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Do you want to know one of the reasons we love elopements so much? Because the focus is more on getting married than the giant party. Don't get me wrong, we love to celebrate, but if you are considering a last-minute elopement this fall or winter, you are definitely in the right place. Today, we want to go over a few tips for planning your wedding ceremony to make it incredibly meaningful and memorable. A significant part of your love story.
Calgary Wedding Photographers
Before you get too deep into planning your wedding ceremony, we want to quickly introduce ourselves and remind you that we only have a few spots left for 2021 elopements! At Fly Free Photography, we are Calgary wedding photographers with an absolute heart for elopements. To learn more about our husband and wife photo and video team (and our amazing associates), head here. Or, contact us here and snatch up one of the dates we have left!
Planning your Wedding Ceremony
Whether you are planning a last-minute wedding or are planning to elope, planning your wedding ceremony should be one of the most meaningful parts of the entire process! We are going to break down what you might want to include, and you can decide from there. We also believe in breaking traditions when you want to, so take what you like and leave the rest! None of these are legally required :)
Ceremony Traditions
First, when you start to plan your wedding, think about what traditions you might want to include. Are there certain elements of your religion you would like to include? Do you want your pastor to give a sermon or do you want to wash each other's feet at the end? Pass around your rings in a ring warming ritual? Don't get caught up in worrying about what everyone else is doing. You and your new spouse-to-be should think about what traditions are special and meaningful to YOU.
Another thing to consider? A unity ritual. There are SO many ways to represent you two becoming one family. The most popular is when you each take a lit candle and light the third candle together, but you can get more creative if you wish! Some couples chose to braid a rope (the three strands represent you, yours, and God and show how you are stronger together). I've seen couples get really creative with unity rituals where they mix wine or mix sand - the sky is the limit!
Ceremony Readings
The same with traditions, your ceremony readings can be religious or not! Some couples choose to have a favorite poem read, some a passage from a novel or a speech, and some choose a piece of scripture that is meaningful to them.
For an elopement, you might choose to have a reading you share with one another. Or, you might ask your officiant to perform the reading as a part of the ceremony. With a larger wedding, you can also ask one of your guests or members of your bridal party to perform the reading.
Writing Your Own Vows
We LOVE when couples write their own vows. In fact, we have talked about it before on the blog (and shared a few tips if you are interested!). You can read more about that here. Writing your own vows is an incredible way to personalize your ceremony. It truly makes your ceremony so unique to you and your relationship. Remember, getting married is a big deal so think about (and celebrate) what you are really promising forever.
Book Your Wedding Photographer
Last but not least, hire someone you trust to document your wedding ceremony. As elopement photographers, the ceremony really is our favorite part. If you are looking for a wedding photographer in Calgary, Canmore, Banff, or beyond, we would love to hear from you. We have a few spots left for 2021 and space is already filling fast for 2022. Learn more about our wedding photography and videography packages here and when you are ready, contact us to save your date! We are happy to provide personalized wedding ceremony planning advice and help you work out the timeline too!