How to organize your Secular Ceremony?

Are you getting married and have decided to organize a Secular Ceremony? Are you now wondering where to start and how to organize it? Don't panic! Discover here the key steps in organizing your Celebration.

1. First thing First: Make a list

Your ceremony must reflect your values, your beliefs, and be in agreement with your personalities.

Before you dive in head first, take the time to take stock.

With yourself to begin, ask yourself: What would your ideal ceremony look like?  List all your desires.

What would you like to see? Not see during your celebration? What environment? What atmosphere? What decor? What rhythm? What tone? What officiant? What participants? What do you want to convey to your loved ones during this moment? Do you want texts, poems, speeches, songs? How do you want to make your entrance? With or without a procession? What do you want for your exit?

Let yourself drift off into daydreams.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

Then, talk about it with your future partner. It's still better to make sure that you are on the same wavelength... Communication being the key to success, take the time together, to exchange, to also remember your history... Organize a moment for two, an aperitif by the fire, make sure that you have a common vision and define together the highlights of your ceremony.

Once you have a little more clarity and have agreed on the general format and content, you can start to look at its organization.

2. Organize your secular ceremony: Choose your Officiant

Here is a crucial point that should not be overlooked. The Officiant is THE person who will lead your ceremony, this is a real mission that should not be taken lightly. Whether you ask a loved one, a friend, or a professional, take your time with this choice that will have an impact on the dynamics of your celebration. Make sure you choose someone who understands your expectations, comfortable with writing and public speaking, a good speaker capable of adapting the ceremony to your wishes.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

3. Organize your secular ceremony: Set the scene

As mentioned in the article “ Discover the Secular Ceremony »  Start by defining the location of your ceremony, whether outdoors or indoors, choose a place that inspires you, where you feel good. A place that meets your needs, that is accessible to all of your guests and large enough to accommodate them all.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

4. Organize your secular ceremony: Plan ahead

The location of your ceremony must be carefully considered.

Define it during a technical visit on site, ideally in weather conditions similar to those of your ceremony, identify the orientation of the sun, the areas of shadow, to ensure that neither you nor your guests will suffer from too much exposure to the sun (Beware of heat strokes and squinting eyes throughout the ceremony). Prefer side light.

It goes without saying that all the guests will have to see you during the ceremony, sit facing them. Also think about the place of your Officiant, and that of any speakers, who will have to be able to address you either from the front or by turning their heads slightly. To put it simply: keep in mind that everyone has to see each other.

The location will also be the backdrop of your photos. The beauty of nature can bring an extra dimension to images, visualize them mentally, in order to spot the elements (landscape, building, water point, etc.) which can be used as a background for your decor.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

5. Organize your secular ceremony: Think about personalization

• The decoration of the secular ceremony

The decoration allows you to highlight the universe in which you want to immerse your guests: furniture, accessories, floral decoration, lights, stationery & signage… So many elements to incorporate into the details of your ceremony to create a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

• The content of the secular ceremony

To make your celebration unique and representative, personalize it with elements that have value to you: texts taken from your favorite book, poems, symbols… reflections of your history, your culture or your beliefs.

• The Ritual of the secular ceremony

Strong act symbolizing your commitment, the ritual punctuates the celebration. Although it is not obligatory, it allows you to give substance to your words. Ritual of union or collective, romantic, funny, or downright whimsical, the main thing, here too, is that it suits you.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

• Music of the secular ceremony

Music is a key element of the secular ceremony! Whether it is a playlist managed by your DJ or live performances by musicians, it will be your ally for create real emotion et spread good vibes !

• Your Ceremony Vows

Most certainly the most anticipated and most dreaded moment at the same time! Take your time to write them, remember your story, what you like in the other and what you want to promise them. Your wishes must come from the heart, be sincere, be true.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

6. Check the practicalities

Don't forget to plan the practical aspects of the ceremony: various permits, on-site parking, signage to get to the ceremony location, technical equipment, time to set up and take down furniture, backup solutions in case of bad weather or any other unforeseen event... Be aware that many wedding venues offer perfectly adapted spaces, with alternatives in case of rain or extreme heat.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta

7. Last but not Least: Repeat! If you wish

If you feel the need, organize a rehearsal of the ceremony with your Officiant and the various speakers, without revealing the content in order to maintain the element of surprise and emotion, but to ensure that everyone will know where to stand, what to do and when to do it.

To sum up, organizing a secular ceremony is not difficult if you are well prepared. A significant place,a process that reflects your image, an invested officiant,a little bit of planning and creativity, the keys to a successful ceremony.

How to organize your Secular Ceremony? © Juli Etta