CRES founded 1982 _ On the web since.1997. Kmusicvested

Key words: Kansas City weddings package officiant minister interfaith Civil Secular Budget mixed marriage same-sex gay LGBTQ Vern Barnet CRES, Johnson County
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We draw upon the world’s secular and religious traditions,
respecting the perspectives of both doubter and believer.

Planning Points

     Please copy these Planning Points with the responses you are able to make at this time and send them to me at vern@cres.org. 
     We will plan the wedding you desire.
Thank you.                                       LEARN MORE.

Vern Barnet
link to CURRENT SAFETY POLICY
Basic items 1-10; items 11-20 also welcome.

1a. Wedding date and ceremony start time.
      example: June 8, 2025 Saturday 2 pm
1b. Rehearsal date and time if desired
     rehearsals not available for 1-hour "elopements"

2a. First Person's legal name
2b. Name to be used in ceremony LEARN MORE
2c. Age today
2d. Address
2e. Phone(s)
2f. Email address

3a. Second Person's legal name
3b. Name to be used in ceremony LEARN MORE
3c. Age today
3d. Address
3e. Phone(s)
3f. Email address

4. Will you have a marriage license for a legally recognized marriage or is this ceremonial only?
     a. legal 
     b. ceremonial only
     c. any details you wish to share

5. If you will have a marriage license,
    please include the names of your two witnesses
    to sign the documents (license, certificate) here:

6. As far as religion goes, the ceremony should be
    a. civil (no religious references)
    b. spiritual without reference to a particular faith
    c. clearly Christian
    d. clearly multi-faith
    e. other _____________________

7. About marriage vows -- 
     a. We wish traditional vows.
     b. We will write our own,
         perhaps adapting these suggestions.

#aboutReadings
8a. About readings --
      a. We want no readings.
      b. From the list here 
         we want the following, numbered . . . .
      c. We have chosen other reading(s), 
         namely:
8b.  x. We want the minister to do the reading.
       y. The person(s) to offer the reading(s):

9. How many people (total everyone) might attend?

10. If you are presently out of town, when will you both will arrive in Kansas City?

-=:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::=-

11. Wedding party participants
     In addiition to the witnesses (#5 above),
      please provide the name of the Bride's escort(s)
     (if any):
and any others such as best man, maid-matron of honor, groomsmen, bridesmaids, ushers, flower child, reader, guest book attendant, parent, musician or sound engineer, two witnesses
     Examples--
     Bride's Escort: George Brown, Jane's father
     Ring-bearer: Timmy Smith, Jim's son (6 yrs old)

12.  After you are dressed and ready for the ceremony,
      a. We are happy to see each other.
      b. We want to wait until the ceremony begins before seeing each other.

13. Will you exchange rings? 
     2 rings /  1 ring  / no rings

14. Do you want to include your children in a vow ceremony?
     Yes /  No  /  Maybe / Does not apply

15. Your entrance / processional plans:
     Different styles explained here
             1 or 1+ Traditional Plan
             2 or 2+  ChapeL Plan
             3 or 3+  Paired Plan
             4 or 4=  Couple Plan
             5 . . . .   CustoM Plan:

16. Please include a remembrance of those not with us by name: 

17. Any announcements you want made by the minister:

18. Your plans for music:  live  /  recorded  /  none
      Additional information:
      ADVICE FOR MUSICIANS

19. Your plans for photography: 
       Before the ceremony
       During the ceremony
       After the ceremony
       ADVICE FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

#sequence
20. Here is a basic wedding sequence, followed by optional rites. How might you wish to alter or add to this sequence?

    Witnesses sign the marriage documents 
    Minister greets guests informally LEARN MORE
    Lighting of candles
    Prelude and
    Seating of parents and special guests

    Processional [often with music]
    Welcome by the minister
    Consent and Presentations
    Prayer [if desired in a religious ceremony]
     Reading(s) [if desired] #8
    Exchanging of Vows
    Exchanging rings 
     [Any special rite]
    Pronouncement [and embrace]
    Benediction [or Farewell Wish]
    Recessional [often with music]
#SpecialRites
-----------------------------------
EXAMPLES OF SPECIAL RITES
-----------------------------------
  • unity candle ceremony
  • sand ceremony
  • wine-box ceremony
  • wine or cardamom seed rite
  • giving flowers to parents
  • symbolic gifts
  • for weddings with more than hour rentals:  rites from specific faiths such as Christian Eucharist, Hindu aarti, Buddhist bells, Muslim Bismillah in Arabic, Jewish breaking of a goblet and Priestly Benediction in Hebrew, American Indian smudging, hand-fasting, and so forth
#informal
ABOUT THE INFORMAL GREETING
     This is often appropriate for full Pilgrim Chapel rentals, less often for "elopement" rentals in an intimate gathering where site use is limited to one hour. 

#nickname
 NAME USED IN CEREMONY
     Let me know if you prefer to be called by your familiar name ("nickname") during the wedding (Jim instead of James).

#more_ideas
MORE IDEAS
     Your wedding should be what you want it to be.  When we meet to plan the ceremony, as I get to know you, I may have suggestions for achieving your desires. If you wish to visit wedding sites for ideas before we meet, here is one I recommend.