With
the bridal party facing their guests, I will officiate the
ceremony from amongst the audience, typically standing in
center aisle. Now the bride and groom have become the focal
point of their ceremony, not the person performing it. Guests
are now treated to a beautiful and visually stunning bridal
party arrayed before them. Photographers and videographers
will have unprecedented access to the bridal party, rewarding
the couple with a photo album and wedding video of beautiful
imagery. Furthermore,
by facing your guests, your voices will project forward- into
your audience. With me speaking from the center of those guests,
we ensure that every word of your ceremony will be heard by
every guest attending. No other format can make this claim.
Just as importantly, my ceremony
takes the bride and groom out of the passive rolls of the
old format. By using beautiful and photogenic options such
as Wine Sharing, Unity Candle lighting, The Sand Ceremony,
The Blessing Tree or The Tasting of Elements, the bride and
groom become wonderfully proactive. And it is the couple who
is now dramatically joining their lives before the on looking
audience. No longer in the role of a magistrate, I now direct
the ceremony and it's revelation- that your love for each
other has married you- not the power of the state.
I will remove from your ceremony other imbalances
and archaic notions as well. In the common ceremony, the groom
enters from the side of the stage or alter area. This sets
up the grand entrance of the bride who enters walking down
the full length of the aisle to the acclaim and admiration
of the guests. In my book, a groom is just as important as
a bride. Therefore, my grooms enter by walking down center
aisle as well. He may be accompanied by me as we walk side
by side, or he may choose to enter with his parents, embracing
them at the head of the aisle, as he shows them to their seats.
The entrance of the bride and groom are now balanced, as he
too will enjoy the smiles, tears and well wishes of those
he passes by while making his entrance.
In the common ceremony a bride is escorted,
or we might say led down the aisle to her awaiting groom.
The escort, typically her father, will place her hand on the
grooms' forearm. This in effect says- 'You take her now.'
It has it's origin in the ugliest of western wedding tractions-
that of a males passing property. The minister accentuates
this act by asking the question: "Who gives this woman
to be married to this man?" Her father responds for her
saying "I do" or "Her family does." In
my wedding ceremonies a bride is escorted by her father to
mid-aisle and no further. Here, amongst her standing guests,
she will embrace her father. Only after this moment does her
groom approach her, coming half way to meet her. This takes
her out of the role of being 'served up' by one male to another.
The two will now walk to there places as a couple, and as
equals, as her father and guests look on.
Finally, I'll develop a
strong sense of connectedness from the audience to the bride
and groom. I'll encourage the participation of readers who will
come from the audience. The bride and groom will connect to
the audience again when giving roses to the VIPs seated in the
first row. In the ceremony's conclusion, guests will be asked
to line the center aisle, side by side, facing inboard. In the
couple's recessional walk down the aisle, guests will shower
them with petals, or bubbles or release balloons or applaud
them. Every guest will have an opportunity to contribute to
the ceremony in some way, all of which are fun and photogenic.
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