Yep,so my Dd decided to turn the “meet the parents” visit this month into the wedding. We agree with their choice (no, pregnancy isn’t involved), but are scrambling with the details.
The couple aren’t traditionally religious but asked me for ideas for readings for the ceremony. Coming up blank after Khalil Gibran since I want traditional religion in the ceremony and they don’t. Any ideas?
Any music ideas for the processional /recessional that we can put onto a playlist? What did your kid do?
When you say aren’t traditionally religious do you mean they’re not religious at all or they just don’t want a big church (etc) ceremony?
Can you tell us a bit about your D and her fiance? Do they like movies, music, poetry, etc? We’re taking one of our “readings” from a speech in Princess Bride- one of our favorite movies that we quote all the time. That’s something that might be very special to the couple.
Oh wow-how fun! A friend of mine did that years ago. But the plan was easy since they did it at Christmas so no shortage of music, readings, etc.
H and I had a non-traditional outside wedding. The reading I picked was from The Little Prince, a part about how you have to care for your rose. We also both wrote passages we read to each other. We didn’t have music, but there are so many good wedding type songs you could play. It depends on what kind of music they like. Dan Fogelburg “Longer”? “Sunrise, Sunset”? “Try to Remember”? H and I picked “Kiss from a Rose” by Seal for the reception-it has personal meaning for us and roses were kind of a theme.
But it’s hard to suggest anything for such a small, intimate wedding, not knowing your D, Good luck with it though!
Romani-a friend of mine is in turn friends with the real Offbeat Bride. Friend’s wedding was used in the Offbeat Bride’s book. Congrats on your wedding!
Fwiw, my mom just got some beautiful dresses at Macy’s for the price range of $30-60. We’re having an outdoor, beach wedding so nothing super formal but they look absolutely stunning on her.
Congratulations, dragonmom! Very exciting! I found my MoB dress at Nordstrom - I received many compliments.
Congratulations, romanigypsyeyes! Wishing you a wonderful wedding day.
My D was married this spring. They chose Colossians 3:12-17 and Matthew 5:1-10. For the processional, they chose Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring for the bridal party and Canon in D (Pachelbel) for the bride’s processional. They were played by a wonderful string quartet.
My niece was married a few years ago and asked me to choose something to read. I chose the Irish Blessing. The other reader chose a passage from The Velveteen Rabbit.
Congratulations! Would love to help.
I was a ‘Mother of…’ at both a large event at a hall with a minister, and at a City Hall event. Both were fitting and individualized to the couple.
What size will this event be? a large Engagement Party with guests treated to the actual wedding? or will this be a small 2 families meeting, and since you are all here, we are getting married?
What is the venue? City Hall? Hotel Reception? Someone’s backyard?
As far as the ceremony itself, my D and SIL kept it very short and simple–just a friend ordained for the day who wrote some nice words, and their own vows they wrote. They processed to the song “Sound of Sunshine” by Michael Franti.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (Love is patient, love is kind)–
How about “The Wedding Song” (Peter, Paul and Mary)? It’s based on bible readings and was written for the express purpose of blessing a friend’s wedding. Beautiful song.
Many congrats, @dragonmom! You have an interesting month ahead of you, but it will all work out beautifully. Pachelbel’s Canon is a lovely processional selection - so far, 2 of my ds have chosen it.
On readings: when my d2 and her husband (both lawyers) were married last November, they used a reading from Goodridge v. Massachusetts, the first case to legalize marriage equality. It wasn’t at all dry or dull - it really synopsized what they want in their own marriage. “Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family.” Etc. It was 3 short paragraphs.
We aren’t a traditionally religious family but two readings referred to God, which were lovely pieces and also appreciated by the more traditionally religious folks present. They were 1st Corinthians 13 (“Love is very patient and kind …”) and the Irish blessing that starts “May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow …”
When d1 got married, their readings included a 4-line poem by Ogden Nash, “A Word to Husbands.” Maybe not for every ceremony, but so well read by my BIL that it stopped the show for a bit.
Thank you all so much! I’m sorry to have posted and then gone off…it was field day at school so I couldn’t check for updates at lunch.
I love these ideas. D1 and her sweetie are both very into racing bicycles, healthy eating, and outdoor activities. She’s more of a high tech person - he’s the literature lover. He’s thinking about ideas but also kind of overwhelmed right now with all the decisions.
A dress…oh my…I looked yesterday but everything I saw was too “Southern Beach Resort” for a wedding in Seattle. We haven’t pinned them down on how dressed the groom will be. D found a beautiful dress - it’s platinum with a dropped waist and a slightly beaded and ribboned bodice that says “Downton Abbey” to me. Long, soft silk skirt.
I had bookmarked this for the original evening in October date (after it showed up in my sidebar from one of the MOB threads:
Congrats @dragonmom. It will be a very busy month, but at least then it will be done, and not hanging over your head for another couple of months. I love that pick for a dress, but it is certainly too dressy for the current venue. I hope you find something wonderful. I think J Crew has some nice things.
Congratulations! DS and DIL did a version of this for their cermony http://www.vowsoftheheart.com/ceramonies/handfasting-wedding-ceremony/. They had colored cords and the maid of honor and best man handed them each one at the appropriate time. DD sang One hand One Heart from West Side Story afterwards to go with it. She has also sung The Prayer duet (Andrea Bocelli). They did the reading from Corinthians 13 for the grandparents.
