Wedding Ceremony Archives

Wedding Ceremony

A How-To Guide for Pet-Friendly Weddings

Posted on February 28, 2025 | Author Loretta Jay

For many couples, pets are more than just animals—they are beloved family members. So, it’s no surprise that more and more people are choosing to include their furry friends in their wedding ceremonies. Whether you have a dog, cat, or even a horse, there are plenty of ways to make your wedding a pet-friendly celebration. Here’s everything you need to know about making your big day both special and stress-free for you and your pet. Why Have a Pet-Friendly Wedding? Including your pet in your wedding adds a personal touch and makes your ceremony even more meaningful. Pets bring joy, […]

Ceremonies Celebrating Equality

Posted on July 5, 2023 | Author Loretta Jay

Getting married – it is so exciting! Except. Many loving couples’ right to marry is in jeopardy. With the Supreme Court’s most recent decision in the same sex wedding website case, marriage equality is one step closer to being at risk. And this means that we must all stand together to support our friends and family. Because a threat to one is a threat to all. We are sad that the country’s highest court chose to legalize discrimination against gay and lesbian couples. This is a step backwards. To right this wrong we encourage those who care about equality to […]

Wedding Weather

Posted on June 30, 2023 | Author Loretta Jay

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. Weather certainly affects wedding planing, and its effects will determine whether you celebrate inside or out. During the summer or winter. Or, for that matter, spring or fall. Some aspects are out of our control. If only there was a way to know what to expect. Now there is a vendor for that. Specializing in “proactive weather planning”, the concierge event meteorologists help wedding couples determine the most likely time for ideal weather conditions. They consider weather patterns for specific locations and determine the probability of precipitation, temperature and more. Nonetheless, it […]

Midday vs Evening Wedding Ceremonies

Posted on March 25, 2023 | Author Loretta Jay

The time of day influences wedding ceremony style

Choosing the right time for your wedding ceremony does not need to feel overwhelming. Simply break down the pros and cons of each option and the right decision will soon become apparent. Many factors come into play, such as availability of the venue, guest schedule, and budget. To keep it simple, we’re comparing midday to evening ceremonies. The choice is yours, so think about what aspects of the day are most important to you. To start, let’s consider the advantages and disadvantages of each. Midday Wedding Ceremony Pros: Budget: Hosting a midday wedding ceremony can be a cost-effective option for […]

African American Wedding Rituals

Posted on February 18, 2023 | Author Loretta Jay

Some marriage rituals and traditions are based on African American heritage. In the United States, the devastation of slavery oftentimes denied legally sanctioned marriages. Consequently, Black people performed ceremonies to recognize and celebrate their unions. African American wedding rituals have been passed down through generations. The customs, rich with history, tradition, and cultural significance, are a meaningful way to honor one’s history Jumping the Broom One of the most well-known African American wedding traditions is jumping the broom. This custom dates back to the time of slavery when enslaved people were not allowed to marry legally. Consequently, they would jump […]

Updated Wedding Vows

Posted on October 29, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Wedding vows today are so much more than the patriarchal declaration of days (not so) long ago. When getting married, your officiant only needs an affirmation of your intention for you to marry one another. Finding the right words and tone for your wedding vows is a personal journey. Yo, Adrian! Marry me? Yes, Rocky. Done. To Have and to Hold On a technical level, to have and to hold means to possess legally, or to have permanent possession of something. The expression also suggests offering oneself to the other physically and intimately. Depending on how the rest of the […]

Sustainable Weddings

Posted on September 26, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Make your wedding environmentally sustainable

As the effects of climate change affect our daily lives, each of us can take steps to reduce our carbon footprint on the globe. Simply adjusting some of our choices during the wedding planning process can have a positive result. Following are different aspects of your ceremony to consider. Don’t feel pressure to use them all. Review the options and select what is a good fit for you. Guests A smaller guest list creates a smaller carbon footprint. It is as simple as that. Invitations Go digital. Or, if you your heart is set on traditional stationary, look into recycled […]

The Perfect Wedding Ceremony Length

Posted on August 28, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Determining how long a wedding ceremony should be

Whether eloping or having a mega-celebration with 150 of your besties, figuring out how long your ceremony should be is something every wedding couple contends with. Of course, the rituals you choose to include (or not include) will affect its length. The wedding ceremony is what makes the day more than a party. You and your guests are gussied up for the moment. You want it to be memorable and meaningful. And, not boring. Terrific! The trend is shorter, especially for secular weddings. What Officiants Say To help determine what is the perfect length for wedding ceremonies, we asked the […]

Unplugged Weddings

Posted on May 24, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Capture the first kiss without photobombs

An unplugged ceremony is not about an acoustic guitar accompaniment – however lovely it would be. Having an unplugged wedding is a not-so-new trend. It means guests are asked to turn off all electronics. No texting. No posting to Instagram. And, no photos, either. Just. Be. Present. There are many reasons to ask wedding guests to put electronics away. Being present and focused on the special moment is certainly a worthwhile motivation. A no phones rule is one of the simplest ways to create an environment for all attendees to be mindful of the event. Encourage opportunities for your friends […]

Wedding Boom

Posted on March 30, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Many of the postponed wedding ceremonies from the past two years have been rescheduled for 2022. Imagine that! Naturally, this is creating a wedding boom! Case in point, the Wedding Vault reports that there will be 15% more weddings this year! With so many others also planning nuptials, it is helpful to think through what steps you can take to make your planning go smoothly. Venues A wedding ceremony on a Tuesday night? Why not! Think about what aspect of your day is most important to you and where you don’t want to budge. Then, for the less important points, […]

Jumping the Broom

Posted on February 28, 2022 | Author Loretta Jay

Incorporating family or cultural rituals into a wedding ceremony connects the past with the future. While there are many different traditions to choose from, one in particular has significant meaning for African American heritage: Jumping the Broom. It is a noun, identifying the practice. In addition, it has also taken on meaning as a phrase signifying marriage. For instance, We’re going to jump the broom! This is similar to, We’re going to tie the knot! History The jumping the broom lore varies. Some suggest it is a ritual from the British Isles, others say it is from Ghana. Similarly, some […]

Winter Solstice Weddings

Posted on December 14, 2021 | Author Loretta Jay

Starting your journey as a married couple on the first day of winter holds special meaning. December 21 is the winter solstice. It is also the shortest day of the year (for those in the northern hemisphere). Therefore, it is the longest night. Crisp air. The potential for a snow-covered backdrop. An appreciation and celebration of light and life! Vows and Poetry Solstice weddings can feel fresh and magical. They offer perfect opportunities to recognize life cycle traditions, and our connections to the earth and sun. Celebrate nature. If you have a December wedding planned, your Justice of the Peace […]

Wedding Planning with Kids

Posted on November 30, 2021 | Author Loretta Jay

If you have children – the under 18 kind – then when you get married, the kids are part of the package. Bringing two families together is at the heart of all marriage ceremonies. When there are children involved, especially if those kids are not of the union of the couple getting married, then there is special significance to the ceremony. Deciding how to include your children in the wedding ceremony can be fun, and something that you can do together. Venues Choose a location where the kids will feel comfortable. Naturally, their ages will influence your decision. A backyard […]