When we are planning a wedding, we always ask our couples about their highest priorities. Do they imagine an over-the-top design that wows their guests? A live band that keeps the party going all night long? Mouthwatering food their guests will be raving about for the next three years? Whatever it is, oftentimes our couples can’t wait to start planning the party! We have talked about your wedding reception on the blog before (most recently – check out this post on your guest’s place settings!), but today, we are going to take it way back and focus on the part that actually makes you married: planning your wedding ceremony.

If you are already in the weeds and feeling overwhelmed about all things wedding planning, we just want to take a quick moment to remind you that you don’t need to do this alone. Borrowed and Blue is a well-versed wedding planning firm serving couples getting married in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond. Set in the stunning North Georgia mountains, We plan and design weddings as unique and beautiful as you. If you are looking for someone to guide you through the process (and have a lot of fun along the way), you can learn more about our services here. Or, if you are ready to get started, make sure to get in touch right away!

Planning your Wedding Ceremony

When it comes to your wedding ceremony, there are a million little details that will come together to make it unique to your love story. Here are a few things for you and your partner to start thinking about as you work with your wedding planner to create the most incredible day.

First, what type of wedding ceremony do you want to have? Are there any religious traditions you want to incorporate?

This is one of the first things to decide – because ultimately, it will affect your wedding venue and ceremony location! If you are dreaming of a church, we need to know that before we start planning your wedding ceremony. Talk to your partner, but also talk to your immediate family. Although ultimately your wedding decisions are up to you, it never hurts to know if one of your parents has a specific tradition that is incredibly meaningful to them. As you start to consider what type of wedding ceremony you want to have, you will also start to get a better sense of how much time you need to budget in your wedding day timeline. A traditional catholic ceremony in a church will take more time than a secular outdoor wedding ceremony, for example.

While you consider traditions, are there any special readings you want to be performed?

Is there a specific piece of scripture or literature that stands out when you think about love? Consider if you want anything special read, and then who you want to do the readings! You can ask your officiant, but many choose to ask a close family member or friend to perform the reading.

If not a reading (or on top of a reading), consider if you want anything else included unique to you as a couple. We still swoon when we remember one groom surprising his bride with a song!

Do you want to write your own vows, or choose something from traditional vows?

We go back and forth with this one! On one hand, there’s something romantic about “for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health” and these vows are truly something that never get old. On the other hand, we have had our couples reduce us to a puddle of tears (and have made us laugh out loud!) when they get creative and write their own vows.

Do you want to include a unity ceremony and if so, what?

This is always such a fun way to infuse a little more of your personality! Probably the most common types of unity ceremonies are the sand ceremony (where you mix two vials of sand into a bigger container) or candle ceremony (where you take two small candles and light one larger candle). There are so many other options though! We have seen couples mix wine together, or if you want to incorporate a Christian flair, you can braid a piece of rope together (because three cords are not easily broken). The sky is the limit – use this ceremony as a way to show two lives becoming one!

Who do you want walking down the aisle with you?

This is maybe more general than a planning your wedding ceremony question, but it’s important nonetheless. Choose your wedding party wisely – and make sure these are your ride or die people. The ones that have your back no matter what. You’ll also want to choose your flower girl and ring bearer – but I promise your loved ones won’t be offended if you don’t ask their newborn! Choose someone comfortable walking down the aisle (or choose to skip this tradition all together). If one or both of you is walking down the aisle, you’ll also want to consider who you want to walk down the aisle with.

Choosing your Wedding Planner

We want wedding planning to be fun – so we hope this has you thinking about all of the possibility for your wedding ceremony. If you are just starting your wedding planning journey, you do not have to do this alone. (And shouldn’t). The very first vendor you should book – before the venue even – should be your wedding planner. We talk more about the importance here, but if you have more questions, make sure to get in touch with us here. We would love to connect with you!