion and understanding, and speak to you with encouragement. I will do everything I can to always be there for you and your Mom/Dad, and help us all continue to love and grow as a family.”

The child(ren) then return to their seats.

                             Butterfly Release

Outdoor temperature must be at least 70 degrees.

According to an American Indian Legend:     If anyone desires a wish to come true they must capture a butterfly and whisper that wish to it. Since a butterfly can make no sound, the butterfly can not reveal the wish to anyone but the Great Spirit who hears and sees all. In gratitude for giving the beautiful butterfly its freedom, the Great Spirit grants the wish. So, according to legend, by making a wish and giving the butterfly its freedom, the wish will be taken to the heavens and be granted.

     For a general release:  We have gathered to grant this couple all our best wishes and are about to set these butterflies free in trust that all these wishes will be granted. 

     For the couple release:  Bride and Groom will whisper their secret wish to the butterflies and release them to the heavens.

     Our recommended butterfly company is:  Butterfly Release Company.