Western Weddings

Organisation

We believe in the power of experiences and have a reputation for producing stylish, innovative designs with excellent execution

Organisation

We believe in the power of experiences and have a reputation for producing stylish, innovative designs with excellent execution

Location

Spectacular locations provide a variety of options for creating lavish events that will be remembered for years to come.

Location

Spectacular locations provide a variety of options for creating lavish events that will be remembered for years to come.

Décor Elements

Your wedding should go beyond aesthetics, creating not only a visual impact but also a sensory experience of touch, taste, scent and mood.

Décor Elements

Your wedding should go beyond aesthetics, creating not only a visual impact but also a sensory experience of touch, taste, scent and mood.

Formalities

We take care of the ceremonial and legal aspects of your union to ensure a flawless day and life of joy.

Formalities

We take care of the ceremonial and legal aspects of your union to ensure a flawless day and life of joy.

At your service ensuring a spectacular Western Wedding

Traditional western wedding ceremonies are perfect for the classic couple who wants a more conventional celebration. There is typically a welcome or introduction by the minister or priest, followed by the exchange of vows. The couple then exchanges rings, and after the couple shares a kiss, the minister announces them for the first time as a married couple.

Engaged couples throw around a lot of phrases to describe their dream wedding—wedding theme, aesthetic, and color palette. But none of those quite describe a holistic approach to curating both the visual and experiential parts of a wedding. That’s what a wedding vision is. Deciding on your wedding vision entails everything from wedding decor and flowers to the atmosphere and feeling you want attendees to have. And we’re taking a look at just how to identify your perfect wedding vision.

If the wedding ceremony order is a bit overwhelming and you have some questions about which rites to include and when, that’s completely normal. The great news is that most ceremonies follow a similar format, so if you’ve been to (or been in) a few, you’ve probably got an idea of how the wedding order of service usually flows.

Of course, different cultures and religions incorporate different distinctive elements, and there’s so much to love about each.
Traditional and nondenominational wedding ceremonies are most flexible and similar to each other in terms of structure while religious ceremonies aren’t as adjustable. Catholic weddings, for instance, must always be held inside a church—no exceptions. Since there tends to be variations based on regional and ethnic differences, we’ve made wedding ceremony outlines for different types of weddings, creating the ultimate guide for creating a ceremony of your own.

This is where the officiant pronounces you married and turns to the guests to introduce the married couple for the first time and encourages guests to applaud and celebrate the newlyweds. Then, the newlyweds lead the recessional down the aisle as guests cheer for your union. The order is the reverse of the processional.

At AW&E, we take care of everything!

Western Wedding Program includes:

The Processional

The processional is the first order of business at a wedding ceremony. This is when members of your immediate family and wedding party head down the aisle and either find a seat or take their places on either side of the altar. The processional begins with the bride's mother and follows with the groom, best man, paired-up wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. It ends with the bride making her entrance escorted by her father who "gives her away" to the groom.

Words of Welcome

Once everyone is in place, the officiant will say a few words of welcome. The officiant may thank guests for bearing witness to your union as well as welcome everyone.

Introduction

Next, the officiant will offer an introduction and some thoughts on marriage. This could be a brief recounting of your love story, words on what marriage means to you, or a statement about the ceremony to come and what it represents.

Readings

From there, if you are including readings of any sort in your ceremony, readers will be invited up to share a few words. You could have your officiant introduce each reading and speaker or have things flow more naturally between readers.

Officiant Addresses Couple

This is when the officiant addresses you and talks about the responsibilities of marriage and the sanctity of the vows you're about to take.

Exchange Vows

After the readings have been shared, the two of you will take turns reciting your vows. This is often the emotional part of the ceremony, especially if you write your own vows.

Ring Exchange

After each person recites the vows, you will place the rings on each other's fingers. It's considered a symbol of your marriage. You may opt to perform the ring exchange quickly without vows, or you may say a few words about what the ring symbolizes before placing it on your partner's finger.

The Kiss

Now, the good part! After you've exchanged vows and rings, the two of you seal your marriage with a kiss. You're officially married!

Unity Ceremony

If you're planning on having a unity ceremony, this is a good time to incorporate it. In a unity ritual, the couple does something that physically symbolizes their new union, such as using two candles to light a single candle or binding their hands together with a ribbon.

Closing Remarks

If your ceremony is a religious affair, this is the proper time for a final prayer. Typically, closing prayers are the same as final blessings after each religious ceremony and the officiant can call for the congregation to lift their hands to join in blessing them. If it's not religious, the officiant can say words of encouragement to the couple, bless them in their union, or read a requested prayer or poem aloud. Typical prayers involve asking for prosperity, faithfulness, and a strong bond.

The Recessional

This is where the officiant pronounces you married and turns to the guests to introduce the married couple for the first time and encourages guests to applaud and celebrate the newlyweds. Then, the newlyweds lead the recessional down the aisle as guests cheer for your union. The order is the reverse of the processional.

The Reception

While the ceremony that turns you and your partner from engaged to married is the most essential part of your wedding day, the celebration that surrounds it—your wedding reception—is just as exciting and the details of your reception should be uniquely yours.

It's the exclamation point of your ceremony and should be planned and designed as such. There just are not that many events in life where everyone you love is in one room, celebrating you and love, joy, and happiness! Though wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions often occur on the same date, with the same guest list, and even sometimes in the same building, they have two different purposes: The ceremony unites the couple in marriage, and the reception honors that milestone.
The specifics of a wedding reception are as unique as the couples they honour. A festive atmosphere is typically the goal; often this means music, dancing, and a great meal.
Many receptions include some or all of a few common traditions, including a blessing of the meal, speeches from the couple’s wedding party or family, a Champagne toast, a formal first dance for the couple, parent dances, and a cake cutting (or other dessert presentation).

Our services and more

We understand how important and personal your wedding day is and therefore at AW&E connection is vital. We take a client led approach to get to know you as a couple, understand your needs and together we work to curate an amazing celebration. 

Every couple is different so our services vary to reflect this.  We can join you from the very beginning of your wedding Journey with full Wedding Planning support.  With this, no detail is left unturned throughout the AW&E Planning process – expert site selection and management, engagement and supervision of all creative partners and contractors that align with your budget and style, catering and menu planning, stationery and etiquette advice, the creation of detailed timelines and drawings, budget creation and management, integration of all design and production elements, and priority access to the AW&E Planning Team from start to finish. We can also join you part way through your Planning or offer final stage support with On the Day Coordination

Preparing for a wedding is an intricate and multifaceted process that requires meticulous planning and attention to detail to ensure that every aspect of the ceremony and reception is executed flawlessly.

From selecting the perfect venue to curating a delectable menu, and from securing the services of an officiant to arranging transportation for guests, there are numerous tasks to consider when planning a wedding.

 

Transport

All types of vehicles and modes of transportain can be arranged.

Catering

All catering is provided according to both religious, dietary and your special requests.

Entertainment

Dancers, Singers, Live bands, as well as DJ's and magitians can be arranged.

Cakes & GIfts

From delicious cakes that are works of art to customary table gifts can be procured.

Accommodation

From block booking hotels to reserving luxury villas and partments, our team will sort this for you.

Flowers & Decor

We have a vast network of florists and designers who can ensure your wedding or event is unforgettable.

Ceremony

An officiant can be arranged depending on your needs as well as the venue for the officiation.

Formalities

We will take care of the legal formalities according to the law and your specific religion and the paperwork.

Staff & Specialists

Our network of hospitality professionals ensure both the service and the offerings are of the very highest quality.

Things to know about
western weddings and what to expect

Traditional Western Wedding Attire

The dress code is the most important factor to take into consideration when choosing what to wear to a wedding. The majority of couples will set a wedding dress code depending on the style of the event, as well as the time of year it's taking place. What you wear to a black-tie.

Consider this the golden rule of wedding guest attire. Unless explicitly directed on the wedding invitation or the couple's wedding website, avoid wearing an all-white outfit. While it's probably obvious to most guests, it's important not to wear any shade of white to a wedding unless it's specifically stated in the invitation.  Before picking your outfit, though, confirm that this is the requested guest attire by double-checking the instructions on the invite. wedding in the winter, for example, will be vastly different than what you wear to a casual wedding in the middle of summer.

Western Wedding Gifts

just as cultures around the world are vast and diverse, so too are the traditions and expectations that fall within them — and the giving and receiving of wedding gifts is no exception. After all, offering a gift at a wedding is a gesture that recognizes the symbolic importance of this special day and union, one that transcends geography, time, and space.

Generally there will be a wedding gift registry and the couple have decided what they would like and you purchase what you can afford. You may choose to get a gift knowing the tastes and needs of the bride and groom.

Traditional Western Wedding Reception Traditions

A "traditional" US wedding is typically a ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. There are almost always an honor attendant for each of the couple, and often bridesmaids and groomsmen - all adults. Sometimes a flower girl and ring bearer who are young children. These people wear matching or similar outfits.

The ceremony can be in a house of worship, but more and more is held in a similar set up (chairs, aisle and altar area) at the reception location. The regulations - where you can get a license and who can officiate - are determined by the state where the ceremony is held. Ordained clergy serving a congregation, various municipal officials, sometimes a friend ordained by the  church.

The bride usually wears a big white dress and veil and carries a bouquet and is escorted by a parent. The groom usually wears a suit or tuxedo.

Traditional Western Wedding Food, Drinks and Desserts

Western weddings have foods mostly based around the tastes of the bride and groom. A destination wedding at Angkor Wat might see food being served that is local to the region.

Usually all meals start with canapes, then starters, a main course and then dessert. The cake cutting ceremony follows.

Western Weddings gallery