Today is National Handwriting Day and in the spirit of this we thought we would look at writing your wedding vows for a non-religious ceremony! I am currently in the middle of writing mine, so hopefully this will help me too!
Weddings on Female First
Length and tone
It is important that you discuss this with your partner. Church weddings can be in excess of 45 minutes whereas a civil ceremony can be over in the blink of an eye. Unless you find elements to incorporate that will make it a lengthier service such as readings or songs.
Do you want the vows to include the family and friends or focus solely on the you- the couple? Do you want it to be formal or informal? Whichever you choose its best to keep this consistent throughout.
The Opening
This is where the registrar welcomes everyone to the wedding and thanks them for attending and, as cringe worthy as it might sound; ask the congregation to turn off their phones.
The Readings
The readings are entirely up to you. Some people write their own, others choose a poem or song lyrics. Whatever it is that means something to you can be read out at the ceremony, by someone of your choosing or by you! The registrar will ask the reader to come up to the front to deliver it at a point which you have chosen.
We are getting married in the Lake District so have chosen a short piece by a poet whose entire works are specifically about the area, to be read by my mother in law. I have also written a speech for my mum to read about love as I have chosen not to make speech myself! The men are getting a lot of air time on our wedding day so I felt that the mums should be included too! This is just one example of what you can do….
The Expression of Intent
This is the part of the wedding ceremony that is legally binding. This is where you are asked the all-important question;
‘Do you take this person to be your legally wedded partner?’
‘I do’ (hopefully!)
The Vows
You can write these yourself and read them or ask the registrar to read them and you can repeat them. There is a bit of flexibility here depending on what you prefer.
The Ceremony of the Rings
The registrar talks about the significance of the rings and then the exchange takes place.
The Ring Vows
You present each other with the ring and most couples repeat after the registrar, ‘with this ring, I thee wed’.
The Pronouncement
The registrar will pronounce that you are now husband and wife.
The Kiss
You take you first smooch as husband and wife.
And the rest, as they say is up to you........