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Michelle
Rockstar December 2022

Ceremony length

Michelle, on April 3, 2021 at 1:01 PM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 1 17

Are you going for short and sweet straight to the point? Or longer with religious/cultural rituals added? Is your officiant reading something completely unique or having an offbeat mini ceremony to reinforce the idea of union, or skipping those entirely?

17 Comments

Latest activity by Michelle, on April 8, 2021 at 5:00 PM
  • Lisa
    Rockstar July 2022
    Lisa ·
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    We're doing a short ceremony, aiming for around 15-20 minutes. We added in a whiskey blending unity ceremony and 2 readings, along with the vows and rings. We definitely don't want anything too long, but we want it to be meaningful and personalized towards our relationship.
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  • Nicole
    Devoted August 2022
    Nicole ·
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    We're aiming for 15 minutes. The ceremony will be personal and non-religious, just about us as a couple, personal vows, and ring exchange.
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  • AJ
    Super October 2022
    AJ ·
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    We'll be doing a short ceremony, hopefully with some personal touches (still have to ask officiant who will be my FH's friend) keeping religion as far away from our wedding as possible since FH and I are not religious at all (his family is disappointed by that)

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  • F
    Expert April 2022
    Fred ·
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    We're doing a short ceremony, aiming for 20 minutes, no religious or cultural rituals. . 20 minutes is ample time to cover the basics (words of welcome, 1-3 readings, the vows, the ring exchange, the final pronouncement). Catholic ceremonies can be up to 1,5 h. Guests often complain about how long and boring religious ceremonies are, including those who are SUPER RELIGIOUS.

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  • Hanna
    VIP June 2019
    Hanna ·
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    Our ceremony was roughly 20 minutes long from start to finish. It was a 100% religious ceremony but Jewish ceremonies are typically short, sweet, and to the point. More time to celebrate afterwards Smiley winking

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  • Apryl
    Devoted March 2022
    Apryl ·
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    We're going for short, sweet, and to the point!
    We aren't doing anything super special during the ceremony so why drag it out?
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  • Liz
    Devoted June 2021
    Liz ·
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    Ours is on the short side, I’m thinking 20/25 mins tops. 2 readings, vows, and a 3 chord ceremony with music. I’m more into the ceremony than the reception. I’m hoping it’s perfect, personal and meaningful.
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  • Alisha
    Rockstar April 2021
    Alisha ·
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    We are doing short ceremony. It will be about 30 minutes which includes vows, a scripture, unity candle and a couple of other things. Then we are doing pictures during the cocktail hour followed by reception.

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  • Mrs. Spring
    Master April 2021
    Mrs. Spring ·
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    We are reading our own vows. Our state doesn't require an officiant.

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  • W
    Devoted March 2021
    whirlwind ·
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    Our ceremony was about an hour. It was pretty much like a church service (just a little shorter). It was perfect for us and we absolutely loved it.
    We also got a lot of feedback from our guests (both in person and livestream) that is was absolutely beautiful.

    We included scripture readings, prayers and a time of worship. The readings were pre recorded on video by very close friends who couldn't come and the prayers spoken by very close friends who were there in person. While everything was in English the prayers and one song were in Arabic and German, our native languages. To include all languages and cultures and people who couldn't be there was super important to me and it was beautiful.

    I was worried that guests would think it's too long but from what we've heard everyone loved it.
    We didn't have a bridal party and we were sitting in the first row for the most part. We were only standing up front for the actual getting married part (vows etc). This was perfect for us and I am so glad we decided to do it this way. That's also what I am used to from my culture but I was a little worried what all of our American guests would think - but from what we've heard they all liked it.
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  • Michelle
    Savvy January 2022
    Michelle ·
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    From start to finish (start being the groom and groomsmen walking to the aisle) it will probably be 20 mins. No readings. Just words of welcome, vows, exchange of rings and the kiss. We want to go straight to the party

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  • A
    Expert September 2020
    Amanda ·
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    Our ceremony was super short, maybe 15 minutes. Possibly less... nothing religious, just a couple short readings and we wrote our vows together. It was only us and the officiant who spoke, no other readers.
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  • Chelsea
    Expert June 2021
    Chelsea ·
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    Ours will go a little like this:

    Processional

    Opening prayer

    Officiant will do his thing (not sure what that looks like!)

    Tree planting ceremony (or in our case, a houseplant, parlor palm)

    Officiant will talk about biblical significant of the palm. Resilience, strength, etc

    Closing Prayer

    *The Kiss*

    Exits ceremony

    Aiming for around 30 mins but no more than 45

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  • N
    Expert June 2021
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    Our officiant said the ceremony should take longer than 30 mins or so. We are doing our own vows, a unity candle, 1 reading and jumping the broom.
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  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
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    I didn't want mine to be that short. but i definitely didn't want it long either. i think in total mine was like 20-25 minutes.

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  • M
    Expert April 2021
    Melody ·
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    Our officiant, who is also our pastor, said it will be around 30min. I've been to other weddings he's officiated and they've all been about that length and super beautiful and personal.

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  • M
    Devoted April 2021
    Michelle ·
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    It will be around 30 minutes but i am surprising my parents with a vowel renewal so it depends on that factor but we are roughly saying 30 minutes

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