When planning a wedding, it’s easy to get swept up in the details: the venue, the dress, the catering, the playlist. But according to Kelly, an Orlando-based wedding officiant at Orlando Ceremonies by Kelly, there’s a critical piece that often gets pushed aside. “The ceremony is the event that begins your celebration. Without it there is no wedding day.”
That single sentence reframes the entire planning process. The ceremony isn’t just a box to check before the party—it’s the foundation. Yet many couples spend months on logistics and very little time on the actual moment that makes them married. Kelly notes that “often couples become so engrossed in the stress of finding vendors, etc., that they forget to really discuss what feelings they want to evoke in their wedding ceremony.”
That’s a missed opportunity. The ceremony sets the emotional tone for everything that follows. A lighthearted, humorous ceremony can put guests at ease and kick off a relaxed reception. A more romantic, vow-heavy ceremony can create a sense of intimacy and depth. The choice is yours—but only if you make it consciously.
So, what should couples actually do? Start by having a conversation—just the two of you—about the vibe you want. Do you want guests laughing, crying, or both? Do you want a religious or secular ceremony? These aren’t trivial questions. They shape the words spoken, the rituals included, and the overall atmosphere. As Kelly puts it, “Do they want a laid back, light hearted ceremony, or do they want something filled with romantic words of love. Do they want a religious ceremony, or do they want it to be secular (non-religious)?”
Once you’ve clarified your vision, the next step is finding an officiant whose style matches. This is where many couples stumble. They book a friend or a random name from a list without checking whether that person can deliver the tone they want. But as Kelly explains, “Having a clear plan helps couples book the officiant whose style matches theirs and who can deliver the right ceremony for them.” That means interviewing officiants, watching their past ceremonies if possible, and asking direct questions about their approach. A good officiant will adapt to your wishes, but they can’t read your mind.
And then there’s the practical detail that’s easy to forget: the marriage license. “And we can't forget the marriage license. You can't get married without it.” It sounds obvious, but it’s a common oversight. Each state has its own rules about how and when to obtain a license, and Florida is no exception. In Florida, you’ll need to apply in person at a county clerk’s office, and there’s a mandatory three-day waiting period unless you complete a premarital preparation course. That’s not something you can do the week of the wedding. Plan ahead.
So, what’s the takeaway? The ceremony is not a prelude to the wedding—it is the wedding. It’s the moment you say your vows, exchange rings, and legally become a couple. It deserves the same attention you give to the floral arrangements or the seating chart. Start by defining the feeling you want, then choose an officiant who can deliver it, and don’t forget the paperwork. As Kelly reminds us, the right ceremony can “set the mood for everything to come.”
If you’re in the Orlando area and want to work with someone who understands this, Kelly’s site offers a range of ceremony styles, from traditional to contemporary. But even if you’re elsewhere, the principle applies: make the ceremony a priority, not an afterthought. Your wedding day will be better for it—and so will your marriage.
For more on Florida’s marriage license requirements, check the Florida Department of Health or your local county clerk’s office. And for general ceremony planning tips, The Knot and A Practical Wedding offer helpful guides. But the most important resource is each other—talk about what you want, and let that guide your choices.