Ceremony Planning - Young Hip & Married

We love officiating elopements here at Young Hip & Married. It’s an honour to be invited into an intimate wedding where the focus is just on the couple. But what actually happens during an elopement?

What is an elopement?

Back in the day, an elopement was two people running off to city hall or driving down to Vegas to tie the knot. And while those weddings still happen today, a modern elopement is an intimate wedding that’s focused on you. It can be just you two (and we’ll help you find witnesses), or you can invite your dog, children or a few close friends or family members. You can choose to elope wherever you’d like, perhaps in a scenic park or the coffee shop where you had your first date. (Not sure where to elope? We’ve included some of our favourite spots at the bottom of this post!)

An elopement is a simple ceremony that is short and sweet, usually around 5 minutes long. The ceremony script has been pre-written by your officiant and you have the option to add your own vows and/or a reading. The entire focus is on the couple and creating a little bit of magic just around them. There is no walking down the aisle or wedding party in attendance. There’s often nothing to set up or take down. It’s just about you and your boo.

Who is the elopement package for?

The elopement packages we offer are for couples who are planning an intimate wedding and who are looking for a short, but beautiful, ceremony. We cap our elopement guest count at 20 (remember, a true elopement is just the couple!). It’s an intimate wedding meant just for you two and a couple of your closest people, should you choose to include them.

What happens leading up to the day?

After you book your elopement (by submitting a contact form and filling out the contract with our office), your officiant will be in touch over email. While the elopement ceremony script is not custom, your officiant is available to answer any questions you might have over phone/email. They’ll be working to make your ceremony as special, smooth and stress-free as possible.

What happens during an elopement ceremony?

You will meet your officiant on the day of your elopement at your chosen spot with your optional guests. Once you’re ready, your officiant will begin the intimate short ceremony. You’ll stare into your partner’s eyes, hear the words your officiant has chosen for you, and have the opportunity to share your own vows. Once the ceremony is complete, you’ll sign your marriage licence with your officiant. And then, you’re married! Congratulations!

Reviews

Here is what some of our couples have said about their own intimate elopements:

“We are from out of town and Lani made everything so easy for us and graciously answered all of our questions. When we met Lani, we instantly felt comfortable and knew we were in good hands. Everything went smoothly (and with some fun laughs!) and we were impressed with the connection she made with us, even though we did a smaller elopement ceremony. A big thank you to Lani and Young Hip & Married for making our day so beautiful.”

“We cannot thank Shawn enough for his personal touch to our elopement ceremony. It genuinely felt like he was feeling all the emotions of our special moment right along with us, and we had never met before our ceremony outside of a few excited email exchanges. Our witnesses could not believe the care and emotion emitted from someone who had never met us. We really appreciate the beautiful words, it is a moment we will remember forever because he cares so much. Anyone who has the opportunity to have Shawn participate in any kind of celebration is truly lucky!” – Amanda

“We cannot say enough about the team at Young Hip & Married! Our officiant Jane was fabulous and made our ceremony one to remember! They made us feel at ease and so comfortable. It was a slightly rainy day in Stanley Park when we said our I do’s but we didn’t care. Both Jane and our lovely photographer Erica were both so happy to be there sharing in our moment which made our day even more special. I would recommend them over and over to anyone wanting a simple elopement or something more. Thank you Jane and Erica and thank you Young Hip & Married for making our day so special!” – Tania & Michael

“Our elopement couldn’t have been more perfect! It was just what we wanted with a quiet and beautiful location, and the ceremony was very intimate and special. YH&M were so friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. Thank you Shawn and Erica for helping to make this the most memorable day of our lives! It turned out even better than we had hoped.” – Janna

“My husband and I had been engaged for a couple of years and life kept getting in the way, so finally we decided enough already and just eloped with Young Hip and Married. I can’t say enough about how easy they made the process, from booking to sorting out details to putting together a ceremony that felt genuinely representative of us. Jane Halton was a fantastic officiant who incorporated our reading beautifully, kept everything on track and organized and on time, but allowed for our personalized touches and an informal feel at the same time. She was great at keeping in touch leading up to the day of, making sure we had all our details in place. Thanks again YH&M for making our day special and making everything so stress-free! Would definitely, highly, recommend.” – Heather

Ready to book your elopement?

Awesome! Head on over to our contact page and fill in all of the details for your elopement. We’ll be in touch soon to match you with an officiant and answer any other questions you have.

PS: We also offer Elopement+Photography packages in select locations. If you’re planning your elopement and need a photographer, let us know!

PPS: Feeling adventurous and eloping in Vancouver? Check out our Helicopter Elopement package for a truly epic elopement experience!

Need some inspiration for where to elope? We’ve got you covered. Check out these blog posts and more to come for our other awesome locations!

Feature image by Emily Nicole Photos
Written by Riana Ang-Canning

We get this question all the time: What is a Rockin Wedding? Wonder no longer. We’re going to fill you in so you know all there is to know about the Rockin Wedding and why it’s our most popular wedding package.

PS: In 2021, we changed the name of our Rockin’ Wedding package to “Custom & Creative Ceremony.” Same great package, new cool name.

Who is the Rockin Wedding for?

The Rockin Wedding is for couples planning a ceremony for more than 20 guests who are looking for something more than your standard ceremony. It’s for people who really believe that their wedding day and ceremony should be about them. It’s for people who know that the ceremony is the most important part of the wedding day, and not just the legal part they want to fast forward through. The Rockin Wedding is for you if you want your ceremony to tell your love story, feel personal and honour your values.

We hear about couples who spend so much time and money picking out the perfect napkins, bouquets and signature cocktails to represent them for their wedding. Why not invest some of that same time and money into a ceremony that represents you?

So, what is it?

The Rockin Wedding is our answer to the standard boring ceremony you hear at weddings all the time. You know the ceremony we’re talking about – it’s the one that has nothing to do with the couple besides their names. The Rockin Wedding is the complete opposite – it’s all about the couple! With the Rockin Wedding, our officiants are creating a ceremony with you that is based on your love story. It’s a ceremony that honours your values and represents what is important to you. The ceremony is created to fit your style – whether that’s romantic and serious or light-hearted and goofy. It’s a completely unique and one of a kind ceremony; no set scripts here!

The Rockin Wedding ceremony is the kind that will have guests coming up to you after saying, “Wow! That ceremony was incredible. It was so you two! How long have you known your officiant for? You must have been friends for years!”

What does the Rockin Wedding include?

We’ll break it down for you:

Complimentary consultation with your officiant
Custom ceremony tailor-made just for you
Unlimited ceremony edits and revisions
Phone/email contact with your officiant throughout
Coordination of your rehearsal
Early arrival to your ceremony
Performance and facilitation of your ceremony, including your vows, readings, etc.
Back-up officiants, in case an emergency occurs
Legal/administrative registration of your marriage after the ceremony
100% money-back guarantee
A ceremony you and your guests will remember for the rest of your lives!

Complimentary Consultation

Before you sign any contract or pay us any money, you get the opportunity to meet with your officiant in person. Your officiant will meet you for coffee and ask you all about your relationship, your love story and what you’re hoping for your wedding ceremony. It’s your chance to share your ideas and get a sense of who will be marrying you, before you make any commitment.

Unlimited Edits

You have total control over your ceremony with the Rockin Wedding package. Your officiant will provide you with drafts of the ceremony throughout the process and you can make as many edits as you’d like. You will also be able to see the final draft of your ceremony before the big day. That means there won’t be any surprises at your ceremony because you’ll know exactly what your officiant is going to say.

Phone/email Contact

You’ll be able to get in touch with your officiant over the phone or through email as often as you’d like leading up to your ceremony. Your officiant is there for you to answer any questions, incorporate all of your amazing ideas and help you with ceremony tasks, like choosing readings and writing your vows. Your officiant is your greatest resource and they’re eager to help make your ceremony fantastic.

Coordination of Your Rehearsal

Included in the Rockin Wedding package is coordination of your rehearsal. Having your officiant coordinate and run your ceremony rehearsal is incredibly helpful. They have the experience, and will be able to put everyone’s nerves at ease by ensuring you two and your wedding party know exactly what is going to happen and when. Your officiant will also be able to remind everyone that the wedding day is all about you two and that’s where the focus should be.

Reviews

Check out these reviews from past couples who have had Rockin Weddings of their own:

“Words can’t express how pleased and amazed we were with our choice in using Young Hip and Married as our officiants for our September 2nd, 2017 wedding! We had the pleasure to work with JANE HALTON! She was extremely professional, organized, so easy to talk to and get to know, and so talented at creating the best ceremony script! Our guests were blown away at how personalized, fun, yet romantic the ceremony was. We literally had guests tell us it was “the best they have ever been to.” I would highly recommend investing in Young Hip and Married/Jane Halton for your upcoming wedding!!! Thanks again Jane!!! You are the best!” – Kylie

“Our officiant Mark was a dream to work with. My husband and I come from two completely different backgrounds/cultures/faiths, and we wanted to craft our ceremony in such a way that it could encompass both of our traditions and values. Mark went through everything with us and made the process so easy. He was organized, helpful, and most of all very patient. The speech he crafted for us was so beautiful, and his personality was so warm and welcoming that our guests still can’t stop talking about our beautiful ceremony!” – Sherry & Jeffrey

“Shawn from Young, Hip, and Married was the officiant for our wedding in October 2016. Communication leading up to the wedding was prompt, the script he produced was fantastic and wonderfully tailored to us, and he made sure that everything went incredibly smoothly. YHM are paragons of professionalism, right down to the wedding rehearsal (which I highly recommend you take advantage of). I have literally no complaints about them and, were I to do it all over again, I’d still go with YHM. They’re not the cheapest, but you absolutely get what you pay for.” – Geoff

“We are so happy we had Young Hip & Married for our wedding! Lani was our officiant and she was beyond amazing! We had a lovely first meeting and she really took the time to get to know us. She helped us with writing our vows and gave us lots of great suggestions for the wedding. The ceremony was unique and really personal, and we wouldn’t have changed a thing! We would definitely recommend YH&M to anyone looking for an officiant for their wedding!” – Mariel

Ready to book?

Awesome! Head on over to our contact page and fill in all of the details for your wedding ceremony. We’ll be in touch soon to match you with an officiant and answer any other questions you have.

Feature image by Brent Calis
Written by Riana Ang-Canning

A lot of couples have this question but they’re embarrassed to ask it: What actually happens during a wedding ceremony? What does a sample wedding ceremony look like? Sure, we all know about the vows, the rings and there’s a kiss in there somwhere. But what is the usual order of events? What else happens while the couple is up there?

Don’t worry! We’re going to walk you through a sample wedding ceremony. Like everything at Young Hip & Married, we believe you should do your wedding your way. So remember: this is just asample wedding ceremony! You don’t have to include all of these parts of the ceremony and you don’t have to do them in this order.

A few of these ceremony elements are important in order to make your wedding legal, but you can get creative with almost everything. Just ask you officiant! They’ll be able to bring your dream ceremony to life and make sure it’s a ceremony that represents who you two are and honours your values.

Here’s a sample wedding ceremony. Be sure to click on some of the elements to learn more:

Casual announcements by Officiant
(what to do after the service, turn off cell phones, etc.)

Processional of wedding party and couple

Welcome by Officiant

Commitment Statements/Declaration of Intent

One or two prayers, readings or quotes

Brief reflection on readings and/or the couple’s story told by Officiant

The Vows

The Rings

Pronouncement/The Kiss

Signing of Registry

Wedding Blessing/Announcement of couple with new name (if applicable)

The Recessional

written by Riana Ang-Canning
feature image by Erica Miller Photography

If you’ve ever been to a wedding or seen one in the movies, you’ve heard a wedding pronouncement. The typical pronouncement from the big screen goes like this, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!” It’s when the officiant announces the marriage and sets the stage for the big smooch.

But did you know there’s more than one way to pronounce a couple? If you’re looking for something less traditional or more formal, there are options. If you want something more feminist or more inclusive, there are options. If you’re looking for something unique that speaks to you as a couple, then you’re in the right place.

Below we’ve gathered 15 wedding pronouncements to inspire you to find the right one for your nuptials.

Before we get into the wedding pronouncements, an important note:

Many traditional pronouncements are written for a husband and wife (or “man and wife”). But if that language doesn’t resonate with you, ditch it. Don’t let traditional language and outdated ideas hold you back from creating a pronouncement that represents who you are. Here are some other titles you can use instead of husband and wife:

Wife and Husband
Husband and Husband
Wife and Wife
Legally Wed
Married
Spouses for Life
Partners for Life
(insert your own awesome titles here!)

Most wedding pronouncements end with the line, “You may now kiss the bride!” If that gives you the icks (and we totally get why it might), you don’t have to include it. You can remove the line altogether or change it to:

You may seal your promise/union/marriage with a kiss
And now for your first kiss as a married couple
You may kiss
You may now kiss each other
I invite you to seal your promise with a kiss
Let’s begin the adventure of marriage with a kiss
Now might be a good time to kiss
(insert your own awesome line here!)

first kiss at a wedding ceremony — *Photo and feature image by Erica Miller Photography*

Religious

Now that (Name) and (Name) have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I pronounce them to be (preferred titles), in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Optional kiss line)

Religious (Formal)

(Name) and (Name) through their words today, have joined together in holy wedlock.

Because they have exchanged their vows before God and these witnesses, have pledged their commitment each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by exchanging rings, I now pronounce that they are (preferred titles). Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.

Rejoice

Since (Name) and (Name) have grown in knowledge and love of one another, and because they have agreed in their desire to go forward in life together, seeking an even richer, deepening relationship, and because they have pledged to meet sorrow and joy as one family, we rejoice to recognize them as (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Witness

(Name) and (Name), you have publicly promised your commitment to each other for all time. I call upon all gathered here to witness that you are now (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Consented Together

(Name) and (Name) have consented together in marriage, declaring their love for one another. They are now (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

find the perfect wedding pronouncement to end your wedding ceremony — *Photo by Emily Nicole Photos*

Valid & Binding

In the presence of your family and friends, you have joined yourselves in marriage. I declare your marriage is valid and binding and rejoice to recognize you as (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

So They Are

(Name) and (Name) have promised each other, publicly, in front of family and friends, that they want to be married. So they are! (Optional kiss line)

Blossoms

As you have both accepted the vows of the other, you may now go forth and fulfill your vows with the same love and devotion which now blossoms between you. You are now (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Guests’ Support

You have united two families and two sets of friends. I ask them now to promise that they will support your marriage with joy, love and optimism.

All those who wish to promise their support say “I do!” (Guests respond “I do!”)

With the blessing of everyone who is present here today, I now pronounce you (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Kiss is a Promise

(Name) and (Name), you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made. It is with these in mind that I pronounce you (preferred titles).

You have kissed a thousand times, maybe more. But today the feeling is new. No longer simply partners and best friends, you have become (preferred titles) and can now seal the agreement with a kiss.

Today, your kiss is a promise. (Optional kiss line)

first kiss and wedding pronouncement at a Sea to Sky Vancouver wedding ceremony — *Photo by Erica Miller Photography*

Summary

Now that (Name) and (Name) have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that they are (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Express Your Love

(Name) and (Name), you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made. It is with these in mind that I pronounce you (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Good Company

In the presence of this good company,
By the power of your love,
Because you have exchanged vows of commitment,
We recognize you as (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Adventurers

And now it is time for me to declare you married. From today your family, friends, community, and indeed the whole world, will know you as co-travellers through life, adventurers, soul-mates, (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

Short & Sweet

I now pronounce (Name) and (Name), (preferred titles). (Optional kiss line)

How will you be pronounced as a married couple?

Find the perfect officiant to share your wedding pronouncement with your guests. Get in touch to book your wedding officiant today!

If you’re planning to exchange rings with your spouse, you may want to share a ring statement. A ring statement is usually a short line that you say as you exchange rings to note the symbolism of the ring. It’s a small part of the wedding ceremony, but it can be filled with a lot of meaning. And just like every part of the ceremony, your ring statement should resonate with you and your partner.

Check out eight ring statement options below.

Short & Sweet: (Name), I give you this ring that you may wear it as a reminder of my love for you.

Shorter & Sweeter: With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours forevermore.

Symbol: (Name), I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow and with all that I am I will love and honour you.

Remember: (Name), as a symbol of your passionate and generous love for (Name), please place the ring on (Name)’s finger. Each time you look at this ring, I encourage you to remember this day and the vows that you have made to each other.

A Sign: The ring is an outward sign of an inward commitment. Today, with these vows, I made my commitment to you, (Name).

Forever: I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honor, and cherish you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways . . . forever.

*Photo by Charles de Jesus & Alanna Milaney*

Circle: Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal and my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring, I take you to be my trusted confidante and partner for life.

A Token: I give this ring to you as a token of my love and devotion. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your husband/wife.

feature image by Emily Nicole Photos

Which ring statement is ringing true for you and your partner?

Deep breath. This is your wedding ceremony. You’ve finally made it. After months (or maybe years) of planning, you’ve arrived at last. The moment is now.

But blink, and you’ll miss it.

Married couples often report that their wedding day felt like a blur. There was so much stress and anxiety leading up to the day that they forgot to save a moment and take it all in.

If there’s any part of your wedding that you’re going to want to remember and be completely present for, it’s the ceremony. This is the most important part of the day (and not just because it’s the part we get to be involved with!). Your ceremony is where you officially become a married couple – it’s the reason for the rest of the wedding celebration.

Our friends at Engaged and Ready explain,

“Your ceremony is where your marriage starts. It’s where it breathes life, it’s where it takes shape. It’s where you and your love bunny declare your love to each other and publicly share your intentions for your future lives together. Where you outline your choices, promises and goals for your future happiness and your future wellbeing and harmony. It’s where you soak up all of the love from your loved ones and celebrate your commitment with them by your side. The end.”

With that being said, here are 10 moments of your wedding ceremony that you definitely don’t want to miss:

Right before the processional

The moment before you’re going to walk down the aisle or enter the ceremony space is full of lots of nervous energy and excitement. Take it all in – this might be the last quiet moment you get all day before you see your guests and your spouse.

Walking down the aisle

If you do walk down the aisle or if your partner does, it’s an exciting moment to see your future spouse for the first time. Even if you did a first look ahead of time, there’s something special about walking towards the love of your life knowing what’s about to happen.

Standing with your spouse to-be

When you finally get to meet each other at the front and hold hands, take a beat. Realize where you are, who is there with you and what’s happening. It’s not very often that you are surrounded by your loved ones and solely focused on your relationship.

Readings/prayers/traditions

Any readings, prayers or other important traditions that you incorporate into your ceremony are there because you wanted them to be there. They may honour your family, your religion or your beliefs and often involve very important people to you.

Intent

This is the part where you and your spouse say “I do.” This person really wants to marry you! That’s a pretty big moment you’re going to want to hold onto.

Vows

You probably didn’t need us to tell you that it’s important to be present for your vows, but it does bear repeating because the vows are that important. These are the promises you are making to one another for your lifetime together. These are the most important words you will ever exchange. We usually spend our day to day conversations preparing for what we’re going to say instead of listening to the other person. But we encourage you to put aside your own fears of public speaking and really listen to what your soon to-be spouse is saying.

Rings

One of the most iconic symbols of marriage is the wedding ring. It’s an exciting moment to take your spouse’s hands and slide on a ring that symbolizes all of your love and promises to one another. These are the hands you’re going to hold for the rest of your life – remember these hands. They may be old and wrinkly one day but they will still be just as full of love for you.

Signing the marriage licence

Officiant Jane admits that this is one of her favourite parts of the wedding ceremony. About the signing, Jane says, “The couple usually feels a huge sense of relief because they are “off stage” and almost done with the most nerve-wracking part of the day. It is a quaint moment between them that I feel honoured to witness.”

Kiss

Even if you’ve kissed millions of times leading up to the ceremony, there’s something extra special about this smooch.

Announcement of the couple

This is the part where the officiant announces the two of you as a married couple for the very first time. Soak it in. This is the very first time that you are a husband or a wife. That’s exciting! Live in that moment. And don’t forget to take in the faces of all of your favourite people smiling and cheering for you.

It’s one thing to know when you want to be present but it’s another thing to actually be present in those moments. Here are some tips to help you stay mindful, present and in the moment during your ceremony:

Breathe deeply and intentionally.
Give yourself permission to feel your feelings. If you want to laugh, cry, or smile, go for it.
Delegate tasks to your helpful friends, family and wedding vendors.
Prepare yourself for feeling overwhelmed. Do what you need to do (meditate, yoga, etc.) to ready yourself for the big day.
Be comfortable in your skin, your wedding day outfit, your shoes, your hairstyle, etc.
Try not to take on tasks right before the wedding so you have time to destress and relax.
Don’t forget to eat and drink lots of water throughout the day.
Make time for love and reflection- love letters, first looks, toasts, etc.
Ground yourself by focusing on your senses. What do you see? Smell? Taste? Hear? Feel?
Remember what the day is all about: love! Your only job on your wedding day is to get married.

written by Riana Ang-Canning

What part of your wedding are you most looking forward to experiencing?
How are you preparing to stay mindful and present in the moment?

Is the first look for you?

First look, for those who are new to the term, is a relatively new tradition where a soon-to-be married couple get to see each other before the wedding ceremony. There is often a reveal where the bride will sneak up behind the groom or something else adorable. She will then tap him on the shoulder, he spins around, his face is pure joy and the photographer takes all of the photos. So instead of having your first look at your bride/groom as they enter the ceremony space, you have a first look ahead of time.

Here are seven reasons why couples are for and against the first look:

YAY: The first look allows for photos beforehand

One of the best reasons to do a first look with your partner is it frees up time in your schedule. Most couples who don’t do a first look will have their ceremony, then go off and take photos for a few hours, and then head to their reception. But if you do a first look, you can take all of your photos before the ceremony, which totally frees up your schedule. You won’t have to leave in the middle of your own wedding to do a photoshoot.

NAY: You miss that emotional moment

By waiting to see each other at the ceremony, you’re following an age old tradition. And while we don’t believe in doing anything just because it’s tradition, there is something nice about going old-school. Plus, that emotional moment when you see your future spouse at the end of the aisle is something you will remember forever. You get teary seeing your partner for the first time at the ceremony looking their most beautiful.

YAY: You get to spend more time with your guests

If you can do your first look and take care of all of your photos pre-ceremony, you get to spend more time with your guests. Many couples will have a cocktail hour between the ceremony and reception. Only problem? The couple doesn’t get to attend because they’re away taking photos! By doing a first look, you get to spend more time with your people and enjoy the cocktail hour that you’ve paid for.

NAY: First looks can be awkward

When we see photos of first looks, they are always over the top emotional and joyous. The groom has his hands over his mouth in awe. The bride is tearing up and trying not to smudge her make-up. It’s a BIG moment. But what if your first look isn’t a big moment? What happens if you don’t cry or gasp? Sure, your partner looks awesome but you might not have a huge reaction. And that could mean some really awkward photos…

YAY: Help ease your anxiety

The first look can be really helpful for couples who are anxious about the “all eyes on me” moment of walking down the aisle. If you’re feeling nervous about not seeing your partner all day, the first look might be a good choice for you. It’s a great way to have a quiet moment of alone time between just you and your boo. And if you’re having a big wedding, this might be the only alone time you get all day!

NAY: First looks cut down your getting ready time

If you are planning to do a first look and photos before the ceremony, your getting ready time is going to be cut in half. Or, you’re going to have to get up really early in the morning to get it all done. This can suck if you have an early ceremony time and fitting in a first look would mean waking up before the sun. Plus, having relaxing getting ready time is awesome for bonding with your wedding party and getting in some awesome photos.

YAY/NAY: The compromise

Can’t decide if you want to do a first look? There might be a compromise for you. If you want to calm your nerves and do a pre-ceremony reveal of your wedding look but don’t want to see your partner, you could do a first look with your parents or with your wedding party attendants. If you want to do photos ahead of time but don’t want to see your partner, you can do a bunch of photos with your family and wedding party, and just save the couple photos for later. And if you’re looking for that quiet moment with your partner before the ceremony but still don’t want to see them, you can do a blind first look where you hold hands around a door, serenade each other behind a wall or hand each other letters. So many options!

Ultimately, like everything with weddings, there is no right way – there’s only your way. Whether or not you do a first look is totally up to you and your partner. Having a first look is awesome. But skipping it could be just as great. As we say, it’s your wedding, your way.

written by Riana Ang-Canning

Are you doing a first look with your future Mr or Mrs?

Back in the day, wedding ceremonies were not the best examples of equality and a feminist wedding ceremony was unheard of. Sadly, many of the outdated traditions have continued into modern day weddings.

For example, want to know why brides wear veils over their faces? It’s to hide her from her future husband who, having never met the bride before the wedding day, wouldn’t have the chance to run away if he found out his bride was ugly. Romantic, right?

So we say it’s time to bring in the equality and insert some much-needed feminist power into your wedding ceremony. Afterall, you and your future spouse are equal partners in marriage and in life – it should be that way during your wedding ceremony too.

Here are seven ways to have a feminist wedding ceremony Of course, these are only ideas. You can use these as a jumping off point to come up with your own unique ceremony plans. You can use one of these ideas, all of them or none of them! It’s completely up to you – feminism is about choice and we want you to be empowered to choose and create your wedding, your way.

1 – Change Your Walk

Traditionally, a bride will come down the aisle with her father and he will give her away to the groom at the end of the aisle. If that gives you the icks, change it up! Walk in with both your parents or walk in solo. Shine the spotlight on the groom and give him his own walk down the aisle. You could even walk in with your partner; we love the idea of you two coming down the aisle and into your marriage together. For more non-traditional (and feminist!) processional ideas, check out our blog post on unique processional orders.

2 – Let the Bride Speak First

At most weddings, the groom gets to speak first. He’ll say his vows first and the officiant will turn to him first when asking for the rings, if he takes the bride to be his wife, etc. But who says the guy has to go first? Change the tradition and opt to have the bride read her vows and answer the officiant’s questions first. This is a subtle but powerful way to create a more feminist wedding ceremony.

3 – Get Rid Of Non-Feminist Language from Your Wedding Ceremony

Traditionally ceremony scripts are filled with non-feminist language. You may have not even noticed how cringe-worthy some of the following lines sound:

“Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
“Do you promise to honour and obey your husband?”
“You may now kiss your bride.”
“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

Instead of those traditional lines, why not choose one of these updated alternatives or create your own?

“(Parents), do you support your child’s decision to join together in holy matrimony with (name), and do you vow to receive (him/her) as a member of your family from this day on?”
“Do you promise to support and encourage your partner?”
“You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.”
“I now pronounce you… married!”

4 – Don’t Wear White

Traditionally, brides wore white to signify their purity. And the fancy, expensive white dresses came into fashion after Queen Victoria wore one in her 1840 marriage. But there’s no need to uphold this tradition if you don’t want to! Wear what makes you comfortable. If you’d rather come down the aisle in a blue jumpsuit, combat boots and a leather jacket – go for it! This is your day and you should be able to choose your own outfit.

5 – Bring Equality to the Wedding Party

*Photo by Jelger and Tanja Photographers*

At most weddings we’re used to seeing an equal number of girls stand behind the bride as there are boys standing behind the groom. But who says you have to follow that? There are no rules for a wedding party. As the bride, you can have three bridesmaids while your husband has five groomsmen. You can have male attendants on your side and the groom can have female on his side. You can nix the wedding party all together! It’s totally up to you.

Another way to bring equality into your wedding party is to keep the costs similar for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Many bridesmaids end up spending lots of cash buying the dress, shoes, makeup, hair, gifts and more while the groomsmen only pay for their suit rental. Try your best to skip or skimp on some of these expenses so your female attendants aren’t under a heavy financial burden.

6 – Put Female Voices into the Wedding Ceremony

We’re all for getting more female voices into the ethos and having those voices heard. What better time to do that than at your feminist wedding ceremony? If you’re planning to ask people to do readings at the ceremony, invite sisters, aunts, moms, nieces or female friends to do them. Choose readings written by strong female writers or readings that focus on your commitment to equal partnership.

7 – Consider Your Last Names

Many brides are expected to take their husband’s last name, as this is tradition. In fact, some couples even get addressed as “Mr. and Mrs. John Smith” assuming both the husband’s first and last name. If that makes you uncomfortable, know that there are lots of other options to taking your husband’s last name. You can hyphenate your last name (and invite your husband to do so as well). You can keep your last name. You can both take your last name instead of his. You can create a new hybrid last name. You can go through your family tree and find an ancestral last name that you both adopt. There are lots of options!

Check out this blog post all about last name options and this post about changing your last name in British Columbia.

written by Riana Ang-Canning

What are you doing to create a feminist wedding ceremony? Let us know and don’t forget to book your wedding officiant for your ceremony!

Saying “I do” in the mountains – it doesn’t get much more romantic than that! So it’s no wonder that our Helicopter Elopement & Photography Package is one of our most popular. Not everyone can say they got married in the mountains with a beautiful landscape all around them. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience!

If you’re thinking about a helicopter elopement, check out our FAQs below as well as some photos from past couples who have said their vows up near the clouds.

For the most up to date pricing and inclusions of our helicopter elopement packages, please visit our Fly from Whistler or Fly from Pitt Meadows pages. Information in this blog post is subject to change.

What is included in Young Hip & Married’s helicopter elopement packages?

The helicopter ride to and from a scenic and private weather-dependant location, a 5-10 minute ceremony with your officiant (and legal registration of your marriage), and professional photography throughout your experience to capture the moments before, during and after your elopement with 75 fully-retouched high-resolution images displayed in an online gallery! The entire experience will last apx 90 mins: 30 minutes of flight time and 60 minutes at the landing location.

The package price includes you two, our officiant and our photographer. If you’re interested in bringing guests, we can provide you with a quote! Please see our Packages page or request a quote for current pricing and guest restrictions.

Is there a weight restriction for a helicopter elopement?

The max weight per seat is 300lbs, fully dressed. We will always ask for your weight with clothes on, because really, flying naked is just awkward for our team! If you plan to wear boots, a big coat or a heavy wedding outfit, please consider this when reporting your weight.

How serious is the weight restriction?

Pretty serious. Pilots use the weight information to ensure the helicopter is properly balanced and we can fly safely. So it’s very important that you report your fully clothed weight accurately. We will be collecting your weight information ahead of time, and SKY Helicopters will conduct a pre-flight weigh in on the day of your elopement for everyone’s safety.

If you or your partner’s weight is 10 pounds more than previously stated, there may be an additional charge of $400+GST. If the weight capacity of the helicopter is exceeded at weigh in, it could result in not flying, or additional charges for an extra helicopter to accommodate.

Can I fly if I’m pregnant?

Yes, unless your doctor has advised against it. If you are nearing your due date or have other health risks, we ask that you speak with your doctor/healthcare provider.

Who will be my witnesses at my helicopter elopement?

The pilot and the photographer will sign as witnesses or, if you bring guests, your guests may be your witnesses.

Can I bring my own witnesses?

You sure can! You have the option to invite guests along on your helicopter elopement and we would be happy to provide a quote if requested. Guests will also need to meet the weight restriction, report their weight ahead of time and be subject to additional fees as per the weight rules above.

Can my dog join our helicopter elopement?

Sadly, animals are not permitted to attend. Don’t worry, you can show your furry friends the pictures afterwards so they feel like they were there.

Are my kids able to join us?

YES! Children as young as two years old can join. However, remember that kids move quick and love to explore; the backcountry might not be the safest place for a toddler. But you can have a friend watch your little ones for you at the helicopter hangar and have pictures taken with them afterwards. Older kids love the experience!

How long is the helicopter elopement packages experience?

The total experience is apx 90 minutes. It’s a 15 minute flight to the landing location, we spend one hour there, and then it’s a 15 minute flight back down. We ask that you arrive at least 30 minutes early to ensure an on-time departure.

Please visit our specific helicopter pages (flying from Whistler or Pitt Meadows) for exact flight times.

Can I add additional time to the helicopter trip?

Of course! Let us know what you are thinking and we can provide a quote for you.

Do you have a videographer?

We do! Learn more about adding videography to your elopement here.

Who are your photographers and can I see their work?

We have a few different photographers we work with whose work you can see throughout this post. Meet our elopement photographer team to learn more about them and see more of their beautiful images.

Can I pick the landing location for our helicopter elopement?

We have a variety of landing spots in the mountains around Widgeon Lake, including mountain peaks, alpine lakeshores and glacier-fed stream beds. The pilot selects the landing spot the day of the flight based on the weather conditions.

What if the weather isn’t great on our day?

If the weather isn’t looking great, we get in contact with the pilot in the morning and discuss our options. Our pilots are experts and can often determine if it will work or not for your flight time. It might be that the pilot will tell us that they can’t do a peak landing, but we can do the secret lake landing or the creek bed landing (pictured above). So don’t let a little rain scare you!

If the pilot tells us it’s a total no-fly day, you have two options:

1) You can rebook your helicopter elopement for a different day and time, although we can’t guarantee the same officiant and photographer.

2) If you prefer to keep your original date and time, your officiant and photographer will move your elopement to our nearby “Plan B” location: picturesque Pitt Lake, surrounded by the mountains. The cost of the helicopter portion will be refunded to you.

What months are the helicopter elopement packages available?

We fly all year!

What is appropriate to wear for a helicopter elopement?

It’s good to remember that even in the summer months, there may be snow, so we don’t suggest heels. Closed-toe shoes with good tread would be best. Generally, jackets are not required in the summer. In the winter, it’s cold! Definitely boots and jackets! We have had couples wear their jackets and then remove them for pictures.

Can I get dressed at the hangar?

Yes, there is a small space to get dressed at the hangar.

How early do I need to book my helicopter elopement?

We suggest booking as soon as possible, up to a year in advance, but will always do our best to accommodate bookings when they come in. By booking early, you can guarantee your date and time. If you are flexible with your date and time, we will try our best to make something work if you are booking last minute.

written by Riana Ang-Canning

Ready to take your love to new heights and book a helicopter elopement?
Just fill out our contact form here and we’ll be in touch soon with more information and officiant availability!

The wedding ceremony processional is the order in which you, your partner, your wedding party and some special family members enter your wedding ceremony. In the movies, this is the part where the music swells, flower girls sprinkle petals down the aisle and everyone rises to watch the bride walk in on her dad’s arm.

Traditionally, the officiant, groomsmen and the groom will enter first down the aisle or from a side door and wait at the front. Then, the bridesmaids followed by the maid of honour will make their way down. Flower girls and ring bearers are up next. And finally, the bride will come down with her father.

But does it have to be that way?

Of course not! We always say, “Your wedding, your way,” and that extends to your ceremony processional as well. There’s no law saying you have to follow the traditional order – you can totally mix it up! If you’re looking for something a little different for your processional, here are eight unique ideas you can incorporate:

1 – Give the groom his own moment:

groom on his wedding day smiling before the processional — *Photo by Emily Nicole Photos*

In many ceremonies, the groom and his groomsmen will enter quietly from a side door without anyone noticing. They often don’t get their own music or any attention. So why not shine a spotlight on the groom?

After all, he is an equal part of the wedding. Borrowing from Jewish tradition, the groom gets escorted down the aisle with his parents, usually after the bridal party is in place. Brides shouldn’t be the only ones with a special entrance!

2 – Mix up the escorts:

mother daughter dance at wedding, bride dancing with her mom — *Photo by John Bello*

We’re used to seeing a bride enter her wedding ceremony on her father’s arm. But there’s no reason why she can’t be escorted by someone else. The bride can walk in with both her parents, just her mom, her stepparents, grandparents, favourite aunt, brother, best friend, old boss – you get the point!

If the aisle isn’t wide enough to accommodate all of the awesome people the bride wants to walk down with, she can still include her loved ones in the processional by sending them down the aisle ahead of her or stopping to hug them at the end of the aisle or along the way.

3 – Solo party:

wedding ceremony processional, walking yourself down the aisle, bride walking through the forest by herself — *Photo by Erica Miller Photography*

You know who else can escort the bride down the aisle? Herself! She can definitely walk in loud and proud by herself. After all, she is entering freely and independently into marriage, so why not walk independently too?

This is an awesome solution for couples who feel a bit icky at the thought of the bride being “given away” by her father like prized cattle.

4 – Walk in as a couple, walk out as a couple:

wedding ceremony processional idea, bride and groom walking across the grass hand in hand — *Photo by Erica Miller Photography*

One of our favourite processional ideas is seeing both partners walk in together. Who better to share the spotlight with than the person you’re about to join in marriage? Both soon-to-be spouses enter the ceremony as equal partners heading into marriage together.

As a slight variation, you could also have both partners enter at the same time from opposite sides and meet at the altar.

5 – Here, Fido!

walking down the aisle with your dog on your wedding day, groom with an umbrella petting a brown dog — *Photo by Erica Miller Photography*

If the you have a beloved furry friend in your life, incorporating him or her into the wedding processional is an awesome idea. We’ve seen dogs as ring bearers with little pillows on their backs and cats being held by their humans as they say, “I do.”

If you do decide to include your fur baby, ensure you have a plan for Fido before and after the ceremony. The last thing you want is a leg lifted over an expensive white dress!

6 – Skip the wedding party:

Vancouver wedding ceremony with bride and groom posing for photos — *Photo by Emily Nicole Photos*

If the idea of having a wedding party and sending people down the aisle isn’t for you, skip it! You do need people to legally witness your wedding but no one says they have to walk down an aisle or even stand next to you.

And if you don’t have young people in your life that you are especially close to, don’t stress to fill the roles of flower girl, ring bearer, junior bridesmaid, etc.

As a slight variation, you can include your wedding party in the processional but ask them to sit once they’ve reached the end of the aisle. That way, they get to watch the ceremony and the moment becomes just about the two of you.

7 – Rock your own music:

wedding reception entrance, bridesmaid and groomsman dancing into the reception — *Photo by John Bello*

No, Wagner’s “Wedding March” (aka “Here Comes the Bride”) is not a mandatory processional song. You aren’t required to choose a church hymn or a love song for your walk down the aisle.

Change it up! Play whatever music makes you happy. Traditionally, the music changes for the bride’s entrance but you could totally have a unique song for each partner when they walk in.

If you need some ideas for ceremony music, check out our blog post on top ceremony songs.

8 – Skip the processional all together!

wedding ceremony in outdoor industrial space, bride and groom holding hands in front of guests with Young Hip & Married wedding officiant — *Photo by Shauna Danielle Photography*

If the idea of walking down a long aisle with all eyes on you fills you with dread, skip the processional all together! Just show up at the front – you could discreetly enter from a side door or back door.

You could even be there before guests arrive. Or you could mingle with your guests and slowly make your way to the front when you want the ceremony to start.

There are lots of options if you don’t want all of the pomp and circumstance or outdated elements of a traditional ceremony processional. Remember – this is your wedding! So do it – from wedding ceremony processional to last call at the bar – your way!

Book Your Officiant Today!

written by Riana Ang-Canning
Feature image courtesy of Will Pursell Photography