Which is why I'm not a fan of Catholic weddings. Or churches. Or music stipulations. Or Archdiocesan rules. But alas, that's all fodder for many, many more posts to come. :)
I'd really like to personalize the ceremony, which is no small task, considering who I'm up against. But, a post I came across from a fellow Chicago Catholic bride has given me hope. And inspiration. And I'd like to rip off her idea. Because I love it. So many thanks to The Everyday Bride!
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This is a bride's recounting of "an extended unity candle ceremony":
"We lit our unity candles and then the officiant said a few words about how everyone in the room helped us as a couple become who we are and helped us to the point we were at that day and we wanted to honor that in sharing the flame of our unity candle. Brett and I then lit a long fireplace match from the candle and together lit each person on the end in the front row's candles. They then shared it backwards from there. To conserve time, the ushers also lit up the aisle. They only had them lit through our vows and then we did rings and kissed and blew them out after the recessional... "
"We lit our unity candles and then the officiant said a few words about how everyone in the room helped us as a couple become who we are and helped us to the point we were at that day and we wanted to honor that in sharing the flame of our unity candle. Brett and I then lit a long fireplace match from the candle and together lit each person on the end in the front row's candles. They then shared it backwards from there. To conserve time, the ushers also lit up the aisle. They only had them lit through our vows and then we did rings and kissed and blew them out after the recessional... "
And this is the ceremony for a group blessing:
"Each of you are here today because you bring something special to the lives of M. and D. Some of you have known one or both of them for years - and some of you are meeting one of them for the very first time today. But whether you’re an old friend or a newly acquired relation, you have a special place in their hearts. Likewise, you have a special purpose. As beloved family and friends, it is you to whom they’ll turn in the coming years, whether in joy or in sorrow. It is you with whom they’ll share their happiness, and you to whom they’ll bring their pain. You will watch their marriage mature; you will watch their children grow.And when hard times come, and the loving support of friends and family is needed, M. and D. hope to be able to turn to you, just as they will turn to each other."
"And so they ask that you commit to them, as they are committing to one another. That just as they pledge to support and protect the other, you pledge to support and protect their relationship, today and always."
"When prompted, please answer “We do”."
"They ask: Do you offer this man and woman your blessing as husband and wife?"
"Please say, we do.
(We do.)"
"And do you offer their marriage your support, as loving friends and family?"
"Please say, we do.
(We do.)"
"Each of you are here today because you bring something special to the lives of M. and D. Some of you have known one or both of them for years - and some of you are meeting one of them for the very first time today. But whether you’re an old friend or a newly acquired relation, you have a special place in their hearts. Likewise, you have a special purpose. As beloved family and friends, it is you to whom they’ll turn in the coming years, whether in joy or in sorrow. It is you with whom they’ll share their happiness, and you to whom they’ll bring their pain. You will watch their marriage mature; you will watch their children grow.And when hard times come, and the loving support of friends and family is needed, M. and D. hope to be able to turn to you, just as they will turn to each other."
"And so they ask that you commit to them, as they are committing to one another. That just as they pledge to support and protect the other, you pledge to support and protect their relationship, today and always."
"When prompted, please answer “We do”."
"They ask: Do you offer this man and woman your blessing as husband and wife?"
"Please say, we do.
(We do.)"
"And do you offer their marriage your support, as loving friends and family?"
"Please say, we do.
(We do.)"
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I LOVE it! Now if only I can get our church to agree to it...
1 comment:
Thanks for the link!!! I'm so glad to hear that I actually gave some inspiration... Typically, I'm the one getting inspiration from others! Good luck with everything!
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