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On their first date, Rachel and Stephen went on a short hike, in Jockey Hollow State Park in Morristown. So it was only appropriate that they would take the walk together again, this time with a couple of friends and a celebrant in tow, to make their wedding vows on a beautiful green overlook on a humid August day.

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A popular trend in weddings over the past few years has been the coordinated bridal party/first dance. From Thriller to Dirty Dancing and even this Grease rendition, it seems as if loads of brides and grooms are trying to become the newest million-hit star on You Tube.

And then there’s this couple who turned the procession into the kind of celebration rarely seen in churches. I love that everyone — from the grandparents in the front row to each and every member of the bridal party is enjoying themselves. Its not about trying to look cool or to impress your guests, but celebrating the wedding and joy of that day.

In an industry where we constantly see couples follow the latest trend, it’s refreshing to see someone putting their own stamp on things.

P.S. Be sure to watch the whole way through. Seeing the bride at the end made me completely tear up!

This wasn’t my usual wedding.

MJ contacted me a few weeks ago – she and her fiance wanted a simple, quick, and personal wedding, but weren’t sure of the location or the date yet. When we met up, she told me her idea, and it was awesome: have the wedding, with just a few friends as witnesses, at a tattoo parlor on a Saturday afternoon…and follow it up by getting each other’s initials tattooed on their ring fingers.

I didn’t hesitate before saying yes!

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The processional is an important element of any wedding ceremony. It helps to separate this special moment from the everyday, as most people don’t get grand entrances, complete with music, escorts, and flowers, too often. It also helps to honor special people in your life who have contributed and supported you, by giving them a special moment as well.

Typically, anyone who you would give flowers to (corsage, bouts, etc) is involved with the processional. This usually includes:

• Grandparents
• Parents
• Bridesmaids
• Groomsmen
• Ring Bearers
• Flower Girls
• Bride
• Groom

It does not usually include:

• Readers
• Ushers

Which isn’t to say it can’t.

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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:
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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!

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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!

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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!”

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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).

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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.

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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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