Custom Search

Your Wedding Ceremony On A Budget

Coming up with a wedding ceremony on a budget is actually one of the easiest element of a wedding there is. With a little legwork and research on your part, you should be able to find almost anything you want.

Many times a couple want a traditional type of wedding ceremony that includes officiating by some sort of recognized authority like the justice of the peace on the civil side, or a minister or other clerical figure on the religious side. One of the first steps you need to decide is whether or not the religious component is a necessity for you. There is a certain set of paperwork that must be completed no matter where the marriage occurs, usually there are no specifications as to whether the one officiating the ceremony as civil or religious qualification to do so.

If the participation a religious official is not a necessity, it is possible to be married legally by a judge, justice of the peace, or even a ship's captain when a couple is in international waters. In most of these cases, the fee for the ceremony is minimal ($50 or less) if not simply a gratuity to whomever is officiating. The actual words of the ceremony, itself, are fairly common ones that are contained in books are used by this sort of official.

If you desire to have the participation of a more traditional religious authority, you don't necessarily have to use them at the place of worship they are normally connected with. If you're having your wedding ceremony an alternate location, it is possible to negotiate with them for a cost that may be lower than what you would pay for services at the church or synagogue. The key here is to find someone who's willing to travel, and if possible, invite them to the reception afterwards. By offering to serve them food, you may be able to negotiate for a lower price than what you might normally get otherwise.

By having a ceremony at a location other than a traditional church or synagogue venue, you may also be able to control the ceremony more than you might otherwise. You will have complete control over the music played, and you will be able to specify what kind of elements you want in the ceremony, such as reading your own vows, or planning on elements which may be out of the ordinary, like a hand fasting, or other nontraditional parts such as the jumping over a broom to signify that the union is complete. You may also be able to incorporate traditions which are no longer observed, such as the Scottish tradition wherein an element declared three times before witnesses that they are man and wife. Just be sure that whoever is officiating has the legal authority in the area where you're to complete the marriage in the area or territory where you reside. If the marriage is recognized by your local authorities, it will be honored anywhere else you go.

A final consideration to make in planning your wedding ceremony on a budget is whether or not you even want the marriage to be legal under the laws where you are located. There have been cases where for reasons of financial stability (like Richard Social Security pensioners do not want their incomes combined due to a legal union), the couple will choose to declare that they are "married in the sight of God" even though not so in any legal sense. In this case, it is not necessary to engage the services of a duly authorized official. In such a ceremony is possible to have anyone you choose officiate whatever tradition you wish to engage in.

To your beautiful wedding ceremony!

By: Bob Hamilton

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Find the finest wedding favor gifts at Best Wedding Favor Gifts.com.

© 2005-2011 Article Dashboard