Create Your Wedding Ceremony: A weekend-long workshop and retreat
The guidance you need to create a ceremony that’s unique and meaningful
Focus with your partner for one weekend, and you’ll have a plan for an unforgettable ceremony.
Maureen made the process of creating our ceremony incredibly meaningful and had such helpful suggestions and guidance that resulted in a ceremony that was so much better than we could have done on our own.”
Jessica A, 2020 bride
You want a wedding ceremony that’s authentic to you, and engaging for your guests. You don’t want to say anything just out of obligation, but you also don’t want to overlook key elements of this important event. A wedding ceremony can exist on many levels—legal, spiritual, communal—but above all you want your ceremony to be just so very YOU!
Step 1: Reflect on what marriage means to you two.
Step 2: Articulate the experience you two want to have, and the experience you want your friends and family to have.
Step 3: With purpose and excitement, design the ceremony.
The goal is not to create a perfect ceremony, but your perfect ceremony.
Writing down everything was so beneficial. I could see and appreciate all that we have together.”
Josh B, 2021 groom
Take a weekend to focus and you’ll not only design the absolutely perfect ceremony for you, you’ll savor some real “us” time in the process. You’ll find yourself with new language around your relationship and renewed appreciation for your partner.
From there, you will discover decisions about the ceremony become effortless. (As a bonus, you’ll become more decisive about many other aspects of wedding planning as well!)
You’ll end the weekend with:
- A shared understanding and love for your meaning of marriage
- A clear vision for the experience you want yourselves and others to have on your wedding day
- A comprehensive ceremony outline
- A draft of your vows
- The ingredients for telling your Love Story
- 1-3 choices for elements such as readings, rituals, and music
- An understanding of legal and event logistics
- A roadmap for any remaining decisions to make
- A private follow-up call scheduled with me to answer final questions
- Excitement to express and share your love!
It took some work and focus but it was a fun process and we accomplished so much in a short amount of time.”
Heather R, 2021 bride
Get customized guidance by joining a small group of engaged couples for an upcoming course.
*(After the March pilot workshop, the fee will be $800)
You’ll be in an intimate group of couples (5 or fewer), ensuring guidance is tailored to you, and that your questions are answered.
Sessions include
- Soft start: An optional session on Friday night to catch up on the homework, peruse ceremony scripts and videos, and ask questions.
- 1. Relationship reflection: Use guiding questions to discuss your journey as a couple (with each other, not the group) and identify the ingredients of your Love Story.
- 2. Ceremony vision: Articulate your shared vision for the ceremony, its meaning, and the experience you want to have.
- 3. Ceremony elements: Generate meaningful ideas for readings, rituals, and music. We’ll also review your state’s guidelines to ensure the legalities are in order.
- 4. Vow writing workshop: A joyful exploration of when, how much, and what words to speak.
- Q&A: Optional Q&A sessions to address your specific concerns and ideas, held Saturday and Sunday early evening.
Follow up
- Within a week of the course’s end you can submit your ceremony outline, and lingering questions. We’ll schedule a call so I can provide feedback and answer final questions.
Schedule
The main sessions are Saturday and Sunday 11am EST to 5pm EST with lunch and stretch breaks, and an optional Q&A at 5pm.
Get started creating a wedding ceremony that no one will ever forget!
Hi, I’m Maureen Cotton. As an Interspiritual minister I’m focused on how we find and create meaning on life’s thresholds. I’ve been creating and officiating unique and meaningful wedding ceremonies in the Boston area for 5 years. Before that, I witnessed hundreds of wedding ceremonies in my previous career as a wedding photographer. Now I’m thrilled to offer my deep discovery process and practical knowledge to couples everywhere.
FAQ
Not sure if this workshop is right for you? If your question isn’t answered below please email me or schedule a call.
What kind of couples is this course best for?
This course is for any couple that wants to infuse their ceremony with their values and feel like they can be fully themselves in the moment. You may be secular, spiritual-but-not-religious, interfaith, or non-dogmatic people of faith. You might be LGBTQ (I’m gay married—high five!), interracial, or multicultural. You may be marrying your highschool sweetheart or someone from across the globe.
People who are drawn to this personalized and reflective process have this in common: You are a couple who communicates mindfully. Each of you cares about being a good partner—now and in your new role as a spouse.
Did you say we’re working in a group? I’m kind of scarred from high school group projects.
You’ll be in the virtual company of up to 4 other couples. All reflective exercises will be private—done between you and your partner with cameras and mics off—followed by a chance to share comments with the group afterwards.
In a group you get the benefit of other couples’ questions, ideas, and experiences. I guarantee you’ll be surprised to discover questions you have in common and questions you hadn’t thought of yet! No one will be pushed to share beyond their comfort level, but introverts and extroverts alike benefit from sharing the process.
Additionally, a group setting encourages timely follow through so you can make significant progress toward completion in just one weekend.
How much work is it? Will we be finished with our ceremony by the end of the weekend?
This course will give you all the ideas, resources, and guidance needed for you or your officiant to write the full ceremony script, and there will be time for writing drafts throughout the weekend. (If you’re looking to have the script written for you, that is a service I offer).
Couples who follow along with each session can expect to have a comprehensive ceremony outline by the end of the weekend, including: a draft of your vows, the ingredients for telling your Love Story, processional order, 1-3 choices for elements such as readings, rituals, and music, and a roadmap for making final decisions.
My fiance is really busy and I’m doing most of the planning. Can I take this course on my own?
No, this course is designed for couples. A big part of the fun and secret sauce is reflecting and deepening your understanding of marriage together. The weekend doubles as a couples retreat; you’ll feel renewed by the deep conversations and energized by making decisions in sync.
Do we have to attend every session of the weekend?
It’s highly recommended to attend all 4 main sessions, 2 on each day. You’ll get the most out of it and the most done that way. But I understand things come up and therefore replays of each session will be available.
Why does it say, “Introductory pricing?”
While I’ve guided many couples in writing their ceremonies, the March 2021 workshop will be the first time I’m creating a virtual classroom. I intend to charge $800 for future iterations of the workshop, but you get to be part of the pilot for just $450.
Our guests loved the ceremony (and so did we)! It was unique, personal and fun! Just as we wanted it to be. Maureen has so much perspective on how to approach love.”
Erica L, 2014 bride
Contact Maureen with any questions.