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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 | |