Ritual is “time outside of time” to focus on an impor­tant life tran­si­tion. There is no multi-​​tasking during ritual, there is only an intense focus on this impor­tant move­ment from engaged to married. At the begin­ning of the cere­mony, you are not married, at the end of the cere­mony you are. You want to create a sacred time and place so that this impor­tant deci­sion can be supported and cele­brated. A good cele­brant can help you here, but you need to be clear that your wedding cere­mony is a sacred time in which you and your partner will exchange promises that will change your lives forever.

What makes ritual sacred time (and NO, brushing your teeth isn’t a ritual, it’s an activity!)? It’s a series of activ­i­ties that take place when people are paying atten­tion only to that thing. All other things in the world cease to exist in this moment. You enter in one form and exit changed forever (and this isn’t just you, the commu­nity is trans­formed as well):

Tip: A good cele­brant can help you here. Or go buy my book: Promises to Keep: Crafting Your Wedding Ceremony