A Basic Wedding Ceremony

What is in a basic wedding ceremony? There are different variations and additions in weddings across different cultures, religions, and even families. However, there are many elements which many weddings share. This article will list a few to help you get started on planning your basic wedding ceremony. 

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Basic Wedding Ceremony - The Wedding Processional

The wedding processional is part of the whole wedding fantasy we had as children. This is the time when all the people at the wedding walk down the aisle. People who walk down the aisle could include the officiant, the groom, and his party, the children at the wedding (flower girl, ring bearer), and bridesmaids and finally the bride. 

Basic Wedding Ceremony - Music and Readings

Most weddings include both music within the ceremony and readings. Usually, you will hear some kind of soft background music playing from the time you enter the wedding ceremony until the time the actual wedding is to begin. Once the bride is about to enter you will hear either the wedding march or an alternative song for the bride to walk down the aisle to. 

There are many kinds of readings that can be done at a wedding from the classic to the unusual. Many weddings choose readings from poetry, Shakespeare, The Bible, and other Religious books. Modern weddings may include readings from literature, novels, and even references to television and movies. 

Basic Wedding Ceremony - Wedding Vows

After music, readings, and religious services the bride and groom exchange vows. They may be traditional vows, a variation on traditional vows or vows which they wrote themselves. Many brides and grooms still tend to use the standard vows however many couples feel that using vows that they wrote themselves help to create a wedding with a deeper commitment and more meaning. 

Basic Wedding Ceremony - Exchange of Rings

During the vows the bride and groom usually exchange rings. They may choose not to do this if the decided against wedding rings. Whether or not they exchange rings there may also be other wedding traditions that take place during the ceremony.

BAGUETTE DIAMOND ETERNITY RING WEDDING BAND 14K WHITE GOLD	PRINCESS-CUT DIAMOND ETERNITY RING BAND 14K WHITE GOLD	LUXURY DIAMOND & AQUAMARINE ETERNITY RING BAND 14K WHITE GOLD
HAND-CARVED INFINITY FILIGREE SOLITAIRE BRIDAL SET IN 14K WHITE GOLD	WOMEN'S UNIQUE FILIGREE WEDDING BAND W/ MILGRAIN EDGE 14K WHITE GOLD	VINTAGE CARVED FILIGREE SOLITAIRE BRIDAL SET IN 14K WHITE GOLD
CONTEMPORARY CARVED MENS UNIQUE WEDDING RING 14K WHITE GOLD	FANCY CARVED VINTAGE WEDDING RING FOR MEN 14K WHITE GOLD	FANCY CARVED VINTAGE WEDDING RING FOR MEN 14K WHITE GOLD

Some of these traditions can include a unity candle ceremony or a sand wedding ceremony. If either family has any kind of personal family traditions you may see this as well as the wedding.

Basic Wedding Ceremony - The Ceremony Completion

After the rings are exchanged the ceremony is wrapped up. The officiant pronounces them man and wife. The bride and the groom share their first kiss as a married couple. Then the officiant will announce them as a newly married couple.

At this point the bride and groom will walk back up the aisle followed by the wedding party in the reverse order they walked down the aisle. Then the bride and groom will receive the guests as husband and wife.

There you have it, a summary of a basic wedding ceremony.