Wedding Ceremony Guide for Cheshire East Cheshire 2011 | Page 29
I remember in the last couple of months
leading up to the wedding, when most of the
big decisions had been made and my dress
had been bought, my thoughts began to
stray towards the ceremony itself. What we
could include and what wouldn’t be allowed,
and how we wanted the ceremony to be.
I needn’t have worried. The Best Man played his part to perfection,
handing over the rings at just the right time.
The Registrar then pronounced us Husband
and Wife and everyone applauded. The
Registrar then invited us to check and sign
the marriage register - and reminded me that
I was signing for the last time in my maiden
name.
The Registrar contacted us in the weeks
before the wedding, asking us to complete
a profile to give them an idea as to how
we wanted the ceremony to be, they also
asked if we would like to meet a member
of the team to talk through the ceremony
and put our minds at ease (nothing is half
as daunting once you know what’s going to
happen!). It was really reassuring to know
that we could still have all the traditional bits
(to keep my mum happy!). The photographer took lots and lots of
photographs and all our guests were
encouraged to take photographs of us
pretending to sign the register.
An usher escorted my mum to her seat
(resplendent in her finery). My dad (beaming
from ear to ear) walked me down the aisle
(and was even asked for his consent to the
marriage). The bridesmaids and ring bearers
followed, and I’m told the groom looked
particularly nervous as he waited for me
along with the bestman holding tightly onto
our wedding rings. Our marriage ceremony was perfect - just as
I dreamed it would be - a celebration of our
love for each other.
I couldn’t believe I was finally there, as I heard
the music begin for my entrance. Whilst we
chose classical music, the Registrar said every
wedding was different, with some choosing
classical, others preferring popular music that
was special to them, or even the traditional
Wedding March. We could be as traditional, grand, low key
or simple as we wanted to be – it really
was without a doubt, ‘our ceremony and
our choice’.
The ceremony itself was beautiful, with our
vows and promises to each other included
within the Registrar’s script (we didn’t have to
think of our own vows at all – what a relief!).
We had two readings, the Registrar
suggested some readings, but we were
also free to choose our own. We managed
to persuade two of our guests to read at
the ceremony – the Registrar said family or
friends reading would make a more personal
ceremony, but if no one felt able to, then the
Registrar would have read for us.
Then the Registrar said a few words to finish
the ceremony, everyone was asked to stand
for the bride (that’s me!) and groom, the
music began and we walked back down the
aisle to a glass of champagne waiting just
outside and then the celebrations began.
The Registrar was incredibly helpful in
guiding us through all the different aspects
of the ceremony, and advised us on the ways
we could make the ceremony more personal
to us.
I hope you have a fabulous wedding and
remember, work with your Registrar to enjoy
the ceremony you wish for. Don’t forget
they’ve done this lots and lots of times
before and are keen to make sure that you
get to enjoy the best day of your lives.
With love,
Julie
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