A Modern Ceremony....

While you might include or omit any of these elements, depending on your taste and personal preference, the structure of a modern wedding ceremony generally looks like this --
tHE pROCESSION
​First off, the processional. This is when members of your immediate family and wedding party head down the aisle and either find a seat or take their places on either side of the altar. The processional begins with the grandparents, flows through the parents, groom, officiant, wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer, and ends with the bride making her entrance. ​
oPENING AND wELCOME
Once everyone is in place, I will say a few words of welcome. I might thank guests for bearing witness to your union, as well as welcome everyone to your venue and your celebration.
rEMBERANCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
​​Some couples include a moment of silence to remember loved ones who have passed away.   Others wish to acknowledge the love and support of family and special friends.
PERSONAL HISTORY
​At this point, you might want to include a brief recounting of your love story, words about what marriage means to you, or a statement about the ceremony and what it represents.    This can be playful or formal, depending on your style.
READINGS
​From there, if you are including readings of any sort in your ceremony, readers will be invited up to share a few words. You can have me introduce each reading and reader or have things flow more naturally between readers.  ​
VOWS
In most places, you are legally required to state your Declaration of Intent. This is what we think of as the “I dos,” or “I do in fact legally want to marry this person, and I’m here by choice.” So as you’re crafting your own wedding ceremony, remember to include this key part.  You could opt to write your own vows, share personal statements and then exchange the same vows, or use traditional phrasing. ​
RING EXCHANGE
This is the part where you'll place rings on each other's fingers as symbols of your marriage. ​
UNITY CEREMONY
​If you're planning on having a unity ceremony, this is a good time to incorporate it. In a unity ritual, the couple does something that physically symbolizes their new union, such as using two candles to light a single candle or binding their hands together with ribbon.
THE PRONOUNCEMENT
I make it official ("By the power vested in me....")
THE KISS
​Now, the good part! After you've exchanged vows and rings, the two of you get to seal your marriage with a kiss. ​
3-5 minutes
​Even the briefest ceremony should be dignified and meaningful. There are many reasons to choose a brief ceremony: if there is little time for planning, if a member of the wedding party is ill, if there are young children involved.
5-10 minutes
An exquisite ceremony just perfect for you and your small circle of loved ones -- and your entire guest list via live stream. My team and I can help you devise an exceptionally personal, joyous, and never-to-be-forgotten event. 
10-15 minutes
A Modern Ceremonies favorite!  Endlessly adaptable, this ceremony focuses on the exchange of meaningful vows spoken from the heart.  The ceremony may include blessings, readings, unity rituals, personal expressions of love, and your life philosophy.
10-15 minutes
Traditional doesn't have to mean boring.  It can be a ceremony that incorporates time honored language, classic vows, scriptural readings, or well loved music that have added luster to many weddings before yours.
10-15 minutes
​Readings from 1 Corinthians and a Unity Candle ceremony grace this traditional wedding service.
10-15 minutes
How do I love thee?  For incurable romantics, a deeply-felt ceremony that tells your love story, interspersed with classic and contemporary love poems.
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10-15 minutes
The couple sips from the kiddush cup, repeats the Seven Blessings, and stomps on the glass.  Mazel Tov!
10-15 minutes
This ceremony has a bit of whimsy, or references to pop culture -- and the members of your wedding party can participate by reading lighthearted micro-quotes about marriage.

​10-15 minutes
Blending traditions, cultures, and religions, an interfaith wedding celebrates the union of two individuals in a truly unique way.