Here are our top ceremony tips to make your wedding memorable and easy to execute. As your day gets closer, the final details become more and more important. Don’t fret; we are here to help!

Ceremony Tip #1- Choosing an Officiant

One great ceremony tip is how to choose your officiant and who you should choose. There are perks for hiring a professional officiant as well as having a friend or family member perform your ceremony. If you are more traditional, you may prefer a professional or a church member that has known you for your whole life. They can provide a religious perspective, and are respected by your family and your community. Officiants always take the job seriously, and your wedding won’t be their first time performing these duties. Click here to check out our full list of preferred vendors. 

If you and your fiancée have a mutual friend who knows you both inside and out, asking a loved one can be a great option as well. When possible, choose someone with a public speaking experience who can cue a crowd to the emotional ups and downs of a wedding ceremony and make guests both laugh and cry. If you’re having a more casual ceremony, ask the individual to slip in-jokes that make you remember why you fell in love in the first place. Having a friend or family member not only be on your special day but be a part of your special day makes your wedding all the more memorable. The individual you choose to perform the ceremony just needs to get ordained online first.

Ceremony Tip #2- Think About Choosing an “Unplugged Ceremony”

An “unplugged ceremony” is when the couple asks their guests to leave their cellphone in their pockets for the ceremony. Some couples even go as far as to have ushers collect everyone’s phones and return them during cocktail hour. This can bring an intimacy to the ceremony that is hard to find in today’s tech-driven world.

Another bonus of having an unplugged ceremony is that it can also help photographers get better shots if they aren’t constantly trying to avoid guests with their phones out, and you can get the most value out of your professional photography.

Have your ushers ensure your guests that the professional photographs will be available to them and encourage guests to instead be in the moment with you and your fiancé throughout the ceremony. Check out more pros and cons of unplugged ceremonies here!

Ceremony Tip #3- Plan B

If you are having an outdoor ceremony, be prepared! Weather is one factor that you won’t know until the day of. When the day comes, there’s no telling what nature will have it store. Our ceremony tip for you is no matter what the conditions on the big day, don’t get discouraged! One important wedding tip is to have a backup plan that you feel good with, and stick to it if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Click for wedding pictures at Warren Station! Make sure to talk to your coordinator to about these possibilities:

• Umbrellas– Have someone hand out umbrellas before they are seated. Pick fun patterns for a fun look. Have your wedding parties umbrellas labeled with their title. Another option is to hand out blankets if it is cold out.
  
• If it is raining at ceremony time, invite your guests into the venue, it will give them time to sign the guest book, check out the venue, and catch up with friends.
• If the weather seems like it isn’t going to quit, move your ceremony inside. Slide tables to each side of the room creating an aisle, roll out your runner, and dim the lights. Your guests aren’t going to mind. They are there to support you, on your big day. Even if the weather isn’t perfect, your wedding will be.
• BONUS WEDDING TIP: The pictures you can get on a rainy day, are incredible. Check out this awesome photo from Olivia Locascio:

How to Secure a Runner Outside (And Alternatives To Using One)

If you are having your wedding ceremony outside at a venue like Quaking Aspen Amphitheatre you may want to add some additional ambiance with a runner down your side entrance aisle. Here are some suggestions on how to ensure that your runner looks great and therefore, won’t become an issue.

• Stick strong double-sided tape down all sides of the runner, do a couple of rows to be cautious.
• Have weighted stands down the stairs helping keep the runner secure. Have these stands hold pictures, candles, flowers, or anything else you think up. This could be a timeline of how you met your mate or a picture of shared experiences.
• Forego the runner and replace it with flower petals, or succulents Add an alter instead, as your grand decoration.

An important wedding tip is to remember, your guests will be mostly looking at you and your partner, so sometimes less is more. Save the grand décor for the reception, where you can enjoy it all night long.

We believe that there is no detail too small to overlook when it comes to planning a ceremony. Click this link if you would like more information about Warren Station and Quaking Aspen. Think about what your vision is, and have a team in place to execute your ideas! Happy planning!