Ceremony filler help!

If your FH is against being the center of attention why are you trying to make your ceremony longer?

You could make the ceremony match your simple and laid back personalities by making it simple and laid back... I've seen 5 minute (literally) ceremonies before.

Because it will literally be 10 minutes long at most, which seems kind of silly.

Not silly if that's what you and FH are comfortable with, though.

I suggest a few special readings by closest friends or family

You could also have your parents light a unity candle to symbolize your families coming together

I don't think you need any more than that.. the officiant can talk about you guys and marriage for awhile, then you can do this cord ceremony, say your vows, and be done with it. Have you talked with the officiant about it to see how they usually do their ceremonies? Short ceremonies are better IMO, I don't like sitting through a long production as a guest, I'd rather get to the party.

Mine is maybe going to be 15 minutes from the cueing of the processional music to the curing of the recessional music. We are not having a bridal party either. A close friend of mine is doing the reading and our officiant is doing their thing, vows and onto the reception

10 minutes long is definitely not silly! Mine will be 15 minutes tops. As a guest I've always appreciated the short and sweet ceremonies, so that's what I decided to do for my own guests. Honestly, you start to lose people's attention after 15-20 minutes anyway (at least that's when I start to lose focus lol)

I think ours will be 5-10 mins FH is so introverted and has asked that it be short and sweet .

Why are you trying to make it longer if your FH is uncomfortable with it. You know it's his wedding too, right?

#TeamShortCeremony right here. Maximum 10 minutes, not religious but with our own anecdotes about the past 6 years we have spent together.

Short ceremonies are a godsend! Keep it short if you can. You don't need filler material.

Talk to your officiant. There are things that probably have to say, legally.

I agree that 5-10 minutes is too short for a ceremony; it trivializes it. Most people also have a distorted view of time; the prime complaint my venues have about non pros is that their ceremonies are too short and it throws off the rhythm of the day. (Well, there are plenty of other complaints too, but that's the biggie...)

Almost all our ceremonies are 18-20 minutes including the statement of intent, support by the parents, rings, vows, ritual elements, memorial moments and the pronouncement.

You could do two things. You can make your ceremony private, with just your parents and siblings, or you could sit down in the front row for much of the ceremony.

Yes, it is his ceremony, but it's also your ceremony and it should meet your parents' fond expectations for that part of the day.

Talk to your officiant.

I can give some advice, not as an officiant like Celia, but as a teacher. You may think something will only take 5-10 minutes and try to keep adding more things for time. However, you may already be in the sweet spot of time of 18-20 minutes. Read aloud and practice what may be sent to you. However, a professional officiant should know how long your ceremony will be.

I should say we're having a ceremony and cake and punch reception then a dinner so it's not a traditional wedding . I'll have to ask our officiant how long our ceremony will be but I really don't want a long ceremony by any means .

Totally agree that too short of a ceremony trivializes the momentous commitment you're making to one another. In addition to your handfasting (which is awesome!), your officiant may need to (legally) say things and you'll have to say your vows to one another in some fashion.

Could you add a reading or two? The focus wouldn't be on you two; most people watch whomever is speaking. We're actually sitting down in the front row for our readings and sermon, so you can do that and further be away from everyone's gaze.

When my brother got married it was so short you "didn't even have time to cry" as my mother puts it. I remember them walking down, doing their vows and then it was over. As that's not something I personally would do, its exactly what they wanted. I would talk to your FH and come to a compromise, say you understand he wants it shorter but you want it maybe 5 extra minutes?

Our ceremony was 14 minutes long. It doesn't have to be really long if you don't want it to be.

@OG Matt Wow, it's quite rude and assumptious of you to jump to that conclusion immediately. My FH wholeheartedly agrees we need a longer ceremony because we are not doing anything aside from the handfasting, which consists of 6 vows and a small speech from our officiant. I was using the context of his personality and shyness as a basis for appropriate suggestions for filler, not complaining about them. And FYI we considered ourselves married long ago, so yes this marriage HAS started out well. The last 7 years have been an amazing privelage!

I really appreciate all of these ideas! I think we might be able to flesh out at least a 15 min ceremony now! Lol