Helpful Tips for Planning Your Perfect Wedding Ceremony

Your wedding ceremony is the pinnacle of your big day. It's when your guests first arrive, where you'll exchange rings, say your vows, and make it official.

Like any part of your wedding day, quite a few logistics are involved in making your ceremony run smoothly - but don't be intimidated! Follow these tips to structure the ideal wedding ceremony for you.

1. Have an unplugged ceremony

Walking down the aisle will be one of the most memorable parts of your wedding day - don't let the view of your adoring guests be blocked by cell phone cameras! If you have a professional photo and video team, they'll be there to capture the moment. Encourage your guests to fully enjoy it by turning those phones off and putting them away.

*Bonus tip: have your officiant announce your unplugged ceremony just before it starts! Unplugged ceremony signs are popular but often get missed as guests are walking through. Making the announcement ensures they'll be in the know.

2. Put the accurate ceremony start time on your invitations

The logic is understandable; your ceremony starts at 4:30 pm, so you put 4:00 on your invitations to ensure your guests arrive on time. The problem is, many guests see 4:00, so they will arrive around 3:30 - before you know it, you have guests standing around for an hour (or more) before your ceremony starts. This can cause issues if your venue is not yet prepared with seating and refreshments, and if you are taking photos around the venue beforehand, it makes guests susceptible to seeing you.

My tip is to word your invitation carefully; "Ceremony will begin promptly at 4:30 pm," or, "The wedding couple requests that guests do not arrive any earlier than 4:00 pm." You can also sometimes work with your venue to incorporate a buffer for start time if needed.

3. Practice adjusting your train and veil ahead of time

If you're wearing a veil and/or gown with a train, you'll want to make sure they're laying just right when you're standing at the altar - this is their time to shine before the veil is removed and train is bustled for your reception. Typically, this is adjusted by whoever is standing or sitting closest to you, right after you walk down the aisle. Practice ahead of time if this person is with you at your fittings, or on your wedding day right before ceremony.

4. Have your officiant step aside for your first kiss

Asking your officiant to step to the side for your first kiss is a great way to make sure the moment is truly your own when looking back at your photographs! Many officiants already have this as part of their practice now, but it never hurts to mention as a reminder, especially if the person officiating your wedding is someone who doesn't officiate regularly (a family member, friend, etc.)

5. Hold your kiss!

You've been waiting for this moment, make it last! Hold your kiss for at least a few seconds, not only to make sure you get a good photo, but to also gives your guests more time to get the cheers going!

6. Go in for another kiss as you walk back up the aisle

Similar to my last tip, this one is all about getting a great photo and getting your guests excited. These are always some of my favorites, because unlike most other ceremony photos, you're able to see yourselves and your guests in the same frame.

7. Be intentional about your post-ceremony celebrations

After you come back up the aisle, energy and emotions will be high - who do you want to share those emotions with? Just you and your partner? Your closest family and friends, your wedding party, or your entire guest list (receiving line)? Venues have their standard methods for having you exit your ceremony, but if you have a specific vision, you may have to be intentional about making it happen.

I got married in May 2023; post-ceremony, our venue typically takes their wedding couples through an exit separate from the wedding party and guests so they can celebrate alone together, but my husband and I really wanted to celebrate with our siblings (wedding party) and parents. So, we changed the plan and had our wedding party and parents follow us through the separate exit before guests were motioned in the opposite direction to cocktail hour. It was one of my most favorite parts of our wedding day and I'm so happy we made it happen exactly how we envisioned it!

Weddings featured in this post:

Jenna and Michael

Gabby and Luke

Olivia and Brandon

Colleen and Ian

Jo and Drew

Lauren and Bradyn

Emily and Drew

Morgan and Tyler

Kelly and Greg

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