I’m Ruby the Rochester Bride! As a newlywed of the Rochester area, I love sharing my knowledge of the wedding experience with newly engaged couples. This week, we are going to discuss everything to do with your ceremony, a very vital part to your wedding!
{1} When: It is important to check the availability of your wedding date and time with the ceremony site and officiant sooner rather than later. If you do not regularly attend a church or synagogue, it makes it that much more urgent to make sure your dream location has availability at the time you desire.
{2} Where: There are many different locations that cater to wedding ceremonies; you just have to pick the place that suits you best. Some things to consider are your religious beliefs, the type of ceremony you would like to have and the number of guests attending. Some options for location are: churches, homes, hotels, parks/gardens, private clubs, ships/boats, wineries, historical mansions, museums, synagogues or chapels.
{3} Types: You and your fiancé both must come to an agreement about the type of wedding that you both feel most comfortable with. Some types include civil, Jewish, Military, Orthodox, Protestant, and Roman Catholic. There are certain restrictions and rules for each type of wedding, so make sure to do some research before you make a final decision.
{4} Styles: The style of the wedding is based off of the officiant you choose. They could include, formal, informal, long, short, day or night.
{5} Officiant/Readings: The officiant is responsible for expressing your sentiments about your marriage in a style that fits well with the rest of your wedding. It is important you feel comfortable working with the person you choose to fulfill this role. You may also want to include friends and family into the ceremony, which is something to keep in mind with your officiant.
{6} Premarital Classes: Some churches require that a couple attend one or more premarital classes prior to the ceremony. If your venue is a church keep this in mind because the number of session vary from church to church.
{7} Fees: Ask your officiant about all related fees, how and when they need to be paid for things such as rentals, musicians, cleanup, and the service itself. Prices will vary depending on the type and style of your ceremony.
