Ideas for a Short, Post-private Ceremony "ceremony"?

Maggie De Jager, About 3 years ago, 373

Posted in Wedding Ceremony

Hi all

I grew up in the Orthodox (Christian) church, and my dad is a retired Orthodox priest. All of my three sisters were married by my dad in the church. However, my fiancé and I decided that having a full Orthodox ceremony just isn't ideal for our guest list. It's a longer ceremony with a lot of traditions that are very serious, and rather than risk someone disrespecting those traditions, we decided to have a private Orthodox ceremony at my home church (40 mins from Reception venue) with just our immediate family and bridal party, and then make our way back to the venue for the rest of the day.

Since by that time we will already be technically married, we are trying to think of what we can do as a short "ceremony" for the rest of our guests who will be arriving at the venue expecting to see us get married. I know they will expect to see us exchange rings and say "I do," but I am trying to think of a way to do these things that doesn't feel dishonest.

I was thinking maybe my dad could give a sermon on love and marriage, and that we could say "vows" to each other that are more personalized than the vows we say in the church ceremony. Have you all experienced anything like this before? Are there any Orthodox brides out there that have any suggestions?

Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks