Short and Sweet Ceremony

Our ceremony was not religious and at most it was 15 minutes. We did two very short readings (poems) and she did some of her own and with the vows and everything it was about that. I think it's perfect to have 10-15 minutes.

Ours was probably about 15 minutes max. I wish I had someone had timed it lol. We only had MOH, BM, and flower girls so processional was short. During ceremony no songs, readings, or unity stuff. Just our officiant and us! It was a beautiful, meaningful ceremony even if short! Our officiant did a great job!

Ours will be about 20 minutes because my brother insists on doing a reading (even though I specifically said nothing religious, we wants to read "love is patient, love is kind" because "it's so fitting"). We may do one more reading of an excerpt from a favorite story. Plus a unity ceremony with painting. Getting it done quick so I can EAT!!!

His mom timed ours and it was 8 minutes! We didn't do anything extra. We wanted it short and sweet! It felt like 30 seconds to me, but hubby said it felt like an hour to him (lol!).

I don't know how long ours will be - we aren't religious at all, so one of our closest friends is getting licensed to marry us. He's been working the ceremony, but I don't know how long it's going to be yet. I told him as short as possible, so seeing that 10 minutes is realistic makes me really excited!!

Mine usually run 10-15 minutes (shorter or longer upon request).

You can have 1-2 people do readings. Your officiant can do a couple of readings (I do one before and after the exchange of vows, usually).

I just did a ceremony where the couple wanted to talk as little as possible, so I had them say "I am" in response to the QofIntent and reply "I do" when I did the vows as a question.

Another couple had a niece read from First Corinthians (Love is patient...).

One of my couples wanted 5 minutes TOPS. I pointed out that people were traveling hours for their destination wedding -- if they sneezed they might miss the ceremony. But, they were adament -- only 5 minutes. So, that's what I did.

I definitely agree, the shorter the ceremony the sooner we get to party!

@Marsha One of our GM's is in an amazing band that plays all over the area, he will be playing his acoustic guitar as I walk down the aisle. I still have to decide what song I want him to play!

@no I'm thinking we aren't signing during the ceremony since I don't see it listed in the ceremony he sent over to me. I still have to discuss the idea of a sand/knot tying part of the ceremony with FH but I don't think we will. I did see an idea somewhere that you plant a tree in a little pot and it symbolizes the start of your new marriage, growth, etc. So I may look in to that one.

It is a pretty long walk down so I think the 8 minute ceremony time sounds perfect after talking to you all! FH was soo relieved to hear it won't be too long.

We're doing a quick ceremony too (even with religious elements). If you want to make it longer, you can add readings or other symbolic traditions (lighting the unity candle, pouring the sand, etc).

We had a non-religious ceremony and it was at least a half hour. Said our own vows but our Officiant said they couldn't be longer than 250 words.

She had some really incredibly poems, and quotes, backstory of our relationship. We did the hand tying as well.

We are having a 20-30 minute ceremony. We asked 2 very important people in our lives to do readings (non religious).

We're sitting down with our officiant later this month, but based on our earlier conversations it seems like it will be around 15 minutes. I grew up Catholic and that feels so short to me. But I'm happy not to be standing in front of everyone for long!