Lisa Hunt-Wotton Celebrant

Your ceremony should be so amazing that the time just whooshes past and all you want to do is turn around and do it all over again.   Therefore time should not be an issue if people are engaged and loving every single minute.

However, for those practical souls out there,  the average no frills ceremony is about 20 min.  

My ceremonies usually sit around 30 min.   This is a nice balance between the legal requirements and some creative and precious moments.    Each piece that you add into crafting the ceremony takes up a little more time.  Therefore the more readings, poems, songs, rituals, blessings, and prayers, the little longer it goes.

The legal requirements for your witnesses are to have two people over the age of 18 years of age.

I encourage my couples to be creative.  The more people you involve in the ceremony, the more engaging and interesting it is.  You have most likely already chosen your bridal party and the person to walk you down the aisle.  What other signifigant people can you honour with this role?

What about both mothers?  They often get overlooked, especially the mother of the groom.

What about grandparents, fathers, mentors, or other significant people in your world?

This should be a special and privelaged part of the wedding ceremony.

Music plays an essential role in a wedding ceremony.  It sets the mood and tone of the event.

Technically you need three songs for the ceremony and about 20 min of pre-service music as guests arrive.

One song for the entrance of the bride, although lately, brides have been choosing one for the maids and then one for the bride.  I have also done many ceremonies where the groom and groomsmen come in first to their own music, take their places and then we transition to the Brides Party.  

One for the signing of the legal documents, which can take about 5 min as I need to record 15 signatures.

One song for the recessional - usually a song that is upbeat, fun and matches the celebration.

I have also done many weddings where the bride chooses two songs for the entrance.  One for the  bridesmaids then a special one for the entrance of the bride.

****If at all possible ***** alwasy choose live music.  Having a musican play and or sing changes the dynamic of the event.  It take the mood and ambiance to a whole other level.   Think of how you feel when you are at dinner or at an event that has live music.  People love, love, love, it.   It  usually costs  around $400.00 for an hour of live music for the ceremony and I have lots of great artists that I can recommend.

This is money that I believe is well worth spending.  People are engaged and tuned in before the bride has even arrived and it only gets better as the ceremony unfolds.

xxx Lisa.