Real Wedding Tips: Create Something Meaningful for your wedding

I love hearing all the details as our couples plan their wedding day.  Yet after being part of hundreds of weddings over the years, I’ve noticed  that sometimes the most important things can get lost in the shuffle. So today I’m taking it back to basics with my  real weddings tips:

Create something meaningful for YOU!  
While you’re planning all the beautiful details of your day, make sure to take time and explore the deeper meaning of marriage and what things are special to YOU as a Couple. Then try to include something personal and meaningful into your day.  It could be as simple as writing your own vows, a pinky swear, a poem, or exchanging love letters before the ceremony.  Some of our couples include candle lightings,  sand ceremonies, tree plantings, or hand fasting.  One of our couples Gwynessa and Todd, had their entire bridal party do a henna tattoo on their interlocked hands during the ceremony.  The ideas are really endless.

If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself (and each other):
Why are you excited about getting married?
What things make you feel more connected to each other?
Are there certain rituals or or ceremonies that resonate with you as a couple?
Do you have a image or “video clip” in your mind of what your wedding day will feel like?

As Andy and I begin to plan our wedding together,  I get so excited about how our day will unfold.   I have these little “video clips” in my head about what our day will be like, and how we’ll make it special and personal.   From the very personal vows I want to share with him, to having our dog be the ring-bearer, to a few surprises I’m planning for him on our big day, our wedding will be filled with meaningful moments.

When our friends got married, they researched global wedding rituals, then  each picked a ritual to add into the ceremony. It was beautiful to see, and so much more personal than simply hearing them repeat the words “for richer or poorer.”  After all, marriage is about ritual, ceremony, and having our community witness and support our love and commitment to each other. When we stay focused on this, and don’t get lost in the “show” then wedding days become richer. Because let’s be honest, in 10 years the party favors won’t get us through a dark night…. it’s our love, our family, and our community that pulls us through.

This is a great time in your life! Remember, you’re not just planning a big party, you’re planning a way to celebrate your love with all the people who love you back. Make it meaningful, make it personal, make it something to tell your grandchildren about!

-Melanie

Our nature loving couple used an acorn blessing during their ceremony. It included a story of how their relationship mirrored the growth of an acorn.

When Ashlee and Pablo got married at The Roth Estate in Nevada City, they included 4 “maidens” who did a blessing in the 4 directions prior to the ceremony. See more of their wedding here

Our couple who tied the knot at River Highlands Ranch in Smartsville, Ca included elements of their heritage in their ceremony. In addition to flying their native flags at the ceremony, they took a shot of whiskey during the ceremony.

Gwynessa and Todd got married at Harmony Ridge Lodge in Nevada City, CA. During their ceremony, each person in their bridal party used henna to create a tattoo on their interlocked hands.

Pouring each other shots during the ceremony we’re told comes from the Scottish tradition. I’m not sure how accurate that is, yet I’m sure it helps with wedding day jitters, and many of our grooms love the idea of this! Liz and Josh poured each other shots during the wedding ceremony at Squirrel Creek Ranch in Grass Valley, CA

Our couple included their 3 children into their ceremony with a family circle and exchange of personalized necklaces for the children. See more of their wedding which took place at The Ridge Golf Course in Auburn, CA here.

Our couple who got married at Empire Mine State Park in Grass Valley, CA included a traditional wedding lasso and hand blessing during their ceremony.