How to Have a ‘Friends Only’ Wedding Ceremony - No Family Invited

Not inviting family to your wedding? Have a friends only ceremony instead!

 

 

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Maybe your family drives you crazy. Maybe they’re opinionated, nosey, divorced, dysfunctional, or abusive. Or maybe you just want to celebrate the start of your marriage with the people you love most, in a drama-free friends-only ceremony. 

 

Whatever the reason for not inviting your family to your wedding, we get it. You don’t need to feel guilty for not wanting your relatives at your wedding. After all, it’s your day to celebrate just the way you want! 

 

Unfortunately, there’s still a lot of pressure out there to have the traditional ‘perfect’ wedding – to have a mother or father walk you down the aisle, a sibling supporting you at the altar, or a row of grandparents smiling right up front as you take your vows. 

 

But those old fashioned wedding traditions just don’t work for a lot of us, and there’s no reason to let it get you down or keep you from celebrating in style. Friends-only elopements and weddings are tons of fun and filled with lots of love, no matter what size the guest list is… or who’s on it. 

 

Below, we describe each of the main roles to fill during your wedding ceremony and which of your friends will be the perfect fit, from wedding officiant, to people of honor (a gender-neutral approach to bridesmaids and groomsmen) and special readers. 

 

 

It's your wedding... have it YOUR way! 

 

 

Throw a ‘friends only’ wedding ceremony instead!  

 

To throw a perfect ‘friends only’ wedding, cast your favorite friends in each of the important roles below.  

 

 

• Friend officiant

 

Your officiant is the person who conducts the wedding ceremony and signs your marriage license. 

 

Ask a close friend to be your wedding officiant. Choose someone who can think on their feet, loves to meet new people, and knows how to meet a deadline. Choose one of your most responsible friends for this role, since they’ll be the one signing your marriage license. 

 

They’ll just need to get ordained online and register before it’s time to officiate. 

 

+ Get ordained online here and learn how to officiate a wedding today. 

 

+ How to Officiate a Wedding For the First Time

 

+ Propose to your wedding officiant : This gift box has everything they’ll need to officiate 

 

 

 

Your officiant will be one of the most important people at your wedding. 

Choose wisely! 

 

 

• Friendly walk down the aisle 

 

It’s customary for someone to accompany a marrier down the aisle during the procession at the start of the ceremony. 

 

Choose a friend who’s always ready to go on an adventure with you for this role. And if that friend just happens to be your fiancé, the two of you can walk down the aisle together! Or walk down the aisle alone to celebrate your independence in love on your wedding day. 

 

+ Mix things up with 7 Alternatives to Walking Down the Aisle

 

 

 

• Friends of Honor

 

Your ‘friends of honor’ are your wedding attendants. These people might be tasked with bringing supplies, keeping things on schedule, and trouble-shooting if anything goes wrong on the wedding day.

 

Choose one or two of your closest friends to serve as a Person of Honor on the big day. This person will help you get dressed, hand you that mimosa or coffee, and talk you off the ledge if you start to feel stressed. They might also hold the rings or give a reading during the ceremony (it’s up to you!). Choose someone who’s punctual, organized, and makes you laugh for this role. 

 

 

 

Who will be your 'friends of honor' on the wedding day?

 

 

• Wedding Readers

 

Wedding readers are those special people who step on stage to read a poem, letter, or a meaningful literary passage during a ceremony. Sometimes, this person will play an instrument or sing a song instead of reading.

 

Choose a friend who’s genuine, entertaining, and confident in front of a crowd. This is the friend who speaks from the heart, who knows both you and your partner well, and who doesn’t hold back when it comes to sharing feelings. This sweet friend will deliver a reading that brings happy tears to everyone’s eyes, including yours! 

 

+ Browse Wedding Readings here

 

 

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You might also like: 
 

• This Quiz tells You Which Kind of Wedding Officiant is Best for Your Ceremony
   
• Why You Need to Choose Your Wedding Officiant Early
   

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