It's My Wedding, And I Want It MY Way

Do's and Don't's for Theme/Outdoor/Adventure Weddings

DO RESPECT THE RITE: The ceremony is the religious rite of your choice. The vows exchanged can be either the old standby, or something elaborately written by you, the bride and/or groom. However you decide to go with your ceremony, remember to respect the serious nature of this ceremony. There are ways to have respectful fun with your wedding. Just remember that your ceremony will be as fun, or as serious, as you make it, so plan wisely.

DO EXPLAIN THE RITE AND CEREMONY TO YOUR GUESTS: When you write and send your invitations, make SURE your invited guests and family members are aware that this will be a Pagan ceremony, and are prepared for the experience. It would also be a good idea to have a "phone circle" so that any and all questions are answered, thereby making your guests feel more comfortable about the nature of your ceremony. This will also help ensure that your guest list does not shrink miserably, due to their feeling insecure or unsure of what is expected.

DO THINK TWICE ABOUT USING COSTUMES: If you are planning a grand theme, complete with costumes, you're sure to have someone show up dressed as JLo or Tupac. Make sure your guests are well aware of the theme, and not just that costumes are going to be used. A good idea is to buy hand-held masks such as those used in the grande masquerades of the Victorian era, from a props or costume shop, and have a good selection available for all those present, so that everyone may join in, without feeling out of place, or inadequately prepared.

In planning a Pagan wedding, one should decide if it will be neo-pagan or traditional, and make sure your guests are aware of the difference, and of your choice. Peasant blouses and gypsy-styled skirts can be very beautiful with the right accessories and hair styles. If bride's maids are used, this arrangement makes for a beautiful reception line before and after the ceremony. Try hair rings or small hair adornments made of daisies, white roses, or even baby blue carnations with this theme. It's absolutely lovely.

DON'T IGNORE THEME WEDDINGS BECAUSE SOME MAY THINK OF THEM AS SILLY: Want to be wed in the winter, but want a garden wedding? That's not a problem. There are hundreds of reception/banquet rooms here in the Smokies available for rent, and an indoor garden wedding can be stunningly done, if done correctly.

Also, don't forget the old stand by..."Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." Something old represents the solidity and stability you wish to bring to your marriage. Something new, indicates the fresh new love you are willing to share with your beloved. Something borrowed indicates the friendship and prosperity you hope will come to your marriage, in the future. And something blue lends the air of tranquility and peace we all need on days full of stress and excitement. Blue is a healing color and lends the healing energies of its nature to the proceedings.

Traditional weddings are beautiful, but Theme or Adventure weddings are a unique expression of the participants, and should not be overlooked or ruled out simply due to unsubstantiated fears that the guests or the family may think them to be "silly." If you are a "dragon person," a "fairy person," or just love a certain part of the world (such as Rome, or Greece), then by all means, incorporate that into your wedding plans whenever possible. Make your wedding YOUR WEDDING, and don't let some planner, future mother-in-law, or even your own mother make all these important decisions for you.

DON'T GO OVER THE TOP: Remember the old addage. KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid. Don't be TOO elaborate. You don't want a simple ceremony to turn into a 6-digit event you will have to finance with a 7 year bank loan. The more details you plan, the higher the possiblity that something could go wrong. Make your theme a simple one, purchase the props and accessories well ahead of time, and come to the Smokies, meet the High Priestess who will be conducting your ceremony, well in advance of your rite. Find and book a banquet room for your nuptuals, take time to actually SEE it, walk around and make sure it will accomodate your needs. Talk to the staff of the hotel in which the banquet room is held to find out what amenities are available to you there before making a deposit to secure the room.

Then find a private cabin for yourself. Insure that you will NOT be in the same facility in which the wedding is to take place. It will throw off unwanted visitors during the honeymoon if you lodge in a different location than where the ceremony is hosted. You are sure to pat yourself on the back later when there are no unwanted phone calls or other disturbances when you least wish them. The banquet rooms have changing rooms available where you and your spouse to be may change and prepare for the ceremony, without necessitating having a room there, as well. There are also many florists here in Sevier County who will work with you and your plans, and will have everything ready when you need it to be. That is another reason to take a trip here to the Smokies prior to the event. Planning is essential, and you can't plan without coming up here first. Many of My couples have taken My advice of staying the night before the wedding in the hotel which houses the banquet facility in order to be indoors, and already in the building in their own rooms where they may get ready for the big event, but the first wedding night after the nuptuals should be spent alone, undisturbed, and unmolested [by outside sources at least].

If the wedding is to be simple, and all you need is a cabin with a view or a motel with nice ammenities, contact the High Priestess and She will assist you in making arrangements. She can come to your room and perform a quiet and simple ceremony which will be legal, or just perform a handfasting, depending on your needs. And that can be that. Remember. This is YOUR WEDDING; it is THE most important day in your adult life. Hopefully, the only one you will have. Make it what YOU want it to be.