What is a Lay Wedding Ceremony?
How do you define your ceremony?
Quite often, future brides and grooms ask me the question when we first meet.
Because if they've found information on the internet or elsewhere, or already attended a Secular Ceremony, it's often vague and unclear.
So it's hard for them to know if it's really for them, and if this is how they want to celebrate the most important day of their lives!
Everyone has their own vision, and there are probably as many as there are lay officiants, although of course they all have something in common.
The officiant's first task is to clarify this as much as possible, and to answer any questions the bride and groom may have.
What is already clear to them, and what is not. Let the bride and groom know exactly what to expect. How will the Ceremony be constructed, how will we compose it together, and for what end result.
So the first thing we'll be working on is determining together what the Bride and Groom want for their Wedding.
What are their needs, expectations and desires? For my part, I define the Lay Ceremony first and foremost as a space for the Bride and Groom to express themselves and be free.
With no constraints, no obligations.
When Brides and Grooms ask me the question, "What are the rules of a Lay Wedding Ceremony?"
I always say the same thing
"We'll choose the rules, and you'll have the last word, because it's your Wedding!"
Of course, this isn't entirely true, as certain elements are essential to the success of a Lay Wedding Ceremony, but the idea is there!
An opportunity to talk about themselves, their feelings, their values, their history as a couple, and even their families for some.
To explain to all those who love them the reasons for their presence on that day. The reasons for the Love that binds two people, and for their willingness to unite in front of their loved ones.
To declare this Love to the world.
When we work together on the Ceremony text, I explain to the Bride and Groom that the text will be finished when they tell me
"Okay, that's perfect, don't change a thing! This text is really Us!"
First and foremost, that's what a ceremony should be. Not personalized, no. We're talking about something deeper than that.
Your ceremony will be personal and intimate. Tailored to your wishes.
Because a wedding, even if it's shared with many people on that day, is something personal and intimate. It's one of the most important days of your life, if not the most important.
So your ceremony musthonor your love, and above all make you happy, savoring and enjoying every moment.
It will be tinted with your colors, whether you want it to be full of emotions, laughter, joy and tears of joy, more solemn, or even crazier... or all at once. Anything is possible!
These will be your choices, and I'll be there to support and guide you.
