“Sorry that I missed the wedding
ceremony….. I got stuck on the freeway. Wow, there was a really bad accident!
But, glad to make it to the reception!”
A cousin of mine once said, “A good speech should be like a woman's skirt: long enough to cover the
subject and short enough to create interest!” Have you been to a wedding
ceremony lately? I have, in fact, at them every week. For the sake of disclosure, I am a Celebrity
Wedding Ceremony Writer. Now that this is revealed here comes a polite but honest
discussion about the wedding ceremony “goings on”. Truth-be-told, wedding ceremony words are often
boring, terribly written, rambling or inappropriate, and so forth. Not ours, of
course, but the one that I read recently from another officiant unrelated to our Clergy & Wedding Officiants Network.
Most people do not care to speak publicly. And, when, a
bride and groom, something about this fear or disinterest translates into
disaster. Is there a societal expectation which assures a well presented
wedding ceremony? I wish there was! And, if there were, so much of what traffics
itself as a well-written marriage ceremony wording would be banned, and the
seller jailed for indecent verbal exposure! Seems harsh, but really, if you
were able to comment unfettered as “Anonymous” what would you really say?
Recently, a client presented me with local wedding officiator’s
ceremony wording. This officiator was not with our group, as we custom write each of our ceremony
events with the clients. When reading this officiant's ceremony, there were more than a few concerns:
1.
The text was devoid of sectional “Headings”. Important for the one reading to assist in
the flow of presentation. Without “Headings”
it is far too easy for the reading officiator to miss sections, or to import
the wrong feeling to a section. Also, important when working toward the writing
of the final ceremony draft. This, because continuity and flow for reading is
easier to calibrate.
2.
The ideas presented in the text were out-of-order. Honouring the deceased
groom’s mother toward the end of the ceremony. And, recognizing the couples’
children at an awkward juncture.
3.
There were no “Transitional
Statements”. These are necessary, so that what was said before in an
adjoining section, coalesces with the next section’s introduction. It also
prepares the presenting officiator for the next segment, as to verbal cadence
and feeling. Transitional Statements also have other important reasons.
4.
There was no “Sign-posting” as
to who said what or whom was being addressed.
5.
It was not paginated for oral presentation in any way. Including as to
the size of the print. The print should be larger in the officiator’s
presentation draft. This assists in
reading without omission. Also, the sentences were not “double-spaced”
or sections spaced properly. This also
acts in prevention of missing a word or sentence or segment.
6.
The wording was redundant at best. A good ceremony takes hours to write.
Remember my cousin’s quote at the start of this article.
In short, as a former Speech
Professor, currently a Wedding Officiator, the received officiant’s text was a
disaster waiting to happen. In fact, my client was confused. And, this is why this couple was now my
client.
Why Does This Happen? Should You Really Care?
Either people don’t know any better
or don’t expect any more. Let’s face it;
the wedding ceremony has become a formality, something that people hope to get
through! But, say it is not so! The words of a wedding ceremony should be at
least as beautiful as the cake, the bridal gown, and anything else of beauty on
the wedding day. The poor quality wedding ceremony wording and presentation
does not need to be normative. But, in Southern California it is very usual occurrence.
So, I ask…. What are your suggestions
on making the wedding ceremony more interesting? Should Internet Wedding
Officiator Ordination groups be banned?
(These groups do not require Wedding Officiants to be experts, but profit
through ordaining anyone!) Should professional writers write the wedding ceremonies,
and the officiants simply learn them? Should Wedding Officiants’ be certified
in “Public Speech”?
Let’s Talk About Making The Wedding
Ceremony A Public Joy Again - Dr. Linda – Professional Wedding Ceremony Writer
& Celebrity Wedding Officiator – www.facebook.com/legallymarried
