Are you wondering what order to place the events of your wedding ceremony in? Does the reading come before or after the unity ceremony, and when do the final blessings happen? Here is a list of the order, in it’s rightful place! Of course every ceremony is different including those with cultural or religious elements but below is a guide to get you started.

1.) The Processional – This is where your parents (or other family members) and the wedding party walk down the aisle and take a seat or stand at the altar, awaiting the moment that the beautiful bride (that’s you!) walks down the aisle to your handsome groom! The processional starts with the parents, or grandparents and follows with the minister or officiant, sponsors, wedding party, ring bearer and flower girl, and lastly the bride makes her entrance. Sometimes the parents also like to walk with their son & daughter down the aisle so don’t think this is out of the ordinary. It is always sweet when the father of the bride will hug or shake the hand of the groom and kiss and hug their daughter after walking them down the aisle. Quick tip: When walking down the aisle make sure you keep looking forward, keep smiling and down walk too fast. This will look good for the photos and for everyone to see how happy you and all of your bridal party are.

2.) Words of Welcome – After everyone is in place at the altar, the minister or officiant, will welcome the guests to your wedding ceremony and thanking them for witnessing this momentous occasion. Make sure to remind the officiant to have the guests seated right after or we will miss a lot of great shots because they won’t know if they are suppose to remain standing. I have had it where the guests stood the entire ceremony because the officiant forgot or was their first time doing it. 

3.) Opening Remarks – The officiant will then speak about the love story of you and your groom and maybe even speak some thoughts on marriage, explaining the importance of this day and exactly what marriage represents. This doesn’t have to be cut and dry you can add some laughter to make everything at easy. Your guests and parents will love it!

4.) Readings – This is the opportunity for family members or friends (that you have chosen), can read from a poem or bible reading as an expression of love for your special day.

5.) Exchanging Vows – This is the moment your nerves have been waiting for, where you will exchange vows with the man of your dreams! Some opt for a standard set of vows, while others choose to write their own vows expressing their personal experiences with each other. Don’t worry you don’t have to memorize everything, you can have it written and ask the officiant or maid of honor hold them for you and give them to you at the appropriate time.  This will be followed with you placing a ring on your fiancé’s finger, as he will do with you, which is a symbol of your marriage.

6.) Unity Ceremony – Some couples also opt to partake in a unity ritual, whether it be the three fold cord, candle lighting from two candles into one, pouring sand into one glass or binding their hands together with a single ribbon. Whatever your choice may be, this is the perfect time for that!

7.) Exchanging Rings – The exchanging of the rings is one important ritual that most people part take in. It is a symbol of unity, once the other person places the ring on your finger it shows that they will eternally be yours. A ring has no beginning and no ending just like your love for one another.

8.) Final Blessings –  If your ceremony is one that is regligious based, this would be the perfect time for a closing prayer to ask God to help you both in your journey as husband and wife.

9.) The kiss – And lastly the kiss, this is that sweet moment when this celebration of love will be sealed with a kiss and you are now officially husband and wife. Make sure to at least kiss for a good 3-5 seconds to make sure we get a great shot of it, he can even dip you which is a sweet touch. Now I am not making you plan this out but it is sweet to have this captured. 

10.) Recessional – This is the moment when the celebration begins, where the minister or officiant introduces the couple for the first time and the bride and groom walk down the aisle first, followed by the bridal party, parents of the bride and groom and then the guests. If you are one of those couples that like to dance this is a great opportunity to show your moves while going down the aisle. 

Additional Tips – I am always asked what side is the bride on and what side is the groom on. Honestly you can choose which ever side you like best. Suggestion pick the side you think you like best. Most ladies like a specific side so they choose which side they look best on.