The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions [Revised Edition]: Readings, Rituals, Music, Dances, and Toasts

by Carley Roney, Editors of The Knot

Overview

From the #1 wedding brand comes this indispensable resource, completely revised and updated, to help you choose the perfect words, music, and traditions for your ceremony and reception
 
The ceremony is the cornerstone of your wedding celebration. There are countless ways to make it your own, from meaningful poetry readings to the music that plays as you walk down the aisle.

The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions is an important resource for brides and grooms. New and expanded topics in this edition include:
-Interfaith ceremonies and blending spiritual traditions
-Ways to use technology to enhance your ceremony
-New online resources for finding the perfect words for your vows, program, and more
-Gay marriages and civil unions
-Popular song choices that are already considered classics

Throughout, you’ll also find a rich and inspiring selection of both classic and original ideas for:
-Religious or secular vows and readings
-Traditions and symbolic rituals
-Speeches and toasts
-Music for the processional, recessional, and the special dances at the reception

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780770433796
Publisher:	Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Publication date:	03/12/2013
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	310,300
Product dimensions:	7.30(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Carley Roney helms the world's favorite wedding brand, The Knot, as well as spinoffs The Nest and The Bump. The author of sixteen books, Carley appears frequently on The View, Today, and the Style network and is regularly featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Glamour, Vogue, Elle, and Self. Her advice column, "Ask Carley," appears in more than 70 newspapers nationwide.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 7

Introduction 8

Chapter 1 Vows

1 Traditional Religious Vows 14

Protestant Vows 14

Basic Protestant Vows 14

Lutheran Vows 14

Episcopal Vows 15

Methodist Vows 15

Presbyterian Vows 15

Baptist Vows 15

Roman Catholic Vows 16

Eastern Orthodox Vows 16

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Vows 16

Unitarian Vows 18

Jewish Vows 18

Reform 18

Conservative 19

Muslim Vows 19

Hindu Vows 20

Quaker Vows 20

Buddhist Vows 21

Interfaith and Nondenominational Vows 21

Ethical Humanist Vows 27

Civil Vows 27

Same-Sex Wedding Vows and Commitment Ceremonies 28

Writing Your Own Vows 29

Guidelines 29

Real Couples' Vows 32

Chapter 2 Readings

2 Becoming Well Read 42

What to Select? 42

Who Reads? 43

How's It Done? 44

Traditional Religious Readings 44

Scripture 44

Old Testament 45

New Testament 46

The Jewish Seven Blessings (Sheva B'rachot) 50

Buddhist Marriage Homily 51

Cultural Readings and Blessings 51

Poetry and Prose 54

Chapter 3 Rings and Other Rituals

3 Exchanging Rings 94

Protestant/Presbyterian 94

Lutheran 94

Episcopal 94

Methodist 94

Baptist 94

Catholic 94

Unitarian 95

Jewish 95

Nondenominational 95

Native American 96

More Exchanges 96

Triple Ring Exchange (Eastern Orthodox) 96

Crowning Ceremony (Eastern Orthodox) 97

Garland Exchange (Hindu and Hawaiian) 98

Kola Nuts (Nigeria) 99

Arras (Spanish and Latino) 99

Meher (Muslim) 99

Rose Ceremony (Nondenominational) 99

Giving Thanks 100

Libation Ceremony (Africa) 100

Homage to the Fire God, Agni (Hindu) 100

Tea or Sake Ceremony (China and Japan) 101

Unifying Rituals 101

Handfasting (Afrocentric) 101

Handfasting (Celtic) 101

Handfasting (Egypt) 103

Hasthagranthi (Hindu) 103

Circling the Table (Eastern Orthodox) 104

Circling (Jewish) 104

Lazo (Latino) 104

Symbolic Rituals 104

Seven Steps (Hindu) 104

Honey Ceremony (Multifaith) 105

Unity Candle (Catholic) 105

Candle Ceremony (Wiccan) 106

Candle Ceremony (Nondenominational) 107

Sand Ceremony (Hawaiian) 109

Crossing Sticks (African American) 109

Jumping the Broom (African American) 109

Tasting the Four Elements (Yoruba) 110

Mala Badol (Bangladesh) 110

Breaking the Glass (Jewish) 110

P'ye-Baek (Korea) 111

Gifts of Eggs (Muslim) 111

Honey and Walnuts (Greece) 111

Chapter 4 Programs and Quotes

4 Programming Notes 114

Meaningful and Famous Quotes 115

Chapter 5 Music and Dances

5 The Ceremony 128

Great Ceremony Selections 128

The Prelude 129

The Processional 132

Additional Ceremony Selections 133

The Recessional 134

The Reception 137

Reception Music Notes 137

First-Dance Songs 138

Parent Dances 152

Dinner Music 154

Dancing Music 155

Chapter 6 Speeches and Toasts

6 Talking Points 164

Traditional and Cultural Toasts 166

Blessings 169

Shakespearean Toasts and Blessings 170

Toasts from Members of the Wedding Party 171

Toasts from the Best Man 171

Toasts from the Maid of Honor 174

Toasts from Parents 179

Toasts from Siblings and/or Adult Children 184

Toasts from Partner to Partner 186

Toasts from Couple to Parents 195

Toasts from Couple to Guests 195

Source Biographies 197

Resources 204

Permissions 205

Photo Credits 211

Index 212