Sand Ceremony: Consider this ceremony in place of the unity candle especially if outdoors. The sand ceremony can also be used inside if air vents may be a problem in continuing to extinguish the candles. The sand ceremony consists of three jars. Two jars filled with sand, one with one color and one with another. A third jar placed in the middle left empty. At the appropriate time in the ceremony the bride and groom pour both colors together into the third empty jar to symbolize their separate lives becoming one. The mixed jar is a wonderful lifetime keepsake.

On using a ring bearer: When using a ring bearer consider placing fake rings on the pillow especially if real young child is appointed this task. It’s a good idea to have a fake ring even with older children who are very responsible. One trip on the runner and the ring could be gone for good, especially if the fall happens outside in grass or dirt. Consider allowing the best man to hold both real rings, as the maid/matron of honor will be holding the bride’s flowers which can make an awkward hand off when during the ring ceremony.

Outdoor Ceremony:

Have a back up plan. Remember this is GA. It rains at short notice. Always have a back up plan.

Know your East and West. The sun rises in the East and sets in the West. Know where that is at your venue. Know whose eyes the sun will hit and are you ok with that.

Consider the month and time. June, July, and August are hot, hot, hot, in GA. The outdoors may look and feel picturesque in the early months, but come those mid summer months it can be brutal on everybody. If an outdoor evening ceremony is planned by the river or the lake you might want to consider some form of bug repellant strategy.

Again consider using the sand ceremony vs the unity candle ceremony.

Rehearsal: Encourage the whole wedding party to be on time. A Rehearsal should last no more than 30 min.

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate: Delegate as much as you can to your wedding coordinator, family friends, and wedding party. Consider giving the best man all fees to paid out in separate envelopes to given out prior to the ceremony. Consider giving the best man the marriage license to give to the Officiant prior to the ceremony. This will eliminate service providers having to interrupt the celebration of the marriage to collect fee’s and sign documents.

Be cautious of runner: If planning on using a runner practice on it with the shoes to be worn. Runners are very unstable. They move and twist and form humps and bumps especially paper runners being used outside on grass.

Lapel Microphone: If wanting the Officiant to use a microphone consider a lapel microphone. Stand microphone for the Officiant or groom just get in the way and look very ugly in pictures.

Provide your own Directions: Map quest is not always accurate. It is best if you can just send a bulk email out with directions that you trust.

CD Playback Compatibility: When using a CD for playback test it prior to the ceremony on the equipment that it will played on. All CD players will not play all formats that come from home computers.