FindaJP Blog

Religious Symbols in a Secular Wedding Ceremony

Posted on December 23, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

A beautifully written ceremony can feel like poetry, often using familiar symbols to evoke a romantic and celebratory mood. We’re accustomed to wedding rings symbolizing the love and commitment the couple has for each other; they have no beginning and no end. Other symbols represent meaning as well. At this time of year, you may see symbols being used to celebrate holidays associated with various religions such as crosses, menorahs, and lanterns. Religious symbols have deep meaning and can add another layer of poetry to your ceremony. October’s blog talks about holiday-inspired ceremonies. Religious symbols can inspire too! Let’s explore […]

Incorporating Your Kids into the Ceremony

Posted on November 14, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

There are 4 million stepchildren in this country (US Census Bureau 2010). That represents a lot of blended families! If you are about to join the ranks, get a solid start by involving your kids in your ceremony. After all, the commitment you’ll be making is not only to your new spouse. It is also to the children in the new family you are creating. Your ceremony should reflect that. Words Readings: Our previous blog on Readings suggested using children’s books. They have the most insightful truths. Depending on the ages of your children, select an excerpt of a children’s […]

Holiday Inspired Wedding Ceremonies

Posted on October 24, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

Fall inspires creativity with its breathtaking colors, brisk air, and the promise of holidays to come. If you have wedding planning on the brain, perhaps you’re wondering how to channel that feeling of excited anticipation by inviting the holidays into your ceremony. Here are a few holiday-inspired ceremony ideas to consider. Diwali The Hindu Festival of Lights is celebrated in autumn, and denotes the victory of light over dark, good over evil. The five days of celebration offer rituals easily incorporated into wedding festivities: Feasts, family, fireworks, and favors. Consider a row of lanterns, candles, or more authentically, oil lamps […]

Plan B—6 Tips For When Things Don’t Go As Planned

Posted on September 17, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

You’re a planner. You’ve dedicated a lot of effort to your wedding preparations, so how could anything go wrong, right? Despite your best efforts, chances are there’ll be something that doesn’t go as planned. First and foremost, keep perspective! Remember that you’re marrying the love of your life. Nothing about the day is more important than that. That said, here are 6 practical tips to consider when matrimony mishaps occur. Lady-in-Waiting: Your beloved is eagerly waiting for your signal to turn for the First Look. You realize your photographer is nowhere in sight. European royalty had it right when they assigned […]

Writing Your Own Vows Part 2: How-To Tips

Posted on August 16, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

So you’ve read last February’s blog about writing your own vows and overcoming stage fright, and now you and your fiancé have decided that this is what you both would like to do. Your ceremony is fast-approaching, but suddenly you have a case of writer’s block. Get Inspired If you are finding yourself staring at a blank screen, try these things to get the sparks going: Head space: Hit a bucket of balls, cast a line, walk the beach, or stare into a hot fire with a cold beer. Clear the clutter out of your head to make room for […]

Unique Ceremony Spaces

Posted on July 16, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

Everything about your special day should reflect you as a couple, including the venue. Last month’s blog discussed backyard weddings. If that wasn’t for you we’ve got alternatives! How about this? Think about your passions or a place that represents your love story. Did you meet at a bowling alley? Do you share a love of boating? Is your passion looking up at the stars and dreaming? Well, the sky’s the limit when it comes to places to tie the knot. Pick one that’s uniquely you. And search findajp.com to select a JP who shares that enthusiasm too! Here are a few examples […]

Backyard Weddings

Posted on June 18, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

So should you do it? There are many good reasons to marry in your backyard, including the special memory that will come to mind every time you look at the place where it all happened. Before you decide, consider this: Weather Warm weather Position chairs in the shade for the ceremony. Provide water packed in ice buckets in a few key places. Use fans Hand-held can do double-duty by printing your programs on cardstock and giving them a wooden handle. Large fans (with misters?) can be rented for the day. Obtain enough of them to place strategically in each corner […]

#Elopements! They’re Trending

Posted on May 14, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

Anecdotally speaking, wedding professionals say more and more people are eloping. They would know, because boutique companies offering elopement packages are popping up like tulips in the spring. Why the escalation in elopements? Let’s break it down. Cost Do the math. It’s estimated that a traditional wedding costs $20,000 to $35,000. When you consider that more 30-year-old couples are marrying for the first time, and their average incomes range from $30,000 to $40,000 a year, it’s hard to justify spending nearly a year’s salary for just one day! Instead, couples are choosing to save that money for a house or […]

Family Matters

Posted on April 14, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

Weddings bring family together. Family members are happy for you and excited to celebrate this hallmark occasion. So what could possibly go wrong, right? Well, family dynamics are complicated, and bringing two or more families together for one important day can be intense. Planning the ceremony, even with well-intentioned family members giving conflicting advice, can bring added stress to the day. Solutions to Common Ceremony Dilemmas As Justices of the Peace, couples tell us about sensitive situations that worry them. We thought a discussion about some common concerns along with solutions would be helpful. We’ve enlisted Anne Ziff, a licensed […]

The Meaning of Your Flower Selection

Posted on March 14, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

How do you choose the flowers for your wedding bouquet: color, season, childhood favorite? Did you know that the flowers in your bouquet may be sending a certain message? Flowers have been used to symbolize certain traits, feelings, and meaning throughout time, showing up in such things as plays, mythology, and poems. Learning to speak the language of flowers can add a whole new dimension to your ceremony. How did the tradition of carrying bouquets get started? In the 15th century, wedding bouquets were carried by brides to ward off evil spirits. They were not made of flowers, but instead, […]

Writing Your Own Vows Part 1: Overcoming Stage Fright

Posted on February 5, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

When you’re asked if you’ll be writing your own vows, how will you reply? Yes, I can’t wait to affirm my commitment in the presence of witnesses I’m not sure No, I’ll be too emotional to speak Before you answer, here are a few things to consider. A Moment in Time The moment in your ceremony where vows are exchanged is one of the most important in your life story; one that you will never experience again. It’s your opportunity to declare what you will do, or more importantly, who you will be in this union. Once the moment has […]

A Primer on the Wedding Processional

Posted on January 2, 2018 | Author Cynthia Dumont

Wedding processionals can be confusing – who walks down the aisle when, and with whom? That alone is reason enough to schedule a rehearsal, especially if you have a large wedding party. The good news is that the order in which your party walks down the aisle is truly up to you. But if you lean toward the traditional, let’s take a look at how it would typically go. Before the wedding party walks down the aisle, the guests are ushered to their seats. Although the bride’s family traditionally sits on the left and groom’s on the right, many modern […]

Planning a Service for those who Serve

Posted on November 6, 2017 | Author Cynthia Dumont

Military wedding with couple under arch of swords

Updated November 7, 2022 During this month when we commemorate Veteran’s Day, I thought I’d look at the ways we can bring military customs into the wedding ceremonies of men and women who serve our country. If you are an active service member planning a wedding, or if you know someone who is, consider these time-honored rituals for a unique and inspiring wedding. Ceremony Space Active military are allowed to have their ceremony performed in the chapel on the base where they are stationed. In that case, the chaplain will officiate the ceremony. But a military chapel is not required […]

Religious Symbols in a Secular Wedding Ceremony

Incorporating Your Kids into the Ceremony

Holiday Inspired Wedding Ceremonies

Plan B—6 Tips For When Things Don’t Go As Planned

Writing Your Own Vows Part 2: How-To Tips

Unique Ceremony Spaces

Backyard Weddings

#Elopements! They’re Trending

Family Matters

The Meaning of Your Flower Selection

Writing Your Own Vows Part 1: Overcoming Stage Fright

A Primer on the Wedding Processional

Planning a Service for those who Serve

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