5 Tips for Planning your Perfect Ceremony

Planning a wedding can be hard, especially with all the details that go along with it! Not only do you have to think about the details ranging from your dress to your reception, but one of the biggest details that you can’t miss is your ceremony. As your own Certified Wedding Coordinator & Designer, I’m here to help you every step of the way! That’s why I’m giving you the best 5 Tips to planning your perfect ceremony at Sand Springs!

Tip #1 – Hire your Officiant

Your officiant can be a pastor, reverend, celebrant, a magistrate and even your ordained family friend! Every wedding ceremony is supposed to be special and unique in it’s own way and your officiant should reflect the style that you are envisioning. Not every couple may want a religious aspect to their ceremony and that’s okay! You can hire an officiant that will focus more so on your relationship and your time together as a couple. You can have a long ceremony of about 30-45 minutes or you can keep it short and sweet at 5-10 minutes in length. There are no more rules when it comes to your ceremony and your officiant is that person that will help you create your dream wedding ceremony. Be sure to check out our Valued Vendor Officiants, Julie Cassidy & Reverend Grace Taylor –> Sand Springs Valued Vendors

Officiant, Julie Cassidy marrying Amber & Brian Jacobsen on July 15, 2019.

Photo Courtesy of CNK Photography.

Tip #2 – Consider your Ceremony Decorations

Now this is where you can really personalize your Sand Springs ceremony! Whether you choose to have your ceremony in our outdoor Gardens or in front of our floor to ceiling stone fireplace, there are so many different ways to customize. For our outdoor ceremony location, upgrading to our white sheer draping is a great touch to a natural, picturesque area. Some couples may even decide to add floral arrangements to the pergolas that match the style of their centerpieces and bouquets. We can’t forget about the aisle decorations either. From candles, lanterns, signs to flower petals, this can be as simple or as elevated as you like. Do you want to have an aisle runner laid out as you walk to your future hubby or wifey? Are you considering adding a fun bubble send off for your guests to blow bubbles as you exit the ceremony? These are all items to consider when you’re decorating. If you plan on having a fall or a winter wedding, maybe consider the idea of offering warm fleece blankets for your guests to snuggle up in as you say I DO!

Elizabeth & Brian Moore married on June 15, 2019 – Photo includes White Sheer draping provided by Sand Springs with added arrangements from florist.

Photo Courtesy of Amy Pcolinsky Photography

Tip #3 – Decide on your Ceremony Music

While the most popular option for this is to utilize your reception DJ for your ceremony music, other options include having a live guitarist, harpist or even a string quartet for your music! The possibilities really are endless. All of these music options have been used for a ceremony at Sand Springs so our staff is well versed in the requirements of each. Do keep in mind that if you plan on having your ceremony in a church location that you may be subject to use only their songs/music as provided by the pastor or priest. If you would prefer a more custom music selection for your ceremony, you may want to think of having your ceremony on the same site as your reception so you have more freedom to do so. Other than your ceremony music another item to not forget is your microphone system! Whether you have a DJ or a live musician, this is something you will want to be sure to ask if they provide or not.

Brittne & Jeremy Miller married on December 27, 2019 in front of our beautiful stone fireplace.

Photo Courtesy of Alexandria Marolo Photography

Tip #4 – Ceremony Programs

Ceremony programs are such a fun way to help keep your guests involved in what is happening when you say I DO! There are so many different styles to choose from such as traditional, basic or modern. You can also match this stationary item to your invitations or other stationary you have out at the reception such as your escort cards or menu cards. The program can include as much detail as you want! You can provide a complete order of what is happening during the ceremony such as any readings, a unity sand ceremony and the vows. You can also list your bridal party’s names and parent names on the program. Whether you choose to do a ceremony program or not, filling your guests in on what will be happening is always a good thing!

Wedding Programs from Josh & Danielle’s beautiful wedding day on September 22, 2018.

Photo Courtesy of Dearly Beloved Weddings

Tip #5 – Ceremony Rehearsal Practice

This is by far one of my most important tips (other than hiring your officiant)! Should you choose to be married on-site at Sand Springs or have a traditional church wedding, rehearsing the day prior with your wedding party is an absolute MUST! It is so easy for a bridal party or other members of the processional to be confused on what is happening if you didn’t practice. Don’t worry, with your on-site ceremony at Sand Springs we do plan for a rehearsal the day prior to your wedding with the help of our coordinators. We will help you from firming up the processional order to how to hold your bouquet. No detail will go missed, but only if you practice!

Practice the night prior to your ceremony and your party will look just as good as Cassie & Mark’s did on their Wedding Day, September 2, 2018.

Photo Courtesy of Dee’s Photography