Getting married is such an exciting time in your lives! Your wedding is a very important and special occasion to celebrate your love and commitment to one another. Here you'll find some of the traditional types of wedding ceremonies, and also some additional ceremonies that can be included in your special celebration.
If there is a particular spiritual, cultural or religious rite or ritual you would like to incorporate into your ceremony, please just let me know. The whole idea is to celebrate in the way that makes your day memorable and unique. Please also check the FAQ page for answers to common questions, or if you have any questions or need more information please contact me.
Please view my packages for weddings, vow renewals and commitment ceremonies.
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Weddings
I am delighted to perform weddings and civil unions for ALL couples, and serve the entire community as a wedding officiant. Pledging your love and commitment to your life partner is a joyful occasion, and there are many ceremonies to celebrate your joining. My commitment is to make your special day as wonderful and memorable as possible.
Your wedding should be a celebration of the love you share, so I write each wedding ceremony especially for you, and afterwards I present you with a beautiful keepsake certificate and copy of your ceremony to commemorate your commitment to each other.
Your wedding day is more than just signing the marriage licence...
it's the opportunity to speak the words of your heart
it's the opportunity to speak the words of your heart
to your beloved as you pledge your love and lives to one another.
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"Thank you so much for choosing to be part of our special day. You have found a way to describe our love so perfectly. You took our love story and put it into words that we are able to share with our friends and family. You have made our day of love come to life. Thanks again for everything."
Alicia & Matt
Alicia & Matt
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W hether you're looking for a simple and short ceremony, a traditional exchange of vows, or a custom designed wedding experience complete with personally written vows, I am here to help you marry each other the way you have always dreamed.
There are a number of different types of weddings from which to choose...
Civic or Elopement Ceremony:
This is a short and sweet ceremony that typically takes about 5 minutes. It's perfect for those couples who require a legal ceremony only, or for those who are short on time. While a civic ceremony is usually secular, couples can opt to have a non-denominational version performed.
Secular Ceremony:
Many couples think that because they want a secular service, it will be less "wedding-y" - but that doesn't have to be the case! Secular services can follow traditional (and even very non-traditional!) wedding programmes, and include beautiful readings of poems or song lyrics, loving vows and ring exchanges, and even unity ceremonies, to create a tender and heartfelt wedding ceremony that truly represents your love.
Non-Denominational Ceremony:
Essentially this is a traditional wedding ceremony that does not reference any one particular Christian religion, but rather creates an inclusive Christian ceremony. Typically, the traditional elements of sermon, prayer, readings from the Bible and hymns are incorporated into the celebration along with the vows, ring exchange and blessing of the marriage.
Inter-Faith Ceremony:
For couples of different faiths, there can be some obstacles to being married in either of your religious houses of worship, such as a requirement for the non-member to convert. An inter-faith ceremony can be conducted at a mutually agreed location, and blend elements of each faith, taking the best of traditions from both sides and creating a unique and wonderful ceremony that celebrates the love you both share.
Spiritual Ceremony:
For those couples who are spiritual in nature, a spiritual ceremony can be crafted to truly reflect your love and beliefs and celebrate your joining in a way that is meaningful to you.
Spiritual can mean many things to many people, and ceremonies can draw from ancient religions such as Wicca, Druidism, and Pagan traditions, and may centre on a Handfasting. Some can reference nature, the universe and a sense of Spirit. Many spiritual ceremonies also incorporate such lovely rituals as casting the circle, calling the four elements or directions, lighting a Unity Candle, Jumping the Broom, and Cakes and Ale. However your spiritual nature is nourished, we can build a wedding that is perfect for you.
Themed Ceremony:
I t could be as simple as a colour, a season, a country or culture, a time period, or a favourite movie, but theme weddings are very popular! Some fun themed weddings have included...
Medieval | Arthurian | Renaissance
Viking | Pagan | Wiccan
Star Trek | Star Wars | Dr. Who
Lord of the Rings | Game of Thrones
Harry Potter
Shrek | Toy Story
Disney | Princess | Alice In Wonderland | Wizard of Oz
Video or board games | Movies
Literary | Famous quotes
High Society | Victorian | Edwardian
1920's | Flapper/Mobster
Country Western | Old West | Cowboy
Pirate | Nautical
Rockabilly | 50's | 60's | 70's | 80's
Gothic | Zombie | Halloween
Beach | Tropical | Hawaiian
Sports celebrations | Mile High Stadium | Coors Field
Cooking | Gardening
Fall or Autumn | Spring
Country Chic | Mountain | Rustic
The theme can be part of any one of the types of ceremonies listed or something very customised for you. However you're inspired to celebrate your wedding, I am right there with you to make it the day you want it to be, complete with costumes, props, makeup, accents, and languages. Now, how do you say "I now pronounce you married" in Klingon?!
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"Thank you, thank you, thank you! For everything! Being so helpful & kind during the planning process, keeping me calm before the ceremony, helping us with our lost license, and of course, the most beautiful & heartfelt wedding ceremony EVER! Our guests are still talking about and tearing up over how personal and perfect the ceremony was for us. You really gave us our dream wedding!"
Dani & Sean
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Commitment Ceremonies
I f a legal marriage cannot take place, which can happen for a variety of reasons, this should in no way prevent anyone from the joyous experience of expressing their commitment to each other with a beautiful ceremony.
Colorado's marriage laws, such as Common Law Marriage, can make it a complex issue for some couples, like those who are waiting for a divorce to come through, or wish to express their commitment to each other without being legally married. A professional officiant can help you navigate these issues to avoid legal complications, and can do so with a loving Commitment ceremony. Even though I can't pronounce you "spouses" or "married" nor sign a marriage licence under Colorado law, each couple is presented with a beautiful keepsake certificate to commemorate their commitment to each other.
Commitment ceremonies can include a great many "wedding-y" elements, and my commitment is to make your special day as wonderful and memorable as possible.
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Renewal of Vows
W hat a beautiful expression of love and commitment for couples who have been married for years, be it one or sixty! Renewing your vows to your spouse, knowing them as well as you do, and having weathered life's ups and downs together, makes it a very special ceremony indeed. This could be your chance to "do it your way," and have, and do, and say everything you may not have been able to the first time!
Again, you can choose to renew your vows with any of the types of ceremonies listed under the Weddings section.
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HandFasting
T raditionally performed in Western Europe by commoners, ancient Vikings and Celts, and those of a Pagan faith, Handfasting was used as either a betrothal or marriage ceremony, and the phrase "tying the knot" is from this ritual. The vows taken may have been for "a year and a day" as a trial marriage, or for "forever and a day" or "all of eternity" meaning a lifetime.
Modern handfastings are performed for both same-gender and opposite-gender couples and some couples opt for a handfasting ceremony as the entirety of, or incorporated into, their wedding - either as vows, a unity ceremony, or in the pronouncement of marriage to proclaim that they have officially tied the knot!
The variation on the handfasting ceremony and the elements included are generally up to the couple being handfasted. As summer is the traditional time for handfastings, they are often held outdoors.
In a basic handfasting ceremony, the couple presents their clasped hands to the celebrant, who binds the wrists with a cord, effectively tying the hands together, while speaking the words chosen by the couple to represent their joining. Some couples also invite family and/or the wedding party attendants to add a cord or ribbon to their bound wrists to symbolise their support of the couple. There are many variations of handfastings, with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or even 10 coloured cords!
Choosing where to place handfasting in the ceremony is integral to everything flowing smoothly. Most agree it is best to either start out with the handfasting or end with it. Ending with the handfasting is fun, especially if you are going to be jumping the broom or sword together.
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"You were wonderful! Thank you so much for being such an integral part of our marriage celebration. We were so blessed to have found such amazing vendors and people to celebrate with! You made it so easy, enjoyable, and special!"
Natasha & Cash
Natasha & Cash
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Unity Ceremonies & Inclusions
T here are many wonderful rituals and rites that can be included in your ceremony. Apart from traditional ceremonies, inclusions can incorporate special traditions that you & your beloved have created together, or be cultural or family traditions that you want to honour on your wedding day. Listed are just a few popular ones, but if you have something that you would like to include in your wedding, please just let me know - I love the challenge of creating custom unity ceremonies based on something that is special to you!
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Unity or Togetherness Candle
I n this lovely expression, two lives joining together is symbolised by the couple each taking a single lighted taper, bringing them together and lighting a central candle.
Some couples like to receive the individual candles from their parents or children, or have them light the candles, to include them in the ceremony as giving their blessing and support to the union. The taper candles may be blown out, to signify that two have now become one, or the may remain lit to remind the couple that their individuality remains and that their flame, when shared with another, loses nothing.
Unity candles can be traditional in white or ivory, or pull colours from your wedding's palette, or from other wedding cultures, such as red for Chinese weddings. You can purchase triple candle holders made especially for this ceremony, or use decor items.
Please note: Candle ceremonies are not recommended for outdoor ceremonies. Before selecting a candle ceremony, please check with your venue about their open flame policy.
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Unity Sand Ceremony
T he Unity Sand Ceremony, a celebration that is usually two to three minutes in length, is a meaningful symbolic joining of two lives. In this timeless ritual, the couple ceremoniously pours various colors of sand from separate containers into one special container, the unity vase, symbolizing their coming together as one. For couples who are blending families, each child can also participate, adding their own colour of sand to the vase to symbolise the creation of a new family.
The Sand Ceeremony can also symbolise the Four Pillars of Marriage, or be personalised to suit each couple. This ceremony is perfect as an alternative to the Unity Candle ceremony when the wedding is held outside.
Variation: Glass beads can be purchased and sent back to the company to be turned into a vase or glass sculpture.
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Breaking the Glass
A t the conclusion of a Jewish wedding ceremony, the groom smashes a glass with his foot. It is best to choose glass that will be easily broken, such as a thin goblet or an old incandescent light bulb, and cover it either with a ceremonial pouch or a thick, decorative towel or napkin.
The meaning of this act is disputed. One interpretation is that the marriage will last as long as the glass is broken - forever. Another interpretation is that people need to remember those who are suffering even in their greatest moments of joy, and to remember the destruction of the second temple. Some jest that it is the last time the groom will get to put his foot down! After the breaking of the glass, the guests yell, "Mazel Tov!" which means good luck.
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Jumping the Broom or Sword
T his tradition is believed to be rooted in the history of slaves who brought the practice with them to America. Its origins began in ancient Africa when couples would jump sticks to signify entering their new life together. Since slaves were not allowed to marry, they continued a time honored tradition and used this ritual to signify their union.
Jumping the broom is also used in Handfasting ceremonies and pagan weddings. Because the broom is significant in Wicca to sweep away negative energy, modern paganism uses the ritual in many handfasting and commitment ceremonies. Some say it indicates the couple's acceptance of the daily chores of living together, or it is an alternative to being carried over the threshold. It can also be viewed as a symbol of home and hearth, and jumping into a new life together. The broom is often decorated with flowers and ribbons, and laid in front of the couple, who leaps over it and then are declared married.
Others believe it derives from the tradtion of leaping over the sword, which is an ancient tradition symbolising marriage, and often used in military weddings well into the 19th Century. A sword would be placed on the ground, and the Sargeant or Corporal would say "Leap rogue, and jump wh_re, be ye married evermore," and the happy couple would jump across the sword and be considered married.
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Unity Bouquet
T his is a lovely ceremony for family members and friends to participate in the wedding and creates a wonderful gift for the couple. Each member of the congregation gives the happy couple a flower to be combined into a Unity Bouquet, which is symbolic of their day or represents a wish for their lives together.
Flowers can be passed out before the procession for each person to take one, think of a blessing for the marriage, and place it in the vase at the front of the room. The unity bouquet represents the loving contributions of friends and family members to bless the couple's marriage, as they have their life.
Did You Know: Every flower has a traditional meaning, such as ivy for wedded love and fidelity, amaryllis for beauty inside and out, or tiger lilies for happiness and prosperity.
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Wishing Stones
W ishing stones are presented to guests upon their arrival. They hold them in the palm of their hands and make a wish for the couple’s life together. Wishes can consist of anything from a healthy family to eternal love. A great way to add extra sentiment is to provide felt tipped pens for the guests to write their names and wishes on the stones.
The stones can be collected in a glass jar or keepsake chest, and then presented to the couple at their reception. This ceremonial addition can become an anniversary tradition for the couple, as they can remember and relive the warm wishes of the friends and family members who gathered to celebrate their love.
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Seedling Ceremony
T he Seedling Ceremony is a combination of seedlings or seeds planted into a symbolic planter by the bride and groom. This is a wonderful inclusion for the eco-friendly couple, whether you choose to plant just one seedling, or a little garden.
Once the seedlings are covered by dirt, the couple pours water over the seedlings to nourish them. After the ceremony, the newly formed plant is brought to the couple's home to be planted in a special spot selected together.
The couple may also choose to give packets of seeds or "seed paper" cards as wedding favours for their guests to take home and plant in memory of the special day.
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Wine Ceremony
T here are so many ways to celebrate with wine in your wedding! Wine has long been held to be a staple at all celebrations - some even call it the blood of life!
Blending two wines together from separate bottles into a single decanter symbolises the joining of two people. The blended wine is then poured into two glasses, and each drinks from their own glass, then exchanges glasses with their beloved to symbolise the sharing of all that they are together.
The Loving Cup ceremony is more Celtic in origin, and in this ceremony, wine is poured into a single cup, often a decorated chalice specially for the occasion. The couple each takes a sip, first to toast to their love in the past, then to toast to their love on this day, and thirdly to their love in the future.
Please note: Couples must be 21 and over to enjoy this Unity Ceremony.
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Salt Ceremony
S alt has long been held as integral to human survival and also as historically significant to virtually all cultures around the world. In ancient times, people were paid in salt, giving us the word "salary" for payment of someone's work, took oaths with their hands in salt, and even made solemn agreements binding with an exchange of salt.
With all the beautiful varieties of salt available today, from the gorgeous pink of Himalayan salt, to the greys of Celtic salt, the amber river salts to the black lava and white sea salts, a great many unity ceremonies can utilise salt, from a variation on the Sand Ceremony to the Roman-style agreement, to the Christian Covenant of Salt.
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Anniversary Box Ceremony
Looking ahead to the first wedding anniversary, the Anniversary Box ceremony asks the couple to write a letter to their beloved on their wedding day, which they put into a box with a nice bottle of wine (or another favourite tipple!) and seal it until their anniversary in a year's time. On that day, the couple unseals the box, pours a glass of wine each, and reads the letters. Then, they write two new letters, and put them back into the box along with another bottle for their next anniversary.
Please note: Couples must be 21 and over to enjoy this Unity Ceremony.
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Signature Cocktail Ceremony
T his is such a fun way for couples to express their personality!
Creating a signature cocktail, and making it together is a bright and colourful moment in your ceremony - plus, you get to drink the result! After you've made the cocktail, you can toast each other and your love with your signature drink.
Whether you choose an eye-catching layered cocktail, something classic like a martini, or mix one up in an cocktail shaker, you can incorporate elements from your wedding such as a theme, colour scheme, or create the signature drink that defines the style of your celebration & can be enjoyed by your guests during either cocktail hour after the ceremony or throughout the reception.
Please note: Couples must be 21 and over to enjoy this Unity Ceremony.
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Cakes & Ale Ceremony
T he tradition of feeding each other wedding cake at the reception comes from the Cakes & Ale ceremony, where couples would have a symbolic "first meal" after their marriage. This was typically an oatcake sweetened with honey and a cup of ale or mead for common folk, or wine and refined sweet or meat cake for noble couples. This symbolic sharing of food and drink was meant to symbolise that their lives were now nourished from the same source, and were fully shared.
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Letterbox Ceremony
A nother idea is to ask guests to "mail" notes and letters of advice and memories for the happy couple. Some like to have a letterbox at the reception so guests can write at their leisure, and others prefer to incorporate it into their ceremony.
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"Our family would like to thank you so very much for officiating at Josh and Jenna's wedding and for doing such a beautiful and meaningful ceremony for them. You captured the essesence of their relationship and story and it was so very lovely. Your sincerity and care with the wording, the progression of the ceremony, the graciousness with which you handled everything and everyone made it a very memorable and beautiful event for us and for them. We truly appreciate all of your care.
Thank you too for your understanding and handling of the less than perfect rehearsal. That day was a bit of a nightmare for Jenna (and for us) and thankfully, the wedding itself went off without a hitch and was honestly everything we all hoped it would be.
Thank you again so much for your part in it and for making the day so special for us all."
Thank you too for your understanding and handling of the less than perfect rehearsal. That day was a bit of a nightmare for Jenna (and for us) and thankfully, the wedding itself went off without a hitch and was honestly everything we all hoped it would be.
Thank you again so much for your part in it and for making the day so special for us all."
Brenda, Mother of the Bride
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Payments
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