12/10/2015
PROVIDING THE BASIS FOR MEANINGFUL CEREMONIES
Interviewing: Rev. Ketchum
When speaking with Rev. Sharon Ketchum, you know that she’s gets it, she understands exactly what a wedding ceremony should be. “All you really need are the couple, two witnesses, the minister and the marriage license … everything else that happens is a bonus!” The couple especially needs to remember that mistakes will happen, but a bit of humor is a great and memorable thing. A really great wedding has a lot of laughs and a few tears.”
Rates for a ceremony range from $100 for an “elopement-style” ceremony for less than 15 guests, up to $325 for a large wedding, rehearsal and as many meetings as necessary. Rev. Sharon has officiated over 100 weddings, including ones for same s*x couples. Her great wealth of experience offers you many options to customize your service and insure that your ceremony run smoothly. And as Rev. Sharon says, “It’s so important that the couple owns the ceremony, and that they are really comfortable with it. This will translate into a more meaningful event. I really want the ceremony to mean something to them because during the vows, they’re the ones making a commitment, not me.”
The ‘How-To’
Rev. Sharon like to meet with the couple twice before the wedding. In the initial meeting, you’ll be asked what’s important for your ceremony. You’ll receive a generic ceremony layout to look at, and then together you can build your specialized ceremony from there.
Things that make each ceremony unique include music, members of the wedding party, possible double ring ceremony, level of involvement of parents, candlelight ceremony, who is walking the bride down the aisle, etc. Sometimes there are finer details that are best to finalize about one month before the wedding.
Rev. Sharon outlines the three things that have to be included in every wedding ceremony:
• establishing that the bride and groom are here by their own free will
• the bride and groom must say that they take the other as their lawful wedded spouse
• the pronouncement of the new couple
Beyond these requirements, there are other elements to think about such as the “sacred” including prayer, and addressing God, Spirit or Divine Love; the “celebratory” element including how great it is to be there celebrating love and marriage, and this couple; and the “vows”.
Ideas from an Expert
If it is agreeable with the couple, Rev. Sharon recommends facing the bride and groom out towards the crowd during the ceremony. The minister or chaplain will stand in front with their back to the guests. The guests are there to see the bride and groom and don’t want to see their backs during the best part of the wedding!
It’s great to involve children in your ceremony – children of the bride and/or groom, nieces, nephews, godchildren, etc. Rev. Sharon likes to invite the children to come forward to bless marriage. Younger children can be guided to simply ‘bless this marriage with love’, while the older children may wish to say more.
If there are children of the bride and/or groom present, it is very meaningful to have a symbolic event to denote the forming of a new family through the wedding. This can be done through another exchange of special vows, or something physical like a necklace or ring.
For unity candles, Rev. Sharon suggests lighting a third candle from the two already lit by the bride and groom’s parents. Rather than extinguishing the original candles, you have signified more, not less, by ending with three lit candles.
If you and your fiancé plan to write your own vows, give copies of them to your officiant in case you need some help with the lines on the big day.
Think about holding your ceremony in a unique place – a park, a hotel, any place is possible. You could also hold the ceremony at the same place where your reception will be, and this will cut down your costs as well!
Make sure have a good microphone system for your officiant, ideally a lapel microphone since the minister is normally already holding a book or notes for the ceremony. You don’t usually need to worry about a microphone for bride and groom, unless you are planning a very large event.
Grooms – don’t lock your legs during the ceremony! This will cut off your blood circulation and can lead to passing out. Believe her, she’s seen it!
Where to Find Her
If you’d like to speak with Rev. Ketchum further about how you’d like to make your ceremony meaningful, you can call 226 339-1907 or email [email protected]. There is no charge for an interview meeting to see if Rev. Sharon is the right and perfect officiant to help you celebrate the commitment of your love.
For initials meetings, contact by email is wonderful.