Tune up the music in your wedding ceremony

I know about weddings ceremonies! Over 21 years, I have been a Toronto wedding Officiant and I have some great musical ideas. For your wedding ceremony, consider a beautiful string quartet or a delightful jazz trio playing your favourite song in a classical manner. This song might be a slowed down version and styled to suit your grand entrance down the aisle. A couple I worked with loved the Star Wars series. They had a string quartet play an arrangement of the opening credit music. It was delightful! 

Can you imagine the surprise factor as your wedding guests arrive and walk down the musical red carpet? The guests loved it! This is the elegant entrance of Graydon Hall Manor, a very sophisticated location for Toronto wedding ceremonies and celebrations.

Or you might think about hiring a few voices from a community choir to sing a cappella? When this has been done during some of my past Toronto wedding services in the city and the GTA, I must tell you, both the couple and the wedding guests adored it! This is something very unique that does not happen very often in our lives. You are going to be pleasantly surprised how reasonably priced the fees are for choir members to sing at your wedding.

Here is talented Wellington Music, playing outside on the stone patio, for a Toronto wedding ceremony. This is the stunning view of Graydon Hall Manor, outside the main house. Picture by Ikonica. 

Classical music may be more appropriate for the beginning of the ceremony and the signing event. But I certainly suggest moving into much more upbeat music selection as the ceremony progresses. This can set the tone for a light, fun celebration ahead. Music is the magical ingredient that adds sparkle, beauty, and creativity to your special day and your ceremony. The current trend for Toronto wedding couples is to choose it carefully and with some creative thought. Put your best ideas, your sense of humour and blended creativity and organize a memorable wedding service together. You both will be glad you did and so will your delighted guests!

I do wed you, with my own vow

Valuable Wedding Vow Wisdom (some TIPS)

Nicole and Adam had spent careful time planning exactly the right wedding vows to suit their personalities. Stunning Graydon Hall Manor was the location for this trend-setting. Picture by Ikonica.

1. First, ask your Wedding Officiant
To avoid disappointment, start by asking your Wedding Officiant, Rabbi, Imam, Priest, or Minister: "Is it okay if you write your own vows?"   

2. Short is good! 
The length of your vows does matter. Do try to think about what the most important topics are for. This is a “highlight”, a heartfelt moment of the service. But it can also be a very stressful experience for you as a wedding couple. It is natural that you are both going to be emotional during this very public commitment of your Love. Because you love each other, there is no need to attempt to prove it by overwriting your vows. A short sincere and heartfelt vow can convey your love clearly.  

3. A bit of humour? 
Many of my modern couples are adding the addition of something in the vows that is honest and funny for them both. Yes, this can give you both a little tasteful and joyous break from the seriousness of getting married in your own charming and sincere way. For example, a sentence about reminding each other, of whose turn it is to complete a dreaded home chore, has brought a tender humanness and even a small sweet laugh to a couple. Then, you can continue on to the more serious parts of your vows together. These days, a light and funny sentenceis a great addition to a beautiful and meaningful wedding vow!
 
4. Be careful of wedding vows written on the internet
If you are taking ideas off the Internet, ask yourself: Who were these vows meant for? Are these just too perfect, too lofty, and too overly dramatic? You both will be so much more engaged in vows that are ‘realer‘, and more authentic, closer to who you both really are. The sincerity of your caring and devotion will come shinning through. I believe it is always better when the final vows are more human, more honest, and less perfect, less contrived. After all, true love is two imperfect people seeing the perfection in each other. Your very unique love and intimate thoughts are what you really dowant to share with those you love and have invited to be part of your wedding day.

Ron and Lena saying their personal wedding vows outside, at the beautiful McLean House Garden at Sunnybrook Estates (yes, they did practice their vows ahead, before the wedding service). Photo by Heartline Pictures. 

5. Practise!A few days ahead of the ceremony, take some time to practice out loud your vows together. You are not expected to memorize these powerful sentences. However, the familiarity you will gain will be a great support to you both in a few days! You will be so glad you have created this level of comfort going into your service. This will not lessen the emotional experience of saying these words only on the day itself. On the contrary, this practice will enhance an already meaningful experience. You will definitely be less stressed and much more confident and comfortable delivering your vows.