After our initial contact and check for availability, I will email you a questionnaire that will include all the information I'll need to write the first draft of your ceremony. On receiving your answers I will research prayers and passages that seem appropriate and will write a special opening based on how you met and what draws you together. I believe that the words that you hear on your wedding day help set the tone of your marriage and I am dedicated to making them the best they can be.

The draft will be emailed to you for changes and rewrites until the ceremony feels just right to you and your fiancé. We will confer by phone and email as often as feels necessary at no extra charge. You will also receive a copy of the ceremony on your wedding day.

At the rehearsal I will stage everything including the bride's entrance with her attendants and how to protect it, the entrance of the groomsmen, the seating of the mothers and/or grandmothers. I will help decide the best direction for the bridal couple's walk after the ceremony and the best photo op location for the signing of the marriage license.

On the day of the ceremony, I will cue the seating of the guests, the music for the processional, the entrance of the bride, her attendants and the groomsmen, the recessional and the bridal couple's walk.

As well as performing your ceremony I will be there to offer support and encouragement to you both.

Rev. Dianne J. Shaver

Dianne Shaver has had a varied career. She has been a Holistic Counselor and Success Coach for over twenty years and has always been interested in helping people reach their potential. She became an ordained minister and began conducting wedding ceremonies in 1990. Creating and performing ceremonies expressly for each couples is a continuing joy. It is her good fortune to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and to have so many breathtaking venues as the setting for her unique ceremonies.

Structure of the Ceremony

The Opening:
Sets the tone of the whole wedding ceremony. It begins with the intention of this ceremony (to unite you and your fiancé in marriage), guests welcomed, absent loved ones mentioned. How you met and grew together and the things that are important to you as a couple are all included.

The Opening Prayer:
Unites you and your family and guests and focuses everyone on the sacredness of the ceremony

Definition of Marriage:
States for you and your fiancé, family and friends how you view your commitment of marriage. For each couple this has unique overtones.

Marriage Prayer:
Again unites the guests in supporting the couple in their commitment and prepares the way for your vows.

Vows:
Can be written by you or created by Rev. Shaver and contain the words that carry the feelings you have about committing to one another.

Blessing of the Rings:
States the purpose and symbology of wedding rings and imbues the rings with the blessing of everyone there.

Exchange of Rings:
Where you state your intention of marriage while placing the ring on your fiance's finger.

Final Blessing:
Spiritual encouragement blessing both the bride and groom in their new marriage.

Declaration of Marriage:
Recognizes your new marriage and your sacred commitment to one another.

Introduction of the Newlyweds:
Your first introduction to family and friends as a married couple.

The above is the usual configuration but you may add things such as music, readings, candle lighting or other features that would make your special day perfect.

Picture Provided by: ACharlestonWedding.com





Custom Wedding Ceremonies
Rev. Dianne Shaver
(843) 532-0559
dianne@customweddingceremoniescharleston.com