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Acknowledgments | |
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Preface | |
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Your Wedding Ceremony: The People, the Place, and Special Considerations | |
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Creating Your Wedding, Your Way | |
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What Is a Spiritual Wedding? | |
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Your Dream Wedding | |
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Remember to Take Charge | |
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Choosing an Officiant | |
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A Note to Officiants | |
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Couple/Ceremony Information Sheet-Sample | |
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A Personal Perspective | |
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Setting the Tone for Your Wedding | |
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What to Consider in Designing the Ceremony | |
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The Couple | |
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The Guest List | |
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The Wedding Party | |
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Traditions | |
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Planning the Ceremony Location | |
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Finding Your Wedding Ceremony Location | |
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Identifying Your Needs and Desires | |
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Researching Possible Sites | |
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Agreeing on Terms for Use of Your Chosen Site | |
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Optimizing Your Ceremony's Location | |
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Balance and Fit | |
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Special Considerations for Outdoor Weddings | |
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Easily Accessible and User-Friendly | |
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Factors to Consider in Designing the Ceremony Site | |
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Ceremony Site Layout Worksheet-Sample | |
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The Wedding Party | |
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Props | |
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Chairs | |
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Music | |
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Special Considerations | |
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"Handle with Care" Relationships | |
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Who Does What, When, Where, Why, and How | |
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Wedding Contact Information Sheet-Sample | |
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Just Before the Ceremony Checklist-Sample | |
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The Wedding Program | |
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The Wedding Rehearsal | |
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Wedding Rehearsal Checklist-Sample | |
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A Note about Ushers | |
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Designing Your Ceremony | |
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The Ceremony Text | |
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Designing the Ceremony Text Worksheet-Sample | |
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Ceremony Overview | |
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In the Beginning | |
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The Seating of the Guests | |
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The Processional | |
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Processional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet-Sample | |
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Opening Prayer | |
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Gathering Words | |
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Remembrances and Acknowledgments | |
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In the Middle | |
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Readings and Songs | |
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Charge for the Couple | |
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The Declaration of Support | |
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Marriage Address | |
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Symbolic Rituals | |
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Unity Candle Ceremony | |
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Tree Planting Ceremony | |
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Sand Ceremony | |
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Water Ceremony | |
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In the End | |
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Wedding Vows | |
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Ring Exchange | |
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Prelude by the Officiant | |
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Ring Exchange by the Couple | |
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Final Blessing and Pronouncement | |
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Benediction | |
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The Recessional | |
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Recessional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet-Sample | |
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Incorporating Personal Beliefs and Circumstances | |
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For a Smaller Wedding | |
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The Friendship Circle | |
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When Your Ceremony Involves Children | |
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Incorporating Religious Traditions | |
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Jewish Wedding Rituals | |
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Explanation of Jewish Traditions | |
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Blessing and Drinking the Wine | |
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The Seven Blessings | |
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Prayers from the Old Testament | |
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Symbolic Gestures | |
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Incorporating Ethnic Traditions | |
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Greek Crowning Ceremony and Common Cup | |
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The Polish Ritual of Symbolic Gifts | |
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The Wrapping of the Mantilla | |
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Putting It All Together | |
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Sample Ceremonies | |
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Ceremony One: Spiritual and Heartfelt | |
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Ceremony Two: Short and Sophisticated | |
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Ceremony Three: Celebrating Our Oneness While Honoring Our Differences | |
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Ceremony Four: Inspired by Nature | |
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Ceremony Five: Short, Spontaneous, and Intimate | |
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Ceremony Six: A Marriage with Children | |
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Ceremony Seven: Non-denominational Christian with Scriptural Readings | |
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Ceremony Eight: Joyful Family Togetherness | |
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A Note about Commitment Ceremonies | |
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Ceremony Nine: A Heartfelt Commitment Ceremony | |
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Ceremony Ten: Renewal of Marriage Vows | |
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Checklists and Worksheets | |
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Couple/Ceremony Information Sheet | |
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Ceremony Site Layout Worksheet | |
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Wedding Contact Information Sheet | |
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Just Before the Ceremony Checklist | |
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Wedding Rehearsal Checklist | |
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Designing the Ceremony Text Worksheet | |
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Processional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet | |
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Recessional Cues and Sequencing Worksheet | |
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A Final Thought | |
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About the Author | |