Create your own Ceremony A Guide to Creating a unique and personal Ceremony Create your own Ceremony ‘It is your day so we do it your way’ Our focus is on making it possible for couples to have the day they are dreaming of. Getting in touch with the relevant registrar as early as possible helps to achieve this. Only registrars can guide you through the whole marriage process, from helping to deal with the marriage paperwork to then creating a unique and personal ceremony. We also bring the marriage schedule with us and take it away to save you having to visit our offices before and after your wedding. There are many ideas you can choose to include in your ceremony some ideas are included below: A story of your life together so far Quaich Ceremony Hand-Fasting Ceremony Sand Ceremony Unity Candle Ceremony Oathing Stone Ceremony Unity Tree Ceremony Love Letter and Box Ceremony Remembering Absent Love Ones Rose Ceremony Ring Warming Readings Poems Personal Vows and Promises Exchange of Rings Music More information on our website: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/marriage/ Or contact us [email protected] Argyll and Bute Registrars @abregistrars #abplace2wed Situated on the Scottish west coast, Argyll and Bute is one of the most stunning and diverse areas in the country. We have 3000 miles of coastline, six main towns and 23 inhabited islands, no matter where you go, you will receive the warmest of welcomes. The Argyll and Bute Council area is divided into four distinct areas; Bute and Cowal; Helensburgh and Lomond; Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands; Oban Lorn and the Isles. Each area has its own unique character and culture and all offer a wealth of beautiful locations and venues for your perfect day. Whether you want something a little different in the great outdoors or are looking for a traditional ceremony in one of our lovely civic buildings. Each of the registration areas in Argyll and Bute have their own ceremony rooms but you are also spoilt for choice in the variety of different venues within Argyll and Bute. In recent years our registrars have conducted ceremonies in a huge range of locations, on beaches, on the Waverley paddle steamer, in a forest and even up Ben More (Isle of Mull’s highest mountain and only Munro). Your civil marriage ceremony is a very personal occasion and all Argyll and Bute Registration staff want to help you make your ceremony special and tailored to your requirements. Music Many couples wish to include music into their ceremony. You may wish to have a piper, musician, or singer. There are CD’s available that can be used or you can create your own playlist. For ceremonies in our marriage room we have a CD player. Most couples wish to choose a piece of music that is special to them for walking into. You should also think about having a selection for your guests while they are waiting for the wedding party to arrive and for the end of the ceremony when the schedule is being signed. Acknowledgements The Registrar can include as part of your ceremony a thank you to those who have travelled from a distance for attending or someone who has helped with the all the arrangements. If some family members or friends are unable to attend the ceremony they may wish to write a letter or poem that can then be read out during the ceremony. Including Children in a Ceremony You may like to involve children in your ceremony in some of the following ways: Have them bring the rings forward Have them do a reading/poem/song Tie the knot for a hand-fasting ceremony Giving the child(ren) a ring or gift as a welcome to new family unit. Holding the stone in an Oathing Stone ceremony. A Story of your life together so far Include the story of your life together so far during the marriage ceremony this can include how you met, your the proposal story or what your plans for the future may be. Example wording Today marks a new beginning in your lives together and it means a lot to both [Party 1] and [Party 2] that everyone has travelled so far to be part of their special day. They would like to thank everyone for joining them to help celebrate their marriage. [Party 1] and [Party 2] feel so lucky to have such a great bunch of family and friends around them. I am quite sure that some of you here are wondering why [Party 1] and [Party 2] have picked such a special place to have their Marriage ceremony conducted, so for those reasons they thought it might be nice to share their story so far………. Well, it stared back in 2011 when they first met at a charity ball. It was not your usual boy meets girl scenario as the first thing that [Party 2] actually noticed about [Party 1] was his fantastic swinging kilt skills on the dance floor! Impressed by his kilt, she said hello and set a chain of events in motion. As for [Party 1], he was just happy that a girl was actually talking to him! A few weeks passed and [Party 1] finally plucked up the courage to ask [Party 2] out. After much deliberation (precisely 5 days later, well you can’t rush these things can you!) [Party 2] agreed to a date. And that's how it all started..... Over the last 4 years, they have enjoyed building a future and a home together. Saddell has a very special place in [Party 1] and [Party 2] hearts. It was here last year that they got engaged with [Party 1] proposing in the castle. Just as [Party 1] was on one knee and about to propose, [Party 2] quite literally 'fell' into his arms. 'Fell' meaning tripped on the last step of the stairs! I am told that [Party 2] has a habit of tripping over thin air! After spending a few days here, there was no hesitation in deciding that they both wanted to come back and be married here on Saddell Beach. Example 2 Today after 6 years 6 months and 14th days from when [Party 2] asked [Party 1] out we are here to mark the next step in their lives together. For [Party 1] and [Party 2] getting married today is about formally declaring their commitment to each other recognising their love for each other and becoming not just two people but one couple. Promising to be there for each other for the rest of your lives and becoming a family unit with a shared surname. This is one of the most important things that 2 people will ever do, and it is our privilege to be here with them today as they take these important steps together. Example 3 From the first time [Party 1] saw [Party 2] he knew she was the girl he wanted to be with and over the last 4 years they have become each other’s best friends building a future together and looking after one another. They hope you their guests will enjoy today; the most memorable day in their lives and help them build new wonderful memories together. We would also like to think of those who can’t make it today or are sadly no longer with us, [Party 2] dad, nan and gramps. The Lodge is the first and only place that [Party 1] and [Party 2] visited as a wedding venue. As soon as they saw it they fell in love and knew it was the perfect place to be married. Remembering Absent Loved Ones There are many ways you may like to remember loved ones on your day, the most obvious of which being asking your Registrar to mention loved ones in your ceremony. However you may also wish to include one of the following acts of remembrance: The lighting of a memorial candle in memory of an individual or a group of individuals. A table of remembrance with a photograph of your loved one(s) – you can also include a memorial candle here. Have a friend or family member do a reading or small speech in memory of the person/people. Include a favourite song of your loved ones within your ceremony music. Example 1 It is [Party 1] and [Party 2’s] wish that as we get started today you all join with them in a moment to remember those who, for whatever reason, could not be here physically, but who are here in spirit and wishing them a lifetime of happiness. Example 2 It is a day for happiness but sadly there is always someone who cannot be with us to celebrate. [Party 1] and [Party 2] would like to light this candle to remember (loved one) who would have loved to have joined them on this their special day. Example 3 On this special day we remember That loved ones are missing today, Ones our hearts hold on to As we travel along life’s way Loved ones who made life so special, For all those who gather here, Ones who won’t be forgotten, But cherished from year to year And now as we pause to remember, Let us all fondly recall, How dearly each of us loved them, And oh… how they loves us all! Although we can’t see you We know that you are here. We feel the warmth of your smile And can sense that you are near And we want for you to know Your love is still our guide Memories carried in our hearts You are always at our side.