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.