Ceremony Guide

When
Selecting a ceremony site should be one of the first thing you do. Remember that most ceremony locations are being reserved at least a year in advance. In order to get the date you want during busy months, ceremony sites may book two weddings (at different times of course) on the same day. You will need to inform your photographer if there is a wedding planned after yours on the same day because it may limit the time to take pictures after the wedding.

Where
The location you choose will depend upon religious beliefs, the type of ceremony you are having (religious/non-religious) and the number of guests that the site can accommodate. Although many couples get married in a place of worship, there are many other alternatives.

It is important to talk the officiant about their policies and procedures. This is especially important in a place of worship. You may have to take special pre-marital classes or counseling. Some churches, temples and synagogues will allow nonmembers to marry there but members usually have priority on dates. There also may be restrictions on attire, music, readings, photography, decorations and other aspects of the wedding.

Fees
Ask the officiant about all related fees (officiant fees, music, clean-up) and when they need to be paid. Some locations may charge more for nonmembers.

Readings
A great way to include friends and family who are not attendants in your ceremony and ask them to read a passage or poem during the ceremony. You should keep any passages short but still meaningful to you and your future spouse. Select passages that are easy to read and have the reader practice before the wedding day. If you plan to make any modifications to a passage, ask your officiant first.

Seating
Here are a few guidelines for seating your guests during the ceremony:

The first four or five rows should be reserved for immediate family members and special guests. You may want to have ribbons tied across those rows to show that they are reserved. Immediate family members are usually seated right before the ceremony begins.

Other family members (aunts, uncles, cousins, godparents) and other special guests are usually seated in the third through fifth rows.

You should seat elderly guests near the front and guests in wheelchairs or on crutches near an aisle.

If a guest requests to be seated on either the bride?s or groom?s side of the aisle, have the ushers seat them there. Use guests who have no seating preference to balance out any unevenness between the two sides.