Tag: wedding ceremony

Get Married on a Hiking Trail

Posted on | Author Loretta Jay

Adventurous couples are breaking away from traditional wedding venues and opting for unique locations to exchange their vows. For instance, one outdoorsy trend that has captured the hearts of nature enthusiasts is getting married on a hiking trail. Combining the joy of hiking with the celebration of love, a ceremony on a scenic trail promises an unforgettable experience. Favorite Spot Choosing a hiking trail as your wedding venue allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature. Imagine saying your vows against a backdrop of majestic mountains, lush forests, or cascading waterfalls. Indeed, the natural serenity creates an intimate […]

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African American Wedding Rituals

Posted on | Author Loretta Jay

Some marriage rituals and traditions are based on African American heritage. In the United States, the devastation of slavery oftentimes denied legally sanctioned marriages. Consequently, Black people performed ceremonies to recognize and celebrate their unions. African American wedding rituals have been passed down through generations. The customs, rich with history, tradition, and cultural significance, are a meaningful way to honor one’s history Jumping the Broom One of the most well-known African American wedding traditions is jumping the broom. This custom dates back to the time of slavery when enslaved people were not allowed to marry legally. Consequently, they would jump […]

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The Perfect Wedding Ceremony Length

Posted on | Author Loretta Jay

Determining how long a wedding ceremony should be

Whether eloping or having a mega-celebration with 150 of your besties, figuring out how long your ceremony should be is something every wedding couple contends with. Of course, the rituals you choose to include (or not include) will affect its length. The wedding ceremony is what makes the day more than a party. You and your guests are gussied up for the moment. You want it to be memorable and meaningful. And, not boring. Terrific! The trend is shorter, especially for secular weddings. What Officiants Say To help determine what is the perfect length for wedding ceremonies, we asked the […]

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Unplugged Weddings

Posted on | Author Loretta Jay

Capture the first kiss without photobombs

An unplugged ceremony is not about an acoustic guitar accompaniment – however lovely it would be. Having an unplugged wedding is a not-so-new trend. It means guests are asked to turn off all electronics. No texting. No posting to Instagram. And, no photos, either. Just. Be. Present. There are many reasons to ask wedding guests to put electronics away. Being present and focused on the special moment is certainly a worthwhile motivation. A no phones rule is one of the simplest ways to create an environment for all attendees to be mindful of the event. Encourage opportunities for your friends […]

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Writing a Ceremony with Meaning

Posted on | Author Jean Lee

“I’m pregnant!” or “I won mega bucks”, mean life changing events. Last month, when I asked Linda, a future bride, if she needed an outline for their ceremony she said, “We just want to get married. Bring whatever.”  I said No. I had done that once and the words were hollow; we all felt ill-at-ease. When you put effort into seeking out beloved authors, stirring poets and historical verses, everyone wins! Linda and Matt (after finding their words) held hands under a majestic covered bridge. Her eyes glowed when she heard the words spoken that evoked memories and tugged on […]

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A Winter Solstice Wedding Ceremony

Posted on | Author Carolyn Egan

Aren’t you smart to have chosen December for your wedding! Your celebration will match perfectly the festive mood of the holidays.  But could there be another reason why this time of year feels so right, one stirring deep in your DNA? Quite possibly! What is it about the month of the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year for those who live north of the equator? In ancient times, our ancestors celebrated the solstice with a long night of revelry and feasting. Living closer to the rhythms of Nature, they understood that the solstice marked the beginning of lengthening […]

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Make the Most of Getting Married: Do It Again and Again!

Posted on | Author Carolyn Egan

People in the wedding biz are noticing a strange movement afoot. More and more couples are choosing to have several wedding ceremonies. Indeed, a recent ABC news article confirms that this “serial wedding” formula is becoming fashionable among the younger set: “One of the hottest trends when it comes to weddings…is for ‘nearly-weds’ to plan for multiple wedding ceremonies.” Most bride-groom marriages in the U.S. are recognized in all 50 states. So why are so many couples getting married twice or thrice, or even more times? Because they want to! Are you considering the multiple-wedding route? Here’s a typical scenario that […]

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Beyond “I Do”: Incorporating Religious Elements (or Not) in your Wedding Ceremony

Posted on | Author Warren Turner

If you are planning a wedding, you may be wondering which elements of your marriage ceremony are absolutely required by law and which are optional.  How much of the ceremony can you create from scratch to reflect your and your fiancé’s beliefs and sentiments? Saying “I do” before a person licensed by the State to marry you is all you need to get married. But that is not nearly enough for most couples. Most desire a much richer ceremony, one that is particularly meaningful to them.  And we Justices of the Peace are eager to help you fashion the wedding ceremony that you […]

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Your Wedding Vows: Write Them Yourself!

Posted on | Author Carolyn Egan

“I do!”  In most weddings, these two classic words are all the bride and groom are required to say.  But if you are thrilled by the chance to express what your partner means to you in the presence of family and friends, why not consider writing your own marriage vows? Writing your vows can be easy, joyful and result in a beautiful and intimate central feature of your wedding ceremony if you keep the following principles in mind. Four Hints to Writing the Perfect Vows 1. Write your vows from the heart.  You love him so much that you are […]

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A Unity Ceremony can make your Wedding Unique

Posted on | Author Barbara Jay

Is your heart set on a wedding ceremony that is unique?  Are you searching for the perfect signature elements that will capture the intensity of your commitment to one another or the bonds of the new family you are creating together?   If so, here are three of the most popular trends in “ceremonies within the ceremony” that might be just the thing you are looking for. A longtime favorite is the Unity Candle Lighting ceremony, in which the couple lights a candle to solemnize their joining.  Today Justices of the Peace are seeing more and more variations of this symbolic […]

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How Small Was the Wedding? Only Thee and Me!

Posted on | Author Barbara Jay

With the pandemic, tiny weddings are increasing in popularity. That makes this throwback even more relevant for today ~ editor, July 2020. My favorite (actually, only) weddings are the smallest possible: only the couple and me, the officiant. In my years as a Justice of the Peace, I’ve only officiated at two weddings but I’ve married three couples. Yes, one of the weddings was a double ceremony. (And one other thing made this event unusual: they were all women.) That wedding took place at the home of one of the couples. The four women had created a moving ceremony in which […]

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Whom should you ask to marry you? A JP, of course!

Posted on | Author Lynn Fredricksen

Having been a Justice of the Peace for several years, and having been married more than once myself, I think it is safe to say that I have heard the question “Will you marry me?” probably more than most people. Usually it starts with a phone call that goes something like this: “Hi, I’m getting married and wanted to talk to you about your JP services.” Or “I found your name on www.findajp.com. I’m getting married in February. Can you help me?” And more than a dozen times, “Your listing on findajp.com says you do short notice. My wedding is […]

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I Love Small Weddings

Posted on | Author Carolyn Egan

I’ve married people in all sorts of places – from town halls to “posh” venues. Yet so often the weddings that move me deeply are the small, unassuming affairs. They are the kinds of weddings that I think about again and again, over a cup of coffee the next morning or the next year.  These lovely little weddings occur in the corner of someone’s living room in front of a china cabinet or in a back yard under a blossoming apple tree. The bride is always beautiful in a freshly ironed dress. The groom is always handsome in a freshly […]

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