INDEX

Page numbers listed correspond to the print edition of this book. You can use your device’s search function to locate particular terms in the text.

A

aisle, 21, 151

altar, 151

am I out of my mind?, 151

Asking, The, 89, 92–94, 151–52

B

bachelor party, 152

bachelorette party, 152

best man: bachelor party, 152; entrance, 38–40; recessional, 113; rings, 190; speech, 195

blended families, 46, 94–95

breaking of the glass, 153

bride: bouquet, 89; entrance, 47–49; first look, 158; ring, 98

bridesmaids: entrance, 39, 40, 42–45; processional, 49–51; recessional, 113

C

Certified Life-Cycle Celebrant, 10, 100, 153

“charge to the couple,” 88

chuppah, 154

cocktail hour, 154

cultural traditions, 100

D

day-of coordinator, 155

departed, honor the, 63

destination wedding, 155

diamonds, 155

E

early days, 74

elopement, 156

entrances, 35–51; best man, 40; bride, 47, 49; bridesmaids, 42; extras, 49–51; flower girls, 46; grandparents, 36; groom, 37–40; groomsmen, 41; maid of honor, 45; parents, 37; ring bearers, 45–46

F

father of the bride: entrance, 37, 47–48; handoff, 48–49; parental permission, 180; speech, 195

first look, 35, 158–59

flower girls: entrances, 46; recessional, 113; something blue, 195

friends, 60, 159

G

garter, 160

giving away the bride, 48–49

grandparents, entrance, 36

groom: bachelor party, 152; entrance, 37–40; parental permission, 180

groomsmen: entrance, 39, 41–45, 49–50; recessional, 113; ushers, 24, 198

guest experience, 12–13, 160

H

handfasting, 161, 166

hashtags, 161

I

introduction, 28–30

invitation, 163. See also save-the-date

J

jumping the broom, 163

K

karat, 164

Knot, The, 162, 165

knot, tying the, 166. See also handfasting

L

language, 56

live music, 34–35, 167

love, 167

love story, 69–77; early days, 74; fun facts, 77; how did you meet?, 70; love, 76; obstacles, 74; proposal, 75; readings, 77

M

maid of honor: entrance, 45; bouquet, 89; recessional, 113; speech, 196

marriage license, 168

memory boxes, 169

music: atmosphere, 21; bridesmaids’ entrance, 42–43; ceremony, 34–35; groom’s entrance, 38; groomsmen’s entrance, 41, 43; live vs. canned, 34–35, 167; Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” 32, 175; processional, 32–34; recessional, 112–14; Wagner’s Bridal Chorus, 199; Yo-Yo Ma, 201

O

objections, 172

obstacles, 74

officiant, 172

officiant, notes for, 15, 56, 69, 79

open bar, 174

outdoor weddings, 173

P

Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” 32, 175

parents: entrance, 37, 39, 47; thanks, 59–60

performance: accents, 82; enunciate, 80; images, 79; rehearse, 80; senses, 82; speaking up, 79; vary the pacing, 80–81; voices, 81–82; writing to voice, 80

permission from parents, 180–81

pets, 175–76

photo shoot, 177

photographers, 176

Pinterest, 178

presentation of the couple, 110

processional: music, 32–35; no-cessional, 51–52. See also entrances

pronouncement of marriage, 109–10

proposal, 75, 180

Q

questionnaire, 183

questions for couples, 139–45

R

readings, 77, 82–84, 184

recessional, 112–14, 188

registry, 188

rehearsal, 189

rehearsal dinner, 189

ring bear, 45, 189

ring bearers: blended families, 47; entrance, 45–46; recessional, 113. See also ring bear

ring exchange, 97–98

ring warming, 189

rings, 190

rings, during ceremony, 98–99

rituals, 99–101, 191

RSVP, 191

runner, 191

S

same-sex wedding, 192; “First Look,” 36; parental permission, 181; proposals, 76; readings, 83; wearing of rings, 99

sample ceremonies, 117–31, 132–37

sand, 191, 193

save-the-date, 193

ship’s captain, 194

something old, 194

speeches, 79, 195

stating intentions, 87–89. See also Asking, the; vows

symbolism, 196

T

thanks: departed, 63; friends, 60; for missing an important sports event, 61; parents, 59–60; for ring, 98; for traveling, 55

toasts, 196

U

unity candle, 197

unity ritual, 197

ushers, 24, 190, 198

V

vendors, 162, 165, 198

venue, 20, 22, 198

venue host, 198

video, 198

vow workshop, 147–50

vows, 89–94, 95, 147–50, 151–52, 199

W

Wagner’s Bridal Chorus, 199

Wedding Zen, 105–7

welcome, 23, 55–57