It's time for WhereBridesGo.com's second installment of our "Parts of a Wedding" series to honor National Weddings Month. Earlier this February we featured a timeline and tips for planning a wedding, and today will focus on the first big wedding day event - the ceremony. This includes getting ready, guiding your guests, deciding what you will say and do, and more.
The ladies will most likely be getting their hair and makeup done. Be sure that everyone has something to wear during this process that does not have to be pulled over the head when you get dressed, such as a beautiful monogrammed robe. These make excellent bridesmaid gifts that can be used by your girls for many years to come.
When guests begin arriving for the ceremony, you will want to make sure that they have some sort of direction as to the flow of the day's events. Programs are perfect for this, and can even offer additional fun information about your wedding party and possibly even the story of how the two of you became engaged.
A guest book is also an important item to have available for your guests to sign as they arrive. It can be as simple as a book for everyone to sign with well wishes, or you can get creative and ask your guests to sign something that can later be displayed in your home, like the matte to frame a wedding photo or a memorable piece of art.
Following the bridesmaids' entrance, it is time to roll out the aisle runner and send the flower girl on her way down, showering the bride's way with petals. If you are having a ring bearer, he may enter alone before the aisle runner is unrolled or alongside the sweet flower girl.
Finally, the music changes and here comes the bride!
The officiant will take charge of everything from this point. He or she will lead the two of you through the words that you have chosen. Within the ceremony you may have close friends or family members read a poem or verse, or you may wish to have someone perform a song with special meaning.
There are a variety of traditions that can be included during your wedding ceremony. Lighting a unity candle from flames that have been lit by each side of your family is a lovely gesture. Unity sand ceremonies have become extremely popular too. Each of you uses a different color of sand and the it is combined to create a beautiful keepsake for your home.
After your romantic first kiss as husband and wife, it's time to head back up the aisle and towards your wedding reception. A couple of decisions that you will need to make is whether or not you will be having a receiving line to greet all of your guests, and if you want to leave the ceremony site being showered in confetti, bubbles, flower petals, etc... or if you will save that moment for when you leave the reception.
Once you make it through the ceremony portion of your wedding day, it's time to party! We will finish our "Parts of a Wedding" series with reception details. There are quite a few areas to plan for during a wedding reception, especially if you add a cocktail hour. The majority of your wedding decorations will be displayed there, many of which you can find at WhereBridesGo.com. Fortunately, all of your worries for the day should be out of the way and now it's time to let your hair down and get the fun started!
~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
Post by Deanna Powell, Certified Bridal Consultant
Getting ready.
The day will begin with you and the rest of the wedding party getting all dressed up for the day's festivities. Plan to start early enough that you don't feel the need to rush. Generally, the guys and girls separate for this part. Stock each of the rooms that you will be getting ready in with healthy snacks to keep everyone's energy high, lots of water, and maybe even a few celebratory cocktails to get the party started.
The ladies will most likely be getting their hair and makeup done. Be sure that everyone has something to wear during this process that does not have to be pulled over the head when you get dressed, such as a beautiful monogrammed robe. These make excellent bridesmaid gifts that can be used by your girls for many years to come.
Welcoming the guests.
When guests begin arriving for the ceremony, you will want to make sure that they have some sort of direction as to the flow of the day's events. Programs are perfect for this, and can even offer additional fun information about your wedding party and possibly even the story of how the two of you became engaged. A guest book is also an important item to have available for your guests to sign as they arrive. It can be as simple as a book for everyone to sign with well wishes, or you can get creative and ask your guests to sign something that can later be displayed in your home, like the matte to frame a wedding photo or a memorable piece of art.
Time to cue the music.
When ceremony time finally arrives, the processional will begin. Often the groom will walk with his parents down the aisle, or he may choose to enter with the officiant and his groomsmen instead. Parents and grandparents are seated before the bridesmaids make their walk down the aisle. You may also want to set aside a special spot for framed photos of loved ones that have passed away.Following the bridesmaids' entrance, it is time to roll out the aisle runner and send the flower girl on her way down, showering the bride's way with petals. If you are having a ring bearer, he may enter alone before the aisle runner is unrolled or alongside the sweet flower girl.
Finally, the music changes and here comes the bride!
The actual ceremony.
The officiant will take charge of everything from this point. He or she will lead the two of you through the words that you have chosen. Within the ceremony you may have close friends or family members read a poem or verse, or you may wish to have someone perform a song with special meaning. There are a variety of traditions that can be included during your wedding ceremony. Lighting a unity candle from flames that have been lit by each side of your family is a lovely gesture. Unity sand ceremonies have become extremely popular too. Each of you uses a different color of sand and the it is combined to create a beautiful keepsake for your home.
Leaving as the new Mr. & Mrs.
After your romantic first kiss as husband and wife, it's time to head back up the aisle and towards your wedding reception. A couple of decisions that you will need to make is whether or not you will be having a receiving line to greet all of your guests, and if you want to leave the ceremony site being showered in confetti, bubbles, flower petals, etc... or if you will save that moment for when you leave the reception. 
Once you make it through the ceremony portion of your wedding day, it's time to party! We will finish our "Parts of a Wedding" series with reception details. There are quite a few areas to plan for during a wedding reception, especially if you add a cocktail hour. The majority of your wedding decorations will be displayed there, many of which you can find at WhereBridesGo.com. Fortunately, all of your worries for the day should be out of the way and now it's time to let your hair down and get the fun started!
Where Brides Go®
...for What Brides Love!
~ The WhereBridesGo.com Team
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