Weddingbee Blog

Something that I wanted to incorporate which has become quite popular in wedding ceremonies these days is what’s called the “declaration of support”, or the section of the ceremony where the officiant asks the wedding guests to promise to support the couple in their marriage.

I loved the idea of getting our wedding guests involved like that, but wanted to make it a little more powerful than just getting them to say, “we do,” so we decided to have a moment where we created a literal circle of love.

We walked down into the aisle and asked our wedding guests to hold hands and create one big circle around us. To facilitate this, we had rehearsed it with our bridal party and families they day before so that they could lead the way, so to speak. We were also aided by some hilarious ad-libbing my my Stepdad:

Declaration of Support

Now, I ask you, friends and family, to stand. Turn and face our couple, and please help close the circle around them by joining hands.

As family and friends, you form a community of support surrounding Kate and Dan. Each of you, by your presence here today, is being called upon to uphold them in honoring the commitment they are making today.

Always stand beside them, never between them. Offer your love and your support, never your judgment or doubt. Take care that you have only kind words for each regardless of where your own loyalties lie, remembering that at day’s end when hard feelings between them have faded, critical words from well-meaning family and friends can linger and cause pain. Encourage them when encouragement is needed. Listen when they need an ear. Remind them of their vows and the love that brings them here today, when troubles come.

Do you offer your love and support to keep their union strong? Please answer by saying: WE DO

And in that magical moment when we were physically surrounded by the people who matter most to us in the world and they answered, “we do,” shivers ran down my spine and all seemed right with the world.

And we got a pretty fantastic picture out of it, too! I love this picture because it makes it look like we are this bright light radiating out to our family and friends surrounding us.

Are you incorporating a declaration of support in your ceremony? How are you putting your own spin on it?

*All photos by John Martin Photography*

The Star Wedding Recaps:

One Last Not-So Debaucherous Night
We’re Pros at Rehearsing, But I’m No Director
Dinner in Havana
The Girls Get Their Hair Done and The Boys Wash The Dog
Getting Accessorized
We Tackle the Beast
I May Be Biased, But… I Have the Prettiest Ladies Ever
Takin’ It to the Streets!
The Boys Goof Off (and Set Up, Too!)
Taxi Time
It’s Almost Time For Our Lives To Change Forever
My Big Break
Gathered in a Place of Magic — Ceremony Part I