plan an atheist wedding
It's interesting:"My first impression of Linda was that she was such a beautiful, witty, charming, clever, friendly and thoughtful person. And when she agreed to marry Paul, it totally proved to me that old adage – opposites really do attract."
For atheist couples, a wedding doesn't have to end with a visit to the local courthouse. Just because you don't want God involved in your union, doesn't mean that you can't celebrate your wedding in front of your family and friends. There are many options open to couples who wish to hold a non-religious wedding ceremony.
Instructions
1
Select an officiant of your ceremony. An officiant can be a judge, lawyer, Justice of the Peace, or even a non-denominational minister that will promise to keep God out of the ceremony.
2
Decide where you would like to hold your wedding ceremony. There are many options available that don't include the tradition church or chapel. Hold your ceremony on the beach, in your back yard or in a community center. The sky is the limit when it comes to location.
3
Focus the wedding's theme around your personal views, instead of a set philosophy or institution. An atheist wedding ceremony should demonstrate the hopes, goals, aspirations and dreams of the bride and groom, taking into account the uniqueness of their relationship.
4
Choose the "Gathering Words" of your ceremony. Many traditional, Christian weddings begin with the words, "We are gathered together under God," however the atheist option could be something like, "We are gathered together in love," or the like. The opening words can be a statement, or something more personal and unique, like a poem or song.
5
Write your wedding vows. Regardless of what you decide to add to or eliminate from your wedding ceremony, it is important that you include vows, because without them, the marriage is not legal. You can keep your vows as simple as the traditional "I do's," or write your own, personal declarations for one another.
6
Exchange a symbol of your new, legal relationship. Many atheists choose to eliminate the traditional exchange of rings, however you might consider other symbols of your love, such as bracelets, charms, or necklaces. If you choose not to exchange gifts, you might consider the symbolic tying of the wrists, which represents the union, drink wine from the same bottle, or simply light a candle together.
7
End your atheist wedding ceremony with an acknowledgment of the union. These words do not need to be the traditional, "I now pronounce you man and wife," but may be anything that your imagination can dream up.
Tags: wedding ceremony, atheist wedding, your wedding, your ceremony, atheist wedding ceremony, gathered together, many optionsSource: www.ehow.com
