Finally, a practical guide to wedding ceremonies that not only includes the traditional, but creative, personalized ideas for the twenty-first century bride and groom. Diane Warner"s Contemporary Guide to Wedding Ceremonies answers all your questions, including: - What are the minimal elements required for a legal ceremony? - How do we choose our ceremony venue? - How do we choose our officiant? - What are the 10 conventional ceremony elements? - What are the 12 most popular ways to personalize a ceremony? - What are typical elements of a religious ceremony? - What are the five most popular secular ceremonies? - How can we personalize our ceremony venue? - Should we hire a wedding planner? Diane includes real-life examples for each ceremony element, which you may adopt in whole or part, plus helpful ideas for composing your own. For example, when choosing a ceremony reading, you may have a friend read the lyrics of a poignant love song or the writings of your favorite author. Whether you’re planning a Catholic ceremony in a magnificent cathedral, an informal ceremony in a rose garden, or a novelty ceremony at the top of a ski slope, Diane tells you how you can make your wedding special by personalizing your ceremony. You may decide to add one of these special elements: - Circle of Acceptance ceremony - Family Medallion ceremony - Handfasting - Covennant of Salt - Ceremony of the Wishing Stones - Unity Candle ceremony - Guests/family commitment ceremony This guidebook is a must-have for every engaged couple who wants a meaningful ceremony that includes poignant, personal touches that will be remembered for the rest of their lives.