Hi,I will be conducting a wedding for my first time and I am wondering how I can use Botania as an illustrated sermonette.Any ideas? I was thinking that marriage is like a garden that needs seeds and watering and weeding etc...
I would need help to put this together as I have not conducted a wedding before and I wanted a visual and magical surprise for the couple and family.
Thanks!!!

I don't mean to come off as negative, but I can't imagine a use for a botania in a serious wedding ceremony, unless it is at the reception. I think that a more appropriate use of "floral magic" might involve the use of a single rose, or something similar.

Dun worry,it's not during the serious part of the ceremony! Thanks for viewing your concern.

I've got to tell you...this is an interesting question. And since it is about something blooming...it seem logical to have the message be about making it bloom. And since the bloom would represent this marriage...I guess I'd do/say something like...

Start by showing the tube empty saying that a marriage can be an empty thing, if you don't fill it properly. It takes two committed people, working as one (have an plastic egg or perhaps a heart that is in two piece and snap them together...but that isn't enough. It also needs Jesus. (reopen the egg/heart and place a silk with a picture of Jesus on it)

The Bible teaches us in Ephesians 5:21 that a husband and wife are to submit in love to one another. It explains in the verses that follow that a wife is to submit to he husband as unto the Lord. And a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. There is not emptiness or selfishness in either of those statements.
Sadly too many marriages don't let Christ be their model. And that is why so many fail.

However, when one does as I pray the couple standing before me will, (place object into the tube of the botania) with time and nurturing it will be a beautiful display (lift cover) for all to see and desire...

Something like that perhaps...that's just off the top of my head. It is all driving by the message you are trying to make. Hope that helps your creative process.

And all the best to you when you do this.

><> J
Kif

As someone who has officiated numerous weddings, I caution you not to "surprise" the couple if presenting this without their prior knowledge is what you mean by using the word "surprise."

My advice is to be sure to talk your idea over with them if you weren't planning to. The bride in particular may not appreciate being upstaged with a magic trick. And if she's not happy, the groom won't be happy.

Just my 2 cents!

Terry

I concur with Terry (of course I would...lol) I am a Senior pastor, and I would never consider doing something like that during the wedding unless they asked you to do that. If they ask, that's a whole new ball game, but if they didn't, I would let the idea go and not even bring it up. It's about there time, not about your skills.

Just another 2 cents worth.

I agree, make sure that the couple and the parents are comfortable with this... I performed a wedding service of two of my puppet team members... they love puppets... but,
they had ONE rule.... no puppets or tricks...

I agree. I think sometimes perhaps it is time to put the magic away for a more appropriate time.

The Pastor goes to begin the ceremony by opening his book. Instantly tall flames shoot out of the book! "Oops, wrong book, that was for my sermon on Sunday."

The Bride is standing there, shocked with a million things going through her mind, including questions about forgiveness. An insanity defense would be plausible considering this IS her wedding...

"Do you have the ring? Oh yes, how beautiful. A ring is a symbol of...(ZIIIIP!) oh dear it's gone!", the Pastor Smiles. "Over on that table, in full view the whole time is a bowl of fruit, please go pick one and bring it to me. Yes, thank you. Let me cut open the fruit, I just happen to have this odd-looking dinner knife with me. And TA-DAH! There is your ring inside the orange."

"But it's all STICKY," mumbles the bride who is now burning holes in the Pastor with her eyes.

"Place the ring on her finger." The Groom quickly wipes down the ring and places it on her finger....

"I know pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride," pronounces the Pastor with a grin forming on his face. The groom lifts up the veil and stuck to the bride's forehead is the Jack of diamonds. The Pastor blurts out, "IS THIS YOUR CARD?"

Clifford!

:rotf:

You guys have been great... be sure to tip your waiter!
FUUUUUHHH....NEEEEEEE!

And the card is the two of hearts....
He misses the trick.

Lol!!! Maybe I should try that instead Clifford.That way,I won't have to marry in the future.Is there another routine so that I dun hafta bury?

Just one more thing. As a pastor, I too have done many weddings. For your first wedding, you don't want to have to focus on anything other than helping the wedding ceremony to go off extremely smoothly. I wouldn't think of doing anything out of the ordinary for your first wedding ceremony.

Just a thought.

Lou

But you might do someething out of the ordinary for your last wedding ceremony!

By the way, has the ceremony taken place yet? And if so, what ended up happening?

Terry

Sorry I didn't see the post Terry,The wedding went fine.I heeded the advise given here and didn't the botania.
I was so nervous,I forgot all about the wedding vows! anyway,I managed to cover up.What an experience.