Wedding Ceremony Planning Tips and Advice

Dan Jenkins is a wedding officiant in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. We recently spoke with him and he had some great real world advice for brides and grooms. Thanks Dan!

1. In my experiences as a full-time wedding minister, I've learned a few very practical tips that are often overlooked.
    
2. You don't need to pass out during your ceremony, so be sure to eat a light lunch if you have an afternoon wedding. Don't forget to eat.
    
3. Don't dehydrate. Drinking alcohol will not only impair your participation in the ceremony, it can dehydrate you. Be sure to drink plenty of water on your wedding day, and no booze. Are you aware that a minister can refuse to marry you if he believes you are impaired by drugs or alcohol?
    
4. Especially for the bride: wear comfortable shoes. You are going to be on your feet all day! Your dress will cover your shoes .. so treat your feet right!
    
5. A light coat of Vaseline over your teeth will make them appear whiter and brighter for photographs.
    
6. Have an emergency kit made up for your wedding day: needle, thread, Tylenol (or Motrin or aspirin), spare stockings, etc ...think of what could go wrong and put a backup in your emergency it. Don't forget band-aids and a styptic pencil.
    
7. Have your vows written out .. it is better to read them than to repeat long vows. Make sure the minister has your vows in his ceremony book.
    
8. Don't lock your knees during the ceremony. For some reason this can cut off blood circulation and cause you to blackout.
    
9. Have one person coordinate messages and changes for you on your wedding day. Everyone needs to know who is speaking for the bride, to avoid confusion.
    
10. Be ready to smile and smile and smile and smile. I don't think brides and grooms are prepared for how much smiling they will be doing, and for how long, on their wedding day.
     
11. During the ceremony, focus on each other. Communicate your love for each other nonverbally and intensely .. it really makes the ceremony very powerful.

Dan Jenkins is a Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Wedding Minister licensed to perform marriages in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Visit his website to learn more about Dan at Heavens Touch Weddings.