Kerin Woods - Civil Celebrant

Kerin Woods - Civil Celebrant

I always like to have the groom on the left and Bride on the right, but you can do whatever you want, it is your day. 

Just something else I like to do, is have the parents of the bride sit on the opposite side to her and the parents of the groom on the opposite side to him, this way the parents and family can see the face of the person while the are saying their vows. 

Just a little thing but most people do not think of it and it does make a difference.  

Kerin Woods - Civil Celebrant

There are many ways and one of the most popular I do is the Sand ceremony. You all pour your favourite coloured sand into a decorative bottle and seal it up. It is kept as a memento of the day and the ceremony words are beautiful. Please see below: 

Today you are making a lasting commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other, joining your two families into one.

First, you will each separately pour a layer of sand into the vase, representing who you are as an individual. (First one person pours, then the other, forming two distinct layers of sand.)Then, you will pour simultaneously, blending your two colors as you will blend your lives in marriage.

(The couple pours simultaneously. Depending on the size and shape of the vase, it may form a third color, or a swirl of the two colors.)

Celebrant

As the individual grains of sand can no longer be separated, may your bond also be inseparable.

But you are also making a bond with your children/Child. As they also contribute their unique personalities and strengths to this new family, they will also individually add a layer of sand to this unity vase. (Pause as the children/Child pour their sand individually, forming separate layers over their parents' blended sand.)Then everyone, will pour together, representing their commitment to each other. (Everyone pours simultaneously. If you have many children, it may be difficult to have everyone around the vase at once, but it should be as simultaneous as possible.)

You can also have a unity candle Ceremony:After you, the bride and groom light your unity candle, you may want to read a poem or a special statement to your kids. Then all members of your new family can join their tapers together to the one Unity Candle. Older children could also participate in a reading about bringing your new family together. Talk with your officiant to create a ceremony that’s right for you and your children.

Make your children feel they’re already a part of a new family. Choose a Unity Candle specially printed with your names, your wedding date, and also your children’s names right on the candle.

Including all of your new family in the lighting of your unity candle makes it a unique, personal ceremony that everyone will remember for years to come.

Kerin Woods - Civil Celebrant

It really depends on the religion and the person. They are able to, it is really a case of whether they will or not. Best way to find out is to ask. Nothing gained until then. Good Luck.