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One of our favourite things about creating custom wedding ceremonies is being able to integrate and celebrate wedding traditions from different cultures, religions and groups all around the world. Which got us thinking, how do other people celebrate weddings in their home country?
Below are 23 of the most unique wedding traditions from all around the world. Some may sound familiar to you, some may sound a bit odd, and some may inspire you so much that you incorporate them into your own wedding!
Before we dive in, we will say that, of course, not everyone from these countries takes part in these traditions. For example, you might be reading this and think, “Hey! I’m from Spain and we don’t do that!” Some of these traditions may just pertain to a certain part of the country or culture, or may have new modern variations. As well, some of these wedding traditions cross countries and cultures, occurring in multiple places around the world.
Let’s travel the world and discover 23 local wedding traditions!
In traditional Italian weddings, guests are given a bag of candy, usually colourful candied almonds, to throw over the couple as they exit their ceremony. You may now see these candied almonds appearing as wedding favours at receptions. The almonds represent health, wealth, happiness, fertility and longevity.
Mexican wedding tradition: Literally tying the knot
Once the vows have been said, couples in Mexico are then tied together with a rope by their friends and family. The rope, which may be decorated with crystals and beads, is tied in a figure eight shape to represent the couple’s eternal unity.
Russian wedding ritual: Playing hard to get
Vykup nevesty is a Russian wedding tradition where the groom will have to play games and pass through a series of challenges in order to pick up his bride for the wedding. The bridesmaids will instruct the groom to sing songs, recite poems and even pay a ransom, which usually results in the groom being presented with one of his male friends in a dress, before the bride eventually comes out.
German wedding ritual: The couple who saws together…
Baumstamm sägen is a German wedding tradition where the newlywed couple will use a handsaw to cut a large log in half. Sounds like tough work! This symbolizes the way the couple will have to work together in the future. As this takes place during the wedding, while the couple is in their fancy wedding attire, the log is usually partially sawed by the couple’s fathers to save time and effort.
Greek wedding tradition: Barber shop visit
Putting the “groom” into “groomsmen,” a Greek wedding tradition involves the groom visiting a barbershop where his best man will become his barber and shave his face. Talk about trusting your friend! Once clean-shaven, the groom’s new mother-in-law will feed him honey and almonds.
Venezuelan wedding traditions: Disappearing act
In Venezuela, it’s tradition, and a sign of good luck, for the newlywed couple to slip out of their own wedding reception completely unnoticed. We’re not sure how they manage to get away with that as all eyes are usually on the couple!
Chinese wedding ritual: Talk about making an entrance
The journey from a bride’s family home to the groom’s home is an elaborate affair according to Chinese wedding tradition. The bride will ride in a decorated chair that is carried from her home to the groom’s. As she rides, her attendants will shield her with parasols while tossing rice at her. She will also be accompanied by a good luck charm, a woman hired to take care of the bride as she travels.
Southern US wedding tradition: Bury the bourbon
A month before they say their vows, Southern American couples will bury a full bottle of bourbon, upside down, at the spot where they plan to get hitched. Why? Burying bourbon wards off bad weather, of course! Rain or shine, the bottle is dug up on the wedding day and shared with guests during the reception.
Armenian wedding tradition: It’s all about balance
When a newlywed Armenian couple enter their reception, they break a plate for good luck and then are given flatbread and honey by the mother of the groom. They eat a spoonful of honey, symbolizing happiness, and then balance the flatbread on their shoulders to help ward off evil.
Russian wedding tradition: Take a big bite!
Russian wedding traditions seem to be all about the challenges! Newlyweds will be presented with a special sweetbread representing prosperity and faithfulness, called a karavay. Whoever takes the bigger bite is said to be the head of the family.
No one gets a party started better than a camel! A camel is often brought to wedding receptions in Niger where said camel will dance along to a drumbeat, with wedding guests partying alongside.
Swedish wedding traditions: Just add myrtle
A Swedish wedding tradition is to add a sprig of myrtle to the bride’s crown or bouquet. Myrtle symbolizes love, and can often be seen in other attendants’ bouquets and throughout the wedding florals at the ceremony and reception.
Spanish wedding tradition: Dressed in black
A wedding gown has to be white, right? Wrong! Traditionally, Spanish brides wear black dresses to symbolize “till death do us part.” And as far as we’re concerned, you can wear whatever you want, in whatever colour you want, down the aisle!
Turkish wedding tradition: X marks the spot
In Turkey, wedding tradition states that a Turkish flag must be planted at the home of the groom on the day of his wedding. The area is then decorated with other items, like fruits, vegetables and mirrors, to symbolize that a wedding ceremony is taking place there.
French Canadian wedding tradition: Dancing feet
Wearing fancy printed socks to your wedding is definitely a tradition we can get behind. And it seems that it may have started in French Canada, where unmarried siblings of the newlywed couple perform a dance at the wedding reception while wearing wild and colourful socks. If the guests approve of the dance, they can toss money at the dancers, which is then gifted to the couple.
Congolese wedding tradition: No laughing matter
We’re used to seeing smiling photos of newlywed couples. But in the Congo, you won’t see any of that. Congolese newlyweds must not smile throughout their ceremony and reception. Otherwise, it means they are not serious about their marriage.
Spanish wedding ritual: Chop chop!
Cortar la corbata del novio is the Spanish wedding tradition of the groom losing his tie, piece by piece. During the reception, the groom’s attendants and friends will surround him and begin cutting the tie that he’s wearing around his neck. Let’s hope they’re careful! Pieces of the tie are then auctioned off to wedding guests, symbolizing good luck for everyone who gets a piece.
Guatemalan wedding tradition: Ring the bell
After the wedding ceremony, Guatemalan couples and their guests will head to the groom’s house, where a large white ceramic bell will await them. The bell is filled with rice, flour and grains, representing abundance. The mother of the groom will then smash the bell, which brings the newlyweds good luck and prosperity.
Dutch wedding tradition: When you wish upon a tree
Instead of a guest book, Dutch couples prefer a wishing tree. Guests will write notes and well wishes for the couple on tiny pieces of paper, and hang those off the small tree placed at the reception.
Chinese wedding tradition: Practice your aim
A wedding tradition from China involves the groom pulling a Cupid and shooting his bride with a bow and arrow! Before you freak out, know that the arrow is head-less and no one gets hurt during this activity. Once he’s hit the target, the groom will collect the arrows and break them during the wedding ceremony, ensuring their love will be everlasting.
German wedding tradition: Get to sweeping!
Another German wedding tradition is Polterabend. Guests throw porcelain dishes on the ground to ward off evil spirits. It is then the couple’s job to sweep up all of the broken dishes, learning that when they work together, they can face any challenge they meet.
Nigerian wedding traditions: The more the merrier!
In Nigerian traditional weddings, there is no guest list because the entire community is invited. Sure, you don’t have to stress about who is making the cut but now you have to make sure there’s enough food and drink for your entire neighbourhood!
Another Nigerian wedding tradition is called Aso-Ebi, meaning family clothes. In this tradition, each side of the family is assigned a colour to wear to the wedding.
Norse wedding tradition: Odinist rituals
The Odinic Rite is a religious movement that honours Odin, Thor and other gods of Norse mythology. The religion “acknowledges the gods by fostering thought, courage, honor, light, and beauty.” An Odinist wedding would share a lot of traditions with Norse folklore and Viking weddings. For example, these weddings are often held on Fridays, as this is the day dedicated to Frigg, Odin’s wife and the goddess of marriage, love, and fertility.
Please enjoy the following vendor interview all about wedding photography with Caroline Ross Photography. Read on to learn more about Caroline’s experience (including her time spent living and working in the Caribbean!), her editing style, and the truth about phone cameras.
Please introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Caroline Ross and I’m a fashion and wedding photographer in Yaletown, Vancouver, BC.
How long have you been in the wedding industry?
I’ve been in the industry for over ten years.
What first attracted you to the wedding industry?
I had a lot of friends and family members getting married my first year out of school, and they had seen school work I had done and wanted me to shoot their weddings. I bought a DSLR the week before my first wedding and started shooting. I still keep my first wedding up on my website today, because when I first started shooting weddings, I loved going through other photographers’ websites and enjoyed seeing their progress and their work from when they just started out. It gave me hope that I could grow my talent and get better at storytelling and shooting.
When you’re not busy with weddings, how do you love to spend your time?
In addition to shooting weddings, I also teach part time as a photography professor at a local college and shoot fashion and commercial photography as well. So I don’t have a lot of spare time, but I do like to spend it like every other Vancouverite… running, swiming, biking, hiking and exploring local coffee shops and vegan restaurants.
What does Caroline Ross Photography do?
I shoot wedding, families, fashion and commercial photography.
What makes your business stand out from other photographers?
My editing and shooting style.
Editing: I keep all my skin tones natural and I try to create a timeless edit – no one wants to look at their wedding photos in five years and remember how terrible the photoshopping was.
Shooting: I shoot photojournalism about 90% of the day, and the remaining 10% is a traditional style portrait session. Because of my ten years of experience shooting, I am able to get through the portrait session really quickly so the couple can get back to their guests. I often have less than 30 minutes to complete all the portraits, including the couple and their wedding party, so I have to work fast and I am able to adapt to any lighting situation and weather.
Share a wedding story! What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve ever worked on?
I used to live on the Caribbean island of St Maarten and specialized in private villa weddings where most of my weddings were destination and the wedding couple was from another country. My most memorable wedding was when a local groom and out of country bride got married – their wedding was a blend of St Maarten and North American traditions and the party was really amazing!
If you had one piece of advice for couples looking for a wedding photographer, what would it be?
Go with someone who has the most natural editing style, not the trendiest.
What are the biggest mistakes couples make when it comes to wedding photography?
When a couple has a Pinterest board pinned with all their favourite photos; it’s important to understand these are the BEST OF THE BEST from hundreds of weddings, which translates into hundreds of thousands of photos.
Where can couples save? Where should they splurge?
I started my career off with family members as my first clients and I encourage other couples that don’t want to spend a lot of money on a photographer to reach out to a relative or friend or a local photography school for a student. I realize this is terrible business advice from a photographer. I have seen many friends and family go through the planning process and I think there is too much pressure on couples to follow trends, keep up with their friends’ weddings and a fear of looking “cheap.”
I don’t think anyone should have to go into debt over a wedding so hire the vendors you are able to afford. The goal of a wedding is to get married and I think it would be better to start off your married life without debt. If there was a photographer you wanted for your wedding but couldn’t afford, hire them for a one or five year anniversary portrait session; it will definitely be cheaper than the wedding day.
What’s something people need to understand about photography?
Phone cameras are changing our body image. Most phone cameras are wide angle so you can fit your whole face in the photo as a selfie, and as a result, we all look 10-20 pounds lighter. It also changes our face shape. I had a friend recently get upset with how she looked in camera photos, and it turned out to be the wide angle lens making her nose look really large – it pushes things in the middle of the frame out.
After a quick shoot with a professional camera she felt a lot more confident. This is why an engagement session is essential and it’s also important to know what you like or dislike about a photo and communicate that with your photographer before the wedding.
Special thanks to Caroline of Caroline Ross Photography for taking part in this wedding vendor interview and providing all of the gorgeous photos. For more information, visit:
One of our most unique and stunning packages is our Helicopter Elopement. Always wanted to get married on the top of a mountain or at a secret beach? A Helicopter Elopement might be perfect for you!
A Helicopter Elopement is all about doing something extra special for your ceremony. The package includes the helicopter ride, your officiant, and your photographer. You’re able to invite guests and there are a variety of landing spots where you can tie the knot.
If you want to elope, in a really adventurous and unique way, surrounded by nature that takes your breath away, it sounds like you’re ready to book a Helicopter Elopement! You can check out the package details here, read our Helicopter FAQs, and get in touch to book.
Still not convinced? Perhaps these 45 photos will change your mind!
(And even if an elopement via helicopter isn’t for you, you can still admire these gorgeous photos!)
written by Riana Ang-Canning
feature image by Emily Nicole Photos
Please enjoy the following vendor interview all about wedding music with Waira of Airwaves Music DJs. Waira shares exactly what Airwaves is all about, what the big trends in wedding music look like today, and what happens when a robot hits the dance floor!
And if you’re looking for a DJ for your wedding or event, stay tuned for a special discount at the end of this post!
Please introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do?
Hi! My name is Waira. I am the current Owner and Director of Airwaves Music DJs. I have been a DJ since 2010 and started working for the company in 2013. My job at Airwaves is to constantly improve our company while supporting our amazing team of DJs and support staff.
How long have you been in the wedding music industry?
I personally DJ’d my first wedding in 2011 at the age of 16, however we have DJs on our team who have been in the industry for decades! As a company, Airwaves Music has been around since 2007 and we have DJ’d over 3000 weddings/events since then.
What first attracted you to the wedding industry?
I have always loved the atmosphere at weddings – being part of a day where two people bring their communities together to celebrate is an incredibly rewarding, fun, and unique experience. As soon as I experienced this for the first time, I was hooked!
by Jamie Poh Photography
When you’re not busy DJing weddings, how do you love to spend your time?
When I’m not behind the DJ booth, I love to be on the dance floor! Personal development is also a huge passion of mine so I can often be found reading or taking courses and programs to deepen my knowledge of marketing, sales, business, psychology, spirituality and working with others.
What does Airwaves do?
We do a number of things here at Airwaves:
Recruit and train the best DJs to be professional, reliable, and excellent at all they do;
Make the process of finding and booking a great DJ easy and streamlined;
Ensure there is not only a DJ booked for the big day, but also a backup DJ, and dedicated support staff on call in case anything happens, so that our couples don’t have to worry about a thing;
Show up early and set up a simple, clean DJ booth with tasteful lighting;
Pride ourselves on playing the RIGHT music for amazing couples on their big day;
We also work with corporate companies like Redbull, Lululemon, Victoria Secret, Microsoft, Earls, Tough Mudder, Topshop, Bioderma, Molson, Honda, Corona and many more, supplying tunes for non-wedding events as well.
What makes Airwaves stand out from other DJs?
Airwaves is not just a 1-person DJ company; we are a team of folks devoted to making sure your event goes perfectly. Alongside our DJs, you’ll work with our Music Advisor and Event Manager to make sure all the details are locked in. They will personally select the right DJ for you based on your taste and style. All of this allows us to be very systemized and organized. We use great software to automate the process and make everything as easy as possible for both our couples and our DJs.
We also offer peace of mind, with a backup DJ and emergency hotline on the day of, just in case. Having done over 3000 weddings and events, we know how to get and stay ready for absolutely anything.
by Carolyn Carson Photography
What is the process of working with you?
We have a simple and personalized process:
Talk with a Music Advisor about your vision, wants, needs, hopes and dreams and see if our team/approach is a good fit;
If so, then save your date with our online booking agreement and deposit;
Meet your Event Manager who is there to help you plan all of the details and get them down in writing in our helpful, extensive forms;
Talk directly with your DJ before your event to go over all of the details;
Have a stress-free wedding, knowing that Airwaves is there every step of the way!
What’s the most memorable wedding you’ve ever DJed?
This past summer we had a couple that wanted an all out rave dance party so decided to hire a robot! They loved EDM and hip hop/rap, and wanted an all out nightclub feel, which gave our DJs an excuse to curate and create some specific mixes for an incredibly fun group of people. When Aborg the Robot showed up, we introduced him and hyped him up to the crowd. It was an EPIC and super memorable night. This wedding actually won us a spot as a finalist in the 2018 BC Wedding Awards. Be sure to check out the video.
by Simply Sweet Photography
If you had one piece of advice for couples looking for a wedding DJ, what would it be?
Don’t let cost be the deciding factor or the way that you determine the value of a DJ. Sometimes great DJs are not expensive, and sometimes terrible DJs are way more expensive. Instead, take the time to interview your DJ and ask them questions, find out who they are, what they do and how they do it. Check out our blog post about DJ pricing and request our “Top 12 Questions To Ask Your Potential Wedding DJ.”
What are the current trends in wedding music? What’s on its way out?
We’re seeing a lot more couples say “absolutely NO” to the classics like The Chicken Dance, Macarena, YMCA and Cotton Eyed Joe. These songs do still get requested (there’s a reason they continue to be overplayed – some people love them!), but we are definitely seeing them on more “DO NOT Playlists” lately.
Generally, more couples want their music to be personalized to them and reflect their unique style/love story: We see more folks requesting unique, indie songs for moments like their introduction or first dance. That’s why we say our motto is “Your Music, Your Way.” (editor’s note: just like the YH&M motto, “Your wedding. Your way.”)
We’re also seeing more and more blending of styles! Fewer couples want strictly Top 40, and more will ask for a percentage of Bhangra, Hip Hop, Alt-R&B, or Country, alongside the more mainstream oldies and pop selections.
What are the biggest mistakes couples make in regards to their wedding music?
100% the biggest mistake people make is waiting too close to the wedding to start looking for DJs and to start planning their music/playlists. Reputable DJs book up fast – most of our couples book 10-12 months in advance! We recommend beginning to look at DJs as soon as your venue and date are confirmed, so that you have time to put feelers out there and check out your options.
Also, don’t wait until one week before the wedding to start thinking about wedding music and playlists. We suggest actually allocating a few hours every month as you get closer to the big day to thinking through songs and filling out the forms your DJ gives you. Have a bottle of wine, singalong to your favourite songs and enjoy it; you will thank yourselves later! You could even create a playlist early that you can enjoy throughout your planning season, attaching new memories to the songs you love.
by Simply Sweet Photography
Where can couples save? Where should they splurge?
We might be biased but don’t skimp on your DJ! Most wedding guests remember how great the music and party was over your decor, flowers, dress and even the food. The truth is that good music and atmosphere can make or break the whole event. A good DJ doesn’t have to cost a lot, but a bad DJ can cost you everything.
What’s something people need to understand about wedding DJs?
A Wedding DJ’s job is to get people dancing and keep the dance floor full for as much of the night as possible. In order to do that, we need to be able to take requests and play a variety of of music styles. It makes our job really hard when couples say absolutely no ‘insert X genre here.’ For example, the couple might not like country, but there might be lots of guests who do. Another thing that makes our job difficult is when we’re given a “MUST Playlist” of eight hours of music for only five hours of dancing, giving the DJ very little room to be creative, engage with your guests and read the crowd.
At the end of the day, couples need to understand that when they are hiring a wedding DJ they are working with a professional who has dozens or even hundreds of weddings under their belt. Trust your DJ when they suggest certain songs or genres that you might not like; their job is to make sure that your wedding is fun!
by Suzanne Lestage Photography
Do you have any other tips for couples planning a wedding?
Slow and steady wins the wedding planning race! You might be really excited and try to plan everything at once: hire a venue, a florist, look at tux rentals, etc. and then get burned out. This can lead to fights or putting all wedding planning on the back burner and missing out on the vendors you really want to book. Instead, pace yourself. Be strategic and give yourself a roadmap of things you want to prioritize and when you’d like to book them. Block out a little time every week to goi over planning stuff with your fiance. Before you know it everything will be done and you’ll be celebrating with all your favourite people!
Special thanks to Waira and Danice of Airwaves Music DJs for taking part in this wedding vendor interview. For more from Airwaves, visit them:
Looking for a DJ and like what you’ve learned about Airwaves so far?
You’re in luck! Airwaves is offering you a special promotion. They’re offering $150 off your booking for any readers who mention this post!
feature image by Meghan Hemstra Photography interview questions by Riana Ang-Canning
If you love all things cozy and romantic, a winter wedding might be the perfect choice for you. With a winter wedding, you don’t have to deal with guests sweating it out under the sun or overbooked venues during the height of wedding season.
But what do you need to remember when planning a winter wedding?
Keep holiday dates in mind
A winter wedding will usually fall around the same time as some of the biggest holidays of the year: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Unfortunately, this may mean that some of your guests are unable to make it to your wedding. They may have competing holiday plans.
A winter wedding around a holiday may also mean increased flight and hotel costs for any guests who have to travel to make it to your nuptials.
On the bright side, many people do have more time off work during the winter season. This may mean you can turn your winter wedding into a winter wedding weekend and keep the celebration going!
by Emily Nicole Photosby Emily Nicole Photos
Watch the weather
Even though you’re planning a winter wedding, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get the beautiful blanket of white snow you’re dreaming of. You might get rain, a blizzard or no snow at all. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, you don’t want to plan on having a large part of your day outdoors.
Winter weather also means delays. Take this into account when telling your guests and vendors when to arrive.
We have less sunlight in the winter. If you’re planning to take photos outside, work with your photographer to find the best time. You may have assumed you could sneak away during dinner for sunset photos but the sun might actually be setting at 3:00 pm!
Avoid just red and green
No matter what time of year you hold your wedding, if your main colours are red and green, everyone is going to assume it’s a Christmas wedding. So unless you actually are planning a Christmas wedding, avoid making everything red and green.
There are lots of other awesome palettes you can turn to for a winter wedding. This is a great time to look at darker colours and jewel tones, or even sparkly metallics. Have fun and don’t be afraid to use colour – it will pop beautifully against a snowy white or rainy grey background.
by Erica Miller Photographyby Erica Miller Photography
Dress for success
If you’re getting married in the middle of winter, a strapless dress while standing outside for an hour of photos may not be the best idea. There are lots of fashion-forward ways to look chic while still staying warm. You can look at long sleeves, faux fur shawls, capes, knit mittens, and more!
Lean into your theme
If you’re having a winter wedding, embrace it! Choose in-season greenery instead of expensive tulips and daisies. Serve mulled wine or eggnog instead of margaritas. Opt for comfort food, like mac n cheese, instead of salads and BBQ. Go for the full romantic winter ambiance with low lighting, soft blankets and lots of candles.
by Emily Nicole Photosby Emily Nicole Photos
Don’t forget your footwear!
Ladies, if you’re dead set on wearing heels, save them for inside your venue. But do consider boots for any outdoor photos or portion of your wedding. You don’t want to slip on any icy surfaces or end up losing a toe to frostbite.
Bonus: if you’re wearing a long dress, you won’t be able to see the boots anyway. So put on your warmest boots, add a pair of leggings and don’t be afraid to throw some hand warmers in your shoes too.
Consider a single venue
Winter wedding or not, holding all of your wedding festivities at a single venue is a great way to cut down on costs and simplify things for yourself and your guests. But it’s even more important in the winter. A single venue means guests don’t have to drive somewhere new or deal with winter weather delays and traffic.
Bonus: many venues decorate for the winter holidays. Ask your venue what sort of decor they’ll already have. You may be able to save a little money if their current holiday decor is to your taste.
by Erica Miller Photographyby Erica Miller Photography
Add cozy touches
The best part of winter is snuggling up under a blanket by the fire. Recreate that cozy winter feeling for your guests with some of these ideas:
Offering a warm drink to guests upon arrival
Providing a coat check for outerwear and wet boots
Leaving blankets on seats for guests to stay warm
Gifting ornaments as your wedding favour
Ending the night with a hot chocolate bar!
Limit outdoor time
Brrrr! No one wants to spend an entire winter wedding outside. Even with heat lamps or warm blankets, you’ll want to keep your outdoor time to a minimum. If you’re planning photos outside for you and your wedding party, be strategic about how long you’ll be out there. And give people a way to warm up between photos.
You’ll also want to be conscious of how long your guests are spending outside. For example, if you’re planning a receiving line, make sure it’s indoors. And if guests arrive early to your ceremony or reception, ensure they can wait inside instead of out in the cold.
by Amber Leigh Photography
Rethink your honeymoon plans
If you get married in December and plan to jet off to Jamaica over the Christmas break for your honeymoon, you’ll be heading there at the busiest and most expensive time of year. Travelling to warm locales in the winter, and travelling anywhere over Christmas, can be pretty expensive. If you have your heart set on a beach destination, start looking out for deals early.
Or embrace the cold and opt for a different kind of honeymoon. You could trek to see the Northern Lights in Finland, do a road trip around Iceland, or even find a cozy log cabin for a romantic retreat.
Of course, if travelling right after your wedding isn’t in the cards, you could always postpone your honeymoon for a more convenient, and less expensive, time.
Ask about backup plans
If you’re planning a winter wedding, it’s very important that you have back up plans for everything. If your DJ gets snowed in, what happens? Or if someone in the wedding party is late, what can you do? What’s the plan if the power goes out or the street is closed off? Talk to your venue and vendors to find out what plan B looks like.
by Erica Miller Photographyby Erica Miller Photography
Bonus: Vancouver winter wedding? Pack your umbrellas!
Bonus tip: If you’re planning your winter wedding in Vancouver, you should count on rain. You might luck out and not have to deal with it, but plan for it just in case. We advise investing in some beautiful umbrellas or choosing a rain-proof location to tie the knot.
What tips and tricks do you have for a winter wedding?
Let us know!
written by Riana Ang-Canning
feature image by Erica Miller Photography
We are so excited to share that for the 5th year in a row, a Young Hip & Married officiant has taken home the title of Best Wedding Officiant in BC from the BC Wedding Awards!
Officiant Jane won Best Wedding Officiant 2018 and Officiant Shawn was one of the finalists. As well, our amazing elopement photographer, Emily Nicole Photos, was a finalist in the Best Wedding Group Photograph category. Way to go, YH&M team!
Check out the wedding stories that earned us the Best Wedding Officiant title:
Jane’s elopement with Niki & Steve
by Erica Miller Photography
In April, Jane officiated Niki and Steve’s intimate elopement. This was a special ceremony, as Niki and Steve wanted to honour Niki’s grandparents by getting married at the same church where they were married, St. Andrew’s Wesley Church. However, they didn’t actually want a church wedding. So we decided to do their elopement on the stairs of the church where Niki’s grandparents wed 72 years ago.
by Erica Miller Photographyby Erica Miller Photographyby Erica Miller Photography
To make the elopement even more special, Niki and Steve brought along a photo of her grandparents so they could be a part of the wedding. We recruited a passing couple to serve as witnesses, and they totally loved every moment of the elopement. And everything was beautifully captured by Erica Miller Photography!
by Erica Miller Photographyby Erica Miller Photographyby Erica Miller Photography
Shawn’s wedding with David & Lejla
by Erin Fraser Photography
Usually brides take a lead role in wedding planning, but for this wedding, David wanted to do something special for Lejla during their ceremony. He shared with Shawn how daffodils were important to their relationship: David and Lejla met at the Daffodil Ball, it was the first flower David had given Lejla and daffodils were going to be a central decor item at their wedding. In addition to daffodils, David also wanted to play a little prank on Lejla. What’s a wedding without a little fun and games?
by Erin Fraser Photography
Shawn was totally on board and worked with David to craft the perfect ceremony that told their story, incorporated the daffodil, and even had a little prank. David and Shawn arranged for the guests to take part in a ring warming ceremony, where rings are passed between the guests before making their way to the couple, but with a twist. The twist? There were no rings! A guest, who was in on the prank, pretended to put rings into a box which was then passed around.
by Erin Fraser Photography
When the “rings” reached the front, Shawn announced that the rings were missing. Everyone had a moment of panic before Shawn let them in on the prank. He said, “Don’t worry folks. Just like how Lejla & David met at the Daffodil Ball four years ago, magically, randomly and surprisingly, love surprises us all and appears in the most mysterious places. And the tangible symbols of their love once again reveal themselves in the daffodil.” Shawn then pulled the real rings out of a daffodil and the rest was history!
by Erin Fraser Photographyby Erin Fraser Photography
Emily’s Group Photo
We also want to shout out our amazing elopement photographer, Emily, who was a finalist in the Best Wedding Group Photograph category. Michaela and Rob were married at Stanley Park Pavillion and did their photos at the Vancouver Art Gallery. How awesome is this shot of Michaela, Rob and their wedding party on the rooftop? That is one stylish and fierce wedding party!
Congratulations to Jane, Shawn, Emily and all of the other winners and finalists! We’re so excited to celebrate a great year of weddings alongside our friends in the industry.
Planning a Toronto elopement? Let us help you find the perfect venue. From city skylines, green parks and waterfront spots to luxury hotel rooms and swanky restaurants, this list has it all!
Back in the day, an elopement was two people running off to City Hall for a spontaneous mini wedding. These days, couples are still looking for that intimacy, but they aren’t resigning themselves to a City Hall wedding in a drab office. Couples know they have lots of gorgeous options for their Toronto elopement.
Without further ado, our favourite Toronto elopement locations!
Note that not all of these Toronto elopement locations are free. Some will require you to rent the space and book ahead. Check with the venue first, and confirm your guest size, before making any plans!
The Royal Ontario Museum or ROM is the place to go for history, dinosaurs and the infamous bat cave. But it’s also one of the most architecturally interesting buildings in Toronto. While it will cost money to hold your wedding inside the ROM, who is to say you can’t elope in front of the building?
Riverdale Park
via Urban Toronto
The ultimate Toronto elopement spot is always going to be one with a beautiful view of the CN Tower. We’re big fans of Riverdale Park in Cabbagetown.
Toronto Islands
Take your Toronto elopement out on the water with a visit to the Toronto Islands. There are tons of gorgeous outdoor spaces, with views of the city. If you’re looking for something indoors or more formal for your day, check out this list of venues.
Sunnyside Pavilion
via Toronto Guardian
While Sunnyside Pavilion often hosts big weddings, it could also be the perfect spot for an elopement. Contact Sunnyside if you’d like to use the indoor space or work with your officiant to find an outdoor spot with Sunnyside Pavilion in the background.
Trinity Bellwoods Park
via Local Food Tours
Trinity Bellwoods Park is a popular spot just outside of Little Italy – meaning you’ll be able to grab some delicious food after your elopement! While this park can get busy on a nice sunny day, we’re sure you’ll be able to find a beautiful spot (with a view!) for your Toronto elopement.
Palais Royale
via Palais Royale
Palais Royale isn’t just for big weddings. Get in touch with them to book your elopement!
High Park is one of the most gorgeous places to elope outdoors in Toronto. This park is huge, so you should have no problem finding your perfect spot. And if you’re looking for something special, like cherry blossoms in the spring or foliage in the fall, you’ll find it here!
The Henley Room
via The Wedding Opera
The Henley Room at the Toronto Argonauts Rowing Club is a stunning space for weddings both big and small. If you’re looking for something more formal, check this one out.
The Beaches
via Toronto.com
Torontonians love walking along the boardwalk at the beach. Why not choose that for your Toronto elopement location?
Rosetta McClain Gardens
via City of Toronto
If you love the Beaches but don’t actually want to get married on the beach, check out the Rosetta McClain Gardens. They’re right by the beach, but give you a more floral and green atmosphere.
U of T
by Dude K Photography
U of T, or the University of Toronto, is home to not only some great book learning – but also to some beautiful spaces to tie the knot! Be warned, these spaces do require you to pay a fee and book ahead of time. Other universities, like Ryerson, also have some beautiful elopement locations. If you’re an alumni, check to see if there’s a discount available!
Allan Gardens Conservatory
via To Do Canada
The Allan Gardens Conservatory is a great spot to get married in nature while actually holding your wedding indoors. So if your elopement day is rainy or in the middle of winter, this is a great choice. Be sure to contact the Parks Department to make your booking.
St. Lawrence Market is a staple in Toronto. But did you know that you can actually rent out the St. Lawrence Market Kitchen, which overlooks the market, for your nuptials?
CN Tower
via CN Tower
Okay, you don’t actually have to say your I do’s on the edge of the CN Tower, but apparently that is an option! You can also opt to elope on the ground in front of the CN Tower or maybe up in the restaurant with a view of the entire city.
Ripley’s Aquarium
by Photo Kitch
Want to go under the sea for your elopement? Well, here’s a way to do it while keeping your clothes dry. Make sure you get in touch with the aquarium in order to book the space.
Humber Bay Park West
Via TripAdvisor
Humber Bay Park West is an awesome spot for a Toronto elopement, just west of downtown in Mimico, south Etobicoke. As our Officiant Billy says, “There are some nice little parks further west just off the Lakeshore at Mimico; Humber Bay Park West would be a good spot. There are views looking out on the lake. The Waterfront Trail there has lots of quiet rocky promontories sticking out into the lake with two yacht clubs as a backdrop, and a sweet little gazebo if it rains.” Sounds perfect!
Tranzac Club
via Tranzac.org
If parks and skylines aren’t really your style, check out the Tranzac Club for a very different vibe. While this venue could hold more people, we see no reason why it wouldn’t work for a more intimate elopement.
Polson Pier
by Rowitt Photography
Polson Pier is one of the most popular spots for photos in Toronto thanks to the beautiful view in the background. Who wouldn’t want to tie the knot here?
Osgoode Hall, a beautiful law school in downtown Toronto, is a stunning option for your Toronto elopement. If you want exclusive access or the ability to take photos inside, you’ll need to get in touch with the venue. But the outside is just as beautiful!
Bickford Park
Toronto is lousy with pretty parks perfect for an outdoor elopement. Check out Bickford Park, just south of Christie Pitts, for another great option.
Distillery District
by Lushana Bale Photography
One of the most stunning, and most popular, places in Toronto to get married has got to be the Distillery District. And while you will need to obtain a permit, it may be worth the cost for this beautiful spot!
Have you always dreamt of getting married in a castle? Well, you can do just that at Casa Loma! Of course, you’ll need to pay a fee and book ahead of time. While Casa Loma can hold large weddings, it’s also a charming spot for a more intimate elopement.
If you want to get married amongst some of the most beautiful pieces of art, look into renting the Art Gallery of Ontario for your Toronto elopement. In addition to art, there are some awesome spaces with large windows and cool architecture.
A Toronto hotel
We usually think that hotels are only used for large weddings and events. But they can be the perfect place for small elopements too! You can tie the knot in your hotel room, in front of the hotel or even in the lobby. You may even be able to sweet talk the concierge into letting you use the event space for a quick five minute elopement!
A Toronto restaurant
via Yellow Pages
Getting married at a restaurant is another awesome option for elopement couples. You can go all out and rent an entire space. Or you can keep things really intimate and just elope at your table or in a private room. Nothing follows an elopement better than a delicious meal!
Outside of Toronto elopement
by Ian C Whitworth Photography
Of course, if you want to travel a little farther outside of the city, there are lots of gorgeous places to elope near Toronto. Some of our favourites include Niagara on the Lake, Prince Edward County and Stratford.
Have we inspired your Toronto elopement?
We’d love to know where you’re holding it and everything you have planned for your amazing Toronto elopement. And if you need a wedding officiant for your elopement, get in touch!
Boo! Since today is Halloween, we wanted to share some awesome tips for planning a Halloween wedding. For some, Halloween is the ultimate holiday. They love it so much that they decide to plan their wedding around it!
A Halloween wedding can be spooky and serious, colourful and playful, or even elegant and mysterious. But above all? A Halloween wedding is just a lot of fun!
If you want to unleash your inner goblin or ghoul, read on for tips on how to plan a spook-tacular Halloween wedding!
Make your Halloween wedding theme clear
You want your guests to know what they’re getting into, especially if you want them to participate in your theme. So make it clear that you’re throwing a Halloween wedding by adding Halloween elements to your wedding website, save the dates and invitations. As soon as your guests click on your website or open your invite, they should know what’s going on.
Let your venue set the tone
Start your Halloween wedding off on the right note with a truly perfect venue. Look for something in a gothic style or perhaps a historic building that has a resident ghost on site! For photos, head out to a pumpkin patch or even a cemetery.
Attire is everything
Halloween is all about the costumes! As the couple of the hour, you can choose to actually dress up in costume or just do a Halloween-version of a more traditional wedding outfit. For example, you can add a skeleton tie to your tuxedo or a black sash to your dress. You can also do an outfit change and show up in costume at your reception.
You’ll want to coordinate your wedding party’s outfits to the theme as well. That might mean putting them in dark hued dresses and suits or having them wear masquerade masks. If you want your guests to participate in your theme by dressing up, wearing black or wearing a mask, ensure that’s clear on your invites and website.
Photo by Emily Nicole Photos
Get creative with make-up
One of the most fun parts about Halloween is getting creative with your make-up. Of course, you probably don’t want to go too gory for your Halloween wedding, but you can definitely make your look more spooky. You can do more bold make-up like a dark lipstick and black eyeliner or paint your face Día de los Muertos style. You may also want to hire a make-up artist or face painter to help makeover your guests.
Get your vendors in the Halloween wedding spirit
We can guarantee that your Young Hip & Married officiant will be game to dress up in costume, recite spooky Halloween poems or tell a ghost story. We love getting involved in a theme that our couples are passionate about!
You can get your other vendors on board too. Ask your DJ to don a mask and play Thriller or Monster Mash to open up the dance floor. Tell your florist you want a dark hued bouquet with black feathers. Or ask your photographer to set up a photobooth complete with witch hats and brooms!
Officiant Cindy getting into the spooky theme!
Go wild on decor
There’s so much you can do to decorate for a Halloween wedding! But before you jump into buying all the mini pumpkins you can carry, think about the tone you want for your wedding. Do you want it to be dark, gothic and spooky? Kitschy, fun and colourful? Elegant and mysterious? A Halloween wedding can be tasteful and as spooky or silly as you want.
Here are some awesome decor ideas:
Hang orange and black lanterns from the ceiling
Line the ceremony aisle with pumpkins
Have a skeleton hold up your guest book
Instead of direction signs on wood, put them on tombstones
Put your centrepieces in pumpkins or incorporate spooky branches or candelabras
Hang cobwebs in the corners of the room or along the tables
Bring out the fog machine for an eerie atmosphere
Serve Halloween-y food
Lots of food can easily be made suitable for your Halloween wedding. Spaghetti and meatballs become intestines and eyeballs. Mini-eclairs become witch fingers. And no one is going to turn down a caramel apple or slice of pumpkin pie!
You can also create spooky Halloween drinks with creepy names and fun tricks. Talk to your bar staff and let their imaginations run wild. Your cake is also a great place to go big with your Halloween theme.
Don’t forget about the candy! Half the fun of Halloween is trick or treating. You can even set up a candy bar so guests can trick or treat and take a bag of candy home as their wedding favour.
Go as big as you want to
Remember, not every single element of your Halloween wedding has to be Halloween-y. This is your wedding first and Halloween second. People will still understand and appreciate the theme if you opt for subtle references. You can scatter black and orange confetti on the tables or use mini pumpkins as your escort cards instead of dressing up like a zombie and painting everything orange and black.
But if Halloween is your passion? Go for it! You can totally go all out on your Halloween wedding. Bring in as many Halloween elements as you want. If you really want to go the extra mile, you could even hire a spooky tarot card reader or magician for your reception or set up a haunted house!
This summer, our team set a new wedding record. We married more couples in one day than we ever had before! On August 18, 2018, our team married 25 couples across BC, Alberta, Ontario and California.
Talk about a day filled with love!
So what made August 18, 2018 so special? All the eights! August 18, 2018, or 8-18-18, was the most popular wedding day of the year. In many cultures, eight is a lucky number. So when you have a Saturday in the summer with three eights, you know it’s going to be busy!
Our day started at 11:30 AM with a ceremony at Hycroft Manor in Vancouver and ended with a 7:15 PM ceremony on Grouse Mountain. We officiated on islands, in parks, on golf courses, in art galleries, on mountaintops and even at a zoo!
August 18, 2018 was one crazy, busy, joy-filled day for our team and all of the amazing couples, friends and family we got to celebrate with. Here’s a look at some of what went down on #81818!
Officiant Jane started August 18, 2018 off strong marrying Helen & Brian at Hycroft Manor in Vancouver.
Next up was Officiant Kadee marrying Karli & Sid at Queen Elizabeth Park. How awesome is her dress? We love bright colours that show off your personality!
Over at Cleveland Dam Park in North Vancouver, Officiant Kristen married Annie & Bob.
Ceremonies #4 and #5 took place in Sooke and Van Dusen. Then it was up to Whistler for Officiant Erika’s first wedding of the day with M & J!
Over in Calgary, Officiant Jodi was marrying Mickellie & Charles while Officiant Jane helped Eleanor and Dave tie the knot in their backyard in Vancouver.
At Bear Creek Park in Surrey, Jesse & Karen said I do with Officiant Kadee.
For weddings #10 and #11 we officiated at the Calgary Zoo and the Fort Langley Golf Course. Then it was time for Steph and Chris to tie the knot at Nita Lake Lodge. Check out all of the stunning details that went into their big day.
We passed the halfway point of August 18, 2018: Wedding #13 happened with Officiant Brian on Lake Cowichan. Next, Officiant Beth married Alison and Chantal in Pemberton. They had an Aboriginal dancer at their ceremony.
Officiant Jon married Dee & Bear at T&T Ranch. Congrats, newlyweds!
Photos by Blush
Officiant Kadee made her way to North Vancouver for the wedding of Brit and Geoff.
At the same time, Officiant Marilyn was busy marrying Sarah and Tyler at UBC while Officiant Peter married Tamryn & Devynn on Gambier Island.
Officiant Denise helped Aliez and Jeff tie the knot at the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Downtown, Officiant Jane was getting ready for Brenda and Ronald’s wedding at the Fairmont.
Don’t forget about Shawn! Officiant Shawn married Melissa and Frederick in a backyard ceremony in Abbotsford as our 21st wedding of the day.
Sarah and Paul tied the knot in Whistler with Officiant Kristen. How gorgeous are those tables?
Rounding out our day, we had Jodi officiate at a restaurant in Calgary and Kadee officiate a home wedding in Port Moody for Carole and Jay.
Our last wedding of August 18, 2018! We finished off #81818 with our 25th wedding: Lisa Marie and Melvern with Officiant Erika. These two got married on Grouse Mountain, did a beautiful handfasting and ring warming ceremony, and danced to a string trio. How romantic!
Phew, we made it! We survived August 18, 2018 – our busiest day of weddings ever! Even though it was a busy day for all of us, we wouldn’t have traded it for the world. It was such an honour to stand alongside so many couples as they exchanged their vows and became married spouses!
If bringing religious or cultural elements into your wedding ceremony is important to you, you may want to consider adding a wedding prayer or wedding blessing. A wedding prayer is a great way to honour your faith and connect your ceremony to something spiritual. It can be delivered by your officiant or by a guest of honour.
Wedding blessings are not reserved for traditional religious or Christian weddings. Couples of all faiths can include prayers into their ceremony. You may even find some prayers on this list that work for a secular (non-religious) ceremony.
Like with all things in your wedding, we believe it should be done your way. If you love one of the prayers here and want to use it in your ceremony, go for it! If you like bits and pieces of different prayers, go ahead and create your own. If the language is outdated, the pronouns don’t fit or you want to address your prayer to a different name, change whatever you want. There’s no one right way to say a wedding prayer.
Here are 27 wedding prayers that could work perfectly for your ceremony:
Opening wedding prayer:
Lord God Almighty,
Creator of the heavens and earth.
Thank you for the gift of marriage
For all the joy and love that it brings us.
We thank you for NAME and NAME
Thank you that you have brought them together for this special day,
And that you hold them safely in Your hands.
We pray that you would richly bless them as they exchange their vows and their wedding rings,
And from this day forward they would walk hand in hand into everything that you have destined them to be.
We give our hearts and beings to You now in adoration,
And welcome Your Holy Spirit amongst us.
Amen.
Closing wedding prayer:
Gracious God, our hearts are filled with great happiness on this the wedding day of NAME and NAME. They come before you, pledging their lives and their hearts to one another.
Grant that they may be ever true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring heartbreak into their marriage.
Temper their hearts with kindness and help them to be sweethearts, helpmates, friend and guide, and together, may they meet the cares and problems of life more bravely.
May their home truly be a place of love and harmony where your Spirit is ever present. Bless their wedding day, we pray, and walk beside them, through all their life together. Amen.
Short wedding blessing:
Lord bless this beautiful couple with love and hope we pray.
Keep alive forever more the vows they’ve pledged today.
May you bless their dreams and visions,
And keep them always safe.
May peace and joy be with them now
On this their wedding day.
Photo by Sara Rogers Photography
Benediction for Christian wedding wishes:
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you;
the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you,
and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace;
that you may faithfully live together in this life,
and in the age to come have life everlasting.
Amen.
Episcopal wedding prayer:
Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace:
Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life,
and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony.
Amen.
Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life,
that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity,
a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy.
Amen.
Celtic wedding blessing:
May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Irish wedding blessing:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Irish blessing for wedding:
Happy is the bride that rain falls on
May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace.
May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase.
May the saddest day of your future
Be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May your hands be forever clasped in friendship
And your hearts joined forever in love.
Your lives are very special,
God has touched you in many ways.
May his blessings rest upon you
And fill all your coming days.
We swear by peace and love to stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.
Hark, O Spirit, and hear us now,
Confirming this our Sacred Vow.
Photo by Clint Bargen Photography
Scottish wedding blessing 1:
A thousand welcomes to you with your marriage kerchief,
May you be healthy all your days.
May you be blessed with long life and peace,
May you grow old with goodness, and with riches.
Scottish wedding blessing 2:
May the blessing of light be on you, light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you like a great peat fire, so that stranger and friend may come and warm himself at it.
And may light shine out of the two eyes of you, like a candle set in the window of a house, bidding the wanderer come in out of the storm. And may the blessing of the rain be on you, may it beat upon your Spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there a shining pool where the blue of Heaven shines, and sometimes a star.
And may the blessing of the earth be on you, soft under your feet as you pass along the roads, soft under you as you lie out on it, tired at the end of day; and may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lie out under it. May it rest so lightly over you that your soul may be out from under it quickly; up and off and on its way to God. And now may the Lord bless you, and bless you kindly.
Bless this union wedding prayer:
Dear God, thank you for this joyous day.
Thank you for Your Light that has entered NAME and NAME’s life.
Thank you for all the miracles and blessings.
Please bless this union.
Help NAME and NAME find the perfect place in this world for their love to flourish.
Let the radiant light of their love shine on all those around them.
May all their future creations be blessed.
God, bless them with the inner gifts of trust, compassion, forgiveness and truth that they may live and grow together in love and peace.
Amen.
Nature of love wedding prayer:
Father of mankind, whose nature is love, look with favor upon this woman and this man who desire to make their vows before you.
We are grateful for the providence that has led to this union.
Grant this to be more than an outward union, but also the blending of hearts and spirits and purposes.
Bless each with the inward qualities of integrity, trust, cooperation and forgiveness, that they may live together in love and peace.
Amen.
Blessed wedding prayer:
Blessed are the man and the woman who have grown beyond themselves and have seen through their separations.
They delight in the way things are and keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers, which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed.
Blessed is one who comes in the name of Love.
Greek wedding prayer:
I invoke Thee, Who art the greatest of all, Who created all, Who generated it from thyself, Who sees all and is never seen.
We ask Your blessing for NAME and NAME today as they enter into this cherished covenant.
We ask You to bless this community of friends and family who pledge their love and support of NAME and NAME’s marriage.
Infinite One, fly ahead of them
Open the way
Prepare the path
Spirity of the sun
Mother of the light
Come to them!
Amen.
Photo by Pebble & Pine
Cherokee wedding prayer:
God in heaven above, please protect the ones we love.
We honor all You created as they pledge their hearts and lives together.
We honor mother-earth and ask for their marriage to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons.
We honor fire and ask that our their union be warm and glowing with love in their hearts.
We honor wind and ask that their sail through life safe and calm as in their Father’s arms.
We honor water to clean and soothe their relationship that it may never thirst for love.
With all the forces of the universe You created, we pray for harmony and true happiness as their forever grow young together.
Amen.
Christian wedding wishes, 1st Corinthians 13:4-7:
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud.
Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way.
Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong.
Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs.
You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them.
Family wedding prayer:
Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow,
for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth.
Amen
Hebrew wedding blessing:
Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who hath created joy and gladness, bridegroom and bride, mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and friendship.
May there soon be heard in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of joy and gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the jubilant voice of bridegrooms from the wedding canopy, and of youths from their feasts of song.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, who gives the Bridegroom joy in his bride.
Photo by Erica Miller Photography
Song of Solomon:
I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine .
My beloved speaks and says to me: Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance.
Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine O my dove, in the clefts of the rock, in the covert of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is comely. Set me as a seal upon your heart and seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy cruel as the grave.
It flashes are flashes of fire, a most vehement flame.
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly scorned. I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.
Muslim wedding Dua (for the couple):
Oh Allah, bless our marriage and let it be a means for us to become closer to You in love and devotion. Let it be a source of untold blessings, happiness and joy.
Oh Allah, let our marriage be a way for us and our families to enter Jannah.
Ya Allah, protect our marriage from the whisperings of Shaytan. Give us the strength to live together in justice, equity, love and, mercy.
My Lord, let this marriage bring untold blessings to us individually, to our families, and our children Insha Allah.
My Creator, bless us with children who will be a source of great joy and happiness.
Oh Allah, give us the love which you had blessed Muhammad, Allah’s Peace and blessings be upon him, and Khadija with, May Allah be pleased with her.
Muslim wedding Dua (for the guests):
Oh Allah, bless this couple with faith, love and happiness in this world and the Next.
O Allah, You are the Loving (Al Wadud) and the Merciful (Al Rehman). Please put love and mercy in the hearts of this couple for each other.
Our Creator, strengthen the hearts of the bride and groom with faith, and let them increase in their love and commitment to You through their bond.
Oh Lord of the Universe, all power is with You. Let this couple’s marriage become a beautiful example to other couples.
My God, protect this couple from the misguidance and planning of Shaytan. Help them resist his call to break their bond.
Oh Allah, bless this couple with children who will be a source of happiness and joy to them and the world.
Oh Allah, unite the couple and their families in faith and love.
Oh Lord, You are the Just. Let this couple live their lives being fair and just to each other.
Oh Forgiver (Ghafoor), bless this couple with the strength to forgive each other’s shortcomings.
Oh Allah, give them the loving relationship which Muhammad and Aisha had. May Allah be pleased with them.
Buddhist wedding prayer:
Today we promise to dedicate ourselves completely to each other, with body, speech, and mind.
In this life, in every situation, in wealth or poverty, in health or sickness, in happiness or difficulty, we will work to help each other perfectly.
The purpose of our relationship will be to attain enlightenment by perfecting our kindness and compassion toward all sentient beings.
A Blessing for The Journey (Buddhist wedding prayer):
Let us vow to bear witness to the wholeness of life, realizing the completeness of each and every thing.
Embracing our differences, I shall know myself as you, and you as myself.
May we serve each other for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.
Let us vow to open ourselves to the abundance of life.
Freely giving and receiving, I shall care for you, for the trees and stars, as treasures of my very own.
May we be grateful for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.
Let us vow to forgive all hurt, caused by ourselves and others, and to never condone hurtful ways.
Being responsible for my actions, I shall free myself and you.
Will you free me, too?
May we be kind for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.
Let us vow to remember that all that appears will disappear.
In the midst of uncertainty, I shall sow love.
Here! Now! I call to you:
Let us together live
The Great Peace that we are.
May we give no fear for all our days, here, there, and everywhere.
Photo by Erica Miller Photography
Hindu wedding prayer:
To the Holy Son of Shiva and Parvati,
To the remover of all obstacles, Lord Ganesha,
We Petition for Blessings,
To sanctify this ceremony of marriage,
And to bless this marriage in all ways.
Lord Ganesha.
You are the speaker.
You are the listener.
You are the giver.
You are the sustainer.
Please protect us from all directions.
Let us listen with our ears to that which is auspicious, adorable one.
Let us perceive with our eyes what is holy.
With strong, stable body and limbs, may we seek divine grace and accept the noble order of all our lives.
O Lord Ganesha, please provide for the welfare of this family.
Guide prosperity and abundance to their door.
Please help them feel your goodness and Divinity within their home.
We place any challenges of married life at your feet
And trust you will always help.
We thank you with all of our hearts.
Prayer of St. Francis:
Eternal One, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Wedding prayer from Al-Fatiha, the Holy Qur’an:
In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.
Praise be to God, Sovereign of all the worlds.
The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path, the path of those who have received your grace;
not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.
Amen.
Prayer for no rain on wedding day
On our wedding day, we come to you,
With hope in our hearts and skies so blue.
We ask for a day without rain’s embrace,
So our joy can shine in the perfect space.
With love and gratitude, we make this plea,
For clear skies and a rain-free decree.
Bless our union with sunshine’s ray,
On this cherished day, we humbly pray.
Amen
Opening prayer for wedding reception (Catholic)
Loving Father,
As we gather here to celebrate the sacred bond of marriage, we thank you for the love that has brought us together. Bless this joyful occasion as we share in the happiness of [Couple’s Names] and their commitment to each other.
May your grace continue to guide them on their journey of love and unity. Let this celebration be a reflection of the joy and blessings that come from your divine love. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we pray.
Amen.
Prayer before meals at a wedding reception
On this day of celebration and love, we gather around this table with grateful hearts. We thank you for the union of [Couple’s Names] and for the love that has brought us together.
As we partake in this meal, bless the hands that have prepared it and the hearts that will enjoy it. May this food nourish our bodies and remind us of the abundance of your blessings. Let the joy of this occasion fill our hearts and may your presence be felt among us.
Short prayer for blessing food at wedding reception
Bless this meal before us, a symbol of your abundant provision and the love that brings us together.
May this food nourish our bodies and remind us of the blessings you bestow upon us each day.
We thank you for the gift of community, for the love that binds us, and for the moments of joy that we share. Amen.
Prayer for the bride on her wedding day
Today, as we celebrate the radiant spirit of [Bride’s Name] on her wedding day, we are reminded of the beauty of love and commitment. We thank you for the joy she brings into our lives.
Bless her with a marriage filled with laughter, shared dreams, and a deep connection. May her days be bright, her nights be peaceful, and her heart be ever open to the blessings you provide. Grant her the strength to face challenges hand in hand with [Partner’s Name], and may their love be a testament to your grace.
As she stands at the threshold of this new adventure, fill her heart with your divine peace and surround her with your loving presence. May her journey be marked by your guidance and boundless love. Amen.
Prayer for those with us in spirit at the wedding ceremony
As we gather to celebrate this union of hearts, we are mindful of those who are no longer with us in body but remain forever in our hearts. We lift up their memory and the love they brought into our lives.
May their spirits surround us today, a gentle presence that reminds us of the love that transcends time and space. We are grateful for the joy they added to our lives and the memories we hold dear.
In this moment of celebration, we acknowledge their absence and hold them close in our thoughts. We are comforted knowing that they are watching over us, and their love lives on in the stories we share and the bonds we cherish.
In their honor, we continue this journey of love and celebration, knowing that they are with us in spirit.
