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Module: 1

Profession of a Wedding Planner

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1.1. What is the profession of a Wedding Planner?

1.2. What are the characteristics of a Wedding Planner?

1.3. Client Questionnaire.

1.4. The planning process:

When to marry?

Which day of the week?

Morning or afternoon?

What time of the year?

1.5. Types of weddings:

Civil or religious? Requirements and traditions of each.

Other types of ritual weddings: Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Protestant Orthodox, Gypsy.

Themed Weddings.

1.6. Choosing music for the ceremony.

1.7. Choosing music for the banquet.

1. What is the profession of a Wedding Planner?

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If anything characterizes the 21st century it is the pace of life, the level of stress and how full

peoples’ lives are. For many, this doesn’t allow enough time to personally manage all aspects of

their lives.

As a result of this hectic new era some new professions have developed, like a personal

shopper, image consultant or stylist. They offer individualised, personal services to busy people to

help with image, wardrobe or particular occasions and improve the quality of their lives by taking

over responsibility for these areas.

Another thriving new profession is that of the wedding planner. He/she takes charge of the

designing, planning and overseeing of all aspects of the wedding event. The ultimate goal of a

professional wedding planner is to meet the needs and wants of each individual couple around their

wedding arrangements, allowing them to thoroughly enjoy their special day, free of stress, worry or

work.

A wedding planner is actually the front person of a whole team of skilled people who work together

to harmonise an intricate event. Efficient communication, therefore, is one of your most important

skills.

Other skills such as understanding and patience are key features of this profession. Coming up to a

wedding, tension usually mounts. The couple feels under pressure to present an exclusive,

memorable and personal event for their guests and this can lead to strain and outbursts of emotion.

This is why it is important for you to be very organised and to think ahead. You’ll often deal with

changes of mind and the differing opinions of family members. You need to be clear on your

instructions and diplomatic but firm about decisions.

The functions of a Wedding Planner are to:

Complete an interview with the bride and groom (explained later in this module) from which you’ll

gather most of your information with which to organise the wedding.

Plan and carry out all aspects of the wedding, such as: choosing the location of the ceremony, the

location of the celebration afterwards, employing skilled professionals when needed, e.g. florist, stylist

(for all members of wedding party), personal shopper, caterers, chauffer / cars etc.

Outlining and co-ordinating the functions of bridesmaids, groomsmen, pageboys and flower girls.

The Wedding Planner may also be asked to arrange bachelor parties, either joint or separate, and the

honeymoon.

2. What are the characteristics of a Wedding Planner? Discipline: You must be highly organized. This is a very important event in the lives of both

spouses. A successful event leads to more business and boosts your career.

Diplomacy: You must develop the ability to listen carefully, negotiate between differences of

opinion calmly and give advice without judgement.

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Patience: Nerves can fray and tensions can lead to sparks! Remaining patient at all times helps to

soothe tension and leads to the best solution to any problem. You’ll be dealing with family

members too so a calm, reassuring presence is essential.

Creativity: Every couple wants their wedding day to be really special and individual. It’s your

job to take their ideas and weave them into a well-designed theme that looks well, works well

and satisfies their ideals.

Team worker: You’ll be coordinating a team of professionals – florists, decorators,

photographers, musicians, drivers, caterers and more. A co-operative relationship and clear

communication is key to the smooth running of the day.

Empathy: You need to be aware just how each couple are feeling at all stages. Even if you don’t

agree with some decisions, understand how much these can mean to them and supportively carry

out their wishes.

Flexible: You may have worked out timelines for all services and deliveries but often things

don’t go according to plan. You need to be able to work with unforeseen changes and adapt your

plan so the event is still successful. Also, each event is different. You need to be prepared to deal

with differing personalities, expectations and standards.

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3. Client questionnaire

Before any work starts on planning a wedding, the most important task to complete is your client

questionnaire. As well as giving you the information you need it’s a chance to get to know the bride and

groom, their tastes, priorities and wishes. It’s also important for you to have instructions from them in

writing in the event of any ambiguity or dispute about details of your contract.

The kind of questions to put on your questionnaire:

How old are you?

Do you have an idea of the approximate date for your wedding? Morning or afternoon?

Do you want a civil wedding, religious or a particular themed ceremony?

Do you want a traditional wedding or something more contemporary?

Will you have bridesmaids and groomsmen?

Do you have a dress protocol in mind?

Do you need advice on:

o Wardrobe?

o Bouquet?

o Accessories?

o Styling of wedding party?

o Styling of event?

Do you want us to plan the seating arrangement of your guests? Or theme the tables?

For the caterers you’ll need to let us know how many special meals to allow for, e.g. children’s meals,

vegetarians, particular dietary specifications.

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Will you be giving gifts to your guests? (if customary in your local culture)

Do you need us to organise your bachelor party or parties?

What kind of music would you like at your ceremony?

What kind of honeymoon do you have in mind? Something traditional, adventurous, tranquil, romantic?

Do you want photographic and video services? How extensive do you want the coverage to be?

Do you want to hire a floral decoration service?

Your invitations – do you want them to be classic, traditional or in a theme personal to you?

Do you want us to plan a party before or after your wedding?

Do you want us to arrange accommodation for guests who are travelling from outside your local area?

What will your transport needs be?

Will you be compiling a wedding list? Do you need help with this?

Are you planning musical entertainment during your ceremony and celebration? More than one type?

What is your budget?

This is just a suggested set of basic questions to start with. As you develop your business you’ll

become aware of customs and preferences of the clientele in your area and can adapt your

questionnaire to suit these. You may want to compile a much more detailed and specific

questionnaire which helps clarify your planning.

4. The planning process

Even though it seems obvious, the starting points for planning a wedding are the venue and the

date. This may be more difficult than it seems as there is usually plenty debating about the number

of guests, availability of family members/friends, avoiding unsuitable times or clashing with other

occasions.

When to marry?

One of the most important decisions for the couple is choosing a wedding date since so many

factors can influence their choice. The availability of the venue for the ceremony, whether civil or

religious, must coincide with the availability of the venue for the banquet. They may have a

sentimental reason for picking a particular venue; the weather may be an important factor. Their

diaries or those of some guests may need to be considered. It may be important to avoid clashing

with other occasions.

It may be useful to make your clients aware of the timescales needed in your area for booking

particular venues or services. Though your expertise on what needs to be considered is really

helpful, of course, the final decision must be made by the couple.

What time of the year?

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Statistically, the vast majority of couples prefer to get married in warmer months as there is more

chance of having good weather and therefore they and their guests are more able to enjoy the

celebration. The banquet itself, in most cases, begins with a welcome cocktail which is often outside.

The venue can be admired and enjoyed, weather permitting. Another factor when choosing the

month is that the honeymoon can be enjoyed in good weather. That means that May, June, July

August and September are the most popular months, and when venues are in highest demand.

Even though warmer temperatures make it easier to showcase the bride and wedding party, it’s your

job to make sure the event is a success at any time of year, despite the weather.

Other months are chosen by some couples because prices are cheaper in hotels and other venues

and for holidays. Another advantage of choosing dates outside of the summer months is the

availability and choice of venues is wider.

What day? Unquestionably, the favoured days of the week are Friday and Saturday, mostly to suit time away from employment. Sundays are now becoming popular which can be the perfect choice especially in the case of more intimate, small ceremonies. Naturally the bride and groom make the final decision but it is worth pointing out the advantage of choosing a midweek day because of reduced prices.

Morning, afternoon or evening?

Again, although the couple will have their own wishes, the decision may be dictated by

circumstances and availability of the location, the ceremony and/or the reception. Most weddings

start in the afternoon, giving freedom for the celebration to go on into the evening and night.

Alternatively, morning weddings can offer many benefits and greater convenience for both the bride

and groom and their guests:

A morning wedding allows most of the day to extend the celebration.

It can be more convenient for foreign guests as they may be able to travel home on the same day,

avoiding the cost of accommodation.

It allows more time, for example, to take photos at the venues and not have to return on another

occasion.

Couples can have more scope with the menu, opting for breakfast, brunch or lunch menus.

Prices are usually cheaper during the day as staff costs are more expensive at night.

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The decision of what day and time to get married should be made taking into account the couples

wishes, needs, logistics, guests’ needs and budget.

5. Types of weddings

As a professional wedding planner it’s important to know the different types of weddings in order to

accommodate a wide range of people and expand your customer base.

You need to know about each of the different rituals and traditions to offer a good service.

Civil or religious ceremonies in general - requirements and traditions.

In the recent past, religious ceremonies were most popular but now more and more people are planning

original, personalised civil ceremonies. This offers much more flexibility in many ways. The one

drawback to this is the documentation needed. As a wedding planner you need to have a thorough

understanding of all the documentation needed and also the bodies responsible for administering them.

You can either take on this role yourself using your ID and the couples’ signatures or you can hire the services of a private agency to look after it. You’ll need to allow for extra services like this in your price. If you take on this role it is a way to increase your income if your time allows. Alternatively, the bride and groom may decide to do these themselves.

The documents usually required for a civil ceremony:

A photocopy of the passports of the bride and groom or, if not available, a residence card.

Birth certificate of both parties, issued by the civil registry of their place of birth.

A certificate of registration or residence, obtained from City Hall or the District Authority for the area

each party has lived in during the past two years. (Usually valid for three months.)

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A legal affidavit affirming the marital status of each party.

The civil registry must be filled in individually for each party.

In some municipalities a Certificate of Faith of Life may also be required. This is issued by the registrar

of births.

If either party is widowed, divorced or has lived abroad, additional documents are needed:

For Widowers:

Previous Certification of Marriage Registration and Death Certificate of previous spouse.

For Divorcees:

Previous Certificate of Marriage Registration with divorce inscription in the margin. If this is not

available, declared testimony must be made to a judge from the court in which the marriage

certificate was processed.

For Foreigners:

For those divorced overseas, the divorce decree issued by the official court from which it was

granted is required (it must be validated by the 1st Chamber of the Supreme Court). The consulate

of the country you are getting married in will ask for a declaration of single status. If both parties are

foreigners, according to the Civil Code, they may be married in another country according to national

laws or by fulfilling the provisions of either one’s personal country of origin.

Once you have all the information together in the marriage registry of the hometown of one party,

registration of the marriage can take place. You need a witness who must be a family member. A

registrar will review the documentation and if everything is in order will start the authorisation

process. At a later date, given to you by the registrar, you may collect the finished documents. The

couple are now free to marry.

Useful timelines to give your clients:

The proceedings in the Civil Registry usually take between 30 and 50 days.

In most municipalities, these proceedings happen on weekdays in the morning. This can vary

according to the city council. Some will allow the process to happen outside of those times.

The day and time of the service will be prearranged by the protocol service of the city. Both parties

must be present, or a proxy in place of one who has been given special authority, and two adult

witnesses.

They proceed to read the relevant articles of the national Civil Code for the person who officiates at

the ceremony. Next, they will ask each of the parties if they consent to marry the other and, if they

both confirm yes, declare that they are united in marriage.

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Once the marriage is declared valid, each party must sign the certificate of marriage and also the

two witnesses. One copy of the certificate shall be referred immediately to the Civil Registrar for

registration in the Register and for delivery to the corresponding Family Book.

Civil ceremonies

The number of people choosing a civil ceremony for their wedding instead of a religious one is steadily

rising along with the falling numbers attending regular religious worship. The majority of ceremonies

are still religious but we feel it won’t be long before civil ceremonies outnumber them.

As a wedding planner, this gives you a unique opportunity to show your creativity and plan an

individually designed ceremony that is personal to the bride and groom. You’ll need to check the official

rules where it’s to take place as licensed locations can still be limited but you have more scope to be

creative than you might in religious place of worship.

Rules allowing, you could choose a really special setting like a meadow with paths and circles cut out, a

beach with the romantic, peaceful sound of the water as a backdrop, or a grassy/woodland scene with

birdsong to cheer the bride and groom along. In the US, the minister holds the licence to grant marriages

and can choose to do this anywhere. In the UK, the licence is granted to locations which have four walls

and a roof. If this is too restrictive for your large imagination, arrange for the legal part to be done

indoors and be as creative as you want with staging readings, blessings and personal vows in a different

setting before or after this.

The usual structure for a civil ceremony goes like this:

Entrance procession

The congregation stands while the bride and groom enter the scene with their choice of music playing.

Witnesses, bridesmaids, and any flower girls or pageboys may either be in their assigned places for the

ceremony or join the procession with the bride and groom.

Opening words/Welcome

The officiant welcomes the bride, groom and guests. He or she speaks of the declared intention of the

bride and groom to express their love for each other in the presence of their family and friends and to

confirm this by exchanging wedding vows and committing their lives to one another.

The giving in marriage

This is a traditional part and not followed by all civil ceremonies. The officiant asks something like “Who

supports this couple in their marriage?” It takes the place of the original “Who gives this woman in

marriage to this man?” As women now hold a different disposition in society this is no longer acceptable

to most.

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Music

At this point there is usually a pause in proceedings and an interlude of music. It gives the bride and

groom time to settle their nerves and relax before the exchange of vows.

Opening prayer or reading

You can help the couple choose the first reading. This will set the tone for the ceremony, so should

reflect their values, personalities or vision for their lives. There is a wide variety of choices in many

themes. Here’s one example:

The Beauty of Love

The question is asked: “Is there anything more beautiful in life than a young couple clasping hands and

pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?” And the

answer is given: “Yes, there is a more beautiful thing.”

"It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their

hands are gnarled but still clasped; their faces are seamed but still radiant; their hearts are physically

bowed and tired but still strong with love and devotion. Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young

love. Old love.”

You could suggest music as a soft backdrop to the readings to add to the atmosphere and poignancy.

Definition of marriage

The officiant makes a declaration about what marriage aspires to be and to the commitment that the

bride and groom are about to make to one another.

Wedding vows/promises

The vows are usually based on the traditional model but these days are often adapted to be personal to

the bride and groom. The bride and groom may choose to declare the same vows or compose individual

ones. Here is an example:

“From this day forward, I commit myself to you in love, respect, honour and friendship. I promise to be

loyal and supportive, faithful and understanding. I will laugh with you through happy times, comfort you

when you find life challenging and be at your side through all that life brings us.

I promise to do everything I can to help our love to grow and deepen and intend to watch many sunsets

together. I will care for you above all others as my cherished husband/wife.”

Music and second reading

This reading, again, should be meaningful to the couple and reflect the commitment they are just about

to make. Here is a popular choice:

On Marriage

Kahlil Gibran

“You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.

You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.

Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.

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But let there be spaces in your togetherness,

And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,

Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.

For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.”

Exchange of rings or gifts

Rings are most commonly exchanged as a symbol of marriage but couples also choose different kinds of

gifts that have meaning for them.

The wording around this part of the ceremony is less formal than in the past, but usually follows the

traditional message, like:

“I give you this ring as a sign of my deep love and devotion and the eternity of my commitment to you.

Wear it as a sign of our marriage.”

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Music/reading/unity ceremony

There is often more music at this point, another reading if desired and some couples perform a unity

ceremony, for example, lighting a candle together.

Declaration of marriage

This is the part that makes the marriage legal and is performed by the officiant. The wording can vary

but is a standard declaration based on the laws of the location and is not very long.

Even though it’s been a long time since a groom needed permission to kiss his bride, this part of a

wedding ceremony is still felt as romantic and symbolic and is usually included. The officiant declares:

“I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride.”

The officiant now presents the newlyweds to their family and friends, uplifting music plays in the

background and the couple lead a procession of their guests outside where everyone can offer

congratulations, embrace, mingle and take photographs.

Introduction of newlyweds to the congregation & music.

Religious Ceremonies

Religious weddings usually have a more rigid ceremony than civil ceremonies and require submission of

certain documentation. Part of the requirements of the wedding planner is to identify the requirements

for any religion necessary depending on the religion of the couple. Below is a sample list of documentation

requirements for a catholic religious ceremony:

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Baptismal certificate. You must apply in the parish where you were baptised. If for any reason it is not in the city

where you were baptised, the bishop of the city of origin can legalise the document.

Certificate of current marital status.

Certificate of registration of the parties.

A copy of the national identity of each of the couple accompanied by the original. This is compulsory.

Proof of marriage counselling. The church provides a series of workshops and premarital talks that must be

attended before getting married by the church.

For widows or legal minors, the same requirements are needed as in a civil ceremony.

In the case of separated people, only if your previous marriage was annulled by the church will you be

allowed to remarry in the church. It does not recognise divorce.

A month or so before the wedding, the intended marriage is recorded by the parish in the Marriage

Record. This file is delivered to the Bishop to get the 'canon contracted marriage certificate' and

delivered back to the parish where the wedding will be held. The 'canon contracted marriage

certificate' is then signed in the parish for submission to the civil registry and the Family Book. If the

couple are of immediate family, they must have a waiver. A waiver is also required if one party is of

another religion. ‘Banns’ are published in the parishes of both spouses to see if there is any

impediment to the marriage.

Once you’re clear about which ceremony is chosen by the parties you can ask them if they’re ready

to make a wedding plan.

Other types of wedding:

Jewish Ritual

Mormon ritual

Muslim ritual

Hindu ritual

Buddhist ritual

Protestant ritual

Orthodox wedding

Gypsy wedding

In these cases you’ll learn during your first meeting if the couple intended to have a wedding of

particular tradition or ritual. It’s useful to know in advance what each different one entails.

The Jewish ceremony

The Jewish religion is one of the oldest and therefore has a large number of traditions. For Jews,

marriage is a very important step for the couple and is considered an ideal and a duty.

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As with other occasions, Judaism has adapted its teaching to modern times. In the past, the choices

of family, mostly parents and grandparents, came before the choice of a couple. Marriage was

always between Jews within the same community. Now couples freely make their own choices

based on their personal feelings.

The couple enter the church with their parents, groomsmen and the rest of the family. According to

tradition, families are placed under the "chuppah", a traditional, tent-like structure, reminiscent of

where couples lived in ancient times.

The ceremony, held in a synagogue, is performed under a canopy of four or more yards long, under

which the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession or an image.

A Rabbi - a master in Hebrew who interprets sacred texts - pronounces seven blessings on the

couple - "sheva berachot". He blesses a glass of wine, and then the couple and the Rabbi drink from

it.

Now the groom places the ring on the bride’s finger, while saying a few words to signify making his

girlfriend his wife. Conversely, the bride places the ring on the groom’s finger as a symbol of union.

The consent of the exchange of rings expresses a mutual desire to form a new home in marriage.

A marriage document, the "ketubah" is signed and read in public like an official contract. It records

the obligations taken on by the man as a husband and the compensation to be paid to the woman in

case he ever wanted to divorce her. Two witnesses to the ceremony sign at the foot of the "ketubah".

The newlyweds, covered under one blanket, listen to the prayers end and the groom breaks a glass

placed at his feet by stamping on it. The destruction of the glass is meant to evoke that, even in the

midst of the happy moments and joy of marriage, we have the memory of the destruction of the

Temple in Jerusalem almost two thousand years ago.

Throughout the ceremony the men keep their heads covered. The wedding can be held in the native

language of the couple or in Hebrew. Weddings cannot be celebrated during the "Sabbath" (from

sunset Friday to sunset Saturday), the religious holidays in the Jewish Passover, or during the three

weeks after summer.

After the ceremony, the marriage celebrations begin. Traditionally, the "challah" blessing comes

before the banquet, consisting of blessing the bread. This is a symbol of the union of the two

families. In the past, depending on the wealth of the families, the celebrations for the marriage lasted

for several days (traditionally seven days).

The basic requirements for a Jewish wedding are:

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The parties must be born Jewish but may be allowed to convert to the Jewish religion in order to marry.

In this case the bride has to be endorsed by a member of the Jewish community to validate and confirm

the couple’s intentions.

In many cases, the blood of the couple is tested to check their compatibility.

The birth certificates of the intending spouses must be requested from the Civil Registry of their place of

birth.

The man must have made his Bar Mitzvah, which is done when a child turns 13 and therefore enables

the individual to enter the Jewish community.

Mormon Ritual

One of the main features of this kind of ritual is that everyone participating in the ceremony usually

wears white, including the bride and groom. They also receive the same blessing.

The spouses establish a bond between them that’s considered a seal of their union for eternity – a

sealing. (Catholic celebrations are valid until death do you part). In such a ritual, rings are

exchanged but they are not blessed. To divorce means to break this seal, which can only be done by

the high authority in the Mormon tradition.

Muslim Ritual

The Muslim ceremony has to be held in a mosque, and be celebrated by the head of the mosque,

the Imam. In this case the marriage contract is certified by the groom and his guardian. Like some

other religions, in most cases Muslim marriages are agreed by members of the family, usually the

male family members. This is starting to change though.

After the ceremony, there is a party that usually lasts from three days to a week, and it’s held in the

home of one of the parties. The first night is a celebration just for the women of the family. On the

second day you have what is called the 'Feast of bride and groom'. This second day is mainly a

celebration where the couple are the main focus. Like all Muslim celebrations the marriage ritual is

accompanied by a lot of music and tradition.

Hindu Ritual

In this type of ritual the two cornerstones of Hinduism play a special role - reincarnation and

Hinduism. The ceremony focuses on the Brahman priest, a figure of religious authority. It is loaded

with symbols and practices that aim to prepare the couple for a future life together.

The three basic rituals of this ceremony are:

1. The ritual "homa" - the offering to the fire.

2. The "panigrahena", indicating the bond of the couple's union.

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3. The ritual "satapadi" which means the couple must do seven laps around the sacred fire. By

completing these seven laps while chanting mantras and sacred texts, blessings are invoked on the

couple.

Such ceremonies are especially beautiful because of the richness of colour in both the decor and

costumes for the guests and of course the bride and groom (the bride's dress is red).

Upon meeting at the altar the bride and groom exchange garlands and amulets in order to bless their

union and their subsequent life together. The groom, to indicate the new sentimental state of his

bride, sprays red powder on her hair. This indicates that she is now married.

This religion in principal does not prohibit marriage between people of different religions, as it’s not a

dogmatic religion. It recognises other religions but doesn’t share the same doctrines.

Buddhist Ritual

Buddhism, as a religion in itself, does not have any marriage rite, and that is why different traditions

are taken from various sources.

As Buddhism preaches about finding nirvana and on the importance of the search for inner peace,

one of the rites used is astrological prediction. During the ceremony, the bride and groom are placed

together in a posture of complete respect. Truly, it is not a wedding ritual – a joining of two people -

but a blessing of the couple.

As an offering, food is usually offered to the Lord Buddha and the monks. In appreciation of this

offering, the monk leading the ceremony, with the bride and groom, anoints pollen and holy water.

Protestant Ritual

Due to the existence of various branches of Protestantism - Anglican, Lutheran, etc., in this case it is

better to listen to the particular traditions of the couple.

Broadly, the ceremony is very similar to the Catholic one. The bride wears white, the ceremony is

officiated in this case by a pastor, there is an exchange of rings between the parties as a symbol of

unity and loyalty between them and they must prove their readiness for marriage by attending

premarital courses.

Orthodox Ritual

As was the case above, this ceremony is very similar to the Catholic one but with a few differences.

The rings are given as a token of love and loyalty, but there is also an exchange and taxation of

crowns which means that the couple are the owners of their lives. After that, the couple do three

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turns towards the altar in a circle that symbolizes eternity and the number represents the Trinity. The

rest of the ceremony, the entrance and exit to the temple/church, is very similar to the Catholic ritual.

Gypsy Wedding

As is typical of gypsy culture, weddings are a grand celebration, lasting more than one day, in which

the whole family or the whole clan is involved.

One feature of this celebration is the purity with which the couple come to marriage. In fact the most

important part of the ritual involves checking the virginity of the bride, known as tissue testing and

performed by the most influential woman of the family and who witnesses all the women of the

family. If the tissue is broken, the girl cannot marry.

After the verification the wedding begins, characterised by excesses in the banquet, in gifts, in the

dress - for couple and guests - and in the subsequent celebrations.

Themed Weddings

It is increasingly common for the bride and groom to choose the option of a themed wedding. It’s

more personalised and symbolises the common points between them. Such unions really are the

most creative and allow you as a Wedding Planner to let your imagination run free and show off

what you can do.

In these cases it is very important that communication is clear so the couple achieve their objectives

and that they thoroughly enjoy their wedding day. It’s a good idea to prepare a list of questions to get

to know them better so you can plan proposals that suit their taste, like:

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What is your favourite food and dessert? List three restaurants that you often go to.

What are your favourite drinks? Do you like alcohol?

When going on vacation what do you prefer - beach, golf or new cities?

Do you like to read? Tell me the last three books you've read.

What are your favourite colours and which you like the least?

Do you have any hobbies?

What is your favourite season?

What kind of music do you listen to? Three favourite artists?

How do you imagine your wedding?

What does getting married mean to you? What made you decide to do so?

These are just suggestions. Compile a list you’re happy with. With the answers to these questions

you can identify a style or a theme around which to start organising fashion and on which to base the

menu, decorating, the honeymoon, and other things.

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6. Choosing music for the ceremony

The music selection for the ceremony should be a personal choice of the couple to whom you

present different proposals. Usually couples opt for classical music or music typical of the region or

place of origin of either party or the place where the ceremony will take place. Another option that is

very uplifting is to have live orchestra music or a choir or both.

It’s important to talk to the person who will officiate or direct the ceremony to agree on the number of

pieces that are needed and the times during the ceremony the music will need to be heard. The

classic themes more often heard are: "Hallelujah" from Handel's Messiah or "Canticorum", "Lascia

ch'i Pianga" or "Heil, heil, heil". The theme "Die Himmel Erzählen" by Haydn, "Ave Maria" by

Schubert, "Gloria" by Vivaldi.

Following composers such as Mozart, you could choose a multitude of compositions like "Hallelujah"

or "Laudate Dominum".

From other composers you could choose: "How Beautiful" or "I Shall feed his flock" by Handel, the

"Panis Angelicus" by Franck, the "Et in Unum" by Bach or the "Amen" by Pergolesi. The possibilities

are many and varied.

For entry to the church the most popular option is Mendelssohn's Wedding March. If you opt for

traditional regional music you must confirm the quality of the group and of the instruments used by

them beforehand to avoid any last minute surprises.

7. Choosing music for the banquet

The musical selection for the banquet is much more casual than for the ceremony.

Once again the couple’s preferences will be important but you can advise them and invite them to

choose popular types that their guests will enjoy.

You’ll be familiar with the typical repertoire of your area. You could suggest that the bride and groom

surprise their guests with a live music group or with a performer to accompany the music.

Once again it’s important to know the musical tastes of the couple in order to make proposals related

to their interests. A nice touch at weddings is to compile a list of songs to be played that are

sentimental or meaningful to the bride and groom or to family members.

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Exercises

Exercise 1. Choose the correct answer:

Which are the most appropriate characteristics of a Wedding Planner?

A ) Generosity; you must show appreciation to the couple for hiring your services. B ) Good people skills: understanding of and empathy with the couple. C )Humour, so you participate in the wedding celebration.

Exercise 2. Choose the correct answer:

In the questionnaire for your clients you’ll have a list of questions relevant to the planning of the

wedding. Which one of these points should you not include?

A )Do you want a civil wedding, a religious one or a special theme? B )Can you give me your measurements for choosing the wedding outfits? C )What is your budget for the wedding?

Exercise 3. Choose the correct answer:

Which of the following criteria should NOT be considered when choosing between a morning or

afternoon wedding?

A )With a morning wedding guests have a longer time to enjoy the day. B )The menu can be less expensive in the afternoon than at night. C )The afternoon is more beautiful because you see the sunset.

Exercise 4. Choose the correct answer:

The Jewish religion is one of the oldest. For Jews, marriage is considered to be:

A )An ideal and a duty. B )An ideal and an obligation. C )A choice and an ideal.

Exercise 5. Choose the correct answer:

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for a Jewish marriage?:

A )Blood from both parties. B )The man must have made the Bar Mitzvah. C )The man can be divorced.

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Exercise 6. Choose the correct answer:

Which of these is NOT a Hindu marriage ritual?:

A )The panigrahena. B )The satapadi. C )The tromadi.

Exercise 7. Choose the correct answer:

When compiling a list of questions on themed weddings which of these would you NOT include?

A )Do you have any hobbies? B )How do you imagine your wedding? C )What was the last movie you saw?

Exercise 8. Choose the correct answer:

In a civil ceremony, which of the following documents is NOT required?:

A )Certificate of registration. B )Photocopy of ID of the parties. C )Affidavit of loyalty.