American Weddings Blog

When we were asked if we had any tips on “planning a cemetery wedding ceremony,” it raised a few eyebrows. But the more we thought about it, the more it made sense. For many cultures, celebration of the afterlife is a big part of their spiritual practice, and graveyards are places where the living can connect with their history and ancestors. 

Ram Dass taught us that “In our Western culture, although death has come out of the closet, it is still not openly experienced or discussed.”

Michel de Montaigne, another philosopher who challenged us to think more deeply about life wrote that, “we are in death, whilst we are in life.” 

Why not double down on that philosophy and tie the knot surrounded by the symbols of death?...(continued)

Looking at the title of this article, you might be thinking, “of course the ceremony is important.” You can’t really have a wedding without a wedding ceremony. But you might be surprised, because while some couples understand that the wedding ceremony is a key part of the wedding day, others look at it as a formality that they need to rush through so they can get to the partying.

We wanted to write this post to speak to that second group. Don’t worry - there will still be champagne and cake! - but without an investment in your ceremony, something will be missing. Here’s how to avoid that:

At American Marriage Ministries, we have always insisted that the wedding ceremony sets the tone for the rest of the wedding festivities. After officiating/planning/attending more weddings than we can count, we have received plenty of feedback from both couples and other wedding vendors to back up this belief. ...(continued)

Have you been asked to officiate, and even though you’re excited, you’re not sure where to start?

Or – are you embarking on a new passion or career path in performing weddings, and looking for an all-in-one inclusive guide?

Fear not! Asked to Officiate – one of our most popular resources – is here to help.

...(continued)

The key to a great wedding ceremony is to make it flow. And when we talk about “flow,” we’re referring to the words and the emotion of the ceremony, and that magical combination of saying the right thing at the right time. 

When planning a wedding ceremony, consider what traditions or readings will resonate with the couple and audience. Perhaps there’s a prayer, or a reading, or a traditional blessing that speaks to the couple's values or emotional state. Then, decide where to fit these parts into the ceremony. 

Think about the ceremony as a story, with each piece fitting into a logical order. Consider which pieces fit best leading into or following one another. I often write short transitions between pieces. Not only do the transitions help with the flow, they also give me an idea of whether one piece works well following another, based on how easy it is to write the transitional wording....(continued)

A ceremony is an “event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion.” That means there are prescribed ways of doing things. Certain clothes to wear, words to say, and ways to act. Few ceremonies carry as much ritual significance as wedding ceremonies, where couples publicly declare a legally binding commitment to each other. 

But, that doesn’t mean you can’t let your personal style shine through. Heck, that’s probably why the couple asked you to officiate in the first place. Wedding officiants -- that’s you -- are rockstars! 

Let’s dive into what to wear as a wedding officiant, because there are a lot of variables - such as the feel of the event, weather, location, venue, and what the couple are wearing - that come into play!

 ...(continued)