Do I really have to be given away?
Do I really have to be given away? The short answer is no. You don’t.
One of the first questions I will ask you when we meet to plan your ceremony is how do you want to enter. You have so many options so let’s get into them.
Entrance idea no. 1
Enter together. It’s such a simple idea and will allow you to define the whole ceremony in the way from the outset. You could arrange to have a first look moment prior to making your entrance then walk into the ceremonial space together. It suits any couple and may resonate with you if you have been together a while and are already fully in each others’ lives.
In case you are unsure what a first look is, it is a private moment between a couple before the noise begins. It is planned, intimate and can be captured by your photographer, videographer or content creator. You’ll choose a special location at your venue or close by and see each other dressed in your wedding outfits before making an entrance into your ceremony.
Regardless of how you are going to enter your ceremony, it is a brilliant way to conquer your nerves. You will have seen each other before you meet in the ceremony room or outdoor space. Plus, you have had a beautiful and private moment together before the brilliant and crazy rollercoaster of a wedding day begins.
Entrance idea no. 2
Ask someone to be your aisle escort. “Hang on a minute,” I hear you say. “Isn’t that just the same as being given away?” Not quite. You can ask anyone to escort you down the aisle. And both of you can walk down it with someone very special to you. You can even have one person on either side - yes! Two of your favourite people accompanying you to the front of the space.
By all means, ask your dad but mums are equally good for the role. As are your children, siblings, grandparents, best friends - your person doesn’t have to have a biological connection to you in order to qualify.
Entrance idea no. 3
This will take a bit of planning with the venue and might not suit all ceremony rooms but it can be done. Have two aisles, take one each and meet at the front. Do it with or without an aisle escort. Have two people as suggested in idea no. 2.
Entrance idea no. 4
The non-entrance. Why not consider that both of you could gather with your guests prior to the ceremony and enjoy a pre-ceremony drink in the company of your favourites. Then get a friend with a loud voice to announce that it is time for everyone to take their seats and at that moment, you just stand at the front.
Entrance idea no. 5
Much like idea no. 4 gather with your guests prior to your ceremony and have the mother-of-all entrance processions. You lead everybody into the ceremony room or outdoor space. I really love the idea of some ambling musicians in the mix.
And it’s even better if you have musical friends or family who could pick up their accordion or saxophone and contribute to the cacophony. This is such a fun idea and really takes the pressure off of you as a couple. You won’t be lying awake dreading the moment you have to walk into a space full of people looking at you - they will be walking, dancing, strutting behind you.
Let's redefine ceremony
I hope these ideas inspire you to think more about how your wedding ceremony begins. Don’t let tradition define your day if you want to make different choices. Alternative entrances are equally beautiful, meaningful and will make you feel as though it’s your ceremony (because it is!).
Get in touch if you’d like to chat about all the ways in which you can make your ceremony yours! Let’s redefine ceremony altogether.
And if you want to know more about marriage legalities and celebrant-led ceremonies, read this blog post.
