What’s a group vow anyway?

Great question! Read on to see if a group vow might be something you want included in the ceremony I write for you! In civil ceremonies, there aren’t a whole lot of rules.

Of course, you need to meet certain legal requirements in order to ensure you have a legally valid marriage. (Covered in detail here)

If you were to JUST have the legal components of the ceremony, it would be over within about 5 minutes! And for some couples, that is literally all they want. In that instance, we do the necessary paperwork and minimal amount of legal wording over a cuppa. Usually at a cafe in Byron Bay.

Apart from the legal components, then, everything else within the ceremony is highly flexible.

Your civil ceremony, for example, may follow the ‘traditional’ format which consists of:

• The ‘processional’- (entry of the wedding party)
• Acknowledgment/Welcoming to Country if you choose
• Thanking your guests for being here.
• My bespoke, highly personalised ceremony that I have written just for you
• The legal (non-negotiable) bits
• Your personal vows
• The  the ring exchange
• Pronouncing you as husband/husband/wife/wife/husband and wife/other
• Your first kiss as a married couple!
• Recessional (walking back down the aisle).

Then, there are other elements that you may not have heard about.  One of these is the ‘group vow’.

A group vow is exactly what the name implies! It’s a vow from the guests to the couple, facilitated by the celebrant. It can be done as a ‘repeat after me’ or simply a sentence by the celebrant followed by a resounding “WE DO!” from the guests.

 

 

I often include this in my ceremonies, if it is going to be appropriate to the couple.

Why a group vow?

Here are some of the benefits of a group vow:

• Guests love it- it’s a way for them to show you how much love and support they have for you.
• It can reduce your anxiety in relation to saying your personal vows- (what better way to reassure you that everyone loves you and is cheering you on than prefacing the personal vows with a group vow?)
• And as seen in the above photo at Ally and Alistair’s ceremony recently at Midgninbil resort, it brings a smile to everyone’s faces
• It makes for great photos!

 

If you’d like to book me in for a chat or to be your celebrant/MC for your wedding please get in touch here!