Inspiration, Wedding
Wedding Ceremony Script Ideas
Planning a wedding is no small task! You’re probably spending hours pinning down every detail; the venue, the decor, dresses, suits, entertainment, and the rest! There’s so much to think about that often the most important part can fall by the wayside – the ceremony.
The ceremony is the most personal and intimate part of your day, so it’s important to give it the attention it deserves to ensure it flows well and represents you both as a couple. From meaningful religious and spiritual ceremonies to more relaxed, laidback celebrations, getting your wedding ceremony script right makes your big day feel unique to you.
Image credit: Unsplash
Table of Contents
Wedding Ceremony Script Writing Tips
Wedding Ceremony Script Writing Tips
Before checking out our wedding ceremony script ideas, here are our top tips to make the writing process a breeze!
Don’t leave it until last minute
Weddings take a lot of planning and tasks can easily fall by the wayside, but don’t let your wedding ceremony script be one of them! Try researching early on so you have enough time to craft a ceremony that reflects you as a couple.
Work with your officiant on your script
No matter the type of ceremony you’re having, your officiant is an essential part of your big day – they’re the ones with the power to actually marry you! Most officiants will have an outline for their ceremonies that they can work with you to add to or change to make it feel unique.
Leave plenty of time to write your vows
If you’re writing your own vows, make sure you dedicate plenty of time to writing them and practicing reading them out. Your vows are meaningful and personal, so don’t rush them! If you feel comfortable, you could ask a trusted loved one to check them over.
Keep it short and sweet
Unless you’re having a religious service or ritual, try and keep your ceremony under 30 minutes. Any longer and guests might get a bit restless, especially if you have young children in attendance. Consider adding some interactive elements to keep your guests engaged and balance the ceremony with more lighthearted segments.
Print a Wedding Order of Service for your guests
A Wedding Order of Service is a great way to keep your guests engaged and help them understand the more personal elements of your ceremony. You can explain why you included any particular readings or rituals and help guests follow the ceremony, while also being able to get creative and provide a printed keepsake.
While most ceremonies can be heavily personalised, there are a few essential features you’ll need to include to be legally married:
- Declaration of freedom to marry – a statement confirming no legal impediment prevents the marriage
- Contracting words (vows) – a formal, verbal commitment between the couple to take each other as spouses
- Authorised officiant and witnesses – an authorised person must conduct the ceremony – two witnesses present to what the declarations and sign the register
- Legal identity – both partners must state their full legal names
Wedding Ceremony Script Ideas
We’ve put together two different types of ceremony script to give you an idea of what to expect. Every ceremony is different, with so many religions, cultures and traditions that make them so meaningful to each couple. Here, we have a traditional and relaxed script. Both can (and should!) be edited to suit you as individuals.
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Script
If you’re looking to keep things traditional, here is a simple script to begin with.
Processional
Beginning of the ceremony, guests are seated then followed by the entrance of the bridal party.
Welcome
Officiant: “Welcome everybody, and on behalf of [name] and [name] I would like to extend a warm welcome to [name of venue].
You’re invited here today to share in this commitment [name] and [name] will make to one another, allowing them to begin married life together surrounded by their dearest loved ones.”
Here, your officiant may recount your love story, speak on what marriage means, or about the ceremony to come and what it represents.
Readings
If you’re including any readings in your ceremony, your readers will be invited up to speak.
Declaratory words
Officiant: “Before you are joined in matrimony, I remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the vows you are about to make. You are promising, in front of your loved ones, that you want to be with each other for the rest of your lives, and that you will honour the promises you are making here with everything in your power.”
The officiant may then ask you both to declare that there is no reason why you may not marry each other. They will ask you to repeat the following:
“I solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I [name] may not be joined in matrimony to [partner’s name].”
Exchange of vows
The officiant will usually ask you to join hands and look at one another. At this point, you can exchange any personal vows before moving onto the contracting words.
Officiant: “[Partner 1] do you take [partner 2] to be your wife/husband, and do you promise to stay true to him/her as long as you both shall live?”
Partner 1: “I do”
Officiant: “[Partner 2] do you take [partner 1] to be your wife/husband, and do you promise to stay true to him/her as long as you both shall live?”
Partner 2: “I do”
The officiant will then ask each of you to repeat something similar to the following:
“I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Partner 1) do take thee, (Partner 2), to be my lawful wedded wife/husband.”
Exchange of rings
Officiant: “The wedding ring is an ancient and traditional way of sealing the marriage contract you have both just made. It is an unbroken circle, symbolising the unending and everlasting love between you and an outward sign of the vows and lifelong promises you have made to one another today.”
If you have a ringbearer, the officiant will ask them to bring forward the rings. They will then ask you both to repeat something like the following:
“I give you this ring as a symbol of our marriage, and as a token of my love, now and always.”
Ceremony conclusion
Officiant: “[Name] and [name] you have both made the solemn and binding vows, and declarations prescribed by the law of this country. With the joining together of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, you have sealed your vows in the presence of your loved ones gathered today.
It gives me great pleasure to say congratulations to you both and to pronounce you husband/wife and husband/wife!”
At this point you may choose to have a kiss!
Image credit: Unsplash
Relaxed Wedding Ceremony Script
Some modern couples prefer a more relaxed approach to their wedding ceremony script.
Processional
Beginning of the ceremony, guests are seated then followed by the entrance of the bridal party.
Welcome
Officiant: “Hello and welcome! [Name] and [name] welcome to your wedding! Today marks the beginning of your new life together. You are joined by witnesses of the best kind, the nearest and dearest people in your lives.
You’re all here today to fill this ceremony with love, caring and meaning, and to show your ongoing support for these two today and throughout their marriage.”
From here, your officiant may recount your love story, speak on what marriage means, or about the ceremony to come and what it represents.
Readings
If you’re including any readings in your ceremony, your readers will be invited up to speak.
Declaratory words
In more relaxed ceremonies, the declaratory words can be replaced with the “I dos”.
Officiant: “So, you two, this is the important part. Please hold hands to give your consent and vows in marriage.
From the moment you first met at ______ to the day [name] got down on one knee, all those moments have led you to now.
[Partner 1] do you take [partner 2] to be your husband/wife, your best friend and love for life?”
Partner 1: “I do”
Officiant: [Partner 2] do you take [partner 1] to be your husband/wife, your best friend and love for life?”
Partner 2: “I do”
Exchange of vows
This is the chance for you to both make any personal vows. You can read out your own, or work with your officiant to write “repeat-after” style vows.
Here’s an example of some more relaxed vows:
“I promise to be your wife/husband.
I promise to share my life with you,
to love you,
to laugh with you,
and to always let you have the last biscuit.”
Exchange of rings
Officiant: “These rings are a circle of strength, with no beginning or end. They symbolise the promises you have made to each other today.”
If you have a ringbearer, the officiant will ask them to bring forward the rings. They will then ask you both to repeat something like the following:
“I give you this ring as a symbol of our love, connection, and my commitment to you.”
Ceremony conclusion
Officiant: “You have exchanged rings, made your promises for married life and given your consent in marriage. With the witness of your loved ones, you are now joined together in marriage. May you enjoy a lifetime of health, love and happiness, continuing to support one another in whatever life may bring.
It brings me great pleasure to now pronounce you husband/wife and husband/wife!”
Image credit: Unsplash
What are Vow Cards?
Vow cards are special cards or booklets used by couples to hold their wedding vows during the ceremony. They’re an elegant alternative to holding a phone or loose piece of paper, and means your vows can be kept as a memento after the big day. At Printed.com, we can help create beautiful vow cards . Why not print yours on our Seed Paper? After the ceremony, you could plant your vows and watch them grow and flourish with your new marriage! Or, if you’d prefer to keep your vows, explore our range of luxury papers to keep them fresh and safe for many years to come.
Additional Rituals
Some couples like to incorporate another ritual into their ceremony to signify their new union. These may include:
- Hand fasting: Where coloured ribbons that have been woven together are used to bind the couple’s hands together. The two separate ribbons represent each partner’s life, with the woven portion representing the new life they’re about to embark on together.
- Giving flowers to the mothers of the bride and groom.
- Closing a wine box which has enclosed love letters to each other, to be opened on a chosen future date.
- “Jumping the broom”: An ancient ritual where the new married couple “jump” over a broom held by the best man and maid of honour to signify entering their new phase of life together.
Hand fasting – Image credit: @kalicrame
Find your Perfect Wedding Ceremony Print with Printed.com
Our range of Wedding Ceremony Print has everything you need for the day to go down without a hitch. From Wedding Order of Service Booklets to Guest Books and our fabulous Wedding Newspapers, create unique mementos for your special day with Printed.com!
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About the author
When Ellie's not busy crafting content, you will find her at a gig, knitting or crocheting!
