So you'd like to include your guests in your ceremony somehow but you're not quite sure how to do so? Here are some ideas for you.
Consider some guest vows. These can help settle your nerves and can start the ceremony with a laugh. Guest vows can be light hearted or serious, such as having your guests:
Promise to ensure that your glasses and plates will never be empty during the evening;
Vowing that you are their all time favourite couple;
Promise to dance through the evening until they can dance no longer
Promise free babysitting for anytime you need it
Vow to always support you through any difficulties you may encounter.
2. Consider some vows to your guests. You could promise to always include them in your lives, to share joy with them and to support them when needed.
3. Choose your witnesses from your guests. You can have anyone you want as your witnesses, as long as they are over 18. A parent, grandparent, sibling, friend, anyone at all. Not sure who to pick? Why not raffle the honour. Put your shortlist names into a container and pick out two names. Your guests will be on the edge of their seats, waiting for the result.
4. Include family or friends in a ritual. They could help with a hand fasting, light a candle for you, deliver the sand for the sand ritual. Anything you want. There's no reason that your celebrant has to perform a ritual - anyone can do it. More information on rituals may be found here.
5. Ask a guest to do a reading for you. This could be a poem or any piece of text that's meaningful to you. Ask your celebrant for suggestions if you're not sure. This is not something to spring on someone at the ceremony though - make sure you've asked them ahead of time and have provided the reading to them.
6. Consider how you'll enter the ceremony. You don't have to enter straight to where you'll be standing for the ceremony. You and your partner could enter together and spend some time mixing with your guests before your ceremony. This can also be a good way to settle nerves.
7. Spread the love. Have your guests hold the hand of the person next to you as you say your vows.
8. Have your guests stand in a circle around you as you say your vows. This works best at a smaller wedding.
9. Provide bubbles for your guests to blow. Can be done at any time during the ceremony, perhaps during your vows or at the end once you're pronounced married.
Whatever you decide to do, it's completely up to you. It's your wedding, your way.
