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Wedding Planning I - Scheduling

by Nily Glaser
A-wedding Day

"A-wedding Day" had many requests for information about the chronology of steps for both the wedding ceremony and reception. I hope that the following steps will help you schedule the details involved with your wedding ceremony and reception. It is important that you note that these are general and the actual procedure for your personal wedding may vary according to your preference and these of your officiant as you incorporate your religion, heritage and customs.

I have included steps for incorporating kids in re-marriages and blending families.

Ceremony Steps:

The ushers seat guests as they arrive for the ceremony.
The mother of the bride is seated last, unless she accompanies
her daughter to the altar.
The musicians play background music.
At the scheduled start time, unless the officiant, the groom,
and the best man are in the processional, they take their
places at the altar (or ceremony place).
The musicians start to play the processional music.
Mothers light the tapers for the Unity candle ceremony that
will follow the bride and groom's kiss.

Procession

- The most traditional order of the processional
is ushers and bridesmaids in pairs, followed by the maid of
honor, ring bearer, and flower girl. The bride enters last,
escorted by her father or by both parents.
The officiant greets the guests.
In a religious wedding, the officiant leads a brief opening
prayer.
Special readings, songs and or music follow.
The officiant's message.
The vows - Bride and groom.
In re-mariage the vows - blending family -vows from parents to
children.
The exchange of rings and the pronouncement "pronouncing you
husband and wife".
Bride and groom kiss.

In re-mariage giving each child a piece of jewelry and the pronouncement " pronouncing you a new family". Bride, groom and kids hug and kiss.
Unity candle ceremony (In remarriage, include the kids). The officiant then introduces the bride and groom as husband and wife.
In remarriage, the officiant then introduces the bride and groom and their kids, preferably by names, as a new family.
Exit procession: bride and groom, followed by the adult attendants in pairs, followed by the ring bearer and flower girl.
Take photos while the guests go to the reception.

Reception Steps

The reception starts with a receiving line that includes the bride and groom, parents and attendants.
At the same time it is appropriate for waiters to circulate with drinks and hors d'oeuvres while the receiving line is in progress.
Background music played.
The bride and groom can open the dancing either before or after food is served.
If you are planning a dinner and dancing reception, the "bride and groom's first dance" occurs after dinner followed by the bride dancing with her father and the groom with his mother after which other guests are allowed out on the floor.
Toasts should begin at the end of the meal.
The first toast is the best man's toast to the bride.
In re-marriage, the bride and groom introduce their children before the first toast.
Other toasts.
Cake cutting ceremony.
The garter and bouquet tosses occur just before the couple is ready to leave for the honeymoon.
The guests send the couple off for their honeymoon with a shower of rice, rose petals, or bubbles, balloons, butterfly release or doves release.

After the honeymoon, do not forget to write the thank-you notes.