Alpha Gamma Delta Wedding Tradition

In the Fall of 2008, I joined the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta and even though I'm an alum now, the group still means the world to me! While planning my wedding this past spring I kept coming across different ceremonies for different Greek groups that they do at weddings, and I wanted there to be one for AGD! However, even with much searching, googling and talking to alum, I could never find one!

Thankfully, Megan W., amongst some of my other sorority sisters came to my rescue! The following is the "AGD Wedding Ceremony" as performed at my wedding reception and at my sorority sister Victoria's wedding! Pictures of the ceremony are below as well!

Supplies:
CD/Ipod with the song "Never Alone" by Jim Brickman/Lady Antebellum
Sound system to play the song on
Red/Buff/Green Ribbon - one for each sister in attendance to hold onto - make sure these ribbons are at least several feet long
Bouquet of red, buff and green flowers (roses or otherwise)
Chair for the bride and groom to sit on
Vase to put flowers in

Optional supplies:
Permanent Marker to write a wish to the couple on one of the strands of ribbon

Steps:

Prior to the wedding:
1. Sorority sisters confirm that they want to do the ceremony and organize themselves!
2. Ensure that each sister in attendance knows how the ceremony goes and knows the words to the song! If desired, song lyrics could be printed out.
3. Make sure someone purchases the flowers/ribbon/vase and that someone has a copy of the music
4. Designate soloists! The whole song could be sang as a group, but it sounds prettier with soloists singing the verses!
5. Practice as a group if desired!
6. Tie the ribbons to the flowers/vase just prior to the wedding. It takes longer than you think and the ribbons need to also be longer than you think. The more sisters in attendance the longer the ribbons need to be (because you'll be making a bigger circle).

At the wedding:
7. At some point during the reception (probably after dinner and first few dances), gather the sisters, groom and bride on the dance floor. Have the bride and groom share a chair!
8. Hand the bride and groom the bouquet of flowers (don't let the flowers drip on her dress!!!! Have the flowers dried off or in an empty vase until after the ceremony!!!)
9. Have each sister take hold of one ribbon, and make a circle including the bride and groom.
10. Have a spokesperson share the meaning of the ceremony (so that other guests understand), saying that it is inspired by our love for the couple and our mutual connection to AGD. That each ribbon signifies our connection to the sorority and to the new bride!
11. Sing the song =) try not to cry too much!
12. At the end of the song, during the last chorus, the last time it says "baby you're never alone" replace "baby" with the sister's name.
13. As the song ends, the sisters drop their ribbons signifying "letting go" of their sister and putting them into the husband's care!
14. Take care of the chair/flowers (ask where the bride wants them put) and don't forget your music/ipod!


Just some notes:
-Never Alone was chosen for this because in the Fall of 2010 (the year that I was ritual coordinator), Victoria brought the song to me to introduce to our pref ceremony and it's been used in pref ever since =) if you haven't heard it, you're missing out!!
-It's supposed to be a surprise to the bride and groom, so don't go parading around with the flowers (lol). However, it is advisable to try to make sure not to interrupt the reception if something else is going on, or disrupt the couple's plans. I guess, try to sneekly figure out the game plan for the reception!

Any questions or comments feel free to comment below and I'll try to answer them!! Below are some pictures, courtesy of J2 Photography (http://j2foto.com/), from my wedding on April 14th, 2012. 

Motivated, motivated....

During my life, I've always been a pretty active person. I did gymnastics as a kid, volleyball and track in middle school, gymnastics and tennis in high school, and lastly, any IM sport I could squeeze into my schedule that my sorority participated in. My quest to stay active even included soccer and basketball, leading to a very unimpressive scoring record on my part (0 goals, and 2 baskets over 2 years with AGD).

Now, as a college graduate I find my life swamped with committments other than exercise. Subbing, commuting at least a couple days a week, coaching volleyball, tutoring and simply trying to enjoy time with my new husband! While we try very hard to exercise, frankly, I can be pretty lazy, and when it's cold out, the last thing I want to do is get off the couch. But those are just excuses, and it's taking a great deal of willpower to jump over those hurdles!

Last spring, in a random spurt of motivation, I signed up for a 5k, thinking that it would be easy, but at the same time, crazy, cause why would I ever willingly run for half an hour? Well, I finished below my goal time (35:00, and I finished 34:34) and at my goal "speed" (no walking) and I was bitten by the running bug! After several cold months of laziness, I've signed up for a Bayshore 10k in late May, and the Color Run 5k in August, and I'm so excited to get back into the swing of things =)

Even though I can tell I'm not in my "prime" as far as my fitness right now, I would love to just feel more in shape. It's not even about being a Size 2 - I've definitely embraced that being a Size 2 really isn't in the cards for me anymore, and that's not really where I want to, or need to be. My body shape, and bone structure isn't built to be a Size 2, at least not as a 23 year old, and I'm proud to have some curves! Now, I really just want to tone, to be in shape, and feel good - regardless of what size my (short length) jeans are. Hopefully 10k training, Zumba, and possibly even ballet will help me get to the confidence level that I'd love to be at!

So, on the way to my first 10k, and hopefully on the way to feeling good about me!