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happily
ever after
With the myriad of decisions that
need to be made by the wedding date deadline, many first-time brides find it
easy to get overwhelmed.
Fortunately, the wedding ceremony is one area you shouldn't have to stress out
about.
Today’s
ceremonies can be traditional, or anything but -- the choice is yours. There
are a few ceremony traditions that are usually observed, but are flexible
enough to accommodate today's nontraditional families, including those
resulting from divorce and remarriage.
In
Western cultures, and especially in the United States, wedding ceremonies
typically follow a particular structure, although the elements may change or
shift depending on religion or denomination, ethnic heritage, geographical
region, the formality of the service, or the simple preference of the couple
and/or their officiant.
A wedding
ceremony can be held virtually anywhere, from your church or synagogue, to your
reception site to a historic mansion with old world charm. Also remember that
places such as historic homes, bed-and breakfast inns, art museums, boats,
airplanes, and scenic parks provide unique beauty to any wedding ceremony.
Since the ceremony is the heart of any wedding, it should set the tone for the
entire day.
It's up
to you and your fiancé to decide whether you will recite the traditional vows,
or pen your own. Although you have full freedom over what you may say during
the ceremony, many couples choose traditional vows for their charm and quaint
symbolism. Still, others choose this opportunity to express their love for each
other in a uniquely personal way, and find writing their own vows to be an
intensely rewarding experience.
Many
couples are also choosing to personalize their ceremony by combining elements
from their cultures and backgrounds, and showing respect for ancestors and
families by incorporating ethnic traditions. Blending rituals and ethnic
traditions from your background heritage is a perfect way to get in touch with
you or your mate's cultures.
No matter
how the times may change, marriage will always be a popular tradition. However
you choose to celebrate your marriage, the most important thing to remember is
to be true to yourselves. Do and say what you believe is right for you. Give
your ceremony some thought, and picture what your guests will see and hear as
you appear before them to enter into matrimony.
With
these guidelines to use as a vague outline, you can design your ceremony to
accommodate your needs. The ceremony should be as enjoyable as possible. Not
worrying about sticking to some hard and fast rules will make planning it
virtually worry-free.
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