WEDDING

Ideas for Non-Religious Wedding Ceremonies

non religious wedding ceremonies

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Although wedding ceremonies are usually a set of age-old traditions, it’s perfectly all right to break away from these traditions and try something different and unique. There are endless ways you can get married in ceremonies that hold significance to you both.

If you’re looking to make your wedding a little extra special and different, here are some ideas on how to create a non-religious, non-traditional ceremony that would be a perfect fit for you.

1. Write Your Own Vows

wedding vows

It doesn’t get more personalized than this. Writing your own vows is a meaningful and romantic way to show your significant other that you truly care and are committed to being together through the best and the worst. You can write your vows in the form of a poem, or a song dedicated to your partner.

2. Have a Pet-Friendly Wedding

wedding with pets

This is for all the animal lovers and pet parents out there. Including your pets not only adds a personal touch to your wedding, but also means you get to have EVERYONE in your family present. Your pets can make adorable ring bearers and you could invite the pets of your guests as well. All the friendly furries in their adorable suits will make for unique and stunning photos and will also be a lot of fun!

3. Use Upbeat or Popular Music for the Wedding

music bands

Weddings are known for their traditional music, especially during the processional. But imagine walking down the aisle to the songs of one of your favorite artists, or maybe to a song that holds a deep meaning to you and your partner.

Some pop song choices for weddings include the following:

  • A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perri
  • All of Me’ by John Legend
  • Marry You’ by Bruno Mars
  • Thinking out Loud’ by John Legend
  • Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis Presley
  • Over the Rainbow’ by Eva Cassidy

Playing original soundtracks from shows (preferably the couple’s favorite shows) such as ‘I’ll Be There for You’ by the Rembrandts for FRIENDS fans, ‘Hedwig’s Theme’ for the Potterheads or ‘The Song of Fire and Ice’ from the Game of Thrones, the options are endless.

Don’t be shy to play some upbeat music and have the processional dance down the aisle with the guests joining in to celebrate the union of the couple in marriage.

4. Let Family and Friends Tell Your Stories

wedding speeches

Rather than having a traditional and formal reading done at your wedding, invite your family members and close friends to share stories about you and your partner. These stories will not only make for a fun wedding ceremony but will keep things personal to bride and groom as well as the guests. You may want to check on the stories beforehand though, to avoid any embarrassing fiascos.

5. A Bouquet Made by Family and Friends

wedding bouquet

The bridal bouquet is an extremely important part of the wedding and if you want to make yours stand out, why not have your friends and family make it for you? Before the ceremony begins and the bride is ready to walk the aisle, you could have a variety of flowers ready and ask the guests to pick the ones they feel would suit the bride best.

The bride then will walk down the aisle with a lovely flower bouquet containing flowers handpicked with love from all her family and friends, while making the guests feel more involved in the wedding ceremony.

6. Have Your Wedding Ceremony at a Unique Venue

wedding venues

While most weddings take place at religious centers, you can make your special day meaningful by getting married in a place that holds some significance to you. This may range from a historic venue such as chateaux or a museum to greenhouses, libraries, art galleries or even zoos and aquariums.

For fitness fans, a wedding at a sports facility like an ice-skating rink or a bowling alley would be a dream come true. For Shakespearean fans, saying ‘I do’ on a theatre stage dressed as Romeo and Juliet, while the guests cheer dressed as medieval characters could be an interesting and unique wedding. Or customize your wedding in your own backyard decorated with things that are important to you such as pictures from different stages of your relationship.

7. Have Groom’s people and Bride’s People

bride and grooms people

The tradition of having Groomsmen and Bridesmaids is now out and the new tradition is groom’s people and bride’s people. This means you can now have people that you love and are important to you around you regardless of their gender. This has become more prevalent as same-sex marriages have gained traction and recognition. Their outfits can also be as awesome as the couple’s to make a statement.

8. Wear Unique Wedding Outfits

red wedding dress

You can showcase your personality through your clothes on your wedding day. While you don’t have to steer far away from the traditional white dress and black tux, you could start by adding some colors that you love or some extra fittings for that extra oomph. You can be cautious, or you can go all out with your outfits on your special day.

Be royals from the 18th century or fictional characters for the nerds out there. For a themed wedding, get your guests to dress up according to the theme too. Dressing up with clothes that boast your culture and upbringing is also a great way to personalize your wedding and make it special.

9. Walk Down the Aisle Together

walking down teh aisle togehter

Although the tradition to have the father walk the bride down the aisle is a heartwarming one, you can switch things up by starting the processional with your family members, grandparents and parents walking the aisle, with you and your partner walking up the aisle together at the end. This could symbolize the start of a journey and a path that you now have to travel together. You can also have both your parents walk down the aisle with you.

10. Have a Friend or a Family Member Officiate Your Wedding

wedding officiant

For those looking to have a non-religious ceremony, choosing a family member or a close friend to officiate your wedding rather than a religious officiant, makes the event a more intimate one. Having someone who is important to you and your partner officiate your wedding not only personalizes the ceremony, but also ensures that the person officiating is thinking of you when selecting the readings or words that best suit your story.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there are many ways you can switch things up and make your non-religious wedding ceremony unique and memorable. Remember to choose what works for you and your partner and don’t be afraid to try something new!