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Acknowledgments Preface Part One Your Wedding Ceremony: The People, the Place, and Special Considerations Chapter 1 Creating Your Wedding, Your Way What Is a Spiritual Wedding? Your Dream Wedding Remember to Take Charge Choosing an Officiant A Note to Officiants Couple/Ceremony Information Sheet-Sample A Personal Perspective Chapter 2 Setting the Tone for Your Wedding What to Consider in Designing the Ceremony The Couple The Guest List The Wedding Party Traditions Chapter 3 Planning the Ceremony Location Finding Your Wedding Ceremony Location Identifying Your Needs and Desires Researching Possible Sites Agreeing on Terms for Use of Your Chosen Site Optimizing Your Ceremony's Location Balance and Fit Special Considerations for Outdoor Weddings Easily Accessible and User-Friendly Factors to Consider in Designing the Ceremony Site Ceremony Site Layout Worksheet-Sample The Wedding Party Props Chairs Music Chapter 4 Special Considerations "Handle with Care" Relationships Who Does What, When, Where, Why, and How Wedding Contact Information Sheet-Sample Just Before the Ceremony Checklist-Sample The Wedding Program The Wedding Rehearsal Wedding Rehearsal Checklist-Sample A Note about Ushers Part Two Designing Your Ceremony Chapter 5 The Ceremony Text Designing the Ceremony Text Worksheet-Sample Ceremony Overview In the Beginning The Seating of the Guests The Processional Processional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet-Sample Opening Prayer Gathering Words Remembrances and Acknowledgments In the Middle Readings and Songs Charge for the Couple The Declaration of Support Marriage Address Symbolic Rituals Unity Candle Ceremony Tree Planting Ceremony Sand Ceremony Water Ceremony In the End Wedding Vows Ring Exchange Prelude by the Officiant Ring Exchange by the Couple Final Blessing and Pronouncement Benediction The Recessional Recessional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet-Sample Chapter 6 Incorporating Personal Beliefs and Circumstances For a Smaller Wedding The Friendship Circle When Your Ceremony Involves Children Incorporating Religious Traditions Jewish Wedding Rituals Explanation of Jewish Traditions Blessing and Drinking the Wine The Seven Blessings Prayers from the Old Testament Symbolic Gestures Incorporating Ethnic Traditions Greek Crowning Ceremony and Common Cup The Polish Ritual of Symbolic Gifts The Wrapping of the Mantilla Part Three Putting It All Together Chapter 7 Sample Ceremonies Ceremony One: Spiritual and Heartfelt Ceremony Two: Short and Sophisticated Ceremony Three: Celebrating Our Oneness While Honoring Our Differences Ceremony Four: Inspired by Nature Ceremony Five: Short, Spontaneous, and Intimate Ceremony Six: A Marriage with Children Ceremony Seven: Non-denominational Christian with Scriptural Readings Ceremony Eight: Joyful Family Togetherness A Note about Commitment Ceremonies Ceremony Nine: A Heartfelt Commitment Ceremony Ceremony Ten: Renewal of Marriage Vows Chapter 8 Checklists and Worksheets Couple/Ceremony Information Sheet Ceremony Site Layout Worksheet Wedding Contact Information Sheet Just Before the Ceremony Checklist Wedding Rehearsal Checklist Designing the Ceremony Text Worksheet Processional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet Recessional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet A Final Thought About the Author