Weddingbee PRO
Today’s Etsy Friday was inspired by a beautiful locket I spied on the front page of Etsy earlier this week. I love when couples incorporate items that have a specific meaning or memory into their wedding ceremony, and the locket would be perfect to place a small photo in, and pin to the bride’s bouquet – a unique and beautiful way to remember someone close to your heart who can’t be there today.
This Etsy Friday explores ways to remember special people in your wedding, as well as ways to remember your wedding ceremony after it is over!
This shop has beautiful enamel lockets in all different colors and shapes – perfect as an accessory with your dress, or to tie into your bouquet with a special photo – perhaps a loved one who has passed on, or simply a favorite photo of you and your fiance – creating a wonderful keepsake for after the wedding.
Helen and Zubin had a Fourth of July wedding on the beach, at Merri-Makers at Water’s Edge, in Sea Bright, New Jersery.
It was a sweet and simple ceremony. The couple chose the same vows to read, and had two friends each do a reading during the ceremony. They chose to add a sand ceremony. Helen and Zubin were low-key, and not afraid to laugh – a wonderful attitude to enter into a marriage with.
An excerpt from their Love Story:
Read more…
As I made my way to the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta, New Jersey for Meg and David’s wedding, it started to pour, and I was very concerned about the ceremony – which was to take place outside, overlooking the lake. Thankfully, the rain completely cleared up, the sun came out, and we had beautiful weather for their ceremony. Thank goodness!
XKCD is a webcomic of romance, sarcasm, math and language. It’s an interesting place to find inspiration, and I still haven’t found a way to incorporate them in a wedding ceremony, but their nerdy/geeky take on love and romance is something that always makes me smile. My fiance sent me the above last night - here are some of my other romantic favorites.
Back in November, Jaseem and Genevieve got married at the Oakeside Mansion, in Bloomfield, New Jersey – a beautiful old house, with gardens in the back, where the ceremony was held. They had a sweet ceremony, with some wonderful traditions and rituals included. I’m so excited to share them!
We all have such wonderful people in our lives – but when we get married not everyone wants to have a bridal party – or maybe you only want to have a small bridal party, but would like to help some other family members or friends involved with the ceremony as well.
I’ve had some very clever and smart brides lately with some great ideas to get more people involved in your wedding ceremony! Here are some of my favorites:
Readers: This is more on the traditional side, but can be a great way to include a special friend or family member who is not part of the bridal party. Why not let them choose the reading they’d like to use? There are a ton of fabulous places to find fun and personal readings to include in your ceremony – you could even choose a few, and just give your reader an option.
Guest Vows: This is one of my favorite rituals. Immediately after the couple does their “I do’s” or their vows, I’ll address everyone gathered directly, and ask them to pledge their own love and support for the bride and groom in their marriage. The wording is usually slightly different than the traditional vows:
Today, you have come here not simply to witness our couple’s union, but to take part in it. Each of you represents not only yourself, but all of the people who have and will touch the lives of our bride and groom. Your support has helped their relationship to flourish, and the joy that you all bring into the couple’s lives keeps them going. Our bride and groom have asked all present to take vows as well, to pledge your support and love for them as they embark upon this new path together. After I have spoken these vows, please answer with “We will.”
Everyone gathered here today, before you stand two people who love you very much. Do you promise to encourage and inspire their dreams? To accept them not only as individuals, but as a couple? To be their friends and their support, today and everyday to follow?
And then they all answer with a resounding “We Will!”
Sarah and John wanted to include two rituals I had never done before into their wedding ceremony -a Sapling Planting and a Circle of Love.
They got the idea for the Circle of Love from John & Kate Plus 8, when they had their vow renewal in Hawaii (side note: watching that episode last week for research made me a little sad with the Gosselin’s recent news).
It’s a traditional Hawaiian ritual, but I couldn’t find a lot of information online. Most of what I found was about using the Circle of Love as more of a floral decoration (i.e., creating the altar where they would get married, with perhaps a brief mention in the ceremony itself - like a decorative chuppah) than a ritual. But Sarah and John wanted to incorporate their family into it, having them place the flowers to create the Circle of Love during the processional, in lieu of having a traditional bridal party.
Image from Lauren and Tom’s wedding
I decided that beginning with my 2009 weddings to donate 10% of my celebrant fee to an organization of the couple’s choice, in their name. I think it’s a great way to honor my couple’s wedding, as well as give back to these fabulous local organizations that need our support.
I’ve chosen these five organizations, though would be willing to donate to any worthy organization of the couple’s choice. I think this is a great way to give back, especially in these tough times, when organizations like these are very much needed – especially on the local level.
The Bergen County Animal Shelter
The Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey
American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey
Do you have a favorite charity or plan on giving to an organization in honor of your wedding?
It’s Etsy Friday! Inspired by my first beach wedding of the season…
Set of 3 Signs via Funki Folk Art
I just love these custom designed signs! Perfect for a beach or outdoor wedding, where the wedding site may be slightly hard to find, and adds a cool, rustic touch.
Jess and Kenny were so much fun. They had a “summer love” at the Jersey Shore, so getting married on the beach was a top priority for them! We created a very cool ceremony – a Shell Circle of Love – to incorporate their family and friends.
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Jessie Blum, New Jersey
Vendor: Officiant
Website: Eclectic Unions
About Me: I began writing & officiating wedding ceremonies in 2008, and love every single moment of it. It all started when my best friend asked me to officiate her Jewish/Lutheran/Pagan (but completely non-religious!) wedding - since then, I've found a love and passion for creating original wedding ceremonies that truly reflect the couples being married. Wedding ceremonies should be all about the bride & groom's love, relationship, and commitment, and I do my best to make sure everything is just perfect! I live in Northern New Jersey with my fiance and our two kitties, and, when I'm not meeting with my awesome couples or writing wedding ceremonies, I love to knit, obsessively check my email, and plan my own wedding (Oct 2010!).
