In picking the date try to avoid tourist seasons and days with sad memories or religious restrictions as determined by your faith. If you are determined to have your wedding on a location that is popular, try to plan at least one year in advance (many popular sites are reserved anywhere from twelve to twenty-four months ahead of time). You will be surprised to find out how many locations, caterers and photographers are reserved months in advance.

The Outline of Traditional Ceremony

The basic components of a ceremony are:

• The processional (introduction/greetings)

• Opening remarks by the officiant (opening prayers, address, declaration of consent and presentation of the bride)

• Exchange of vows by the bride and groom

• Ring exchange

• Pronouncement of marriage with permission to kiss

• The recessional

The processional: The officiant greets the guests and calls attention to the solemn nature of marriage and the wedding vows and asks all in attendance to respect the union in a charge to be convocation.

Opening prayers: The officiant invokes a higher power to witness the ceremony and bless the union.

Address: The officiant makes a statement to the couple and the guests o the meaning of marriage.

The declaration of consent/intent: The "I do's" section where both bride and groom assert that they enter into the marriage by their own will.

Presentation of the bride: The officiant asks the person giving the bride away to stand up (typically her father).

Exchange of vows: The main part of the ceremony, in which the bride and groom address each other and promise to fulfill their roles as husband and wife.

Ring exchange: The traditional act of exchanging wedding rings and is meant to symbolize an eternal union.

Pronouncement of marriage: The officiant pronounces the bride and groom husband and wife. Traditionally followed by a kiss.

The recessional: The bridal party exits to the sound of the joyful music.

This sequence may vary from wedding to wedding and it will often be the officiant who will propose the set of steps he is accustomed to. You should feel free to tell him of your wishes.   

Ceremony Idea: To personalize your ceremony, consider adding special touches, such as carrying a family Bible.

Ceremony Idea: As alternatives to throwing rice, consider flower petals, or colorful confetti, release of doves or butterflies. Also popular are guests blowing bubbles as the newlyweds leave the church. 

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Money Saving Tips

Ceremony Idea: In determining the location, make sure to consider guidelines (or any possible restrictions) regarding music, decorations, rice or rose petal-tossing, candles, photography and so on.

Ceremony Idea: Consider a combination reception and ceremony site. You will significantly reduce your rental costs (will have only one site fee charge), floral expenses (you can just move arrangements from your ceremony site to reception), plus you will also slash costs on your invitations, as you will not need separate ceremony and reception cards.

Ceremony Idea: Schedule your wedding during November through April. This is the off season in weddings. The majority of weddings occur during the months of May through October and vendors charge more during this peak season. Also avoid holidays since vendors will charge more during these times as well.

Ceremony Idea: Saturday weddings are the most expensive. Consider picking Friday or Sunday since there is less demand for these days and vendors will often have lower prices. Generally, weddings that take place earlier in the day are lower in cost than evening weddings with sit-down dinners.

Remember, picking the right season for your wedding and the right day of the week for your wedding will help you save thousands of dollars.  

Also, read about wedding vows and music used during ceremonies. 

Related Sites:

• Pfaltzgraff Gift Registry - one of the most popular bridal registries. Bridal Guide Magazine's 2003 survey found that  six of the top ten bridal registry patterns were Pfaltzgraff.

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