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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 Don’t let traditional language and outdated ideas hold you back from creating a pronouncement that represents who you are.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!)
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)
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)
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)
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.
Photo by Erica Miller Photography
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.
Photo by JimmyShootz
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?
Everyone knows how to walk, right? Well, turns out a wedding processional isn’t quite that simple. There are lots of choices to make. Who is walking first? Who are they walking with? Who comes next?
Who knew there were so many ways to get everyone to the altar!?!
Check out six different wedding processional order options below.
Traditional wedding processional
Bride’s mother
Groomsmen
Best Man
Groom
Officiant
Bridesmaids
Maid/Matron of Honour
Ring Bearer & Flower Girl
Bride (with her father)
Traditional wedding processional with a twist
Bride’s mother
Bride’s grandparents
Groom’s grandparents
Bridesmaids & Groomsmen
Best Man
Maid/Matron of Honour
Groom (with or without his parents)
Officiant (may enter from the side)
Ring Bearer & Flower Girl
Bride (with her parents)
Photos by Blush
Religious (Christian) wedding processional
Officiant
Groom & Best Man (enter from the side)
Groomsmen & Bridesmaids
Maid/Matron of Honour
Ring Bearer
Flower Girl
Bride (with her father)
Religious (Jewish) wedding processional
Rabbi & Cantor or Officiant
Bride’s grandparents
Groom’s grandparents
Ushers (in pairs)
Best Man
Groom (with his parents)
Bridesmaids (in pairs)
Maid/Matron of Honour
Ring Bearer
Flower Girl
Bride (with her parents)
Contemporary wedding processional
Grandparents
Parents
Groomsmen
Bridesmaids
Ring Bearer & Flower Girl
Couple
Photo by Blushing Bride Studio
Your processional, your way!
It’s your wedding so you should do things your way! The wedding processional order is completely up to you and who walks where, when and with whom should be 100% your call. There is no right or wrong way to do a processional – there’s only your way. Here are a few creative wedding processional options that might work better for you than the ideas above:
Walk in solo
Walk in first
Walk in with someone who means a lot to you like your grandma or favourite uncle
Walk in with your kids
Walk in with your dog
Enter at the same time as your partner – walk in hand in hand or enter from different doors and meet in the middle
Skip the wedding party and processional all together – just start your wedding ceremony where you are!
feature image by John Bello Photographer
How are you doing your wedding ceremony processional?
Special thanks to Officiant Erika for giving us a glimpse into the wonderous world of officiating! Take it away, Erika:
As someone fairly new to the officiant game, I have spent this last year learning as I go and drawing conclusions, changing routines and, I’m not gonna lie, sometimes just plain old flying by the seat of my pants!
I’m no stranger to the wedding world though, so I had that life experience going for me. I have been involved in many different aspects of the wedding world over the years. Not only have I been married for 20 years but I have been a wedding singer, bridesmaid, photographer’s assistant, MC, and even worked as a bridal consultant. For someone who didn’t grow up dreaming about my wedding, I sure have spent a lot of time involved in other people’s big day!
Now that I have found this amazing adventure, it actually shocks me that it took me this long to land as an officiant. This is what I love. I love meeting the couple, hearing their story and helping them plan an amazing ceremony. My own wedding was before the era of Pinterest and cool artsy wedding photography so I love sitting down with a couple and hearing about the creative elements they are planning and helping them expand ideas into realities. My job is seriously the best. It’s never boring because it’s never the same thing twice. There is creativity and adventure in every wedding. I meet AMAZING people and get to be a part of some of the coolest weddings ever. And, as a bonus, I get to wear fun shoes and funky accessories!
So this brings me to the adventurous day of a wedding officiant. Of course, preparations are underway long before the big day. There are phone calls and emails, meetings over coffee, then more emails. There is a lot of writing and rewriting that happens behind the scenes. But by rehearsal night, it’s all about the final details, easing nerves and starting the celebrations!
And then Saturday morning is the big event! So, here it is: A day in the life of a wedding officiant!
Rise & Shine
7:30AM: I’m awake and I’ve already heard that sweet soft beep from my favourite kitchen appliance. Life is always better once that coffee hits my lips. I think everyone in my house would agree with that.
7:45AM: I am downstairs in the living room with coffee in hand. I’m reading over my ceremonies for the day and checking my weather app to decide if it’s going to be nice enough to straighten my hair or if I’ll have to let the wild mane be wild because of rain or humidity. Laugh if you will, but this is actually one of my biggest stresses on a Saturday!
The “mane” disaster
8:00AM: My son is usually the next one up. If he isn’t up already, he will be within minutes of hearing someone else awake. My daughter on the other hand… well, she is a full on teenager; we may or may not see her emerge in this account of my day. Ryder is 12 and loves to visit in the morning when the others are still asleep. I know he may soon grow out of this so I don’t take these moments for granted. We sit, we chat, I pour more coffee…it’s a good way to start my morning.
My kids: Avareigh & Ryder
8:30AM: I typically have all my ceremonies for the day printed the night before. There are often multiple weddings on a Saturday during the summer so I like to be uber organized. I have everything slipped into the sleeves of my book in order of events of the day. I have empty sleeves at the back for the licences to reside in after each ceremony. I send one last email out just to make sure everything is still on track attaching my cell number again, just in case something comes up. I put my folder and my registry book beside my purse so I don’t forget them because they are basically my life on Saturday.
9:00AM: I’m getting ready. This is always tricky if my hubs is still sleeping. I am trying desperately to navigate around quietly so he will get that precious sleep that escaped me so many hours ago. Confession, before taking this job it had been a long time since I got to dress up for work. I worked in a bank for ten years and after leaving the bank, I was home with kids and teaching preschool so my fun, dress up clothes were moved to the back of the closet. Now, I have given my dresses and fancy shoes something to live for again! Now, there is still a bit of an art to this that I am figuring out. I’m the officiant so I have to be dressed nice, but that also means appropriately. I’m not IN the wedding but I am going to be IN the wedding pictures. Bridal colours and patterns are important to know because I would hate to clash with the wedding party. I tend to go a little more classic; I wear a lot of black and then dress it up with fun shoes or accessories. I don’t want someone looking back at their wedding pictures someday and being distracted by the officiant’s bad outfit! I shouldn’t even be noticed. It’s a fine line, people, a very fine line…
9:30AM: This is where my 15 year old daughter Avareigh comes in. Rarely will she be awake by this time so I have the great pleasure of doing that. She has to be at dance by 10:15 so it’s always a scramble to get her out the door on time. The most important thing at this point however will be that she approves of my outfit choice. She is VERY fashion forward and if I don’t ask her opinion, I will likely get it anyways! I actually love this about her. We have this fun passion for fashion in common and now that she is as tall as me (okay, a little taller) we can share clothes and shoes! We have so much fun styling things together and I always consult her on my outfits, especially on Saturdays!
10:00AM: Dropping Avareigh off at dance and heading back home to quickly go over everything one last time. I’m checking traffic and choosing alternate routes, just in case. I live in the Valley and most of my weddings are in the city. The highway is a horrible place to be these days with all the construction and congestion, so I typically plan to be on back roads until I am at least in Langley, then I might chance the freeway. If my first wedding is at 2:00 I will leave by 10:30. Sounds ridiculous, right? It’s not. 3.5 hours will usually get me there way too early but there have been times when it only gets me there ten minutes early so I would rather be sitting in a coffee shop for an hour than sitting in traffic and late!
Avareigh and I on a coffee break
10:30AM: My husband, Matt, has filled my travel mug and made a plate of eggs that he will force me to eat. I hate eating breakfast. I’m happy to just have black coffee. And I can usually get away with it during the week, but when he’s home he takes care of me and makes me eat eggs. I love this about him…even though I hate the eggs. I have my folder, my registry, and about 35 pens in my purse because you just never know. I have a bag with my ‘wedding shoes’ (because I’m guaranteed to be wearing ugly sneakers for the drive), a sweater and most likely a change of clothes. My hubby has Saturdays off so I rattle off all the details of the day, “Don’t forget to pick Avareigh up at 1:00. Ryder skates need to be sharpened before his game tonight. Pick up the wine for wine club.” You know, the to-do things of the day. He’s pretty awesome at picking up the slack on weekends when I’m not around! Sometimes though, he comes with me and we turn an afternoon wedding into an evening date in the city. It’s always a bonus when someone comes with me because then I get to use the HOV lane!
Making me eggs for breakfast since 1997!
On The Road
10:45AM: I’m on the road and dialed into AM 730. All traffic all the time. If you are a commuter, you just sang that slogan in your head. I am obsessed with that channel while driving now. It is my life. I listen and pray that the traffic gods smile on me today.
12:30PM: For the sake of this blog, we are going to say that traffic was a dream. I love these days because I end up getting to my first wedding crazy early so I find a nearby coffee shop and pull out my paperwork. I enter in all the info I can for the registry. I read over my ceremonies for the day again. I write a quick card to congratulate the couple. I look ahead to next week and check in via email with couples that I need to follow up with. I actually love these ‘time killer’ coffee shop moments. I am alone, focussed and get a lot done! I text Matt to make sure he picked up Avareigh. I call home and talk to Ryder. The ONLY downside to this job is that I’m not home on the weekend but my kids are older and our family is tight so they understand and we make up for it elsewhere.
Getting prepped at Starbucks
1:30PM: I arrive at the ceremony. I look first for the groom or the wedding planner if there is one. We talk about all the last minute details and how beautiful everything looks. Then I head off to say a quick hello to the bride if she is already in the building. I come back, chat with the DJ and the photographers. We discuss sound issues and staging for pictures. I get set up with the mic. I’m usually still wearing ugly shoes at this point but I make friends with the DJ so I can stash them under his table at the back! Once I finally put the pretty (but painful) shoes on, I head over to the signing table and lay out the registry and licence for signing. I double check they have all the right info there and that it’s ready to go. Then I head off to the side to wait with the groom as the guests file in.
Loved this ceremony space!Time for fancy shoes!
Showtime!
2:00PM: This is the best part of the day! I love watching the groom’s face as his bride enters. I love watching the bride watch the groom. They lock eyes and it’s like there is no one else in the room. I was married 20 years ago and I still remember that lock. I don’t remember seeing anyone or anything as I walked that aisle… just him. I love the give away and the vows. Whether a couple has written their own vows or they are doing a simple repeat after me style, there is always such thick tangible emotion in that moment. I just love it.
2:30PM: The ceremony is over, the couple is off to their pictures and just like that, I’m done. I slip out the back and quickly find the couple before they run off. I offer my congratulations and try to sneak a picture with them before they are whisked away. I find their card box, drop my congratulatory offerings and head back to retrieve my comfy shoes from the DJ. In exchange, I give him back his mic and I am off to the parking lot where I punch the next address into the GPS and head to wedding #2. I double check the legal paperwork one last time. It’s always easier to chase someone down AT the wedding than a week later when you realize a witness forgot to sign!
Me and the happy couple!
3:30PM: I arrive at wedding #2 with a warm Starbucks in hand. I repeat all the pre-ceremony steps as wedding #1 and we are ready to begin.
4:00PM: Wedding #2 begins and is totally different but just a beautiful as wedding #1. It’s amazing to me how the bones of a wedding are always similar but each ceremony is totally unique… like a snowflake!
4:30PM: Wedding #2 is finished and I bid the couple and the DJ adieu and I am off once again. This time to an elopement not too far away. And again, I’m double checking paperwork. I think this is the only other thing that stresses me out as bad as the traffic and being on time.
Big smiles with the newlyweds!
5:15PM: I arrive in the park for the elopement. I love elopements. They are so fun and personal. The laid back vibe allows for so much personality and comfort. Typically with elopements, we sign the registry and licence before the ceremony then we can dive right in!
5:30PM: Elopement begins.
Wrapping Up
5:45PM: Elopement is done and my day is over…almost. One last double check and I hop in my car and head to the closest coffee shop. I refuel (with coffee) and take that change of clothes in and do a quick switch. Hop back in the car and head to Langley for an exciting game of hockey which I will likely be late for.
Yes, another cup of coffee…
7:30PM: I arrive in time to catch the end of the hockey the game that Ryder is playing in and I more than make up for my tardiness by the volume with which I cheer, even if they’re losing. Yup, I’m that mom…
Go Ryder!
8:15PM: The game ends and we collect our stinky superstar and head out. The day is not over yet though! Remember that bottle of wine I asked Matt to pick up? Ryder heads home with my mom who religiously watches his games wherever they may be and Matt and I head to wine club. We’re late, again, but we have very gracious friends who let us show up late to things all the time. The juggling and busyness is all worth it when you can end the day with a nice full bodied red in your glass and your favourite people by your side.
All smiles heading into Wine Club!
That’s it. That is a typical Saturday in my world. I will add that Sunday morning I photocopy all that paperwork I double checked and mail off the originals. And then on Monday, I send each couple an email just thanking them for allowing me to be a part of their big day. I do not take it lightly that they have trusted me with their ceremony. It’s a real honour. From there, I start the week, looking forward to all the prep and planning that happens for next Saturday’s adventure! I love this life!
***
To learn more about Erika, head to her officiant page to learn about booking Erika for your big day
We recently sat down with Cristie Rosling of Umbrella Events to learn all about Union Wedding Show! Read on to learn more.
The Union Wedding Show features wedding professionals who identify as LGBT+ or are strong allies of the Vancouver LGBT+ community, in a space that is inclusive and fabulous for couples planning their wedding day.
Photo & feature by Shauna Danielle Photography
Who is Union Wedding Show for?
Union Wedding Show is for everyone! The show promotes amazing vendors that are part of the LGBT+ community or are strong allies to the community. Last year we had a few heterosexual couples attend and they enjoyed a wedding show where the focus wasn’t just on the bride.Union is the perfect place for anyone planning a wedding to get the help and services they need for their big day, regardless of gender or sexual preference!
What kind of vendors can couples expect to find at Union?
Couples can expect to find vendors for everything they need for their big day – planners, photographers, videographers, caterers, DJs, bartenders, florists, hair and makeup services, jewelry makers, etc.
Photo by Shauna Danielle Photography
Why is having an LGBT+ wedding show important?
Most wedding shows in the Lower Mainland market and cater to heterosexual couples which can make couples that don’t identify this way feel uncomfortable and unrepresented. It was important to us to create a show where everyone feels welcome. It is also a safe space for LGBT+ couples to find vendors that they know are going to be accepting of their relationships.
How did you get involved in Union Wedding Show?
I’ve been planning weddings through my company Umbrella Events for the past 6 years, and Belle is a portrait photographer who previously photographed weddings. Having both worked in the industry as well as being members of the LGBT+ community ourselves, we felt that our community was being under-represented in the wedding world. Thus began Union!
Photo by Shauna Danielle Photography
This is Union’s 2nd year. What’s different about the 2017 show?
The show this year is bigger and better! We have a fabulous new venue at Heritage Hall, and we’ve brought on many new vendors that we are so excited to be showcasing! You can visit www.unionweddingshow.com to check out the exhibitors that you’ll be able to meet at this year’s show!
What did couples have to say after last year’s show?
We had a ton of positive feedback from guests at last year’s show. The overall consensus was that they were so glad a show like this exists! They loved that they felt represented and included. I think some couples booked all of their wedding vendors at the show last year.
Photo by Shauna Danielle Photography
Anything else couples need to know before attending?
It’s a good idea to come early and take your time meeting and chatting with the vendors. A lot of vendors provide services you may not even know existed! So take your time to see what everyone has to offer to make your wedding amazing!
Awesome! When and where is Union Wedding Show? How do we get tickets?
Union Wedding Show is going to be held this year on October 21st at Heritage Hall on Main St. Tickets can be purchased in advance on Eventbrite or at the door for $10.
Wedding planningcan be a very stressful time. You probably didn’t need us to tell you that.
Wedding planning can often feel like a second full time job that no one is paying you to do. There are so many more details and decisions than you realized. Plus, weddings combine two things that are often inherently stressful: finances and family. Wedding planning can make even the most calm person go a little batty.
But it’s important to take time to destress during your wedding planning so you don’t lose yourself in a ball of tulle and taffeta, a fury of charger plates or endless iterations of the seating chart. Here are 10 awesome ways you can destress and make wedding planning a little easier on yourself.
Set Aside Specific Wedding Planning Time
With your partner, sit down and agree on a specific time every week/month that will be designated Wedding Planning Time. That way, you ensure that you both have time in your calendars to focus on the wedding together, instead of leaving it all to one person. By scheduling time, you also allow both parties to come to the table ready to focus on the wedding. This gives you permission to focus on non-wedding stuff outside of this specified time. As you get closer to your wedding, you can ramp up the frequency of your Wedding Planning Time meetings.
Talk About Non-Wedding Stuff
Are all of your conversations about tux fittings, cocktail hour playlists and makeup trials? That’s enough to stress anyone out. It’s time to take a break. Just like you’ve set up specific Wedding Planning Time, it’s important to carve out Non-Wedding Planning Time. Make a pact with your partner to have a conversation that has absolutely nothing to do with weddings. This could be a weekly coffee date or a chat over dinner every night. It’s also a good idea to have non-wedding conversations with your friends and family too. Odds are they are also sick of wedding talk and would welcome a new topic of conversation.
Speak to Your Partner
You’ll want to bring your partner into the loop before they come home to find you in tears and hanging up on the fifteenth caterer you’ve had to call that day. Sit your partner down and explain how you’re feeling about the wedding planning process. Share with them how you want to be feeling and how they can help you get there. If you’re able to say exactly what you need from your partner, such as help calling and researching vendors, you can work towards a low-stress solution for both of you.
Make a Pump Up Playlist
Or a calm and meditative playlist. Or a feel good cry session playlist. Or a playlist of your favorite podcast episodes. Basically, unplug from your wedding stress and plug into some of your favourite sounds. Whether you need to dance it out, have a good cry or get distracted, your playlist can get you where you want to be – away from wedding planning stress!
Exercise
When you need to destress, it often helps to get out of your head and focus on your physical body. You may not have realized that during that stressful phone call with your venue coordinator your shoulders were tense, your hands were clenched and you managed to polish off a box of cookies. We all know that exercise is a great way to boost our mood and fight back against stress. Get in touch with your physical side by going for a run, dropping into a dance class, hitting up the gym, going through a yoga video on YouTube, stretching at your desk or even taking a well deserved nap.
Create a Safe Word
Here we’re talking about a safe word that you use outside of the bedroom. This safe word is specific to wedding planning. With your partner, come up with a word that is going to mean “time out” and “get me outta here!” That way, when your partner’s grandmother swoops in with questions about the group of friends she is planning to bring to the wedding as her plus six, you can subtly whisper to your fiance, “Spaghetti…” and they’ll know to quickly distract their grandmother with a platter of appetizers. Or when you and your boo are getting into your tenth consecutive argument over centerpiece arrangements, you can call out, “Spaghetti!” and take a break before things get out of hand.
Self-care
Self-care is all about indulging in something that is just for you. This is going to look different for different people but here are some ideas to help you destress. Crack open a bottle of wine, run a warm tub with scented bath salts, finally click purchase on that item that has been sitting in your online shopping cart for weeks, put on Netflix, bake, play videogames, go to a sports game, buy fresh flowers, light candles or do whatever you want to do that will make you feel good. Treat yo’ self!
Vent
Sometimes when we’re stressed, we just need to vent and let it all out. So call up your best friend, your mom or find a friendly online community and let all of your stress out. It can help to share your burden with others and know that other people have gone through it too. Of course, be prepared to receive advice when you bring your problems to someone else. If you’re looking for advice and an outsider’s perspective, awesome. If not, make sure you tell your audience that you only want to vent and that you want them to listen, not advise.
Keep Up Your Pre-Wedding Hobbies
Do you love organizing the office fantasy football league? Play on a softball team or take salsa lessons once a week? Love reading mystery novels on Sunday mornings followed by a yoga class with your best friends? Awesome! Don’t give up any of those things. You don’t have to quit your real life just because you’re planning a wedding. Sure, you’re going to be busier. You might have to delegate the fantasy football draft to one of your co-workers but you should totally still be involved. It’s important to keep up the hobbies and activities you loved pre-wedding so you remember that there’s more to your amazing life than just your upcoming nuptials.
Remember: Marriage > Wedding
At the end of your wedding day, if you go home with a new spouse, you’ve done your job. No one is going to notice or care if the napkins don’t match the chair covers, if Uncle Bill wore jeans to your semi-formal affair or if you had to trade out white roses for pink ones. Your guests will be much too excited to celebrate you and your spouse, and your new life together to worry about any of the details. So you don’t need to worry either. Ask yourself if you cared about napkin colours before you started planning a wedding – probably not. Which means you likely aren’t going to care about napkin colours after your wedding either.
When you get stressed, remember that your only job on your wedding day is to marry the love of your life. That’s it! There is no right way to have a wedding. If you’re feeling pressure to do things because tradition says so or your cousin did it this way – stop. This is your wedding, your way. Focus on the details that matter to you and forget about the rest.
And above all, focus on the marriage. That’s the whole point of a wedding anyway, right? If something is causing you stress, ask yourself if it is going to impact your marriage. Odds are it probably is not. If you continue to center your wedding on its purpose, your marriage, you’ll be investing in more than just an awesome party – you’ll be investing in an awesome lifetime with the love of your life. And suddenly, all the minor details and stresses won’t seem so important.
written by Riana Ang-Canning
How do you keep calm and carry on with the wedding planning when you’re feeling stressed?
It seems like there’s always a new wedding statistic floating around. But more often than not, the stat is based on old data from the US or UK. So how do Canadian weddings stack up?
And what does your wedding look like in comparison to the rest of Canada? Are you following the norms or striking out on your own? There’s no right answer but it’s always interesting to see which way our country is heading down the aisle.
The following stats are from studies conducted between 2015 and 2017. All of the answers are based on Canadian weddings (sources below).
Budgets
The average Canadian wedding and honeymoon costs $30,717 (2015). Here’s the breakdown: venue for $8,798, catering for $6,877, a band for $3,848, photography for $2,435 and the rehearsal dinner for $1,935.
14% of couples say they are willing to spend more than $20,000 on their wedding
31% of couples went over their initial budget
61% of couples are paying for their wedding themselves while 39% are hitting up the Bank of Mom & Dad
85% of Canadians surveyed say wedding spending is out of control
Engagement
20% of all engagements happen in December
The average cost of an engagement ring is $4,700
29% of brides have their engagement ring picked out before the proposal and 60% are involved in helping to pick out their own ring (either before or after the proposal)
17% of couples report more bickering since getting engaged (sad, but understandable given that you’re dealing with finances and families)
Pre-Wedding
40% of brides think signing a pre-nuptial agreement is a good idea
Brides spend an average of 4.4 hours per week reading wedding-related material
40% of brides-to-be think pre-wedding events (bachelor/bachelorette, shower, etc.) are just as important as the wedding day
The Dress
75% of brides would consider a pre-owned dress as long as it was their style
30% of brides contemplate a coloured, non-white dress (go for it, ladies!)
The average cost of a wedding dress in Canada is $1,779
How does your wedding compare with Canadian averages?
Which one of these wedding numbers shocked you the most?
Celebrating your wedding anniversary? Congratulations!
You’ve got another year of wedded bliss under your belt – good for you! What are you getting them to celebrate? Of course, the real gift is getting to do life with your spouse each and everyday. But in case you want to supplement that gift with something you can wrap, check out these awesome twists on traditional wedding anniversary themes.
Year 1: Paper
The traditional first wedding anniversary gift theme is paper. So are you supposed to come home with a stack of lined paper for your boo? Probably not.
Instead of refilling the printer with a new pack of paper, why not do something a little more sentimental with paper? You could frame the papers that you and your spouse wrote your vows on. We love the idea of seeing those promises you made to each other up on the wall everyday. Or you could fill out one of those “50 reasons why I love you” books. And never forget the power of a thoughtful love letter!
Year 2: Cotton
The theme for getting through your second year of marriage is…cotton. Kind of underwhelming, right? And is anyone else immediately thinking of those value packs of cotton t-shirts you can buy at Walmart or Costco? Not so romantic.
So why not make year two’s present a little more indulgent. Still lusting after that cotton towel set no one bought off your registry? Splurge on t! Or maybe it’s time to upgrade to some sexy Egyptian cotton bedsheets. Treat yo’ self!
Year 3: Leather
Your third wedding anniversary is traditionally marked with the gift of leather. Now this is a theme that we think really lends itself to some awesome modern alternatives.
An awesome way to incorporate both the theme of leather and a bit of romance would be with a watch (with a leather strap) that you can have engraved with your wedding date or favourite quote. More practically, you could spoil your spouse with a nice leather belt or coin purse. And if you’re not a fan of leather, there are some great vegan alternatives available that are just as luxurious as real leather.
Year 4: Silk, Fruit or Flowers
Now that you’ve made it to year four, you get some options. Traditionally, silk, fruit and flowers were all once used as the fourth year gift depending on when and where you were. So all that means for you is more room to get creative and personalized with your gift!
If your spouse wore a silk tie or silk dress on the wedding day, it could be really sweet to repurpose a piece of that into a hanky or framed art piece. Of course, know your audience – not everyone would be thrilled with you cutting up their wedding dress or favourite tie. If you’d like to celebrate with fruit you could send your spouse an edible arrangement fruit bouquet or set up a special chocolate fondue night. For flowers, it would be very sentimental to surprise your spouse with a bouquet of the same flowers you had on your wedding day. You could even get the flowers dried so they could be permanent decor.
Year 5: Wood
After five years of marriage, tradition says you should celebrate with the gift of wood. Here’s another chance to be really creative and customize your gift to your spoude’s taste.
If you want to splurge or go in on a joint gift to yourselves with your partner, you could invest in a gorgeous wooden dining table or other piece of wooden furniture. On the other end of the spectrum, if you don’t want to spend anything, you could have a picnic in your backyard and carves your names into a tree. And if you’re feeling romantic, you could book a weekend away in a log cabin for you an your special person.
written by Riana Ang-Canning
How are you celebrating your wedding anniversary? Any special gifts you’re giving or hoping to get?
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:
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:
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:
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:
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!
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:
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:
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 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!
The final post in our series on top wedding ceremony readings is for the music lovers:
What could be better than a ceremony reading straight out of the love songs?
If you and your partner are super into music, honour your interests by including the lyrics from your favourite song in your wedding ceremony. There are lots of love tunes to pick from to include in your wedding whether you love country, rock, pop or something else.
I Love You Because – Jim Reeves
I love you because you understand, dear Every single thing I try to do You’re always there to lend a helping hand, dear I love you most of all because you’re you No matter what the world may say about me I know your love will always see me through I love you for the way you never doubt me But most of all I love you ’cause you’re you I love you because my heart is lighter Everytime I’m walking by your side I love you because the future’s brighter The door to happiness you opened wide No matter what the world may say about me I know your love will always see me through I love you for a hundred thousand reasons But most of all I love you ’cause you’re you
You and I – Ingrid Michaelson
Don’t you worry there, my honey We might not have any money But we’ve got our love to pay the bills Maybe I think you’re cute and funny Maybe I wanna do what bunnies do with you, if you know what I mean Oh, let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France Let’s get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance Let’s get rich and build a house on a mountain making everybody look like ants From way up there, you and I, you and I Well, you might be a bit confused And you might be a little bit bruised But baby how we spoon like no one else So I will help you read those books If you will soothe my worried looks And we will put the lonesome on the shelf
Thank You – Led Zeppelin
If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you When mountains crumble to the sea There would still be you and me Kind woman, I give you my all Kind woman, nothing more Little drops of rain Whisper of the pain Tears of loves lost in the days gone by Our love is strong With you there is no wrong Together we shall go until we die. My, my, my Inspiration’s what you are to me Inspiration, look and see And so today, my world it smiles Your hand in mine, we walk the miles Thanks to you it will be done For you to me are the only one Happiness, no more be sad Happiness…. I’m glad
God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
I may not always love you But long as there are stars above you You never need to doubt it I’ll make you so sure about it God only knows what I’d be without you If you should ever leave me Though life would still go on believe me The world could show nothing to me So what good would living do me God only knows what I’d be without you
Better Together – Jack Johnson
There’s no combination of words I could put on the back of a postcard No song that I could sing But I can try for your heart Our dreams, And they are made out of real things Like a shoebox of photographs With sepia-toned loving Love is the answer. At least for most of the questions in my heart. Like: “Why are we here?”, “And where do we go?”, “And how come it’s so hard?”. It’s not always easy, And sometimes life can be deceiving I’ll tell you one thing: It’s always better when we’re together Mmm, it’s always better when we’re together Yeah, we’ll look at them stars when we’re together Well, it’s always better when we’re together Yeah, it’s always better when we’re together
Fool for you – John Butler Trio
So I stepped up to the plate to a place I thought I’d never be So I’m thanking you today because of you I am now me Cold days them dark and blue when ran was our only friend For all that we’ve been through and will go through again For that I say, I will come and I will stand and I will live my life beside you I’m a proud, a proud man, but all the same I’m I’m just a fool, I’m a fool for you I’m a fool, I’m a fool for you
Tangled Up In You – Staind
You’re my world The shelter from the rain You’re the pills That take away my pain You’re the light That helps me find my way You’re the words When I have nothing to say And in this world Where nothing else is true Here I am Still tangled up in you I’m still tangled up in you Still tangled up in you
The Luckiest – Ben Folds
What if I had been born fifty years before you In a house on the street Where you lived Maybe I’d be outside as you passed on your bike. Would I know? And in a wide sea of eyes I see one pair that I recognize And I know That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest
Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
And I’d give up forever to touch you ‘Cause I know that you feel me somehow You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be And I don’t wanna go home right now And all I can taste is this moment And all I can breathe is your life When sooner or later it’s over I just don’t wanna miss you tonight
I Believe In A Thing Called Love – The Darkness
Can’t explain all the feelings that you’re making me feel My heart’s in overdrive and you’re behind the steering wheel Touching you, touching me Touching you God you’re touching me I believe in a thing called love Just listen to the rhythm of my heart There’s a chance we could make it now We’ll be rocking ’til the sun goes down I believe in a thing called love Ooh! I want to kiss you every minute, every hour, every day You got me in a spin but everything is A.O.K!
Are you humming along like we are right now?
What songs would you love to incorporate into your ceremony readings?
