It feels amazing to be back as Calla Lily Blossom! I am so excited to share parts of my wedding day with the BridalBuds garden, especially my favorite part: our DIY ceremony!!!

Our ceremony was truly magical, but of course, I am absolutely and completely biased. Short and sweet, it was an intimate feeling, very personalized event. To create our own ceremony, we blended together elements that matched our vision, borrowing from humanist and atheist traditions as well as traditional civil and secular weddings.

Our unity candle lighting

(Sorry for the poor quality picture, but we’re still waiting on our professional pictures)

Making it extra special to us, Calla Lily Dude’s dad performed the ceremony after being deputized as a Deputy Commissioner of Marriage (check your local/state requirements to see if this is a possibility for you!).

After Calla Lily Dude and I exchanged vows, all our guests participated in our unity candle lighting ceremony using the candle favors that I made.

Here is the wording that we used for our ceremony:

“Officiant: On behalf of Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude, I would like to say welcome to everyone here today to participate in this beautiful evening as we celebrate the joining of two lives. We are not here to mark the start of a relationship; we are here to recognize a bond that already exists. This is much more than a social and civil occasion; Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude are building a life together, and we are here to support their union publicly as they affirm their commitment to each other.

Officiant: Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude, the vows you are about to take have no hidden power in and of themselves, they only express in words your continuing intention and commitment to a lasting and loving relationship. Your vows only hold meaning as long as you believe in them and each other. The expression in your vows today is one of many milestones in your journey together.

Officiant: In lieu of a bridal party standing with them, Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude would like all their guests to stand with them in support of their union, so I encourage you to stand as they exchange vows, if you are able. Please stand.

Officiant: Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude, please join hands as you exchange vows. Calla Lily Bud, do you believe that your love for Calla Lily Dude is deep, rich and lasting enough to enable you to build a worthy life together?

Calla Lily Bud: Yes, I do. Calla Lily Dude, with you, I promise to grow in love as our relationship evolves and matures regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I am open to a deeper, richer friendship and lasting partnership, based on mutual respect and love. I love you.

Officiant: Calla Lily Dude, do you believe that your love for Calla Lily Bud is deep, rich and lasting enough to enable you to build a worthy life together?

Calla Lily Dude: Yes, I do. Calla Lily Bud, with you, I promise to grow in love as our relationship evolves and matures regardless of the obstacles we may face together. I am open to a deeper, richer friendship and lasting partnership, based on mutual respect and love. I love you.

Officiant: As a symbol of their engagement, Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude chose to wear rings on their right hands. Now that they have exchanged vows, they will place their rings on their left hands as a visible symbol of their union.

Calla Lily Bud: (while switching Calla Lily Dude’s ring) With this ring, I join my life with yours.

Calla Lily Dude: (while switching Calla Lily Bud’s ring) With this ring, I join my life with yours.

Officiant: At each place setting, there is a candle. Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude would like you all to be part of formalizing their union by participating in the lighting of a unity candle. Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude’s union is not solely about the joining of their lives, but includes everyone who has played a role in the journey which has led them to this point of commitment. Each of you here has been invited because you are a special person in the lives of Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude. As the light passes from candle to candle, it represents the collective union of family and friends, and our support of Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude as they build a life together.

Officiant: The lighted candles that Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude are now holding represent their individual selves. They use this individuality to strengthen their relationship, but recognize that this commitment also means giving part of yourself to another person. Using their individual candles to light the center candle represents the parts of themselves that they wholeheartedly give to their relationship. It represents the union of two lives for the purpose of building a life together. (Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude light center candle together) All three candles stand as symbols of their commitment to each other and to a lasting and loving relationship.

Officiant: With the love and support of everyone here today, Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude have declared their love and commitment to each other. Calla Lily Bud and Calla Lily Dude, remember that lifelong love is a precious gift. As partners in life, you are so much more than significant others. You will enhance each other’s accomplishments and help one another to realize your dreams. You are forever redefining the qualities of loyalty, devotion, and love. Your contributions to your partner’s life far surpass being significant. May you strive to meet this commitment with the same love and devotion that you now possess. Please seal your union with a kiss. (Kiss) Everyone, please join me in congratulating Calla Lily Dude and Calla Lily Blossom on their union.”

Feel free to borrow from our ceremony wording and use it to create your very own amazing ceremony!