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do offer comfortable seating If guests are relaxed, they’ll be able to focus on enjoying your ceremony, which can really set the vibe for the rest of the day. That might mean adding colorful cushions to your church pews or exchanging wobbly plastic folding chairs for something sturdier. Think about the setup too—there should be enough space between chairs and rows so guests have some legroom. TIP FOR THE TAKING Planning your ceremony space yourself? Keep in mind: There should be at least 10 square feet per person, and an extra 20 to 30 square feet for the altar and bridal party to stand.
don’t insist your shy friend do a reading
1 1 questions for potential officiants Ask these before you hire them.
• Will you perform an interfaith ceremony (if applicable)?
• How long are your
master speaker
Your readings will go much more smoothly if your readers are confident and excited to do them.
ceremonies typically?
• Do you have any special rules or restrictions?
• Are you open to personalized vows, readings, poems or music?
do have a backup plan if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony Prepping a plan B in case of inclement weather is a must, and that might mean reserving an indoor alternative or a tent. And you should also think of ways to make everyone as cozy as possible for your outdoor ceremony. That could mean reserving heat lamps to ward off chills in late fall or providing parasols for a summer day. TIP FOR THE TAKING Get a feel for what you’ll need by doing a walk-through at around the same time as your ceremony. If you did all your venue visits at night, you may not have realized there’s no shade over your ceremony space at your early afternoon start time. Keep an eye on the weather for any sudden changes. >>
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• Will you give a sermon or speech?
• What do you typically wear during a ceremony?
• Do you require that we attend any prewedding counseling sessions?
• What is the ceremony fee or required donation?
• Will you help us work on our vows?
• Will we have input on your sermon and/or be able to read it beforehand?
• Can you help me deal with family conflicts connected to the ceremony?
JADE + MAT THEW TAKE PICTURES
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Before you choose your readers, think about whether they’re the right person for the role. And don’t take it personally if someone declines because they’re not up to it. If a reader isn’t comfortable speaking in front of a lot of people, they may get nervous, which could mean a lot of awkward pauses, an unsteady voice or a total freeze-up. Your readings will go much more smoothly if your readers are confident and excited to do it. TIP FOR THE TAKING Finalize your selections for the ceremony at least a few weeks ahead of time, so your readers have enough time to practice. That way, they won’t have to be glued to the paper they’re reading from or stumble through the words. If they feel prepared, the audience will feel at ease too.
11/14/16 8:34 AM