Religious ceremonies differ according to faith and can be conducted in your place of worship or your chosen ceremony venue. For details on your religious ceremony, contact your local minister as the procedures differ.

Different faiths have different requirements that you should meet before you are eligible to have your ceremony at a particular religious venue. In the Christian faith, regular church attendance isn’t always essential but some churches insist on it. Be sure to work closely with your minister or registrar by getting their approval for anything you want to add to the service at each stage of the process.

In most cases the officiant will outline the service procedure and you can decide on how to personalise your marriage ceremony for example if you want something more individual like a special reading. The length or content depends entirely on you, depending on the kind of ceremony you will have.

You might need to rent some items for the ceremony and are not provided at the ceremony venue or are not included in the ceremony site fee. These items may include the following items:

Aisle Runner: A thin run made of carpet or plastic, paper or cloth extending the length of the aisle. It is rolled out just prior to the processional. Make sure the grass is clipped short if you are using one of these types of runners, as plastic does not sit well on grass.

Kneeling Cushion: A small cushion or pillow placed in front of the altar where the bride and groom kneel for their wedding blessing.

Arch (Christian): A white lattice or brass arch where the bride and groom exchange their vows, often decorate with flowers and greenery.

Mandap (Asian wedding): A canopy under which an Asian ceremony is performed, symbolizing cohabitation and consummation.

You may also need to consider renting audio equipment, aisle stanchions, candelabra, candles, candlelighters, chairs, a gift table, and a guest book stand among others.

Guest book / Pen / Penholder

You will need a guest book. This is a formal register where your guests sign-in as they arrive at the ceremony or reception. It will also serve as a memento of who attended your wedding. This book is often placed outside the ceremony or reception site, along with an elegant pen and penholder. One of the ushers is responsible for inviting all guests to sign-in.

There are many styles of guest books, pens and penholders available in the market. Some books have space for your guests to write a short note to the bride and groom.

Tip: Make sure you have more than one pen in case one runs out of ink. If you are planning a large ceremony of over 300 guests, consider having more than one book and pen so that your guests
don’t have to wait in a long queue to sign-in.

Flower Girl Basket
The flower girl, usually between the ages of four and eight, carries a basket filled with flowers, rose
or paper rose petals to strew as she walks down the aisle. She follows the ring bearer or maid of honour and precedes the bride during the processional.

Flower girl baskets come in many styles and colours. You can find them at most florists, gift shops, and bridal shops.
Tip: Discuss any restrictions regarding rose petal, flower, or paper-tossing with your ceremony site. Select a basket that complements your guest book and ring bearer pillow. If the flower girl is very young (less than 7 years), consider giving her a small bouquet instead of a flower basket.

Things To Consider:
If you plan to rent any accessories for your ceremony, make sure the rental suppliers have a good reputation. Reserve the items you need well in advance. Find out the company’s payment, reservation and cancellation policies.

Tips To Save Money:
When considering a ceremony outside of a church, figure the cost of rental items. Negotiate a package deal, if possible by renting items for both the ceremony and reception from the same supplier so you only have to pay one delivery fee.

The wedding ceremonies differ in different cultures but there is a general sequence of events. As the guests arrive, a musical prelude is played. When the guests are seated and the ceremony is ready to start, in a Christian ceremony the officiant takes his or her place with the groom on the officiant’s left and the best man on the groom’s left facing the guests. The groom’s men may also stand at the front or they may start the processional as shown here in the illustration.

Processional
The Processional begins first with the bride’s maids starting down the aisle in the processional. The maid or matron of honour enters next. As another option the grooms men and bride’s maid’s can enter together in pairs with the best man escorting the honoured attendant. If a ring bearer and a flower girl are to participate, they are the last ones down the aisle before the bride.

After a brief pause, a new song begins and the bride makes her grand entrance. Even though her father traditionally escorts the bride on his left arm, today a bride often asks her mother to walk down the aisle
with them on her other side. With the couples standing before him, the officiant makes some opening remarks. Next may come a reading or a song from the choir or a vocalist. The officiant might deliver a sermon before the couple says the (I dos), the exchange of vows and the exchange of rings. Then comes the pronouncement of marriage and the much-anticipated kiss. Last the officiant might offer closing remarks before the wedding party walks up the aisle in the recessional.

Recessional
In a Christian ceremony as the musician starts the celebratory recessional music the bride and the groom turn to each other, link arms and walk briskly back up the aisle as husband and wife. They are followed by the flower girl and the ring bearer (if they remained at the altar during the ceremony; if there is only one or the other he or she can walk alone) who are then followed by the maid or matron of honour and the best man. Next come the bride’s maids and the groom’s men in pairs with the women on the men’s right arm. Groom’s men return to assist guests and direct them to the receiving line or reception site

Amid the endless formalities and rigid rules, there are many ways to put your own personal stamp on this very special occasion. Each element of your wedding ceremony is an opportunity to express something personal and meaningful about your beliefs, relationship and your heritage. The most important day of your life should be a beautiful blend of your personality and your fiancé’s. After all, it’s that very combination that will mould your lives together. Below are just a few of the thoughtful ways you can express yourself on your wedding day. If you are planning a religious ceremony at a church or temple, be sure to discuss all ideas with your officiant.

1. Personalize Your Marriage Vows.
There are ways in which you can personalize your marriage vows to make them more meaningful for you. As with all your ceremony plans, be sure to discuss your ideas for marriage vows with your officiant. Make your wedding vows truly your own by reciting a favourite poem or reading to your groom. You may even choose to write all of your vows yourselves.

2. Light a family candle to symbolize your two lives joining together as one.
In most weddings, two taper candles (representing each family) are lit at the beginning of the marriage ceremony. The candle is often lit by both mothers (bride and groom) and another member of each family. These candles remain lit throughout the ceremony.

After the exchange of vows the bride and groom use the family candles to light a larger pillar candle – the unity candle, symbolizing the emergence of a new family. Some couples choose to then extinguish the
family candles to emphasise the commitment they have just made. While others may keep them burning to symbolise the inclusion in each other families.

3. Incorporate poetry and/or literature into your ceremony readings.
There are a seemingly infinite number of poems, song lyrics, scriptures and other readings that you can incorporate into your ceremony. Start with personal favourites. If you love 19th century English novels, include an excerpt from one. Or you might ask the person you have chosen to read the scripture to surprise you with his own words. Just have him run it by someone you trust such as your maid of honour or parent to ensure that it is suitable.
As a general rule limit the number of readings at the ceremony to no more than three or a bout minutes each. Discuss with your officiant the readings you would like incorporated into your ceremony.

4. Incorporate your family heritage into the celebration wherever possible.
One way to honor your past is to include traditions that reflect your families’ heritage. You need not limit yourself to the customs of your fore bearers however. Feel free to borrow from another culture that resonates with you.

27 Ways to Personalize Your Wedding

1. Invite the groom’s parent to be part of the processional.
2. Ask friends and family members to perform special readings.
3. Change places with the officiant and face your guests duringthe ceremony.
4. Release white doves or balloons into the air after being pronounced “husband and wife”.
5. Burn incense to give the ceremony an exotic feeling.
6. In the months before your wedding, create an “email- news letter ” for the members of the wedding party, updating them on times and locations of specific events, and reminding them of their duties. Keep the mood light by disclosing your thoughts, as the day grows closer, and by including accounts of those funny little incidents that happen along the way.
7. Plant a tree or a seedling on the day of your wedding to grow along with your marriage. With its reputation as the eternal flower of love, a rose bush is a perfect choice, or plant the sprig of ivy that you carried in your bouquet.
8. Present your guests with favours as they leave the reception, such as ribbon-tied package of sugar-coated almonds, representing the bitter and sweet of marriage, or a tulle sachet of fragrant potpourri. If the budget allows an even more personalized favour might be a Polaroid picture of each guest, snapped as they enter the reception.
9. For a seated meal, mark each place with an elegantly engraved place card and menu.
10. In place of a solid white tablecloth, consider using a coloured cloth or one made from the same fabric as your bridesmaids’ gown beneath a white lace overlay. Decorate napkins at each place in coordinating
    fabric ribbon.
11. Embroider an elegant pillow for your ring bearer to carry down the aisle. Your names and the dates artfully stitched at thebottom will be a lasting reminder of your loving union.
12. Fill the flower girl’s basket with petals from the flowers in your mother’s or grandmother’s garden.
13. Incorporate your favourite music into the prelude before the ceremony.
14. After you’ve selected your wedding rings, arrange to have them engraved with a personal message.
15. Delight your parents, or his, with a nostalgic look back at their own wedding day. Surprise them by displaying their wedding portrait at your reception.
16. Invite the clergy who knew you as a child to participate in the ceremony.
17. For your first dance as husband and wife, have the band play the first song the two of you ever danced together or the song that was playing when he proposed to you.
18. Give your attendants a silver frame engraved with your wedding date and later present them with a
    photograph from the day to proudly display inside it.
19. Send your fiancé a romantic telegram /sms/ even a hand written note the morning of your wedding.
20. Make it a family affair; include members of both your families in the wedding. Consider asking a brother or cousin to give an inspirational reading at the ceremony, making it a family affair.
21. Make your favourite flower the center of all the floral arrangements at the wedding and reception.
    Then set the mood in your new home by having similar arrangements delivered the day you return from your honeymoon.
22. As an alternative to traditional bouquets, let your bridesmaids carry the flower of their choice. Tied with matching ribbons, the varied look will be colourful and refreshing.
23. Hire a professional calligrapher to address your wedding invitations in a flowing, romantic script.
24. Design an elegant printed program to pass to your guests before the ceremony begins. Include the order of service, your attendants’ names and perhaps a personal message of thanks from you two.
25. Just before you enter the church, have the organist sound the chimes of the hour. Follow that with a trumpet salute as you begin your processional down the aisle.
26. Take the time to select a romantic gift for your groom such as a book of poetry or an engraved silver pen.
27. Compile a small photo album of favourite pictures from your courtship to surprise him with on your honeymoon.