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The Crystal Ballroom at Veranda

Planning Ceremony Readings


Ceremony Readings

If you are sentimental and thinking of ways to make the ceremony more meaningful, you might have thought about ceremony readings. Borrowed excerpts from literature can be romantic and moving. Whether Louis de Bernières or Shakespeare, ceremony readings create a deeper experience. Not every couple chooses to have ceremony readings, but for those that do, these tips should help you create the perfect moment.


Delivery of Ceremony Readings


Just as you would carefully select an eloquent speaker to deliver any important speech, you should meticulously research and choose the special person to deliver your ceremony readings. It can be a mother, father, grandparent or another special person. Before asking someone to take on this important role, there are a few things to consider. Those that give ceremony readings should be well spoken. They should be able to deliver the passage with feeling and the desired impact. Being able to convey the feeling from the authors intentions is an incredible gift that only few have. While many couples choose their mother or a close friend, think about whether yours will deliver the message with impact or shift beneath the pressure of the stage.

Ceremony Readings

There are certain people that should not deliver ceremony readings. Unless you are choosing a playful piece from Dr. Seuss, maturity level should be considered. They should be trusted to follow the script of the reading and avoid sarcasm, dark humor and inflammatory comments. This is not an open floor to deliver a speech, but a brief moment just before the ceremony to read a beautiful piece that will add value to the moment. Avoid nervous personalities and those that suffer with anxiety. Nervousness is likely to demand a couple drinks for this person. Never ask someone that is ruled by disorder and chaos. If they are overwhelmed and disorganized for life, they will probably fail at delivery when the moment calls for it. Never ask the overindulging person that drinks to the point of obnoxious behavior.


An Example of Ceremony Readings


A beautiful excerpt from Corelli's Mandolin by Louis de Bernières is one of the most loved ceremony readings for its similes and personification of love.

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. That is just being ‘in love,’ which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. (Bernières, 1994, p. 281)
Crystal Ballroom at Veranda

Crystal Ballroom at Veranda


Regardless of your chosen ceremony readings or who you chose for the delivery, create a magical ceremony at Crystal Ballroom at Veranda. This exquisite venue is all-inclusive, providing the perfect bundle of furnishings, designs and services. Bring your vision to the design studio and meet with professional wedding designers and planners. Design with the wedding pros and your entire event will be staged from ceremony space to reception. Schedule a complimentary VIP tour and customization consultation to build your unique package.

We invite you to discover the
Crystal Ballroom difference found in the unparalleled elegance and uniqueness written into the design of each of our venues. The themes are as limitless as your imagination.

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