Mes Invités Secular ceremony: building your running order
A secular ceremony generally lasts thirty to forty-five minutes and follows a simple thread: entrance, welcome, the couple's story, speeches from loved ones, ritual, exchange of vows and rings, exit. Each sequence needs a duration, a speaker and a piece of music.
The usual sequences
- The entrance of the procession and the couple, with music.
- The officiant's welcome.
- The couple's story.
- Two or three contributions from loved ones: a reading, a speech, a song.
- A symbolic ritual, if you wish.
- The exchange of vows, then of rings.
- The exit.
How long
Beyond forty-five minutes, attention drops, especially when standing or in the sun. Ask each speaker for a text of three minutes at most, and have it read aloud beforehand: a text always seems shorter on paper.
Who officiates
A professional officiant brings experience and keeps the pace. A loved one brings emotion, provided they are comfortable in public and prepare seriously. In both cases, one person must hold the thread and know who speaks after whom.
The sound and equipment
- A microphone: outdoors, without one, the back rows hear nothing.
- A person in charge of starting the music, with the list in order.
- Seating for older guests.
- Shade or shelter, and a fallback location in case of rain.
- Wedding rings, printed texts, ritual items: decide who brings them.
The order of service
A booklet handed to the guests announces the running order, the names of the speakers and the words of the songs. It is prepared once the running order is settled, not before.