Carolyn Burke STL Blog

Here are a few unconventional ceremony ideas to take you down the aisle with a twist. 1. Let your guests mingle over cocktails before the ceremony. 2. The couple greets the guests as they arrive at the ceremony site. 3. Face the guests when you recite your wedding vows. 4. Have your guests sit or stand in a circle around you during the ceremony. Ceremony in the Round 5. Have both parents walk you down the aisle. Dad - Bride - Mom 6. Have your husband-to-be escort you to the altar. 7. Don’t have bridesmaids or groomsmen - just the two of you. 8. Have an uneven number of attendants.     (Maybe you just want a maid of honor, but he wants three groomsmen.) 9. Have a “man of honor” instead of a maid of honor. (Your brother? A good male friend?) 10. Have the groom choose a “best woman.” (His sister? A good female friend?) 11. Don’t wear a veil. 12. Have bridesmaids carry candles instead of bouquets as they walk down the aisle. Bridesmaids H...

Although I specialize in short, sweet and simple ceremonies in the St Louis MO and Metro East IL area, that does not mean that the WEDDING PARTY is simple too.  I agree to perform at a large wedding as long as the couple agrees that the ceremony remains SIMPLE (less than 15 minutes). Many times the number of guests is small even though there is a large wedding party (grandparents, parents, groomsmen, bridesmaids, ring bearer, flower girl, even a train bearer) There is no way to make "simple" out of a large wedding party of 6+ bridesmaids and 6+ groomsmen, two ring bearers and a baby in a stroller as the flower girl! Couples who decide to have a large wedding party need to have in place the order they want to have their bridesmaids and groomsmen to walk down the aisle. When the ceremony is about to begin and the bride and groom are still deciding is NOT the time. Getting 16+ people to stop talking and listen is no easy task. Having a rehearsal is helpful, but it...

Q. Our wedding party consists of four bridesmaids and seven groomsmen. What’s the best way to pair them up for the ceremony? Do all of the groomsmen have to walk down the aisle during the processional? Uneven Wedding Party A. Wedding parties like yours, with an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, are quite common. The good news is you have several options to consider for both the processional and recessional.... READ MORE from Bridal Guide Magazine

Who knew planning a wedding would be akin to staging a major Broadway production? To help out with your co-directorial debut, I have prepared a cross-section of the wedding day cast of characters. (Keep in mind that most roles can be played by either gender, and by as many people as you want.) This is actually a really long post in five parts. So enjoy . . . The Best Man Best Man/Attendant This guy (and rarely gals) acts as groom's valet (personal aide and advisor) through all stages of wedding planning. He's a fashion consultant, bachelor-party master of ceremonies, and commander-in-chief of the groomsmen brigade. His duties include (but aren't limited to): getting the groom to the ceremony on time; giving the officiant his/her fee after the ceremony; signing the couple's marriage license as a witness; and holding the bride's ring at the altar. He also is famous for his toasting skills at the reception. Maid/Matron/Man of Honor Whether she's b...