Your wedding is about you and there is no right or wrong way to do it (some basic legal requirements not withstanding!). But hand-fasting rituals and traditional bagpipes are not for everyone. While some dream of a day of extravagance and luxury, for others; simple is beautiful.
For all sorts of reasons more couples are seeking a simple wedding ceremony where the focus is on the meaning of the day rather than the lavish details.
Sometimes the decision to go with a simple wedding ceremony is to do with budget, but not always. Very often it is a question of personal style. Couples often decide that what is important to them is a chance to contemplate the statement they are making in a quiet and reflective atmosphere. To this end, they will sometimes write their own wedding vows and work with their celebrant or officiant to create a ceremony that reflects the values they want to live by together in their marriage.
For others it is a question of time. More and more people these days live together for extended periods before they decide to get married. For these couples a major event with months of preparation doesn’t feel right; in this case the ceremony is often more about the ritual, the public acknowledgment of their relationship, and once decided on, often happens within weeks of the decision being made. The impending arrival of a child can inspire a committed couple to take the step of formalising their relationship. Other major life events can be the catalyst for a wedding too. Even for long standing de-facto couples who thought they would never consider getting married, sometimes it becomes something they want to do after-all. In all these scenarios, and many others, couples decide to get married in a thoughtful, beautiful and simple wedding ceremony.
These days, there are many professional celebrants who are experienced in marrying couples with all sorts of values, cultures and styles. A good celebrant will work hard to understand the kind of ceremony you want, and you can be assured that they will have heard the phrase “we just want a simply wedding ceremony” before. If budget is an issue, be upfront about this with your celebrant. They will understand and will probably have ways of accommodating your needs. Just by deciding on a simple wedding ceremony you will potentially save a great deal of money in all sorts of areas anyway, but it’s important that your celebrant understands your situation. They are there on the day to support you, and will work with you before hand to create the ceremony you want. Unlike you perhaps – they have done this many times before!
A simple wedding ceremony will lose nothing in meaning or beauty because it is “simple”. Some of the most stylish and beautiful ceremonies are those in which the embellishments have been left behind. Sometimes this means that those present are able to witness and share in a rare moment between two people just being themselves and accepting each other exactly as they are. Remember; less is more. Whatever it is you want to say on your wedding day, you can find a way to say it with a simple wedding ceremony.
