Three things to avoid in your wedding ceremony

Every wedding is different. The day usually reflects the couple, the families and friends, their beliefs and also their traditions so as different as every individual and every family is, that is how different every wedding ceremony will be.

Having said that, couples often try to bring a few extra elements in, in order to stamp their uniqueness onto the day. These elements often work out very well, however some of them can fail in a big way or not have the desired effect as imagined while planning it:

Avoid too many moving parts:

If for instance a family pet is the ring bearer and you know how it reacts in different circumstances this will probably work well and you will hear your guests making the usual “Ahh” sounds while tilting their heads sideways.

However if the arrival of the rings depend on the cooperation of a wild animal or a hyperactive toddler (they are similar in nature) then you are taking a huge risk. So avoid complications and if you do decide to take the risk then have a plan B in place just to save the moment if needed.

Avoid certain inside jokes:

I say certain inside jokes because a good inside joke can accentuate the couple’s uniqueness, however if the ceremony mostly leaves the guests in the dark and they don’t really know what is going on then they start to disengage.

The principle here is - It is okay to stimulate curiosity and intrigue in your guests but it is not okay to leave them in the dark, they want to engage, and they want to enjoy the day with you.

Avoid saying “yes” or “no” to things that you might regret later on:

Trust your gut! You know what you like and don’t like. You also know what you are capable of and not.

Some of the things that people regret afterwards are:

• Shying away from saying their own vows because of fear. If you can, push yourself for this very special occasion because you don’t get a do-over. Have your notes close by in the ceremony and know that whatever you do/say it will be exactly the right thing.

• Not laughing more. If you are constantly stressed about what needs to happen next or what has already gone wrong then you tend to take yourself out of the present moment.

• Feeling uncomfortable. From the clothing to the guest list say yes to the things that you want to say yes to and no to the things that you want to say no to. Being respectful of the input of the people around you is just good manners, however figure out for yourself when it starts to rob you of a positive experience on your special day

If your would like to make contact with us in order to book a marriage officer (the person that officiates at your wedding) or to enquire about rates and services, you are welcome to send an email to admin@thatmarriageofficer.co.za

We look forward to celebrating life with you!