VR - non Religious

[dee slack]

we're finally getting around to choosing the wording for our VR and have both decided that as we don't have any religious beliefs, that we don't want any mention of religion or God in the ceremony. Does anyone have any ideas where to start?
Is it disrespectful to Rev Jack Day to stress that we don't want any aspect of God/religion included in the ceremony?

 

[Missy H]

Good question, we are planning a VR for July 08, we , like you , have no religious beliefs. I can't wait to hear how you get on!

 

[Lisacope]

From what I have heard he is accomodating. I have also heard that he is very willing to use any ceremony you want but it is important that you email and mail whatever ceremony that you want to use and confirm that he has it! Of course my DH wants to write the vows so now he has one more thing on his plate!!!

 

[Janet2k]

we're finally getting around to choosing the wording for our VR and have both decided that as we don't have any religious beliefs, that we don't want any mention of religion or God in the ceremony.

Dee slack, you should have the type of ceremony that you want. It's your vow renewal and I don't think there's anything wrong with what you want to do. If you find that your officiant's opinion differs, then perhaps you should consider finding another officiant. I'm sure there is one out there who will be perfect for you.

For my vow renewal three years ago, I specifically chose Rev. Jo Ann Elf Pessagno: click here. When my husband initially spoke with her on the telephone, she asked him to submit some info about our lives together so that she could tailor a vow renewal ceremony to us. We submitted what was requested and then I actually met with her a few days prior to our ceremony. I found Rev. Jo Ann to be extremely personable and I liked her instantly. I even invited her to my Welcome Party so that she could meet my crazy family and friends. She graciously accepted (see photo below).

As to my vow renewal ceremony, Rev. Jo Ann did a beautiful job with it. She tailored it to us just like she had promised she would. Here is one of my favorite ceremony photos -- you can see Rev. Jo Ann beaming (my silly husband messed up his lines):

Now, my ceremony was not filled with all sorts of religious sentiments, but rather sentiments of the heart. Had I wanted a religious ceremony, I'm sure that Rev. Jo Ann would have tailored it that way, but when she & I had met, I mentioned that my husband & I were both Catholics and yet our own religion would not allow a ceremony on Disney property. I found that terribly sad since Rick & I had been married for 20 years and had planned on being married for at least 20 more. Rev. Jo Ann was raised a Catholic, too, so she knew what I was talking about. She took everything that we had discussed and created a beautifully simple ceremony with it. I honestly can't say enough nice things about the Reverend.

I hope that you find an officiant who will give you the kind of vow renewal ceremony that you & your husband want. I also hope that you have many, many more years of wedded bliss ahead of you. Congratulations!

 

[DisBride2007]

I would also like to put in a good word for Ron Rosenzweig. We also did not want a religious ceremony, as I am Christian and DH is Jewish. Our guests were all raving about how much they enjoyed him. GL with your decision!

 

[hiwaygal]

Nearly all of the officiants will offer a more secular ceremony if that is what you desire.

I used Rev. Kevin Knox. We are not overly religious, but we do both believe in God. Our ceremony was very subtle and I was able to customize it for us.

A word of caution...I have heard (over the past year or so) that Rev. Jack has given some brides problems in not giving the ceremony they wanted or discussed. I would just make it VERY clear to him your beliefs and what YOU want for your ceremony.

 

[dee slack]

thanks everyone

 

[lpizzuro123]

So glad I found this thread. We are not having a VR but a wedding ceremony. My boyfriend is Jewish and I am Christian. We do not want a religious ceremony but one that speaks about traditions coming together. We also want someone with a good sense of humor. I will definately look into those that were recommended here. We are going down to WDW for a site visit in November and I have heard they will give us a list of officients then.

Linda

 

[autumnbride2B]

We used Rev Jack for our wedding 3 weeks ago and he was extremely accomodating. When I originally contacted him he sent his "Jack Pack" which included many sample ceremonies - from the very religious to completely non-religious. DH and I wrote our vows with pieces taken from different samples, as well as adding some material that wasn't in any of the samples. Rev Jack performed the ceremony exactly as we had written it. It was completely non-religous and exactly the way we wanted it.

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

Dee, you so know I am going to recommend Rev Miller to you, he was fantastic and will go out of his way to accommodate you. I too have heard some not so great things about Rev Day recently...