YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY

MAKE IT PERSONAL AND MEANINGFUL

by Rev. Myriam Bouchard

date posted: March 14, 2018

Your wedding ceremony can be rooted in your religion(s) of choice, based on your personal spiritual beliefs, or simply created around what is truly important to both of you at this point in time.

Too often, I receive a call a few days before someone’s wedding day, asking for an officiant for their ceremony. Though your caterer (and maybe some guests) may disagree with this statement, your ceremony is the foundation of your wedding day, and, ultimately, of your relationship and marriage.

It can take weeks to craft a meaningful ceremony. It is not something you should rush to do at the last minute. You will go back to this moment in time to help you navigate adversity, to find inspiration, and to find hope when your relationship is challenged. It should not be the last thing you plan for, but the first.

Unless you are a gifted writer with a clear vision of the outcome for your ceremony, you should delegate the task of creating the ceremony to an experienced officiant. Everyone is different, but I like to first meet with the bride and groom, to see if we are a good match, and to explore their wishes.

My questions help them clarify what they care most about, and our discussion sets the tone for the creative process that follows. There are no rigid rules to create a ceremony. It can be as short or as long as you wish. It will be as original as your unique relationship, and will mirror what unites you.

Your wedding ceremony can be rooted in your religion(s) of choice, based on your personal spiritual beliefs, or simply created around what is truly important to both of you at this point in time. Ultimately, it is your ceremony.

Let it inspire you. Let it reflect your values—what you deeply care about—and your hopes for your union.

When I write a ceremony, I encourage the couple to write their own vows. Some choose to do this together and others do it individually. Some keep it a secret until the ceremony, while others share it beforehand. It is really up to you.

Your vows will act as a beacon of light—they will guide you and give you hope when life's challenges make it difficult to stay on course. They will remind you of what matters most in your connection, and will help you let go of the rest. They will keep you grounded.

Think about what inspires you, whether it is a poem, a piece of music, or a story, and share it with your friends and family during the ceremony. You can create a ritual that includes the individuals who matter most in your life.

In a wedding ceremony, anything goes, really. Just be creative, be bold, and be you.

Think about what inspires you, whether it is a poem, a piece of music, or a story, and share it with your friends and family during the ceremony. You can create a ritual that includes the individuals who matter most in your life.

hudson valley ceremonies

Rhinebeck, 845-244-1482, www.hudsonvalleyceremonies.com

Preparing for your wedding needs to be an enjoyable time. Hudson Valley Ceremonies works with you to design your ceremony with minimal stress, guaranteed laughs, and tears of joy. Their officiants personalize each ceremony to make it “you.” Your desired rituals can be incorporated, such as the unity candle, breaking of the glass, the Celtic tartan wrap, or jumping the broom, and the ceremony can be of many different faiths or none at all. They have both male and female officiants, as well as officiants who speak Spanish and Hebrew.

michele zipp, custom ceremonies & rituals

Hudson Valley, NYC, 646-509-6600, michelezipp.com

Michele is a non-denominational Ordained Minister who has officiated weddings and vow renewals since 2011. She’s a writer and Reiki Master, so telling your love story and including spirituality is part of her life’s work. Her custom ceremonies include meaningful rituals like handfasting, blessing circles, crystal grids, magical botanicals and herbs, and Reiki healing. Since every couple is unique, every ceremony she creates is unique. She will help curate everything so your focus can be on each other.

reverend myriam bouchard, interfaith minister

Hudson Valley, 845-489-6518, myrbou.org

Each wedding ceremony is tailored and customized to your needs, as each relationship is unique. The ceremony and its rituals are either rooted in a religion of your choice, based on your personal spiritual beliefs, or created around the values that are deeply important to both of you. Rev. Myriam can officiate your engagement, wedding, anniversary, or vow renewal.