Aisle Talk with Living Ceremonies
It’s no secret that wedding planning comes with plenty of distractions, tasks, and to-dos. We love a beautiful celebration, but consider this a gentle reminder to keep what matters most at the center of it all: the promise you’re making to your partner. Before the DJ plays the first song or dinner is served, it all begins with the ceremony. We’ve teamed up with Nashville wedding officiant Living Ceremonies to share a few of her insights. Get ready to dive into Aisle Talk!
1. Start with the Ceremony
Design your ceremony before you design your reception. Couples spend months planning the reception and only a few minutes planning the ceremony. The ceremony is
the reason for the celebration. Begin with thinking about the moment you become husband and wife. Allow those feelings to be the center of your planning and everything that follows will feel fuller.
2. Protect Your Energy
Something that couples don’t think about on the morning of their wedding is protecting their emotional energy. Your wedding morning sets the tone for the entire day. Limit unnecessary noise, people and chaos. Try to incorporate a quiet moment of reflection, prayer or mindfulness before the festivities begin. Taking some deep breaths throughout the morning will help you arrive at the altar grounded and present.
3. Make It Yours
Wedding planning comes with opinions; lots of them. Some welcomed and some unwelcomed. They will come from family, friends and traditions. But what’s important is what matters to the two of you. Let your ceremony reflect your relationship, not trends that are here today and gone tomorrow, not your mama, auntie or your future in-laws opinion. Set healthy boundaries with others. Build a ceremony that feels like you, your beliefs, your personalities and your love story. It’s your wedding and your marriage.
4. Slow Down at the Altar
We’ve all had a case of the nerves and being nervous makes us want to rush through things. At the altar, one if not both of you will be nervous and that’s ok, just don’t let it steal the moment for you. Your heart will be pounding, your hands shaking, your mind will be spinning and all you’ll want to do is just get through it. That’s where I come in. I will lead you in taking a moment and allowing things to slow down, to breathe before we speak, and even let silence be. These pause in a ceremony are just as important as the words. This allows you to be grounded and fully present before anything is done. You’ve waited for this moment so let yourself feel it.
5. Prioritize Your Vows
Unpopular opinion: vows are more important than the dress. Don’t make this mistake; writing your vows at the last minute. Why is this important? Because, rushing to get something on paper is usually what you think sounds good, not how you really feel. When you have enough time to reflect, write, revisit and make revisions, it will reveal how you really feel. So start early, it’s not about sounding perfect, it’s about coming from a place of connection, from the heart, your vows are not there to impress people, they are meant to be meaningful from one heart to another.
6. Don’t Overlook the Ceremony
Your ceremony might be the most over looked part of your wedding and here’s why that’s a mistake. Most couples are told to plan a wedding around what will entertain, impress or photograph well. But no one tells you that your ceremony is the emotional center of the entire day. It is the reason the celebration exists. It’s the moment your lives shift forever. Guests may remember the dress, they may remember the food, but what they will feel the most is the moment you stand together and promise your lives to each other. A beautiful ceremony doesn’t just happen, it’s created with intention.
7. Prepare for the Marriage
Remember, the marriage begins after the pronouncement. The wedding day is beautiful, the ceremony ends, the music fades, the cake is cut and there is a grand exit. But the way you communicate, support each other, and stay connected is what truly matters. Marriage will bring disagreements, that’s normal. It’s not about winning the argument, it’s about each partner being heard. Communication isn’t just talking it’s also understanding and learning to truly listen to each other. That’s where premarital sessions can benefit, it gives you the opportunity to slow down, go deeper and truly prepare your hearts for the journey ahead. Premarital sessions are crucial for couples to establish a foundation for their future life together.
8. Take a Moment Together
Here’s a suggestion: Whether it’s right after the ceremony, before photos, before the reception, before the celebration begins, find a quiet place for just the two of you for a five minutes. Take that time to let is all sink in. You’re married now. Talk to your planner and let them know that you want that added to your timeline. These quiet moments will be moments you will always treasure because you had time to hold each other, to look into each other eyes and to feel the love and joy. After that, let everything else proceed.
9. Align on Your Vows
Imagine this: One partner delivers heart-felt, tear jerking vows about their love for you. The other partner follows with some jokes and a movie quote. Or one partner fills their vow book from front to back and the other writes only a few sentences. This can create an awkward altar moment. So before you start writing, agree in the tone and length. Will it be serious, humorous or a blend of both? Decide together so you’ll be on the same page. If you need assistant in getting started, you can begin with an opening, which is a statement about your love, then what you love about them, after that declare your promises followed by a closing statement of commitment. Share this with your partner if you are planning on writing your vows.
10. Embrace the Imperfections
Something will go wrong at most weddings. Bridal party arrives late, late vendor setups, microphones cut out, vows are mumbled, babies crying, wardrobe malfunction, bad weather, running behind schedule, you name it. Something may happen at yours too. But you know, the couples who enjoy their wedding the most are the ones who are mentally and emotionally prepared and understand that things happen beyond their control. Imperfections are a part of life. At the end of the day, all that really matters is that you and your partner begin a life of love and adventure together.
TMT Weddings
