presentation of couple wedding ceremony

8 Wedding Ceremony Scripts to Borrow & Printables

Find beautiful wedding ceremony scripts ranging from unique to traditional. Print and borrow them, or get inspiration to write your own!

By Allison Cullman

Inside this article:

Simple wedding ceremony script

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In the midst of the organized chaos of wedding planning, the wedding ceremony is often left until the last minute. But the ceremony is quite significant—after all, it’s the part where you and your future spouse actually become joined in marriage.

We all know about the “I do’s” of a wedding ceremony, but the rest of your ceremony is just as important. While you want to create a wedding ceremony script that’s meaningful and personal to you and your future spouse, figuring out how to do this can leave some couples scratching their heads. If you’re wondering where to begin writing your wedding ceremony script, our tips and examples below are here to help.

This script has been reviewed by Rev. Lisann G. Valentin, an ordained minister at Universal Life Church .

For a nonreligious wedding ceremony, there’s no standard script you need to adhere to. The script below can be a helpful starting point for a simple wedding ceremony you can build upon and personalize however you like.

Opening words/welcome

The ceremony will begin with the officiant addressing the reception.

Officiant: “Welcome friends, family, and loved ones. We’re gathered here today to celebrate [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] in their lifelong commitment of love to each other. Finding your life partner is a true joy, and the commitment to share in life’s ups and downs as one is no small feat. While marriage will bring its own challenges and triumphs, let this day be a reminder of what your love has already accomplished, as well as the possibilities for your partnership as you grow together for years to come.”

While a simple wedding ceremony might omit this part altogether, some couples like to personalize their ceremony wedding scripts with a chosen reading or song to celebrate their union. A close friend or family member, the officiant, or the couple themselves might perform readings. For example, the officiant might call upon a chosen friend or family member to perform an original poem or share a story about the couple’s relationship.

Officiant: “As our reading today, [PARTNER A/B] has asked [his, her] [friend/cousin/other family member] to recite an original poem in honor of their union.”

[Reading proceeds.]

Vows and ring exchange

Couples may choose to write their own vows or omit reciting vows altogether.

Officiant to reception: “[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] will now exchange rings as a symbol of their love and lifelong commitment.”

At this point, couples may exchange their vows (if desired) before placing their rings on each other's fingers. Below is an example of vows that might be exchanged:

Partner A to Partner B: “With this ring, I promise to support you, care for you, laugh with you, share in your burdens, be honest with you, and be faithful to you in all that we may face in the years ahead. I promise to love you with everything I have, from this day forward and beyond.”

Partner B to Partner A: “With this ring, I promise to love you and commit myself to you for the rest of my life. I promise to stand by your side, be there for you always, and to find laughter and joy even in tough times. I promise to love and accept you just as you are, and grow with you for every year to come.”

Declaration of intent

Officiant to Partner A: “Do you, [PARTNER A], take [PARTNER B] to be your lawfully wedded [husband, wife, partner]? Will you honor and cherish them, continue to deepen your understanding of them, and treat them with love and compassion in joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life might throw your way?”

Partner A: “I will” or “I do.”

Officiant to Partner B: “Do you, [PARTNER B], take [PARTNER A] to be your lawfully wedded [wife, husband, partner]? Will you honor and cherish them, continue to deepen your understanding of them, and treat them with love and compassion in joy and pain, sickness and health, and whatever life might throw your way?”

Partner B: “I will” or “I do.”

Pronouncement

Finally, the officiant will pronounce the couple as married. To capture the perfect moment, couples might also request that the officiant steps to the side for the kiss during the wedding nuptials.

Officiant to all: “By the authority vested in me, and with the trust of you all here today, I now declare you joined in love. You may now kiss!"

Officiant to all: “Thank you all for joining in this momentous occasion for [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B]! They now invite you to join them for a reception at [LOCATION]. Thank you all!”

This script has been reviewed by Sheena Wheadon, licensed wedding officiant at Why Knot Weddings .

Any wedding ceremony can take a modern spin. Any number of personal touches can be added to your ceremony to make it more modern—whether you want to include your pets, switch up how your wedding party is presented, or simply add some modern flair to your wedding vows and readings. Personalizing your wedding ceremony script is a great way to infuse who you really are into your big day.

The officiant script will begin by welcoming the reception.

Officiant: “Good afternoon and welcome! We’d like to thank everyone on this beautiful day for coming to support [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] in this exciting endeavor and union. Your friendship and support has helped to strengthen them as they’ve made their way to this moment, and they thank you for being here.”

Couples may choose to include a reading in their marriage ceremony script. This reading can be anything you wish, whether it’s a special poem, a reading from a book, a quote from a movie, or a story about the couple’s relationship shared by a close friend or family member.

Vows Exchange

Many modern couples opt to write their own wedding vows or omit them altogether. It’s up to you! Below is an example of modern wedding vows:

Officiant to couple: “[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], please exchange your vows.”

Partner A to Partner B: “[NAME], you’re my best friend. I’m in awe of your lightness, your kindness, and the purity of what it looks like to be loved by someone like you. It’s a love with no expectations, no strings attached, only a desire to support me and see me fulfilled. To know and be known by you is a gift and a privilege. I know we were made for each other. So here’s what I promise:

I vow always to strive to be the best version of myself so that I can show up for you every single day. I vow to seek joy and hope even in dark times and be there for you when you need me. I vow to trust you and love you unconditionally. I vow to continue to learn from the examples of patience and selflessness that you have always embodied.”

Partner B to Partner A: “[NAME], I love you with my whole heart. You’ve loved me with a loyalty that I’d never experienced before, and didn’t even know existed. You have seen every part of me, and even at my lowest you have stood by my side. You’ve never given up on me, and I have no doubt that you are the person I’m meant to spend my life with. I vow to keep a soft heart when challenges come, and to be aware of my words and actions and how they affect you. I vow to support you in all things, to love you well, and to create a life we’re proud of. Life is fleeting, and I want to cherish every minute of it with you.”

Officiant to couple: “[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], do you take one another as partners from this day forward?”

Couple in unison: “We do.”

Officiant: “Will you love, honor, and cherish one another as partners for the rest of your lives?”

Couple responds: “We will.”

• Ring exchange

Officiant to reception: “[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] have chosen these rings as a symbol of their unbreakable love. Please place these rings on each other’s fingers and repeat after me:

‘I give you this ring as a reminder of our love that unites, inspires, and celebrates what we have.’”

[Couple repeats to each other.]

Finally, the officiant will pronounce the couple as legally wed:

Officiant to all: “By the authority vested in me, it is with joy that I pronounce you married. Now kiss and go celebrate!”

Officiant to all: “Thank you all for joining in this beautiful occasion for [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B]! They now invite you to join them for a reception at [LOCATION]. Thank you all!”

There’s no rule that says your wedding ceremony has to be serious from start to finish. Some couples prefer to add a bit of humor to their ceremony for a more lighthearted affair. The following funny wedding ceremony script has all the required legal elements of becoming legally married, with a humorous touch to keep your guests on their toes.

The officiant will begin by welcoming the crowd and introducing the ceremony.

Officiant to all: “Hello and welcome! We’re here today because [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] have decided they love each other so much that they want to get the government involved! But in all seriousness, a huge thanks to all who have joined us. We promise we’ll get these two hitched quickly so you can make a beeline to the open bar!

I’d like to take this opportunity to ponder the meaning of marriage. Now I know I made a joke about these two loving each other so much they’ve decided to get the government involved, but we know that’s not all marriage is. It’s a tradition, yes, but it’s so much more. It might take a lot of work and compromise, but at the end of the day, this is about choosing your person until the end of this thing we call life. So no matter how many dishes they leave in the sink, no matter how horrible their cooking is, no matter how bad their mood might be on occasion—you’ve got someone who chooses to stick with you through it all. And that’s what marriage is about!”

Including readings in your ceremony is optional, but some couples opt to personalize their ceremony with a particular reading, quote, or story. Some humorous wedding ceremonies might involve a close friend or family member sharing a lighthearted account of the couple’s relationship, with some light humor to get a laugh out of the crowd. The wedding ceremony officiant script can even include fun elements,

Officiant: “As our reading today, [PARTNER A/B} has asked [his, her] [friend/cousin/other family member] to share a personal story of their relationship in honor of their marriage today.”

At this point, couples may exchange vows if they’ve chosen to write them. Here’s an example of wedding vows with a little humor:

Officiant to Partner A: “Now, it’s time to put a ring on it! [PARTNER A], repeat after me: ‘I give you this ring as a symbol that I will love and cherish you, and that I’ll try to keep my mouth shut when it’s your turn to choose the movie we watch.’”

[Partner A repeats.]

Officiant to Partner B: “[PARTNER B], repeat after me: ‘I give you this ring as a symbol that I will love and cherish you, and that I’ll consider making you dinner every once in a while.’”

[Partner B repeats.]

Officiant to Partner A: “Do you, [PARTNER A], take [PARTNER B] to be your lawfully wedded [husband, wife, partner], to love and cherish them for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and reap as many tax benefits as you can for as long as you both shall live?”

Partner A: “I do.”

Officiant to Partner B: “Do you, [PARTNER B], take [PARTNER A] to be your lawfully wedded [wife, husband, partner], to love and cherish them for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and reap as many tax benefits as you can for as long as you both shall live?”

Partner B: “I do.”

Now, the officiant will pronounce the couple as legally wed:

Officiant: “What a romantic exchange. Now, I guess there’s only one thing left to do: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you [husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife]! Now kiss!”

Officiant to all: “That’s a wrap on the formal proceedings of today. [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] will greet you in [LOCATION] at [TIME]. We thank you for coming—now get out of here and go celebrate!”

While traditional gender roles often make up the bulk of how many sample wedding ceremony scripts are written, this doesn’t have to be the case for a more inclusive ceremony. The following example script does away with gendered language and puts the focus on the love shared between the couple and what that means for them.

The officiant will begin by welcoming the reception. This is also when the wedding officiant script can include any specific announcements, like requesting guests to silence their phones.

Officiant: “Welcome friends, family, and loved ones! We’re gathered here today in celebration of (Partner A) and (Partner B) and to bear witness as they join their lives in marriage. On behalf of (Partner A) and (Partner B), it’s a true pleasure to have you here to celebrate this incredible moment.

Love is one of the greatest gifts life has to offer. Love offers hope, joy, comfort, and security, in good times and bad. Love is what spurs our personal growth and allows us to face life and all its challenges, with the unending support of the person we’ve chosen to commit our lives to. (Partner A) and (Partner B) stand before you today to share the love and happiness in their hearts as they take their relationship to a deeper level of commitment by making a passage into marriage.”

While totally optional, couples can choose to include a reading of their choice in their ceremony. This can be anything from a particular poem or section from a book to a special movie quote or personal story about the couple’s relationship. Couples might have the officiant perform the reading or have a loved one come up to share instead.

Officiant: “(Partner A) and (Partner B) have selected a reading from [SOURCE] that represents their unique journey and the commitment they’re making today.”

Vows exchange

Couples who have chosen to write their own wedding vows will recite them here. These could be in a question-and-answer format or long-form vows written beforehand (or a combination of both). Couples can also ask their officiant to step to the side during the vow readings—it helps make the moment more intimate!

Here’s an example of wedding vows for you to work from:

Officiant to couple: “Marriage is a lifelong commitment to love and care for each other to the best of your ability. Are you both ready to take this step together?”

Couple responds: “Yes!”

Officiant to couple: “Do you promise to care for each other, treat each other with respect and compassion, and to always move toward love in your efforts to support one another?”

Couple responds: “We do.”

Officiant to couple: “Do you promise to meet each challenge and triumph with integrity, gratitude, and patience, and to strive to learn and grow together for all of your days?”

Affirmation of family and friends

Officiant to reception: “Do you, the family and friends of (Partner A) and (Partner B), give your full support today and wish them a lifetime of happiness together?”

Reception responds: “We do.”

Expression of intent

Officiant: “In the presence and witness of the loved ones you have gathered here today, I now ask you to state your intentions.

(Partner A) and (Partner B), have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in the commitment of marriage?”

Couple responds: “Yes.”

Officiant: “Once more, will you love, honor, and cherish one another as partners for the rest of your lives?”

Officiant to reception: “(Partner A) and (Partner B), please repeat after me:

‘I give you this ring as a symbol of the vows we’ve made today. I pledge to you my love, respect, and commitment. With everything that I am, I honor you.’”

Officiant: “Now that you, (Partner A) and (Partner B), have promised to give yourselves fully to each other, to love each other through the vows you have made, and through the giving and receiving of these rings, it is my great pleasure by the power vested in me to now pronounce you married! You may now kiss!”

Closing/invitation to reception

Officiant to all: “Thank you all for joining in this joyous occasion for (Partner A) and (Partner B)! They now invite you to join them for a reception at [LOCATION]. Thank you all!”

This script has been reviewed by the ordained ministers at Universal Life Church Monastery .

As the name indicates, this script for weddings includes religious aspects, such as Bible readings and prayers. Feel free to personalize this idea to your liking and include more or fewer scriptural elements.

Processional

The processional is simply the beginning of the wedding ceremony, when guests are seated, followed by the entrance of the bridal party.

Officiant to reception: "Welcome, loved ones. We are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join together [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] in holy matrimony.”

The declaration of intent is a crucial element of any wedding ceremony, and is legally required to show consent among both parties to be married.

Officiant to the couple: "[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], you have come together this day so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of this minister of his word and this community of family and friends and so, in the presence of this gathering, I ask you to state your intentions:

Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? If so, answer by saying 'I have.'"

[Couple responds in unison with ‘I have.’]

A reading from the Bible is a common component in many Christian wedding ceremonies. While choosing a passage from Corinthians isn’t required, it’s a popular choice for many.

Officiant to reception: “A reading from the Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’

Let us pray for this couple as they make their marriage vows.

Father, as [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] pledge themselves to each other, help them and bless them that their love may be pure, and their vows may be true. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen."

Today’s wedding vows are often personalized according to whatever feels right to the couple. However, a traditional statement of vows is also common in Christian wedding ceremonies.

Couple to each other: “I, [NAME], take thee, [NAME], to be my wedded (husband, wife), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”

Officiant to Partner A: "[PARTNER A], please take the ring you have selected for [PARTNER B]. As you place it on his/her finger, repeat after me:

‘With this ring, I thee wed.’"

[Partner A repeats the phrase as they place the ring on Partner B’s finger]

Officiant to Partner B: "[PARTNER B], please take the ring you have selected for [PARTNER A]. As you place it on his/her finger, repeat after me:

[Partner B repeats the phrase as they place the ring on Partner A’s finger]

One distinction of a Christian wedding ceremony script is including a prayer of blessing over the union.

Officiant to the couple: "May Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, always be at the center of the new lives you are now starting to build together, that you may know the ways of true love and kindness. May the Lord bless you both all the days of your lives and fill you with His joy. Amen."

Officiant to reception: “By the power vested in me by the state of [STATE], I now pronounce you [husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife]! You may kiss the bride!”

Officiant to all: “Thank you all for joining in this joyous occasion for [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B]! They now invite you to join them for a reception at [LOCATION]. Thank you all!”

As with the Christian script, this version includes religious elements. However, Catholic ceremonies are greatly rooted in tradition and include formal aspects at their core. The officiant is typically a priest, and these services traditionally take place in the church.

Entrance rite

As the entrance song is played, the assembly stands while the priest, ministers, and servers take their places, followed by the wedding party. The rest of this part of the processional can take two forms.

In the first form, the vested priests and servers greet the bridal party at the church door, and then all enter as is customary for Mass. In the second form, the priest and servers wait in the sanctuary area prepared for the couple to greet them when they arrive. In both forms, the priest always leads the procession.

Once everyone is in place and the music has ended, the priest leads the sign of the cross, or the traditional beginning of Christian prayer, before greeting the assembly.

Priest: “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy spirit.”

All respond: “Amen.”

Priest: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Collect (opening prayer)

The priest invites the assembly to pray. After he prays over the couple, the assembly is seated for the Liturgy of the Word.

Priest: “Be attentive to our prayers, O Lord, and in your kindness uphold what you have established for the increase of the human race, so that the union you have created may be kept safe by your assistance. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.”

Liturgy of the word

The liturgy of the word outside of mass usually includes three readings proclaimed by the priest, one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament aside from the Gospel, and one from the Gospel. At the conclusion of each reading, the lector will say, "The Word of the Lord," and the assembly will respond, "Thanks be to God."

Priest: “A reading from the book of Genesis 1:26-28:

Then God said: ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.” God created man in his image; in the image of God he created him; male and female, he created them. God blessed them, saying: “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and all the living things that move on the earth.” God looked at everything he had made, and he found it very good. The word of the Lord.’

Assembly responds: “Thanks be to God.”

Priest: “A reading from the New Testament, 1 John 4:7-12:

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

The word of the Lord.”

All respond: “Thanks be to God.”

Priest: “A reading from the Gospel, Matthew 5:13-16:

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

All respond: “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.”

Assembly is seated.

The assembly is seated while the priest (or deacon) offers a homily taken from the Scripture readings. The priest uses this text to discuss the sacredness of Christian marriage, the dignity of conjugal love, the grace of the sacrament, and the responsibilities of married people.

Priest: "John 3:30 says ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’

Those simple, direct words of St. John the Baptist, whose feast we celebrate today, summarize the life of the Christian disciple. In all things, we want Jesus to increase and our own will, our own desires, our own attachments, to decrease. In my heart, in my prayer, in my family, in my parish, in my work, in my study, in my leisure, in my entertainment - may the Lord Jesus increase!"

Celebration of matrimony

All stand, and the couple comes to the altar, flanked by their witnesses. The priest will address the couple with a celebration of matrimony:

Priest: “Dearly beloved, you have come together into the house of the church so that in the presence of the church’s minister and the community, your intention to enter into marriage may be strengthened by the Lord with a sacred seal.”

If both parties are Christian: “Christ abundantly blesses the love that binds you. Through a special sacrament, he enriches and strengthens those he has already consecrated by holy baptism, that you may be enriched with his blessing, so that you may have the strength to be faithful to each other forever, and assume all the responsibilities of married life. And so, in the presence of the church, I ask you to state your intentions.”

Address and statement of intentions

All stand, including the couple and witnesses, while the priest asks the couple some questions to state their intentions about their freedom of choice, fidelity to each other, and the acceptance and upbringing of children (if necessary).

Priest to couple: “[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?”

Couple in unison: “I have.”

Priest to couple: “Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?”

Couple in unison: “I am.”

Exchange of consent

The couple will declare their consent to be married by stating their vows. If you’re writing your own vows, they must be prepared with the wedding script beforehand.

Partner A: “I, [NAME], take you, [NAME], to be my [wife, husband]. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”

Partner B: “I, [NAME], take you, [NAME], to be my [husband, wife]. I promise to be faithful to you, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love you and to honor you all the days of my life.”

Blessing and giving of rings

Priest: “Bless, O Lord, these rings which we bless in your name. so that those who wear them may remain entirely faithful to each other, abide in peace and in your will, and live always in mutual charity. Through Christ our Lord.”

Assembly responds: “Amen.”

The priest now sprinkles the wedding rings with holy water before handing them to each partner.

Partner A: “[NAME], receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit.”

[Partner A places the ring on Partner B’s finger]

Partner B: “[NAME], receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the father, and the son, and the holy spirit.”

[Partner B places the ring on Partner A’s finger]

The priest and the assembly sing or pray the Lord’s Prayer in unison.

Nuptial blessing

The couple kneels at the altar, where the priest faces them and prays over them.

Priest: “Now let us humbly invoke God’s blessing upon this bride and groom, that in his kindness he may favor with his help those on whom he has bestowed the Sacrament of Matrimony.”

The priest performs communion and distributes the body and blood of Christ to Catholics in the assembly, starting with the newly married couple. An appropriate song is usually sung as the assembly proceeds to the altar for communion.

Priest to reception: “By the power vested in me by the state of [STATE], I now pronounce you [husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife]! You may now kiss!”

Priest to assembly: “Go in peace to glorify the Lord with your life.”

Recessional

At the closing of the ceremony, the couple, bridal party, ministers, and the priest will proceed out of the church, often accompanied by music.

A Jewish wedding also has traditional elements, many of which are centuries old. Talk to your officiant (often a rabbi) about making changes and personalizing this wedding ceremony outline to fit your needs without breaking Jewish tradition.

Signing of the Ketubah

The Ketubah is an ancient marriage contract that documents the commitment between the couple. Typically, the groom signs the contract with the rabbi and two male Jewish witnesses present, along with the bride, in private before the main ceremony begins.

Officiant: “Please gather around for this ‘ceremony before the ceremony’, the signing of the Ketubah. Bride and groom, in this quiet moment before your public wedding ceremony begins, those closest to you are here to witness the signing of the important documents that make this day a remarkable moment for you both. As you become legally husband and wife, we delight in your happiness, and we wish you only good things to come as you face life together. This beautiful Ketubah has these words for you today, and I ask the groom’s witness [NAME] to read the words.”

[Groom’s witness reads the Ketubah.]

Officiant: “I ask you both to sign the Ketubah as the first ceremonial act of your wedding day celebration.”

[Couple signs the Ketubah.]

Officiant: “Now I ask your parents to sign the Ketubah.”

[Couple’s parents sign the Ketubah.]

Officiant: “And now I sign it as well.”

[Officiant signs the Ketubah.]

The ceremony begins once guests are seated.

Officiant to reception: “This is the day that [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] marry the person they love the most in the world…the one they will laugh with, live for, and love for the rest of their lives. So it is only fitting that those closest to them are here to witness this special day. Your presence at this wedding celebration is a reminder to [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] of how lucky they are to have you in support of their union.”

The chuppah

The chuppah is a canopy structure symbolizing the home the couple will build together following their marriage. Modern couples use the chuppah as an opportunity to customize their wedding and use it as a reflection of their unique taste and style.

Officiant: “The chuppah under which [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] stand is the traditional structure used in a Jewish wedding ceremony. What you see in the setting for this ceremony tells you so much about the path that brings [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] to be married. Today, their families are joined together, and the combined richness of their two heritages will be the foundation for their life together.

As the open sides of a chuppah symbolize hospitality, the chuppah in this ceremony invites you all to feel welcome today, for this is the day of all days that [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] want to share with you.”

After the couple enters the chuppah, the bride/groom circles the bride/groom seven times, symbolizing building a wall of love around the relationship. It also represents the seven days of creation.

Declaration of support

Officiant to the couple: “A marriage is a lifelong adventure. Today’s ceremony, while important, is only the beginning of that journey. Marriage is a challenge that will require [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] to have love and understanding. You must dedicate yourselves to each other, listen to each other, and be honest with each other. You will need laughter and forgiveness, tenderness and empathy.”

Sand ceremony

Officiant to the couple: “We will now begin the sand ceremony. Through it, [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] will symbolize the permanence of the commitment of their marital relationship. They will each pour separate containers of sand into one vessel.

Each of these grains represents a unique aspect of themselves. Their experiences, outlooks, feelings, and the events that shaped them into the person that stands before you. As these grains of sand intermingle in one shared vessel, they symbolize the merging of two individual lives into an inseparable pair.

[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], just as these grains of sand can never again be separated, so too will you be forever joined.”

Officiant to Partner A: "Do you, [PARTNER A], take this [woman, man] to be your lawfully wedded [wife, husband], to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto [her, him] for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer 'I do.'"

Officiant to Partner B: "Do you, [PARTNER B], take this [man, woman] to be your lawfully wedded [husband, wife], to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto [him, her] for as long as you both shall live? If so, answer 'I do.'"

Officiant to Partner A: "[PARTNER A], as a token of your intentions, please place this ring upon [PARTNER B]’s finger and repeat after me:

‘[PARTNER B], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.’"

[Partner A repeats the words while placing the ring on Partner B’s finger.]

Officiant to Partner B: "[PARTNER B], as a token of your intentions, please place this ring upon [PARTNER A]’s finger and repeat after me:

‘[PARTNER A], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness.’"

[Partner B repeats the words while placing the ring on Partner A’s finger.]

Blessing of the hands

Officiant to the couple: "[PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], please join hands. Look at these hands, for they are of your closest friend. They are strong and full of love. As you join hands today, you make the promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

Your future will be built by these hands. As the years pass, these hands will love you and cherish you. The slightest touch from these hands will give you comfort. These are the hands that will hold your children. These are the hands that will keep your family as one. When you have tears of sorrow or tears of joy, they will be wiped away by these hands."

The Seven Blessings

The Seven Blessings are now recited.

• Blessing over the wine as a symbol of joy
• Blessing praising God to whom all creation proclaims praise
• Blessing praising God as creator of humanity
• Blessing praising God who created humanity in the divine image
• Prayer of hope
• Prayer for the happiness of the couple
• Prayer for the individual hope for happiness for the couple combined with prayer for joy in the messianic future

Following the Seven Blessings, the couple shares a cup of wine.

Breaking the glass

The ceremony is concluded by the tradition of the groom (or bride) stomping on glass and shattering it. This signals the audience to cheer, dance, and shout “Mazal tov!”

After the ceremony concludes, the final ritual takes place in the yichud or “tent of seclusion.” This is considered to be one of the most private and intimate parts of the wedding day, where the newlyweds can savor their first moments alone before the celebration continues.

There are many denominations within the Protestant faith, and the standard ceremony for each may vary. Those with a more liberal interpretation of the wedding ceremony might be open to including more nontraditional elements in the wedding script. The script below is adapted from the Book of Common Prayer, and is just one of many possible variations of a Protestant wedding ceremony.

Introductory prayer

The officiant, known as the celebrant, faces the couple and congregation and offers an introduction:

Officiant: “Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this couple in holy matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by His presence and first miracle at the wedding at Cana in Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and His church, and holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The union of marriage is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given each other in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God’s will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”

The interrogation

Celebrant to the congregation: “Into this union [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace.”

Celebrant to the couple: “I charge you both, here in the presence of God and the witness of this company, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be married lawfully and in accordance with God's word, do now confess it.”

Celebrant to Partner A: “[PARTNER A], will you have this [woman, man] to be your [wife, husband], to live together with [her, him] in the covenant of marriage? Will you love [her, him], comfort [her, him], honor and keep [her, him], in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto [her, him] as long as you both shall live?”

Partner A: “I will.”

Celebrant to Partner B: “[PARTNER B], will you have this [man, woman] to be your [husband, wife], to live together with [him/her] in the covenant of marriage? Will you love [him/her], comfort [him/her], honor and keep [him/her], in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto [him/her] as long as you both shall live?”

Partner B: “I will.”

Celebrant to the congregation: “Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?”

Congregation responds: “We will.”

The presentation

The presentation represents the traditional “giving away” of the bride, typically followed by a hymn. Modern Protestants may opt for a poem, romantic reading, or song of their choice in place of a hymn.

Celebrant: “Who gives [PARTNER A] to be married to [PARTNER B]?”

Partner A or B’s father: “[He, she] gives [himself, herself], with the blessing of [his, her] mother and father.”

Some modern Protestants might choose to write their own wedding vows, but the traditional vows most often recited are as follows:

Partner A to Partner B: “In the name of God, I, [NAME], take you, [NAME], to be my [wife, husband], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do we part. This is my solemn vow.”

Partner B to Partner A: “In the name of God, I, [NAME], take you, [NAME], to be my [husband, wife], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do we part. This is my solemn vow.”

The blessing and exchange of rings

The celebrant offers a blessing on the rings: “Bless, O Lord, these rings as a symbol of the vows by which this couple have bound themselves to each other, through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Congregation responds: “Amen.”

Partner A and Partner B place the rings on each other’s fingers and say: “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The celebrant joins the right hands of both partners and says: “Now that [NAME] and [NAME] have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce them [husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife] in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those who God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

Concluding prayers

The celebrant asks the congregation to stand and repeat the Lord’s Prayer:

All: “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”

In traditional Protestant weddings, the celebrant will direct the couple to kneel while further blessings and songs are offered. The celebrant then addresses the kneeling couple and recites another blessing:

Celebrant: “May God bless you and keep you; may the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, filling you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.”

Celebrant to the congregation: “The peace of the Lord be with you always.”

All respond: “And also with you.”

Finally, the couple stands to face each other while the celebrant offers a final line to end the ceremony:

Celebrant: “[NAME] and [NAME], having witnessed your vows of love to one another, it is my joy to present you to all gathered here as [husband and wife, husband and husband, wife and wife]. You may now kiss!”

While writing your wedding ceremony script might feel daunting, these tips can help take the pressure off and provide some much-needed guidance on how to bring your ceremony vision to life—whatever that means to you.

1. Talk with your partner

Writing your script is an opportunity to reflect on the significance of your relationship before you enter into marriage. Talking with your partner about your ideas and desires for your wedding ceremony is an important first step—it helps you get aligned on a mutual vision and ensures the ceremony is a reflection of what matters most to you as a couple.

2. Work with your officiant

Your officiant can provide practical advice on how to get started crafting your ceremony script, and some might even have an outline for you to work from. Since your officiant has most likely conducted their fair share of wedding ceremonies, they’re an excellent resource for any questions you might have.

3. Don’t procrastinate

While you certainly don’t need to memorize your wedding ceremony script, don't put it off until the last minute—especially if you plan on writing your own vows . Procrastinating until the week of your wedding can add a ton of pressure to an already hectic time, so do yourself a favor and get started early!

4. Consider the length of your script

While your wedding ceremony script should be whatever you want it to be, being mindful of time and length is something your guests will appreciate. Anything longer than 30 minutes might leave guests checking their watches! Once you’ve written a draft and have the chance to rehearse it, you’ll find that you can pack plenty of meaning and resonance in less than 15 minutes.

Now that you’ve read some ceremony script examples, you can confidently start writing your own! No matter what you decide to include, what matters most is that the words shared are from the heart and represent what your marriage means to you. Here’s an ultra-simple outline to help you start formulating your own wedding script for officiants to use.

• Officiant’s welcome
• Short sermon to the congregation
• Charge to the couple
• Declaration of the intent to marry
• Pronouncement of marriage
• Conclusion and invitation to reception

Find answers to any lingering wedding ceremony script questions below.

How do I personalize my wedding ceremony script?

Start by nailing down the overall format of your script, including the order of the ceremony and the role of the officiant. Then weave in personal elements significant to you and your partner, such as customizing your vows, a special unity ceremony, or a reading that holds meaning. Remember, there’s no rule that says you have to follow a traditional wedding ceremony script.

How do I start a wedding ceremony script?

Most wedding ceremony outlines start with the wedding officiant welcoming guests and thanking them for joining in the wedding day. Religious ceremonies may start with a reading from the Bible or whatever is customary for different faiths. That said, your ceremony script can begin however you like, whether that’s opening with a meaningful quote, poem, or endearing story about you and your partner.

Where can I find wedding ceremony scripts?

The best place to find both religious and non religious wedding ceremony scripts is online. You can find downloadable pre-written scripts by searching for a specific religious denomination or the mood you want your ceremony to take. For extra inspiration, search for wedding ceremony videos on YouTube to get a feel for what different scripts sound like during a real ceremony.

How long should the officiant speak at the wedding?

Your officiant wedding script should get straight to the point while adding personality. Talk to your celebrant about the parts that are most important to you, such as giving a blessing to the couple . However, if the sermon isn’t essential to you, feel free to shorten it. The last thing you want to do is bore your guests, so concise yet interesting is best.

Although there is a bit of protocol surrounding the order of service, there is a lot of freedom within with most scripts. If you’re particularly religious, you may want to chat with your priest, rabbi, or pastor about how to best adapt your ceremony. However, if you’re not planning on a religious ceremony, chat with your partner about expectations and how to go from expected to highly personal.

As you finish off your wedding planning, Zola is here to help every step of the way. Whether designing custom wedding invitations or putting the final touches on your wedding registry , Zola has all the expert advice you’ll need to make your wedding vision come to life.

Even more answers

• 6 Ways to Include Your Kids in Your Wedding
• 50 Edible Wedding Favor Ideas + Free Stickers
• Should You Do a Garter Toss?
• Guide to Wedding Vows: Examples + How to Write Your Own
• 50 Best Wedding Send-Off Ideas
• Navigating How to Include Stepparents in Your Wedding
• Wedding Ceremony Readings: How to Choose Readings for Every Wedding
• 8 Rustic Wedding Favors
• 10 Black Wedding Traditions to Know and Love
• Wedding Guest Etiquette 101: 20 Ways to Be an Exceptional Guest
• 42 Unique Wedding Traditions Around the World
• How to Entertain Guests Between the Wedding and Reception

Find even more wedding ideas, inspo, tips, and tricks

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Altar your thinking: alternative wedding planning

Wedding Ceremony 101: How to write a wedding ceremony from scratch

In my first meeting with a couple, I take out this outline, talk through all the parts of a ceremony, and explain the significance and meaning behind the various elements and traditions, answer lots of questions, and ask some of my own. From the basic outline, we dive into the whole world of wedding ceremonies — but having that nice firm diving board of the ceremony structure really helps to prepare and better understand where we are going.

As I like to say, we can add anything in, we can take anything out. But I do find that sticking with this basic structure helps your guests “follow along” a little more easily during the ceremony, and not get lost in a non-traditional setting. When talking over wedding ceremony outlines, you don't have to do things in the traditional wedding ceremony order (heck, you could do things in reverse order, if you wanted!), but it is good to have a guideline.

One thing that you have to do traditionally: When you are writing your own wedding ceremony, you DO need to check with your local government to see if there are any legal requirements that must be included in the ceremony itself. But, other than that, determining the parts of a ceremony that you want to include is up to you.

Take what you need, leave the rest out!

The parts of a ceremony are ordered based on ritual theory.

I don't do a lot of weddings that include all of these parts of a ceremony — three rituals, multiple readings — but I wanted to be sure to include all of them here, so you can see where they go.

Basically, a wedding is a rite of passage, an event that marks a person's transition from one life status (single) to another (married).

Rites of passages have three elements:

• incorporation

We can see these parts of a ceremony reflected as we approach the life event (for example, your engagement period is one of transition, and your wedding celebration is a moment of incorporation), but can also look at what each element in the ceremony represents, and use the corresponding stage to help us order the ceremony.

A processional is an important element of any wedding ceremony. We're creating a special moment that separates the mundane, everyday life from the extraordinary, ceremonial... Read more

For Example: The processional can be seen as separation — moving away from one point of life into another. The vows are transitional — standing upon the threshold. And the declaration of marriage is incorporation — taking the new status into the everyday.

By looking at each element, and deciding which stage of the rite of passage it represents, we can easily order the events within the ceremony itself.

OK, enough ritual theory for now.

Let's get to the outline of all the parts of a ceremony!

Welcoming of the guests

The officiant enters, usually as the first person in the processional, or sneaks in from the side. This is a nice point for the officiant to introduce themselves, make their opening remarks, as well as make any announcements (Turn off cell phones? Unplugged wedding ?).

I recently officiated a wedding for two of my dearest friends. I had never officiated a wedding before. It was not easy, but I'm proud... Read more

Processional

The entrance of the wedding party — which is a whole other post I wrote for Offbeat Wed called So you want to craft a processional… that will talk you through the order of folks, whether we're talking bridesmaids, groomsmen, best man, a flower girl, ring bearer, or gender-neutral wedding party members .

Gathering Words

• Presentation of the couple
• Family ritual
• Thanking of family and friends
• Remembrances

In my intro, I welcome the couple to their wedding celebration, and like to add a few words of thanks to the person who escorted the bride or groom down the aisle — a twist on the traditional “giving away.” Using the couple's own words and information, I do a special thanks for the family and friends who have joined us. This helps to create an intimate air, right from the beginning.

Any special rituals or traditions that honor family would go here, such as a flower presentation for parents. If the guests are being asked to do anything during the ceremony, such as with a ring warming or a wishing stone ritual, this is also the place to introduce it, and get it started.

If the couple would like to include any remembrances, this is a good place to include them. A brief moment of silence, lighting of a memorial candle for grandparents or others who may have passed, a wine toast, or just a mention of those that are no longer with us are all lovely ways to acknowledge lost loved ones. I find at this point in the ceremony, it doesn't bring down the tone very much.

While I adore the myriad of heartfelt, cute, humorous, serious, and geeky wedding vows I've seen all over Offbeat Bride, promises of specific behavior didn't... Read more

Marriage address

When I officiate a wedding, I call this section “The Love Story.” I write an original narrative for my couples that talks about who they are — how they met, how they fell in love, and all of the lovely adventures that brought them to their wedding day. I end with what they love about each other, and their hopes and dreams for the future. It's funny, touching, personal, and very different with every wedding.

This is a great place to include a reading, too, to have as the “center” of your ceremony. It works especially well if you can find a piece that really speaks to you and your partner. Adding some personal comments, about what the piece means to you, is a nice way to really personalize it, without having to write a lot. You could also sit down with your partner, and think about what marriage and your relationship means to you, and have your officiant share that as your marriage address.

In a more traditional ceremony, this is where the sermon or homily would go.

The Declaration of intent

This is the “I Do!” part of a wedding. The couple faces one another, takes hands, and answers some very important questions about marriage. If you are planning on writing your own vows, it is nice to include more traditional vows here, or you can even write your own “I Do's!”

We've shared lots of tips on how to write your wedding vows so today we're going to focus on where to find inspiration to make... Read more

Wine ceremony or other unity ritual

The unity rituals that represent the life that the couple will share together go here — thoroughly in transition, not yet incorporation (remember our mini-ritual theory lesson?). Wine ceremonies , presentation of gifts or flower to each other, tree plantings — there are the rituals that go at this point.

Exchange of Vows

Either read by the couple to each other, or done “repeat after me” style with the wedding officiant. This is another place where Offbeat Wed has a big archive of wedding vow examples . People have such beautiful ways of making promises to each other!

Ring exchanges or vows

Short ring vows are usually done “repeat after me” as the couple places the rings on each other's fingers.

Note: Vows can be combined! Do you not want to talk? Just do “I Do's!” Really want the personal vows, but no repeat after me? Do the exchange of rings after the personal vows. This is your ceremony, and you can do whatever you want with it.

Unity ritual

Any unity ritual that symbolizes the couple joining their lives together goes here, towards the end. Unity candle or sand ceremonies, signing of a marriage license, to name a few. Offbeat Wed has a MASSIVE archive of unity ceremonies if you need ideas.

Closing remarks

A final blessing or benediction could go here as well. I like to bring back important elements or themes from the other parts of a ceremony, or end with a short poem or piece of advice for the couple.

If you have bubbles or rose petals or something you want guests to shower you with or do as you walk out, this is also a good place to have your officiant make a little announcement about it.

Declaration of marriage

This is the pronouncement! You get to officially pronounce them MARRIED, and then they kiss!

Post-declaration ritual

There are a few rituals that take place just after the marriage is made official — the breaking of the glass and the jumping of the broom. For ease of use, I recommend including the explanation for these rituals in the closing remarks.

Recessional

This is the exit from the ceremony space. It's time to party!

A note on wedding readings

Ok, now that we've got through all the parts of a ceremony, let's take a minute to talk about wedding readings.

When we're doing our wedding profiles, we noticed some trends in nontraditional readings… readings that clearly Offbeat Brides tend to adore.

There are a few places for readings, either done by your officiant or a reader, scattered throughout the ceremony. It is important to find the best place that a reading fits, so look at its theme, and decide which stage it fits best and then incorporate it into that section of the ceremony.

I often incorporate pieces of readings , such as quotes or selections, into the ceremony itself (I find the Gathering Words and the Closing Remarks are especially good locations). I recommend breaking up the readings, and not having guests come up, one right after another, to do a reading, and not stacking them, one right after the other, in the ceremony. Doing this provides a bit more interest, and also helps to break up the ceremony itself, so your officiant isn't just gabbing the whole time. Making ceremonies as “interactive” as possible for your guests is really important.

Offbeat Bride has a great collection of wedding readings . Definitely check those out .

Want even more wedding ceremony scripts and advice?

At Offbeat Wed, we're not big into traditional wedding ceremonies and we've featured TONS of weddings ceremony outlines, sharing many wedding vows.

Steal this super-simple wedding ceremony script

We got married a few months ago, and we wrote the ceremony and vows ourselves. I wanted to share them with you guys in case any of you were looking for something short and simple.

Blended family wedding vows: 9 wedding scripts + what NOT to do

Over the years, we've seen lots of really lovely ways to include children in blended family weddings, but we've never featured the vows that were spoken. I've enlisted the help of a few of our favorite officiants, asking them to share wording for blended family vows that they've written. (Plus, we've got one batch of bonus vows from an Offbeat Bride reader!)

Offbeat Wed Vendor

This page features vendors from our curated Offbeat Wed Vendor Directory . They're awesome and we love them. If you're a vendor let's get you in here!

Guest Post By: Jessie Blum

Jessie Blum is a Life-Cycle Celebrant and wedding officiant. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two cats, and growing nail polish collection.

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Comments on Wedding Ceremony 101: How to write a wedding ceremony from scratch

This is so great! The man-person and I have been tossing around ideas for our ceremony lately and have realized that we were more than a little overwhelmed. Totally sharing with my officiant/BFF!

This is so helpful! I have been wanting to find a layout like this online, that explains everything really clearly, but have had no luck. This is perfect! Thanks!!

OMG I’m like EXCITED and SUPER HAPPY that you have posted this! I wrote and email not too long ago begging that this site could include something about couples who put the ceremony together from scratch, including readings! After my personal experience writing up my own entire ceremony, this information on here is exactly what is needed to put in a ceremony! (Though I had to look through a MILLION websites and my grandfather/minister’s for reference.) Thank you THANK YOU for posting something that helps non-traditional couples know they don’t have to have pre-set words on a paper for their ceremony, that they can make it their own. Thank you so much again for putting this up!

As a photographer who has worked with Jessie Blum, I can honestly say it was the most amazing ceremony I had ever heard in my career. I asked her after the ceremony to forward me the whole transcript. She is the real deal.

Thanks for this awesome comment, Mike 🙂

Hi Jessie, I LOVE everything about this and appreciate the step by step ways to make a ceremony. We are getting married in Septemeber and one of our best friends is officiating our ceremony (his first time). He has the best personality and is super excited to do it…is there any way that you would be able to email me a sample transcript that you may have used?

More ritual theory talk! No, no, it’s not enough for now!

yes, please! And thank you so much for posting this – it’s just what I’ve been looking for!

Gosh, no one has ever said to me, “More ritual theory!” (and I TEACH Fundamentals of Celebrancy to new Celebrants!)

I don’t know if I will be exploring ritual theory any more in future blog posts, but if you are interested, I suggest reading Joseph Campbell (dense but worth it), Robert Fulghum’s From Beginning to End, and Ronald Grimes (Deeply Into the Bone, though he has a few).

I’ll check those books out. I find ritual theory (I didn’t know what that is called) fascinating. Thanks. (And I would love more posts about ritual theory.)

Thanks for this post! We’re out in the woods and wilds of ceremony writing on our own, with no religion in our lives, and having only attended a few weddings and not being really into romance novels. I’m glad we have this to navigate our ceremony even if our officiant wants us to do stuff on our own.

Thank you for the useful post! Ritual theory is VERY interesting to me… I too would also like to more posts about it!

Thanks so much for writing this- I think many couples are at a loss for where to begin planning a ceremony. I have so many questions, especially regarding incorporating two religions into one ceremony. And RITUAL THEORY!!! I love theory. More posts, please!!

Geeze, who knew there were all of these ritual theory nerds out there! (from one ritual-theory-nerd to another)

Yes that is the whole point. If one or more ceremonies can be rutualised (in theory) then great benefit will be had.

Excellent observation, super article.

I’d like to add my voice to the chorus of excitement about this post and ritual theory! Thank you!

This is the clearest guide I’ve seen yet – I like how you’ve really given a template AND shown how it can be adjusted and personalized.

Thanks, Miss Happ. I think that is where a lot of people get lost when writing their ceremony – with the reconciliation that you can write your own ceremony BUT still follow a traditional outline. And that everything has its own place.

BEST post – thank you so much for this. I’ve been struggling with our ceremony – there are so many ideas – and this helps to steer us in a less general direction.

Great post, we will be creating our own ceremony and this has really given us a great starting point. As a former social anthropology student I would also love to know more about ritual theory, I’ll see if I can get hold of one of those books. Nerds unite!

Oh I wish this post had been written before I got married. Writing the ceremony was the HARDEST part. We had some very non traditional parts (no processional) but then wanted to include the parents, and were doing traditional vows so finding a balance was extremely hard. Plus we found one absolutely perfect reading right away and then… nothing for months. Luckily we hammered it out at the last minute. It turned out awesome; most of our friends are from a theatre background and since I can never take anything seriously we managed to have everyone laughing the entire time. I guess that makes it special?

This is why I love Offbeat Bride: finding amazing resources such as this post to really let wedding folks take charge of their own day. Thank you for the wonderful help!

Thank you so much for bringing on an issue that I have been struggling with. I grew up in a strict Roman Catholic household with the concept that you get married in the church. I am now a spiritual agnostic and have been wondering how me and my fiance have a wedding ceremony that isn’t based on tradition and religion.

Nicole, you may also want to check out this post: How do you have a wedding ceremony without a Bible?

Thank you 🙂

If you don’t plan on writing your own ceremony, look to see if there are any Celebrants in your area – we basically create and officiate at ceremonies for people of all backgrounds, traditions, and cultures. Many of my couples come from a very religious culture or background, and are the first of their family to not be married in a church. You can absolutely have an awesome ceremony without a lot of religious elements, if that is the direction that you want to go in. Best of luck with everything!

Oh I absolutely agree. Unfortunately we live in the ‘Bible Belt’ and finding an officiant who can cater to our needs are in short supply. I will probably end up writing my own, because I don’t have the resources to pay for an officiant from up North just yet.

I am so glad that I found this! My fiancee and I are going to be working on our own ceremony and I was lost and stressing out over it. Thank you so much for providing this outline. This will make things much easier! Jessie, I wish you were in my state to officiate though! <3

Sorry for the insane delay in this reply (I wasn’t receiving notifications for some reason!), but thanks! So glad this was helpful.

Jessie, NJ is SSOOO lucky to have you!! If you are thinking about coming to Boston for your Columbus Day Weekend “Vacation” next year, let me know 😀

Aww, thanks, Mary. Up until last year, I actually wouldn’t charge travel charges for Boston or the North Shore bc I had a friend who lived up there, but they’re moving back down to NJ. Best of luck with your wedding!!

Sorry for the insane delay in this reply (I wasn’t receiving notifications for some reason!).

THIS. IS. SO. HELPFUL. Thanks so much! My husband and I got ordained (yay, interwebs!) last year and have been honored to preside over the weddings of a couple of friends so far. I was able to piece something together that had a format similar to this, but I appreciate the details and specifics you offer. Thanks!!

Thanks for this post! I have been stressing about building a secular Armenian/Sri Lankan wedding with a friend officiating from scratch but this gave me an outline to start with. Now to pick readings and decide on which traditions to use.

Good luck, I hope it will be (or was!) awesome!

So, is there a link to this mysterious “other post” regarding processionals? I’m not worried about the music so much, but I wanted to know if there was another post referring to how it could be done? LOVED this post, I just outlined my ceremony with it, w00t!

Actually there is… http://www.eclectic-unions.com/2009/07/crafting-your-processional/ 🙂

This is everything I needed! We are crafting a secular ceremony with a friend as an officiant,so this will really be helpful!

Good luck, Joelle!

Great post! Thank you so much! My very dear cousin just got engaged, and I’m helping her plan her backyard ceremony in 7 weeks so this post is perfect.

Currently trying to fathom our from-scratch ceremony, so this is very helpful! I want to keep it short and sweet, but not rushed. Processional, intros, poems, vows, rings, kisses, but not sure how much time to allow for these things without having all the words chosen already. I don’t plan on having any particular rituals unless I can think of something that feels right to me (ring warming speaks the most to me, but I don’t know). Candle lighting and sand don’t really click for me so much, plus no open flames allowed in my venue.

So how much time are people leaving for ceremonies? I have to put this on the invites (the reception is in a different space and we want to specify start times for both).

This is a great article, thank you.

Great information!! Getting married July 26th and working on the ceremony now. We each have boys from precious marriages, have you ever incorporated them into the ceremony? Thanks in advance!!

Thank you for this incredibly helpful information!

This is exactly what I have been looking for!! We’re trying to craft our own ceremony and were having a hell of a time figuring out how it all fit together, this is perfect! Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for this post! This is so timely as we are also planning for our wedding which is only a month away. Civil ceremony is much easier to organise than church wedding! My cousine had many problems with church wedding. My advice – before you start to plan your wedding, study the next guide, here are some tips on organizing a civil ceremony: http://www.poptop.uk.com/events/2016/01/22/how-organize-civil-ceremony/

This was so helpful for us, thank you! Knowing we wanted to craft our own ceremony was a done deal from day 1, but staring at a bank page was terrifying. This gave us some fantastic guidance and a great place to start. We had a friend marry us, so none of us were exactly experts in writing wedding ceremonies 😉 With the help we started with here hubby, officiant, and I were able to write something really special for our big day. Thank you for sharing your expertise!

My fiance and I are planning on signing our marriage license during the ceremony. I need ideas on how to word that. Thank you!

Some super helpful tips! A lot of brides ask me similar questions; I’ll be pointing them to your article. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for this! I just finished writing the ceremony draft for my friends, and this was a nice way to review what we had put together. I so appreciate the tone and openness that you approach each ceremonial aspect, and I’m stealing a couple words here and there. Just to share, they are doing a “unity beer” and if the venue allows, the whole room will take a sip with them (on their chosen beverages ;)) Very hipster, very them and VERY excited to be the officiant!

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Wedding Officiants

Great Ceremonies Begin Here

Wedding Ceremony Script

At  WeddingOfficiants.com  – The Wedding Officiant Directory , we’ve been working with engaged couples and professional wedding officiants for more than 15 years, and our site has become a top resource on the web for officiants to grow their businesses. We’ve curated a collection of the best wedding ceremony scripts submitted by our officiant members, and offer them here as a resource to anyone in need of a script for a wedding ceremony.

Below, you’ll find advice on creating your own custom wedding ceremony script, wedding ceremony samples, and links to both a religious wedding ceremony and a non-religious ceremony. The basics of writing a ceremony script start with an outline – the wedding ceremony template. Once you’ve decided on the structure of the ceremony, you can select individual wedding readings, wedding vows, and other ceremony elements to include in your script. Of course, you could also just copy a sample wedding ceremony script below and use it without any further customization.

The wedding scripts below have been created by experienced, professional wedding officiants. If you are already an officiant, we would love to have you join us as a member of our wedding officiant directory – you can view our membership packages here. If you are a new officiant, or if you’ve been tapped by a friend of family member to perform a wedding ceremony, there’s a chance you may really enjoy performing your first wedding and want to do it more often. If so, take a look at our  Officiant Resources  page, with advice on  how to get ordained ,  how to become a wedding officiant , and much more.

Writing a Wedding Ceremony Script

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Creating a wedding ceremony script from scratch can be a daunting task if you haven’t done it before, it’s not as simple as writing a collection of words and poetry. A marriage ceremony is a time-honored ritual which requires a bit of structure to feel sufficiently “ceremonial” for the couple and their guests. That’s not to say that there are firm rules when deciding how to write a wedding ceremony script – there are no “official” rules to speak of – but a lack of structure or organization can leave attendees feeling confused and actually detract from the overall feeling of the ceremony.

We highly recommend sending the couple a copy of your wedding ceremony script once you’ve finished it so they can see exactly what you plan to say – that way, if there are any changes they feel are necessary, you can make them before the big day. Surprises may be fun on most days, but surprising a couple with the content of their wedding ceremony will probably not go over very well.

Wedding Ceremony Script Ideas

Keep in mind that there are many different religious and cultural wedding traditions as well, but we’ve kept this list to the most common ideas for wedding ceremonies of all types.

Traditional Wedding Ceremony Elements:

• Processional:  The “wedding procession” is simply a fancy way of referring to the beginning of the ceremony when everyone walks in.  This includes parents, wedding party, the officiant, and the couple, and is typically accompanied by music.
• Opening Words / Welcome:  This is typically the first thing that is said at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. The opening words will often include some sort of welcome to the guests and a few remarks about the covenant of marriage.
• Charge to Couple:  This is a short passage about the covenant of marriage and the importance of the occasion, and also usually includes a bit of practical marriage advice from the officiant. It doesn’t need to be terribly long, one to three short paragraphs is more than enough.
• Wedding Readings:  It’s traditional to include one or more  wedding readings  during the ceremony, which are typically scripture or poetry. Ceremony readings can also be anything that is meaningful to the couple, and will typically reflect something about their love and their relationship.
• Pledge / Declaration of Intent:  This part of the ceremony is when the couple will face one another, and affirm their intentions to be united in marriage. The officiant leads each of them through a series of statements or questions, which are answered with “I Do” or “I Will”.
• Blessing of the Rings:  The ring blessing is a short statement or prayer by the officiant to bless or charge the couple’s wedding rings prior to the ring exchange. It can take the form of a few sentences, or a “ring warming” where the rings are passed to all the guests for their well-wishes.
• Exchange of Vows:  Sometimes done simultaneously with the exchange of rings, the wedding vows can either be led by the officiant as a series of phrases repeated by the couple, or something completely unique written by each of them to one another.
• Exchange of Rings:  The ring exchange during the ceremony is typically led by the officiant, with each member of the wedding couple repeating a series of short phrases while placing a wedding ring on their partner’s finger.
• Pronouncement and Kiss:  Upon the exchange of vows and rings, the officiant will pronounce the couple as being officially married, and invite them to kiss. Typically followed by applause by the wedding guests, this may be the end of the ceremony if there are no closing words by the officiant.
• Closing Words:  Traditionally, the officiant will offer some words to officially close the wedding ceremony, blessing the couple or offering encouragement for their journey as a married couple. This typically marks the official end of the wedding ceremony.
• Recessional:  The recessional is the part of the ceremony where the couple and their attendants exit the ceremony, beginning with the couple and proceeding in the reverse order as the processional when everyone entered. The last person to exit before the guests is typically the officiant.

Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas:

• Honoring the Parents:  Usually performed at the beginning of the ceremony, the officiant takes a few moments to acknowlege the role the couple’s parents have played in raising them and bringing them up to this moment when they will be married.
• Moment of Silence:  Also normally toward the beginning of the ceremony, taking a moment of silence to remember those friends and family who have passed away or could not attend the wedding ceremony for one reason or another.
• Handfasting Ceremony:  An ancient Pagan and Celtic tradition, handfasting invlolves tying the hands of the couple together with a ribbon, rope, or braided cord to symbolize the unity between them and the connection they share.
• Unity Candle Ceremony:  This candle lighting ceremony can be performed at any time during the wedding ceremony, and can be done in a number of ways. The popular version involves the couple lighting a single candle with two smaller candles to symbolize their new life together.
• Wine Box Ceremony:  A newer tradition, the couple write love letters to one another and seal them in a wine box with a bottle of wine, opening the box on their first or fifth wedding anniversary to read one another’s letters and share the bottle of wine to celebrate their marriage.
• Blended Family Ceremony:  For couples with children who wish to incorporate their kids into their wedding ceremony as well, this ceremony includes the children of the couple in saying vows to one another affirming their commitment and promises as a family.
• Rose Ceremony:  There are two versions of this ceremony, one involving the couple presenting one another with a single rose to communicate their love and commitment, and the other with the couple presenting a rose to their mothers as a way of thanking them for their love and support.
• Ring Warming Ceremony:  Typically done at the beginning of the ceremony prior to the vows, the officiant passes the couple’s wedding rings around throughout the wedding guests and asks each person to infuse the rings with their blessings and well-wishes for the couple’s marriage.
• Jumping the Broom:  A tradition which found it’s way to the states as a part of African-American weddings, the couple has a broom placed in front of them and jumps over it as they exit the ceremony, popularized in the novel and miniseries,  Roots  by Alex Haley.
• Sand Ceremony:  Similar in intent and execution to the Unity Candle Ceremony, the couple instead pours two separate containers of colored sand into a single vessel to symbolize their union. A great alternative for a windy wedding day!
• Breaking the Glass:  A Jewish wedding tradition, the couple stomps on a glass to shatter it at the end of the wedding as their guests shout “Mazel Tov!” to congratulate them.

Wedding Ceremony Template

When creating a wedding ceremony script, it can be helpful to start with a general template to help you structure the ceremony, adding in the specific wording once you’ve designed the overall flow and order of the individual elements. While it can be tempting to include a lot of different elements and traditions (or let the couple pick as many as they’d like), keep in mind that the overall length of the ceremony will depend on how much you try to squeeze into it. Most non-religious wedding ceremonies should be about 20 minutes in length from the processional to the recessional – certainly not more than 40 minutes. Wedding guests get restless and stop paying attention after about 20 minutes, so the longer the ceremony lasts, the more bored and distracted the guests will be.

Generally speaking, most weddings will follow a standard order, with variations based on the couple’s needs or the amount and type of elements and traditions that are included. The basic wedding ceremony template for most weddings is:

• Processional
• Gathering Words
• Declaration of Intent
• Charge to Couple
• Exchange of Vows
• Exchange of Rings
• Pronouncement and Kiss
• Recessional

You can certainly make the ceremony more complex than this, but this template is the bare-bones structure of a standard wedding ceremony script. Start with this order and add any additional elements, readings, songs, and traditions where it makes the most sense. In general, you’ll want to place most of those additional elements toward the beginning of the ceremony, because the guests will expect that the exchange of vows will be one of the last items in the wedding ceremony order.

Wedding Ceremony Samples

To help you create your wedding ceremony script, we’ve included several wedding ceremony samples below – a Wedding Officiant Script and a Marriage Ceremony Script. We’ve chosen to only include generic sample wedding ceremonies here, so if you are interested in looking at samples for a non-religious wedding ceremony, a Christian wedding ceremony, an interfaith wedding ceremony, or a non-denominational wedding ceremony you’ll need to visit those specific pages to see the included sample scripts. These are examples of a standard wedding script following the template mentioned above, and should give you a solid head start.

Because the ceremony samples below are very basic and do not include any additional elements such as  wedding readings , a ceremony based solely on these scripts will be 10-15 minutes in length. We highly recommend keeping the total length of the wedding ceremony to around 20 minutes, so be selective with the number of additional elements you include. Please feel free to use these wedding ceremony samples for your own private or professional use, but bear in mind that they are copyrighted works so please do not publish them anywhere online.

Wedding Officiant Script

2. Seating of the Mothers

3. Officiant, Grooom, and Groomsmen Enter

4. Bridesmaids Enter

5. Flower Girl and Ring Bearer Enter

6. Bride Enters, Escorted by Her Father

Welcome to all who have gathered here this day to share in this marriage ceremony of [Name] and [Name].

These words, spoken today between [Name] and [Name] are indeed important and sacred, but they are not what joins these two together, nor is this marriage ceremony. We are not here to witness the beginning of their relationship, but to acknowledge and celebrate a lasting bond that already exists between them. [Name] and [Name] have already joined their hearts together and chosen to walk together on life’s journey, and we have come to bear witness to a sybolic union and a public affirmation of the love they share.

8. Gathering Words

Those of us in attendace today are present to witness a statement of lasting love and commitment between [Name] and [Name]. The ceremonial union of two people in marriage, in its primordial form, is as ancient as our very humanity and yet is still as fresh as each day’s sunrise. The commitment of love between [Name] and [Name] speaks of their shared experience together and their dreams for the future, of the importance of each of them as individuals as well as the special bond they share, and of the importance of their community of family and friends.

Everyone gathered here today was invited to this ceremony because you have played a special role in [Name] and [Name]’s lives. You are present at this ceremony to celebrate their marriage and to witness their vows of love to one another. Will all of you, gathered here to witness this union, do all in your power to love and support this couple now, and in the years ahead? If so please respond, “we will.”

Guests: We will.

9. Declaration of Intent

And [Name] and [Name], have you come here today with the intention to be legally joined in marriage? Do you pledge to choose respect, kindness, and compassion toward one another, to listen deeply to one other, and to speak to one another truthfully, today and always?

Couple: We do.

10. Charge to Couple

[Name] and [Name],   your love is something that you both cherish, so much so that it’s moved you join in the union of marriage and create a home together. Today, you dedicate your lives to giving one another happiness and support. To be certain, entering into the covenant of marriage is an act of deep trust and faith in the strength of your love. It would be a fool’s error to base your marriage on the hope that your partner will change to become something they are not, or do something in the future that they do not already do today. Your marriage must be based on the heartfelt and sincere acceptance of one another, as you are, in each moment.

The pledge you make today expresses your devotion to one another and to the love you share, and the words spoken here will support your marriage if you are able to sustain your commitment through the inevitable hardships you’ll face together. Today, in the presence of your families and friends, you pronounce your love for each other and make a commitment that will define the next phase of your journey. We celebrate it with you, and wish you well.

11. Exchange of Vows  (Repeat after the officiant)

I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my wife; to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish; until we are parted by death.

I, [Name], take you, [Name], to be my husband; to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health; to love and to cherish; until we are parted by death.

12. Exchange of Rings

May I please have the rings? (officiant is handed both rings)

Since ancient times, the ring has been a symbol of the unbroken circle of love, with no beginning and no end. Love given freely has no giver and no receiver, for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the freedom and power of this commitment you make here today.

[Name], placing the ring on [Name]’s finger, repeat after me: [Name],I give you this ring, as a sign of my vow to love, honor, and cherish you.

And [Name], placing the ring on [Name]’s finger, repeat after me: [Name],I give you this ring, as a sign of my vow to love, honor, and cherish you.

13. Pronouncement and Kiss

[Name] and [Name], inasmuch as you have pledged yourselves, each to the other, and have declared the same in the presence of this company by the exchange of vows and the giving and receiving of rings, by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now kiss the Bride! (Applause)

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you, the new Mr. and Mrs. ________________ !

15. Recessional

Marriage Ceremony Script

Welcome to the wedding of [Name] and [Name]. On behalf of the couple, I welcome you to this celebration of love, and ask that all of you take a moment to silence your mobile devices. Thank you.

A wedding ceremony is a joyous occasion, filled with hopes, dreams and excitement. We are here today to acknowledge and honor the love that [Name] and [Name] share, and to bear witness to the commitment which will begin their journey as married partners.

Marriage is a time-honored tradition, and should never be entered into lightly. [Name] and [Name] have made a very serious and important decision in choosing to marry one other today, entering into a sacred covenant as life partners. While the responsibility to honor and sustain their commitment ultimately lies with the two of them, each of you gathered here today are here because you play an important role in their lives. As their community of support, there may be times that [Name] and [Name] will need your wisdom, guidance, and encouragement to work through the inevitable difficulties that lie ahead. I ask that all of you choose love in your thoughts, words, and actions toward them and their marriage, and do all you can to help them nurture and deepen their bond.

As when tending a garden, the quality of your marriage will be a reflection the effort that the two of you put into nurturing this relationship. You have the opportunity to go forward from this day to create a faithful, kind and tender bond. We wish for you the wisdom, compassion, and constancy to create a peaceful sanctuary in which you both can grow in love. [Name] and [Name], do you understand and accept this responsibility and do you come here freely to enter into the covenant of marriage?

[Couple] We do.

10. Reading

The following is an excerpt from Union, by Robert Fulghum.

“You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or between baseball innings – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.

All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another over these years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same. For after today you shall say to the world – This is my husband. This is my wife.”

11. Exchange of Vows

[Name], please look into [Name]’s eyes and repeat after me:

I, [Name] take thee, [Name] to be my wedded wife, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you in love, as long as we both shall live.

And [Name], please look into [Name]’s eyes and repeat after me:

I, [Name] take thee, [Name] to be my wedded husband, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you in love, as long as we both shall live.

May I have the rings please?

Wedding rings are symbolic reminders of the unbroken circle of eternal love. Within the safety and comfort of a true marriage, love given freely has no beginning and no end. Love freely given has no separate giver and receiver. Each of you gives your love to the other, and each of you receives love from the other. May these rings serve to remind you of the freedom and power of your love.

[Name], placing the ring on [Name]’s finger, repeat after me:

With this ring, I give you my promise, to honor you, to be faithful to you, and to share my love and life with you, in all ways, forever.

And [Name], placing the ring on [Name]’s finger, repeat after me:

And now, having entered into the covenant of marriage by the exchanging of vows and the giving and receiving of rings, by the power vested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife.

You may now seal these vows with a kiss!

14. Closing Words

[Name] and [Name], our best wishes go forward from this day with you and we wish for you a fulfilling life, rich in caring and in happiness. May you find a gentle and peaceful life that nurtures and comforts you, and that reflects your honesty, kindness and integrity. There is a wonderful life ahead of you. Live it fully, love it’s changes and choices, and let life amaze you and bring you great joy.

It is my pleasure to introduce, __________________________!

Interested in Becoming a Professional Officiant?

It’s not uncommon for people to catch the officiant “bug” after performing their first few ceremonies, and decide to pursue a career as a professional officiant. If this sounds like you, we recommend reading the rest of the  Officiant Resources  available on our site, and we hope you will consider joining  WeddingOfficiants.com – The Wedding Officiant Directory . To view our different advertising options,  visit our membership page  and click the button below to search our database of local wedding officiants!

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

• Simone Hill is a Technical Product Owner for Estée Lauder Companies.
• A former editor for The Knot, Simone has experience in web development and editorial writing.
• Simone has a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia Business School.

Following a "script' doesn't exactly sound romantic. But on one of the most important days of your life - and maybe one of the most stressful - do you really want to play improv? Your wedding script doesn't have to be a Shakespearean play, but it gives your ceremony a framework to keep things from going off the rails.

Whether you want a modern wedding ceremony script or something more traditional, you need some structure. Lucky for you, there's a wealth of inspiration to draw from.

A good foundation for your wedding ceremony script is the nature of your ceremony: secular or religious.

Secular and Nondenominational

When it comes to your secular wedding you don't have to follow a particular format, and it can be as spiritual or non-spiritual as you prefer.

Not being tied to a particular tradition means that your ceremony is a blank slate.

Your script has two strict requirements, in order: a declaration of intent (yes, I want to marry this person) and a pronouncement (yes, these two people are married.) The rest is up to you. You can keep it as short or as long as you like, but some basic building blocks could include:

An introduction. How does the officiant know the couple? Is there something special that brought you together?

Readings. Is there a favorite book, movie, or even just a quote you both identify with? Is there a friend you'd like to include who could read or comment on it?

Vows. This is your opportunity to speak from the heart. But don't wing it; memorize or read them.

Other Rituals/Ceremonies. If you don't draw from a religious background, consider your cultural heritage or family. You could present a family heirloom, or draw from popular regional traditions. For instance, some Italian brides rip their veils for good luck.

• Secular and nondenominational wedding ceremony scripts
• Nondenominational wedding vow samples

The Jewish tradition is a rich and diverse one, and standards for ceremonies differ by denomination. A rabbi or other qualified official can offer guidance for specific denominations, but there are some common elements for many denominations, as well as secular Jewish weddings. Here is a simple wedding ceremony script for a Jewish couple.

• The signing of the Ketubah, a sort of marriage contract and ancient tradition.
• The badeken. Based on Jacob's first marriage, the groom covers the bride's face with her veil.
• The chuppah, a four-poled canopy symbolizing the shelter of the family home. The ceremony concludes under it, and both parties are typically escorted by their parents.
• The kiddushin, blessings accompanied by wine.
• The giving of the ring, as customary in Jewish law.
• The reading of the ketubah in Aramaic.
• The Sheva Brachot, or Seven Blessings, recited by the rabbi or an honored guest.
• The Breaking of the Glass, smashed underfoot by the groom. Typically accompanied by a hearty "Mazel Tov!" and cheers.

For additional guidance, we've rounded up a selection of Jewish wedding ceremonies performed by rabbis and celebrants.

• Jewish wedding ceremony scripts
• Traditional Jewish wedding vow samples

As with Jewish weddings, the Protestant tradition encompasses many different denominations. As a result, your church's officiant, minister or pastor can also answer your questions about variation.

That said, most Protestant denominations share a similar wedding ceremony structure.

• Entrance. Typically the groom and groomsmen enter first, followed by the bridesmaids. Next, the bride is escorted by her father or another trusted family member.
• An introductory prayer , explaining the religious significance of marriage.
• Interrogation , which serves as both a declaration of intent and the source of the famous "forever hold your peace" moment in many a romcom.
• The presentation , where the bride is "given away" by either her family or herself. This is also where vows are read.
• The blessing and exchange of rings to symbolize commitment.
• A concluding prayer , followed by a kiss and pronouncement.

Each Christian denomination has different standards for ceremony and vows. We've included some links below to get you started.

• Protestant wedding ceremony scripts
• Baptist Vow Samples
• Episcopal Vow Samples
• Lutheran Vow Samples
• Methodist Wedding Vow Samples
• Quaker Wedding Vow Samples

Not sure where to begin with your wedding planning? Take our Style Quiz and we'll pull together a custom wedding vision and vendors to match, just for you. After that, create a free, personalized wedding website to keep your guests informed (and excited!) about your plans, and a time-saving Guest List Manager to organize your attendees. Even better? You can sync your Guest List Manager and wedding website to update everything at once.

Presentation of the Couple

The presentation of the couple is where the bride and groom are introduced as husband and wife for the first time..

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. GROOM and BRIDE LAST NAME.

Ladies and Gentlemen, family and friends, it is my pleasure to present, for the first time anywhere, Mr. And Mrs. BRIDE and GROOM LAST NAME!

And now, to all the friends and family who have come to celebrate this marriage, I would like to present, for the first time anywhere, Mr. & Mrs. LAST NAME.

Ladies and Gentleman, for those of you who have come to witness this union, it is my pleasure to present the newly united couple, BRIDE and GROOM.

And now, to all the friends and family who have come to celebrate this union, I take great pleasure in presenting, for the first time anywhere, the united couple BRIDE and GROOM.

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The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Outline

Here's how to get from the aisle to that first kiss.

Jaimie Mackey was the real weddings editor at Brides from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planner and produced over 100 high-end weddings and events in Colorado

Photo by Richard Skins Photography

In This Article

If the wedding ceremony order is a bit overwhelming and you have some questions about which rites to include and when, that's completely normal. The great news is that most ceremonies follow a similar format, so if you've been to (or been in) a few, you've probably got an idea of how the wedding order of service usually flows.

Of course, different cultures and religions incorporate different distinctive elements , and there's so much to love about each. "Traditional, Jewish, Catholic, and nondenominational weddings usually have ring exchanges whereas Hindu weddings exchange beautiful garlands created from flowers," says wedding planner Victoria Miller.

Meet the Expert

Victoria Miller is the founder and lead wedding planner at LUXE Atlanta Events , a wedding planning company based in Atlanta.

Traditional and nondenominational wedding ceremonies are most flexible and similar to each other in terms of structure while religious ceremonies aren't as adjustable. Catholic weddings, for instance, must always be held inside a church—no exceptions. Since there tends to be variations based on regional and ethnic differences, we've made wedding ceremony outlines for different types of weddings, creating the ultimate guide for creating a ceremony of your own.

Brides/ Jiaqi Zhou

Traditional Wedding Ceremony Order

Traditional wedding ceremonies are perfect for the classic couple who wants a more conventional celebration. "There is typically a welcome or introduction by the minister, followed by the exchange of vows. The couple then exchanges rings, and after the couple shares a kiss , the minister announces them for the first time as a married couple," says Miller.

1. The Processional

The processional is the first order of business at a wedding ceremony. This is when members of your immediate family and wedding party head down the aisle and either find a seat or take their places on either side of the altar. The processional begins with the bride's mother and follows with the groom , best man, paired-up wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. It ends with the bride making her entrance escorted by her father who "gives her away" to the groom.

2. Words of Welcome

Once everyone is in place, the officiant will say a few words of welcome. The officiant may thank guests for bearing witness to your union as well as welcome everyone.

3. Introduction

Next, the officiant will offer an introduction and some thoughts on marriage . This could be a brief recounting of your love story, words on what marriage means to you, or a statement about the ceremony to come and what it represents.

4. Readings

From there, if you are including readings of any sort in your ceremony, readers will be invited up to share a few words. You could have your officiant introduce each reading and speaker or have things flow more naturally between readers.

5. Officiant Addresses Couple

This is when the officiant addresses you and talks about the responsibilities of marriage and the sanctity of the vows you're about to take.

6. Exchange Vows

After the readings have been shared, the two of you will take turns reciting your vows. This is often the emotional part of the ceremony, especially if you write your own vows.

You could opt to write your own vows , share personal statements and then exchange the same vows, or use traditional phrasing.

7. Ring Exchange

After each person recites the vows, you will place the rings on each other's fingers. It's considered a symbol of your marriage. You may opt to perform the ring exchange quickly without vows, or you may say a few words about what the ring symbolizes before placing it on your partner's finger.

8. The Kiss

Now, the good part! After you've exchanged vows and rings, the two of you seal your marriage with a kiss. You're officially married !

9. Unity Ceremony

If you're planning on having a unity ceremony , this is a good time to incorporate it. In a unity ritual, the couple does something that physically symbolizes their new union, such as using two candles to light a single candle or binding their hands together with a ribbon.

10. Closing Remarks

If your ceremony is a religious affair, this is the proper time for a final prayer. Typically, closing prayers are the same as final blessings after each religious ceremony and the officiant can call for the congregation to lift their hands to join in blessing them. If it's not religious, the officiant can say words of encouragement to the couple, bless them in their union, or read a requested prayer or poem aloud. Typical prayers involve asking for prosperity, faithfulness, and a strong bond .

11. The Recessional

This is where the officiant pronounces you married and turns to the guests to introduce the married couple for the first time and encourages guests to applaud and celebrate the newlyweds. Then, the newlyweds lead the recessional down the aisle as guests cheer for your union. The order is the reverse of the processional .

Jewish Wedding Ceremony Order

Photo by Jess Jolin

Prior to the ceremony, the couple signs a marriage contract, called the ketubah , in private. It could be signed at the groom's reception, the day before the wedding, or even 30 minutes before the ceremony begins. It's proceeded by the bedeken , or the veiling, where the groom veils his bride's face. This tradition comes from the story of Jacob in the Bible, who was tricked into marrying the sister of his betrothed because she was veiled.

Unlike other ceremonies, in Jewish weddings , the bride and her party are on the right while the groom and his party are on the left. Perhaps the most famous parts of the Jewish wedding are the glass breaking and the yelling of "mazel tov!"

The rabbi and/or cantor have the option of leading the processional or arriving from the side to mark the beginning of the ceremony. The grandparents of the bride, who are the first to walk down the aisle, will sit in the first row on the right side followed by the grandparents of the groom who will sit on the left side. The groomsmen will then enter in pairs followed by the best man. Finally, the groom, escorted by his parents, will walk to the chuppah. The bridesmaids follow in pairs then the maid of honor, the ring bearer(s), or flower girl(s). Finally, the bride walks to the chuppah, escorted by both parents.

2. Vows Under the Chuppah

Jewish wedding ceremonies are conducted under a beautiful four-poled canopy structure called a chuppah . You recite your vows to each other under the structure, which represents the creation of a new Jewish home. You could be accompanied by your parents under the chuppah or stand alone.

3. Hakafot (or Circling)

Once you arrive at the chuppah, a ritual called circling, hailing from the Ashkenazi tradition, occurs where the bride circles the groom seven times. It symbolizes the bride creating a wall of protection over the groom. Typically, there is a blessing, and you share a drink of wine from the same cup. More modern couples circle each other three times each and then once again each to signify a more equitable division of roles.

4. Ring Exchange

The groom then gives a ring to the bride, and the ketubah is read aloud. Many ceremonies recite the blessings and prayers in Hebrew, but more modern weddings incorporate English so non-Hebrew-speaking guests can understand the sacred elements.

5. Sheva Brachot: Seven Blessings

The seven blessings are chanted over the couple. Though they are typically recited by the officiant, you may choose family members and honored guests to recite the text in Hebrew or English. Then you both take another drink from the cup.

6. Breaking of the Glass

"The bride then gives the groom his ring after which the groom breaks a glass by stomping on it, which symbolizes the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem," says Miller. Usually preceded by reading a verse from Psalm 137, which preaches to keep Jerusalem in mind even at the happiest hour , the breaking of the glass is a sobering reminder that even at a couple's happiest they should reflect on a sad moment in their history. The glass is typically wrapped in a cloth to avoid any injuries .

7. Mazel Tov

Ah, the guests' favorite! After the breaking of the glass, guests are invited to shout "mazel tov!" It means congratulations .

8. The Recessional

After the shouts of joy comes the recessional. Everyone in the wedding party processes back up the aisle in the opposite order that they entered, usually while guests continue cheering them on and offering blessings. The newlyweds lead the column, followed by a sequence of the bride's parents, then the groom's parents, the bride's grandparents, and then the groom's grandparents. Once the family has walked, the flower girls or ring bearers lead the rest of the wedding party, followed by the best man and maid or matron of honor, and then the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The rabbi or cantor completes the filing.

Hindu Wedding Ceremony Order

Photo by Nicola Tonolini

If you've been to a Hindu wedding , you'll know that they are often long, fantastical , and opulent events. "Hindu weddings are traditionally elaborate events lasting multiple days. While the ceremony is only one of the days, the festivities and traditions surrounding the wedding stretch the event out," says Miller.

1. Baraat (the Groom's Arrival)

The baraat is the groom's wedding procession where the groom arrives on a ceremonial white horse escorted by all his friends and family. There is often live music and dancing, which can go on for hours. The groom can also make a grand entrance on an elephant, chariot, or vintage car.

The groom is greeted by the parents of the bride and her closest friends during the milni . He could be given shagun— a token of good luck —cash, or clothes. Sometimes the bride's parents feed him.

4. The Bride's Entrance

The bride enters the ceremony being led by male family members (either her brothers or uncles). They accompany her down the aisle where her father awaits just before the altar. The groom waits at the altar along with his parents, the bride's mother, and the priest.

5. Kanyadaan

This is the moment the father of the bride gives his daughter away to her soon-to-be husband. In the Hindu tradition, a bride cannot be claimed by the groom until she has been offered.

6. Jai Mala Garland Exchange

"The bride and groom perform a garland exchange under a mandap or a beautifully decorated, raised canopy-like platform," says Miller. It symbolizes welcoming each other into their families. The bride's parents will join the couple's hands, as a symbol of giving their daughter away. The ceremony begins and the priest begins prayers in Sanskrit.

7. Agni Poojan

In the center of the mandap, a sacred fire, or Agni Poojan , is lit. The rite invokes the fire deity Agni, brought to life through the fire, to bear witness to the celebration. The bride throws fistfuls of rice to the fire as offerings known as homam .

8. Saptapadi

This is where you take seven steps together to symbolize friendship—the basis of a Hindu marriage . Depending on specific geographical traditions, your garments may be tied together, and you may take seven steps or circle the fire seven times. This is the most important step in a Hindu marriage, and after this, you are officially married.

9. Final Blessings

"The ceremony typically ends with prayers, readings, and blessings from their elders," says Miller. The couple's parents and priest typically bless the newlyweds but special guests are also encouraged to join in.

10. Talambralu

This marks the end of the ceremony where you bless each other by showering each other with rice, saffron, and turmeric. These are believed to rake in prosperity in your marriage.

11. Ashirwad

Now that the marriage is official, the newlyweds bow to the crowd as a show of gratitude for their presence and sitting witness to their union. The parents will offer their final blessing, usually through a tender embrace, before the couple steps down from the mandap to receive the blessings, or ashirwad, of their grandparents and elderly family members. The guests offer their own blessings by showering them with rice or flowers as they process up the aisle.

Catholic Wedding Ceremony Order

Photo by JFK Imagen

A Catholic ceremony is always held in a church. The Catholic Church believes that marriage , also known as the sacrament of matrimony, is a sacred covenant between the couple and God, and because God is present in the physical church, there is no other place to celebrate a blessed union. Outdoor Catholic wedding ceremonies just do not exist. (The architecture of churches is gorgeous though, so it's definitely an experience to witness weddings in beautiful, grand places of worship!) Also, couples do not write their own vows, and the marriage rites are often part of a bigger Catholic mass.

During Catholic weddings, the priest and the ministers often walk to the altar as part of the processional. When the priest arrives at the altar, that's when the wedding party follows. The groom enters followed by the best man, groomsmen, maid of honor , bridesmaids, ring bearer, flower girl, and bride escorted by her father.

2. Entrance Rites

Catholic weddings are often in the form of a mass , especially if both parties are Catholic. The priest begins with rites and a prayer. This is where the congregation joins in to sing or recite the Kyrie and the Gloria hymns.

3. Readings

To start off the Liturgy of the Word, designated guests or family members will be assigned readings from the Bible. One from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament, and the responsorial psalm that the guests will repeat in unison. Miller says that at least one of these readings will explicitly be about marriage .

If you are unable to fit all your loved ones into the bridal party, assign them to readings instead, which are a big part of the mass. Otherwise, assign them to bring gifts to the altar as part of the offertory.

Everyone rises as the priest reads a select passage from one of the gospels from the four evangelists Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. While gospel reading selections tend to be based on the liturgical calendar, the priest may opt to read a passage on marriage or love . The congregation remains standing until the gospel is finished.

Guests are seated while the priest interprets the gospel. This is also known as the sermon, where the priest gives a speech about marriage and says a little bit about the couple's union.

6. Rite of Marriage (Vows)

The Catholic Church has its own set of vows , no embellishments or personalization allowed. You could either memorize or read the vows off a book, or you could have the priest read them to you and respond with the classic "I do."

7. Ring Ceremony

This is where the ring exchange happens. The priest will bless the wedding rings with a prayer and a sprinkling of holy water. Then, each party will place the ring on the partner's finger. They will typically recite a version of, "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

8. Offertory

Usually set to a tune, select guests will walk down the aisle to offer gifts , while seated guests will be invited to offer donations to the church via a donation basket to be passed around. The couple usually chooses who to include in the offertory.

9. Liturgy of the Eucharist

This begins with the priest praying over bread and wine. It's believed to transform them into the Holy Eucharist, or the body and blood of Christ. The guests usually kneel and bow their heads during this part of the mass , which is considered to be the most sacred.

10. Lord's Prayer

This is where the congregation recites or sings the Lord's Prayer in unison. Everyone is encouraged to hold hands, but it's not mandatory.

11. Sign of Peace

The priest will offer guests peace and will encourage guests to do the same. Attendees turn to their neighbors and greet each other with a sign of peace, typically a handshake. You can offer a casual hello or simply say "peace be with you."

12. Holy Communion

This is where members of the congregation line up to receive the Holy Eucharist. The tradition represents the Last Supper where Jesus offered bread and wine to his disciples. Those who don't wish to be a part of it or those who haven't had confession in a while may stay in their seats.

13. The Kiss

A crowd favorite, this is where the priest tells the groom to kiss the bride. This symbolizes you are now officially married . The groom usually has to lift the veil before the kiss. If you want to make sure photos of this moment are just right, have the maid of honor or a bridesmaid make sure the veil is properly lifted.

14. Nuptial Blessing

The priest gives the final blessing to the members of the congregation. It's the same prayer that the priest recites at the end of every weekly mass. It ends with the priest saying, "Go in peace." The congregation responds with, "Thanks be to God."

15. The Recessional

The wedding party and the newlyweds walk down the aisle in reverse order of which they came in. Flower girls usually sprinkle petals as they walk down the aisle, or guests can be given either rice to throw or blow bubbles at the couple as they walk past.

Nondenominational Wedding Ceremony Order

 Photo by Nato Tuke

The ceremony order at nondenominational weddings is similar to traditional weddings but with a lot more flexibility for couples to put their own stamp on rituals. "The couple may choose to include a unifying ritual within the ceremony, such as a unity candle or similar ritual ," says Miller.

The groom and the groomsmen can choose to enter from the side and wait for the wedding party to walk down the aisle. If the groom chooses to lead the processional, he will be followed by the best man , groomsmen and bridesmaids (typically in pairs ), maid of honor, ring bearer and flower girl, and the bride with one or both parents.

2. Opening Remarks

The officiant gives the opening remarks and addresses the guests. There's usually a small introduction about the couple and what the gathering is about and what it means .

For non-religious ceremonies, you may assign guests to read prayers, your favorite passages from novels, favorite poems , or even meaningful quotes . It's up to you how many readings you want.

4. Unity Candle

Couples typically opt to light a unity candle during nondenominational ceremonies. As you light the candle, the officiant narrates the importance of the act as a symbol of commitment and unity.

5. Unifying Ritual

Nondenominational weddings are extremely customizable and couples may opt to personalize the unifying ritual based on their passions or based on something meaningful to their love. You may choose to do a handfasting ritual, jump the broom , pour sand , create a time capsule, or even plant a tree, among others.

6. Exchange of Vows

This is where the two of you exchange vows . Your vows can be personalized, memorized, or facilitated by the officiant. You can also opt to go the traditional route where you're asked the famous question of whether you take your partner to be your spouse in sickness and in health, and so on, for that perfect "I do" moment.

7. Exchange of Rings

After the vows, you each place a ring on the other's finger to symbolize your marriage. You may also opt to recite vows specific to the rings if you like, but it's not needed.

Ah, our favorite part, this is where you kiss. Congratulations, you are now newlyweds !

9. The Recessional

Now for the final bookend to the nuptial ceremony. The couple turns to face their adoring fans (beloved guests) for the first time as a wedded entity. They begin the walk back up the aisle with their wedding party following in reverse order of the processional. Guests may participate with an exit toss or simply cheer the newlyweds on with their blessings and happy exclamations.

The order of your wedding ceremony is largely determined by the type of ceremony you and your partner are having. But, whether it may be traditional, Jewish, Hindu, or Catholic, they all include some type of processional or entrance, prayer and readings, the exchange of some symbolic token, as well as a kiss!

In a traditional wedding ceremony, the processional begins with the bride's mother before the groom, best man, wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer follow. The bride , who is escorted by her father, is the last to make her way down the aisle. Other types of religious ceremonies, such as a Hindu wedding, have a slightly different processional order.

Traditionally, the groom stands on the right side of the altar with his best man directly beside him and the rest of his groomsmen following. With the bride on the left side, her maid or matron-of-honor stands directly next to her before the rest of her bridesmaids follow. While there are no rules when it comes to the order of your bridesmaids and groomsmen, considering the pairs who will walk down the aisle together may help the order fall into place.

A wedding ceremony will require three to four songs. The recessional and processional will require one song each, which will be in addition to the prelude music . You may also choose a specific tune for the bride's entrance or merge this with the processional song.

The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Guide

A Guide to Wedding Ceremony Order

Who Walks Down the Aisle and When

Everything to Know About Your Ceremony Exit

Writing Tips From Experts

How to Create a Unique Wedding Ceremony

How Long Should the Ceremony Last?

Tips for Writing the Perfect Program

Seating: Who Sits Where?

Modern Ways to Walk Down the Aisle

What Is a Unity Ceremony?

Creative Ideas to Personalize Your Ceremony

Questions to Ask Your Officiant

How Much Does an Officiant Cost?

How to Lead a Wedding Ceremony

How to Write Your Own Vows

Who Traditionally Goes First?

Quotes About Love to Get You Started

Traditional Vows to Inspire Your Own

Modern Vows That Are Unique

Unique Vow Ideas From TV Shows and Movies

Should You Exchange Vows Before the Ceremony?

The Best Vow Books to Keep Your Love Alive

How to Choose Music for Your Ceremony

Blessings and Prayers From Different Cultures and Religions

The Best Songs to Play While Guests Arrive

Non-Religious Readings We Love

The Best Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To

Incredible Altar Ideas

Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Aisle

Unique Chair Layouts

Stunning Ceremony Locations

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Ideas & Advice

Wedding tech.

The best wedding presentation ideas: a guide for your special day

Get the top tips to create an amazing wedding slideshow.

We've all been to a wedding ceremony where the couple puts together a wedding video or a PowerPoint to highlight special moments in their relationship. A wedding PowerPoint presentation is a fantastic way to bring your family and friends into your love story. 

That said, there are a few wedding presentation ideas and tips that can help ensure that you're creating a positive viewing experience for your loved ones. Here's everything you need to know about making a winning montage that will have your wedding guests wishing they brought extra Kleenex.

Planning in 5 steps

Creating the slideshow won't take much time; most programs like Canva feature drag and drop templates with easily editable transitions. Before jumping in, make sure you've done a bit of planning to ensure the end results match your vision for your wedding slideshow.

1. Pick Your Slideshow Maker 

Many freemium options can help you create wedding slideshow ideas with their built-in layouts and design templates. Here are a few of our favorites:

If you're used to using Powerpoint templates for school or work, this could be your best bet because chances are you already have the software and are familiar with how it works.

If you're not fond of using Powerpoint Presentation Templates, never fear! There are many more options, most of which are free to use.

Canva is easy-to-use graphic design software that offers both a free and premium pricing option.

Use Canva to generate perfect wedding presentation ideas by scrolling through the various wedding themes and bride and groom emoticons-it's so easy to use that it makes newbies into amateur designers! 

It also helps that there’s an app that you can have handy on your phone to access and edit designs on the go. You can even use Canva to design beautiful budget-friendly wedding invitations . 

Google Slides or Google Photos

Both Google Slides and Google Photos are free to use, making a photo slideshow for the big day as easy as click, drag, drop.

If you're already familiar with the Google Suite, this could be a no-brainer because you'll be able to skip any additional tutorials and get right to the fun stuff. This also frees up more time for other wedding planning to be done.

If you're a Mac user or a professional editor, iMovie has some really unique features that allow you to optimize transitions, audio, and video overlays. For anyone else, this could be a bit stickier to learn and use.

2. Pick a wedding slideshow template for length

If you're aiming for anything longer than 10-minutes, it's too long. 

We all have a limited attention span these days. Even if your wedding day is totally about you and your dream reception, try to distill it down to the most pivotal moments for your family members' sake. Picking a template that mirrors the length will help you stick to it and use only the very best material.

3. Collect video clips and photos

This is the fun part! You get to take a walk down memory lane and start generating wedding presentation ideas. Cut the photos with short 20-second video clips to keep them interesting.

Pro tip: Opt for clean, high-res photos versus the "artistic license" stylized formats or screenshots of your social media accounts. When displayed on a large-format screen, it can be pretty dull to look at bad-quality images. 

4. Add the most meaningful music

The music adds an emotional tone. Even plain wedding photos come alive and make us weep when paired with the 'perfect' Ed Sheeran song (pun intended). 

If there's a song that stands out, apply it to your slideshow - or edit a few verses of songs you love. It can help to interchange the tempo with a few 'peppier' options in between verses one, long slow song.

5. Automate it

If you don't want to make a big deal out of showing the slideshow at the wedding reception, you can always have the slideshow playing on loop in the background when people enter for dinner and then mute it for the remaining time. 

For any guests attending virtually, you can automate a premier time to livestream before your Lovecast event .

Make memories with your wedding livestream

Being apart from loved ones on your big day means you'll want to find creative ways to personalize their viewing experience so that they can feel part of the celebration. That's why more couples are choosing to livestream their wedding to bridge the distance with Lovecast. 

There are many ways loved ones can participate whether it's before with our video guest book or during by sending their supportive notes in the live chat.

Your remote guests will feel extra special when you include a symbolic photo or video of them in your wedding presentation that can be set to play automatically at the perfect moment during your livestreamed event. 

Feeling excited to get creating? Check out these featured couples for inspo and make sure to tag us on the big day on Instagram!

Lovecast  - A simple app for livestreaming your wedding

Invite all your friends and family to witness your special day!

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How to Add a Toast to the Couple in the Wedding Ceremony

A toast to the happy newlyweds isn’t just for the wedding reception. Often, couples ask if they can include a wedding toast in the ceremony.

But what to say in the wedding toast? What should be the order of the toast in the wedding ceremony? What about the logistics of getting everyone a drink in their hands?

I’ve thought it all through so you don’t have to. And I’ve done it many times. Here’s what works best when the happy couple want a toast right in their ceremony.

Make the toast just before the presentation of the couple

While I’m a huge fan of starting off the wedding ceremony with a bang , in the case of a toast, we want to be toasting the married couple. So that means we have to wait for them to be, um… married!

The toast will have to come after the Pronouncement of the couple as married. Which typically means it’s near the end of the ceremony anyway – a great place it, and a great way to transition from ceremonial formality to the party time!

That’s why I recommend giving the toast right at the end, moments before the Presentation of the couple as newly married.

When I add a toast to the wedding, the order of ceremony as we finish goes like this: the Signing of the Registry, then a few Closing Announcements, then the Toast, and then straight into the Presentation of the Couple for the first time.

This also takes care of a very crucial logistical challenge: getting a drink into every guest’s hands with the least amount of disturbance.

Distribute the glasses during the signing

Making the toast just after the Signing and Announcements means there’s time for ushers or venue staff to hand out drinks to everyone. And when this is done during the Signing and Announcements, it’s not distracting the guests or the couple from an important ceremonial element happening at the front.

The Signing of the Registry tends to be a bit less formal in terms of guests needing to pay attention. And the way I typically structure my ceremonies, the guests and wedding parties are usually chatting because the couple have already kissed and the guests have already cheered.  It’s a bit more on the rowdy side. So this is the perfect time to hand out drinks.

No Signing in your ceremony?

If there is no Signing in your ceremony, then I would recommend having the couple kiss, then moving straight into a few closing announcements about what’s happening next. And remember: the more servers handing out drinks, the more quickly everyone can get one and we can start our toast. Ask the couple to recruit as many servers as they can muster.

In a nutshell, whatever we choose to have going on up front while servers distribute glasses, we need to make sure it’s not something that will be marred by the hubbub of the serving of drinks. That’s why the Signing and/or Announcements are perfect here.

Now that everyone has a drink, it’s time to make our toast.

Keep the toast very short and sweet

The upcoming wedding reception is the time for long speeches and windy toasts. As the wedding officiant, we’re really just kicking off the party. The toast doesn’t need to be more than a few words and a brief well-wish for the newlyweds.

Here’s what I like to say.

Wedding Toast Example

“And now, friends and family if you’ll please raise your glasses, I’d like to make a toast: [Marrier 1] and [Marrier 2]: love, laughter, and happily ever after. To [Marrier 1] and [Marrier 2]!”

(As always, that scripting is yours to swipe and use. Feel free.)

We also need to plan for how the couple and the wedding party can immediately ditch their glasses so they’re not carrying them back up the aisle. Often, it means a server is standing just off to the side and collects the couple’s glasses right after they take that sip, and then collects the wedding parties’.

As discussed above, at this point I go right into the Presentation, which goes something like, “And now, please stand with us. It’s my honour to present to you for the very first time: [Marrier 1] and [Marrier 2] as husband and husband!” 

And off they all go up the aisle.

And that is when you, my officiant friend, finish the rest of your champagne. 😉

What To Read Next:

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Unique Wedding Ceremony Script Examples and Tips

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It gets more real the minute you try to the point where you have to write your wedding ceremony script. You are eventually getting married and you need a unique wedding ceremony script to help pivot the day. Depending on the tone you want to set, you may choose to write a fun, intimate, modern, or romantic wedding script.

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Fun Wedding Ceremony Script Example

annalenaholz_ via Instagram

A fun wedding ceremony script is one that’s carefree and has subtle jokes embedded in it. It’s the best wedding ceremony script to use for your wedding if you want to get a laugh from the guests. Traditional wedding script already creates the template for the funny wedding script , but with a twist. And that’s their creativity.

A good fun ceremony script begins to get creative right from the officiant’s speech. A joke here, a witty remark there. This continues at every stage and especially the vows, exchange of rings and pronouncements. A funny script can be well used for any ceremony.

Opening We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts. In this ceremony today we will witness the joining [NAME] and [NAME] in marriage. Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today. But today is also a celebration for the rest of us, for it is a pleasure for us to see love in bloom, and to participate in the union of two people so delightfully suited to one another. And to have a couple of cocktails in the process. So let’s get on with it already! Vows (face each other and hold hands)(repeat after me) I, [NAME] take you [NAME] to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. And I will trust you and honor you And I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully Through the best and the worst, Through the difficult and the easy. Whatever may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold So I give you my life to keep I Do’s [NAME] do you take [NAME] to be your awful wedded Husband/Wife? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, and be faithful to him/her?(“I do”) Do you promise to take out the trash and pick up your clothes off the floor?(“I do”) And Do you promise to love him/her even when he/she is cranky(“I do”) [NAME] do you take [NAME] to be your awful wedded Husband/Wife? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, and be faithful to him/her? (“I do”) Do you Promise not to whine at him/her when he/she forgets to take out the trash or pick up his clothes from the floor.(“I do”) And do you promise to love him/her after he/she has been out all night with the boys/girls.(“I do”) Ring Exchange (who has the rings) (repeat after me) There are 3 rings of marriage. The wedding ring, The Engagement ring and the suffering. We hope the latter can be held to a minimum. I [NAME], take thee, [NAME] to be my Husband/Wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live. Closing Comments To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together. And It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today. By the power vested in me I now pronounce you . . . . . . The Kiss You may kiss your HUSBAND/WIFE. I would Like to introduce the happy couple

Intimate Wedding Ceremony Script Sample

robdight via Instagram

An intimate wedding ceremony script is highly personalized and reflects the couple in totality. It sheds a light on the intensity of their love. Now, whether you’re having a traditional, non-traditional, secular or religious ceremony , an intimate script fits perfectly.

It begins with the officiant speech where they’d center their talks around the couple solely. Then you proceed to the readings where the couple picks out articles that they best relate with. Vows are another place that intimacy can be quite achieved. It’s always best you write your vows. Simply make it come from your heart and soul.

Processional Beginning of the Wedding Ceremony. Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the Bridal Party. Invocation Welcome, loved ones. We are gathered here today to join and in holy matrimony. Vows [NAME], I promise to cherish you always, to honor and sustain you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us. [NAME], I promise to cherish you always, to honor and sustain you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us. Ring Exchange And Declaration Of Intent May I please have the rings? With this ring I, [NAME], take you, [NAME], to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us. With this ring I, [NAME], take you, [NAME], to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us. Pronouncement By the power vested in me by American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife! Recessional End of the Wedding Ceremony.

Modern And Unique Wedding Ceremony Script

pablo_laguia via Instagram

Here you’ll find wedding ceremony script examples that are traditional, but with a twist. It may also be a refurbished or purely modern wedding ceremony script. The idea is to create something different from the norm. It may be a case of modernizing the script, totally ditching it or incorporating a new culture.

Take Meghan and Harry, for instance, their wedding ceremony script was modern. It was in every way multicultural and the vows were quite updated and modern. It was well geared towards equal partnership in marriage. Between your vows, ring exchange, and benediction, you could uniquely modernize your script.

Officiant: Good afternoon. [NAME], [NAME] and I would like to welcome everyone on this gorgeous day. It’s because of all of you—because of this strong community—[NAME] and [NAME]’s relationship has strengthened and grown and led them to this very moment. Thank you for being here, now let’s begin. [NAME] and [NAME], what you’ve accomplished here today is no small feat. Your journey began way before you sent out the invitations, chose this beautiful venue or even decided to spend the rest of your lives together. Your journey began the moment you first met. You took the time to learn what makes the other person smile, what makes them laugh and how to best support them when life is less than simple. And you welcomed each other’s families, communities and lifelong friends, and joined them together with warmth and enthusiasm. You built a new village with your love, and have worked every day to support this village as it changes and grows. Marriages bring hard days, just as they bring beautiful ones. This day is a reminder of what your love has already accomplished, and the amazing possibilities of what it can continue to accomplish and overcome in the many, many years ahead of you. As our reading today, [NAME] has asked her cousin to perform an original poem to honor their vows. Readings [NAME] and [NAME], please take each other’s hands and repeat after me: [NAME], I swear to you/ that I will dedicate my life from this day forward/ to filling our days with beauty and laughter./ I will celebrate your spirit and all of your accomplishments/ work to inspire you/ and be here to remind you of your beauty and strength./ I take you today as my partner/ my confidant/ my other half/ and I will love you for the rest of my life. (Officiant turns to [NAME] and repeats the vows) [NAME] and [NAME], do you take one another as partners, form this day forward, as husband and wife? Please yell a hearty “We do!” (Couple says “We do!”) And to everyone here, do you promise to stand by this couple, to remind them of their vows, and to act as an example of love and family? Please yell a hearty “We do!” (Crows says “We do!”) Exchange of Rings [NAME] and [NAME] have chosen these rings to represent the unbreakable circle of life and love. Please place them on each other’s ring fingers and repeat after me. I give you this ring/ to remind you of this day/ when in front of our closest community/ we vowed that our love can overcome all things/ that our love unites, inspires and celebrates/ and will continue do so for the rest of our lives. [NAME] and [NAME], it is with such joy that I now send you out into the world to spread the beautiful light that you share with those around you. By the power vested in me, I now, for the first time, pronounce you married. Now kiss and go celebrate!

Unique Vows For A Wedding Ceremony

gina.paulson via Instagram

Wedding vows are an important part of the wedding ceremony script. They are pledges you make to your partner. To support, respect, trust and stand with them through joys and sorrows. You must reevaluate what marriage means to you, your preferred script and your vows should reflect it. For instance, a wedding ceremony script for older couples will have vows that reaffirm love and devotion. A couple that wants a simple wedding ceremony could say traditional vows. A romantic couple will say vows with lines that serenade their love. It’s about what love and commitment mean to you as a couple.

“I promise to grow with you and support you, I promise to listen and share, And I promise to create, to explore, and be curious, In good times and in bad, I promise to love you, I will make sure there is always coffee, I promise to be my best for myself, for us, and for our future together.”

“If you grow weak, I’ll be there to fight your battle for you. I’ll help you with your responsibilities and make your problems my own in order to spread the weight a bit more evenly. If you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, I’ll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you.”

“I love you, I knew it the minute I met you. I’m sorry it took so long for me to catch up, I just got stuck.”

“Today, I take my place as your husband/wife. May our days be long, and may they be seasoned with faith, love understanding and respect forever and ever. Today is the beginning of the rest of our lives. I choose to spend today, and all of my tomorrows, with you.”

“Lets build a home of laughter, love and support. Let us create a warm and welcoming space for the good times and the bad. Let us be a home for each other, forever and ever.”

How To Make A Unique Wedding Ceremony Script?

For every officiant or couple who chooses to write their script, here are some helpful tips to guide you.

• Study and make a template structure from the traditional wedding ceremony script. When you’ve done this, twist it into the style of the script you want. For instance, you could keep all headings the same, but the content is what makes your script different. Structure and content are what moves a script from religious to traditional, funny to romantic and more. You can also incorporate new ideas at appropriate points to give it some more personalization.
• Tell a story, regardless of the kind of script and keep it simple. If it’s a funny wedding ceremony script, it can start with the officiant. The celebrant tells a funny story about the couple. Probably what they mean to him/her, and their loved ones, and it goes from there. This is a great way to put the couple in the minds of the guests.
• Whatever you do in the script, either as an officiant or couple, it must be solely concentrated on the couple. The day is about them, so keep the spotlight on them even in the script.
• Have some consideration for the audience, as they also matter. Even as the day is about the couple, the audience should also be well considered. Make sure to avoid speeches, rituals or additions that will make the majority uncomfortable. Again, keep the script within a reasonable time limit so you don’t wear the guests out.
• Proofread your script and run it by another ear, and a mock audience. Something that may have seemed great to you could be bland to an unknown audience. You never know how well or great a script is until it’s been well vetted by an unbiased audience.
• Edit, a final copy, and print.

A unique wedding ceremony script is one that succinctly defines the couple, the wedding tone, and their outlook on love. It also outrightly tells guests what to expect even from the first speech. Here we have different types of wedding ceremony scripts perfect for any kind of wedding, regardless of culture and religion. From funny, to romantic, intimate, and down to unique wedding vows, there’s something for everyone. And if you want to try at writing a wedding ceremony script, you’d find the right tips for you.

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Wedding Reception Introductions for Every Type of Couple

It's time to introduce the wedding couple and wedding party. Don't worry — we've got every type of couple covered so you can introduce them the right way.

Judit is a freelance writer and certified wedding specialist with published work that's featured in several digital publications. In addition to wedding planning, Judit has published several photography books, and writes on other topics such as religion, language, and more.

Learn about our Editorial Policy .

It's kind of a huge moment: the first time a couple is introduced as a married pair. It's good to spend a little time deciding how to be introduced at your wedding reception or how a couple would prefer to be announced if you'll be doing the honors. This will totally set the stage for how people will refer to the newlyweds going forward.

The wedding reception introduction of newlyweds, their bridal party, and important family members is a tradition that's still observed at many weddings, and it's actually quite functional. It is a formal way of introducing the bride and groom (or bride and bride or groom and groom) as a married couple, along with what they are going to be called from now on.

Examples for Newlywed Introductions

Whether traditional, modern, or creative, the best introduction is the one that caters to the couple. Ask and confirm how they want to be addressed when introduced and then follow through.

• 3 Sample Wedding Reception Dinner Prayers (+ Helpful Tips)
• Wedding Toast Examples for a Speech They'll Remember
• Thoughtful Wedding Gifts From the Groom's Parents

If you're the couple and are looking for the right intro, know that you can request a specific one. You've got options here. Last names may be taken, compounded, merged, or kept, and people work hard to earn their titles and degrees.

It's really important to do your best to get all the details right: from last names to proper pronunciation to titles to the format in which they want to be introduced. It will mean a lot to the couple and the people who love them.

Traditional Intros for the Bride and Groom

Timeless and functional, traditional bride and groom introductions are a simple and classic way to infer that the bride is changing her name. These are basically worded the good old-fashioned way that you've probably heard at lots of weddings over the years.

• May I please have your attention as we welcome the new Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Johnson? Please join me in congratulating the happy couple!
• It is my great honor and happy privilege to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. Adam and Bella Bowers! Let's welcome them with a round of applause!
• Let us welcome for the very first time as husband and wife, Charles and Ellen Carlysle! Please give them your heartfelt applause!

Gender-Neutral Introductions

In a time of marriage equality and egalitarian marriages, all kinds of couples are favoring introductions that place both partners in equal standing. These introductions are neutral and respectful of each individual's preference regarding last names and gender roles.

• It is with great joy that I now introduce to you the newly married couple Mr. Steven Darcy and Ms. Dana Thompson! Let's give them a standing ovation!
• It's a true honor for me to introduce to you the newlyweds Amelia and Elise Estevez-Mark! Let's offer them the warmest welcome!
• Ladies and gentlemen, let us raise our glasses and welcome the newly united couple, Finn and Skylar!

Traditional Intros for LGTBQ Couples

If union and marriage were the same, the fight for equal marriage would not have existed. After all that struggle, why shy away from being introduced as wife and wife or husband and husband or simply as spouses?

Couples all over are enjoying traditional introductions, knowing full well it is a right that's hard-earned.

• Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the newly married husbands, Mr. and Mr. Silas and William Jacobson!
• Let's offer the warmest applause to Sarah and Rebecca Gibson-Thomas in their first appearance as newly wedded wives!
• Now, for the first time as a married couple, let's give it up for Taylor and Skye!!

Creative Introductions

A creative introduction truly reflects the couple. Have fun creating something special that matches their interests and likes.

• With stars in their eyes, they danced into each other's hearts. Let's dazzle them with applause as Mr. and Mrs. James and Ashley Smith make their first appearance as husband and wife!
• She is sugar, he is salt; she is zest, he is piquant... starting their marriage with lots of flavor, let's give Mr. and Mrs. Aaron and Kathy Puck a taste of our love!
• They walk in beauty, and carry each other in their hearts, as they start writing their very own marriage epic! Let's welcome Bill and Owen Morison!
• Beginning the journey of a lifetime, let's give it up for our globe-trotting brides, Mrs. Amy Newton and Mrs. Kristen Hill!
• Wild horses couldn't keep them apart! Let's offer a standing ovation to the couple that tamed each other, the newly married Madison and Adam Mendez!
• Globalization never looked this good! Let's offer multilingual applause for our international couple Lee Min Soo and Sven Levi!!
• They searched their feelings. He loves her; she knows. The circle is now complete. Please raise your light sabers for Jana and Will Olson!! May the force be with them, as is our thunderous applause!
• Roses are red, violets are blue, let's clap for newlyweds, Jenny and Hugh!
• With a round of applause, let's two-step and boogie for our disco-loving diva and her rootin' tootin' husband - Emma and Scott Weston!
• With a love that goes on and on, far beyond pi, these two add up like sine squared plus cosine squared... please stand perpendicular for the one and only Rose and Grace Allen!

How to Offer a Wedding Reception Introduction

Wedding reception introductions are usually offered by the wedding DJ or an emcee. This act opens the activities of the wedding reception, and it serves to offer formal introduction of the couple, bridal party, and their parents to the wedding guests. This is where you get to have fun.

• Wedding Reception Timeline & Template to Plan Your Day

Follow the Basic Order

A wedding introduction typically follows a standard format.

• Parents of the bride: Parents can walk in together as spouses if still married, individually if widowed or divorced, or with escorts of their choice.
• Parents of the groom : Introduce all parents by name and role, i.e.: Mr. Stan Neville, father of the groom, and Mrs. Ella Neville, mother of the groom.
• Wedding party: Introduced after the parents, call each member of the wedding party by name and role (use full names in formal events). If the couple requests it, include a brief "how they are related/how long have they known the bride/groom" story in the wedding party introduction.
• Newlyweds: This is the most anticipated and the most important introduction. This introduction is last and the most enthusiastic of all. Make it count!

Usually, all members to be introduced wait outside the reception until presented by the emcee. As they are introduced, the wedding party enters the reception and takes their seats. Once the parents and bridal party have taken their places, it is time for the newly wedded couple to enter the reception. The emcee then calls attention to the arrival of the couple, announces their names, and invites guests to offer congratulatory clapping.

Add a Fun Twist

Dancing numbers and all kinds of fun variations are now taking the place of the formal "walk over to your place" introduction. However, the basics remain: those who are taking their place do (usually parents) and those who are staging something fun take their spot in the limelight to the rhythm of the perfect tune .

Parents and Wedding Party Are Optional

Not all introductions include parents, and some don't even include a wedding party! This has much more to do with local customs, usage, and the actual shape and form of the wedding in question and much less to do with the "right" way to do this. There's no wrong way, as long as the couple is happy. Feel free to modify the tradition to suit the couple's preferences.

More People Can Be Added

You can add in grandparents, ushers, flower girls, children, and whoever is close and dear to the couple's heart. They can line up and make an entrance, or you can just give them a shout out to their tables. This last option is particularly useful for people who have mobility issues.

The Only Must Are the Newlyweds

If there is no wedding party, you don't need to announce it. Even if there is, if logistics or preference dictate otherwise, couples may choose to omit their introduction. If there are no parents attending or if it's not common to introduce them in your social circle, there is no need for that either.

The local customs can also be a factor, but again, it's all about personal preference. If you live in an area where parents are not usually introduced but the couple wants to do it, go right ahead. Conversely, even if you live in an area where parents are usually announced, the couple may choose not to do it.

Etiquette Tips for Wedding Introductions

When it comes to introducing the couple, you'll need to keep etiquette in mind to avoid a faux pas. Nobody wants this moment to be awkward, but it won't be with these tips.

• Wedding Etiquette for Parents of the Groom

Use the Couple's Titles if They Want

When introducing a new couple at a wedding reception, it's super important that the DJ or emcee understands their titles and how they wish to be introduced. If one spouse or the other has a formal title, such as a doctoral degree, military rank, judge's position, or ministry position, it is important to use it in the introduction.

• Dr. Ella Stewart and Mr. Samuel Carson / Dr. Ella Carson and Mr. Samuel Carson (if she changes her last name)
• Reverend Steve Wallace and Mrs. Andrea Wallace
• Congresswoman Virginia Forrester and Dr. Terrence Volks
• Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Thomas Howard

When you're introducing a couple with titles or ranks, the higher ranked individual precedes the other . This trumps gender or any other form of assigning order.

Know What the Couple Is Doing With Last Names

Many partners choose to keep their former last name or hyphenate their new last names instead of taking their spouse's name. Ask what the plans are, and introduce each spouse using their proper last name, such as Ms. Lila Smith-Williams and Mr. Christopher Williams.

It's totally normal to encounter situations where couples have decided to combine their last names, whether by creating a new one with both their surnames or hyphenating. In these cases, you should usually use alphabetical order of first names and then the combined last name, but of course, the couple always has the last word. Sometimes, it just sounds better the other way!

Keep Complicated Parent Issues in Mind

If the couple's parent situation is outside of the traditional, there might be a few situations to deal with. Parents may be widowed, divorced, remarried, or dating. There might even be adoptive parents and biological parents, all divorced and remarried! So how do you go about introducing them at the wedding reception? These tips can help:

• If a parent is single/divorced/widowed and entering unescorted, introduce them by name and role. For example: Mrs. Sally O'Neil, mother of the bride.
• If a parent is divorced and escorted by a significant other, introduce them by name and role, plus in the company of, plus name (role is optional). For example: Mr. Philip Rios, father of the bride, in the company of his wife/partner/girlfriend, Ms. Anna Harrington.
• If a parent remarried and the stepparent helped raise the marrying person, they could be introduced as: Mr. Chuck Oster, father of the groom, and Mrs. Angela Oster, stepmother of the groom.

Single, divorced, and widowed parents may be escorted by other members of the bridal party or even close family and friends. Divorced parents may not be on friendly terms. Stepparents may not always be welcomed. Do not assume, and do not force situations. But also, don't overthink it. Keep the introduction simple, to the point, and always double check with the couple. Always take the feelings of everyone into account, and when in doubt, ask again.

Don't Announce Deceased Parents Unless the Couple Wishes

Generally, parents who have passed away are not introduced. The very logistics of this being an introduction of people attending the wedding dictate it this way. However, the couple may choose to make a commemorative mention at some point during the reception.

One great option is to include a note in the wedding program in memoriam of the deceased parent. They might also have a special element as part of the ceremony or maybe even an honorary place in the reception. Some couples choose to mention lost loved ones in words during grace and even offer a wedding toast in their memory. There are many ways to honor those who have passed in a wedding, but the introduction of the couple at the reception is not necessarily the best place.

Keep It Short and Sweet

When introducing a couple at their wedding reception, whether they come on their own or with an entourage, consider that this is just the beginning of the reception. They already had an emotional ceremony, maybe a couple of drinks during cocktail hour, and now they are getting ready to enjoy a little dinner and party the night away (with a host of other activities in between).

If people are attending the wedding, they are already familiar with who is who, at least from the invites and the program, so keep the wedding reception introductions fun, tactful, and to the point, unless the couple directs you otherwise. With that in mind, have fun and enjoy the privilege!

20+ Wedding PowerPoint Presentation Ideas & Templates

Whether you’re planning your own dream wedding, organizing the wedding of another couple, or putting together a presentation to share your romantic story with family and friends and reminisce for years to come, a slideshow can be a brilliant tool to help you bring your ideas together.

But of course, for such an important day, your template needs to be perfect – and that’s why we’ve hunted down the very best romantic wedding slideshow ideas and wedding PowerPoint templates for brides, couples, and professional wedding planners to use!

From delicate florals and pastel tones to earthy color schemes and minimalistic layouts, there’s a style to suit every kind of wedding, and we’ve included options from both free and premium sources. Without further ado, let’s take a look at our selection of wedding PowerPoint templates!

2 Million+ PowerPoint Templates, Themes, Graphics + More

Download thousands of PowerPoint templates, and many other design elements, with a monthly Envato Elements membership. It starts at $16 per month, and gives you unlimited access to a growing library of over 2,000,000 presentation templates, fonts, photos, graphics, and more.

BeMind Minimal Template

Maximus Template

Ciri Template

Business PPT Templates

Corporate & pro.

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Clean & clear.

Explore PowerPoint Templates

Love Story – Wedding PowerPoint Template

Is your wedding or anniversary celebration formal and sophisticated? Then the Love Story Wedding PowerPoint Presentation template makes a great choice. Its clean and creative layouts cover over 50 unique slides. This PPT wedding template also comes with 500+ scalable vector icons that make your slides even more engaging.

The Wedding PowerPoint Template

Want something romantic, yet playful? Check out the Wedding PowerPoint Template. Hand-drawn icons and illustrations come together in one unique wedding PowerPoint background presentation. Choose from the five premade color schemes or make your own that fit your wedding slideshow ideas. You get 30 unique slide layouts and all slide animations and transitions already built in, which saves you a ton of time.

Simple Wedding PowerPoint Template

Childhood and courtship photos take center stage in this wedding PowerPoint theme, with its creative use of image masks. It comes with 30 unique bride slides and six premade color schemes. Drag and drop your images into the placeholders. Easily change colors—this wedding PowerPoint theme is fully customizable.

Hansen – Wedding PowerPoint Template

Wow your guests with the unique and creative layouts of the Hansen wedding presentation template. It comes with 30 slide layouts and five color variations. Use one of the handcrafted infographics to tell your love story. All graphic elements in this wedding PPT are resizable and editable in PowerPoint. Adding your own pictures into the placeholders is drag-and-drop easy.

Wedding Organizer PowerPoint Template

This is a wedding PowerPoint template that can share your love story with attendees. This template has 60 unique wedding slides. It also comes with icons you can use in your wedding presentation PPT. You can play around with the different layouts as well as with the dark mode slide designs.

Lovely Wedding PowerPoint Template

If you’re looking for elegance in your wedding slide backgrounds, look no further than the above-featured product. It’s another wedding slideshow template that’s got a high-end look and feel. Easily showcase photos from your big day. Use the links to get the elegant fonts in this wedding presentation PPT.

Lyana – Wedding PowerPoint Template

With the help of the Lyana template, you’ll be able to create a beautiful and minimalist wedding photo slideshow. Complement your relationship’s photos with written details about your wedding. This is a great way to create a journal about your wedding. If that’s something you’d like to do, consider this wedding PowerPoint background.

Elegant Wedding PowerPoint Template

These professionally designed slides make a stunning wedding PPT presentation. The overlay picture effects will have guests wondering if you hired a professional slide designer. And the built-in slide animation will make the PowerPoint wedding photo slideshow look virtually like a video. These wedding PPT templates will be easy to customize with your own color scheme and graphic elements.

Wedding Planner PowerPoint Template

This wedding PowerPoint template is perfect for couples that want slides that pop. Easily change the size and color of all graphic elements to suit the newlyweds and wedding ceremony. Using only free fonts, this theme provides everything you need for a stunning wedding presentation. You know that free wedding PowerPoint templates can’t compare to this one.

Weddio – Wedding PowerPoint Template

For the ultimate elegant PPT, look no farther than the Weddio wedding PowerPoint slideshow template. It includes 31 unique wedding slides and completely customizable colors. You can experiment with the different image masks and layouts for your wedding slideshow ideas. If a minimal style is what you’re after, try out this subdued wedding PowerPoint theme.

Brides – Wedding PowerPoint Template

Brides is a brand new wedding slideshow template. This wedding slideshow stands out with its clean, modern and minimalist design. It’s perfect if you work as photographer and you need to do a wedding photo slideshow.

Minimal Wedding PowerPoint Template

This wedding planner PowerPoint presentation is perfect for event organizers. Save hours of your time with this wedding PowerPoint theme and easily customize it for your clients.

Qawen – Wedding PowerPoint Template

A big part of every wedding are the photos. If you’re a professional photographer, or you wish to show your wedding photos to your loved ones, this wedding photo slideshow is for you. This wedding PowerPoint background theme is professionally designed to present images. Free wedding PowerPoint templates won’t offer you what this wedding slideshow has.

Wedding Lookbook PowerPoint Template

This is a wedding PowerPoint template with a classic design. This template has 36 total wedding slide backgrounds that you can use for your presentation. Easily add any image you want by dragging and dropping the image into the image placeholder. If you’re after the best wedding PowerPoint examples, this template is one of them.

Violetta – Wedding PowerPoint Template

Violetta wedding presentation template has an elegant design that comes in both light and dark versions. This template comes with over ten color schemes to choose from and over eighty icons that you can use in your presentation. Violetta has 64 total bride slides including over 35 masters. Use it for yourself or as a wedding planner PowerPoint presentation template.

Moment – Wedding PowerPoint Template

Show off childhood photos of the happy couple in the elegant design of Moment Wedding Presentation Template. It offers 68 unique slide layouts with a choice of light or dark color schemes. Of course, you can easily change it to match the ceremony’s color motif because this template uses master slides. And the wedding slideshow template comes to life with custom animation and transitions pre-made for each slide.

This simple PowerPoint template doesn’t look like a wedding PPT template at first glance. But when you take a closer look, you’ll notice it’s a great choice for wedding photo slideshows. It features a photography-based layout. Easily add your best wedding photos along with a few lines that describe that perfect moment.

Kumea – Wedding PowerPoint Template

Thanks to its high-end look and feel, the Kumea template lends itself well to the best wedding slideshows. Easily create full picture slides as well as combination wedding slide backgrounds with both photos and text. There’s no doubt Kumea should be one of your options if you need a wedding presentation PPT.

Lovera – Wedding PowerPoint Template

This template can be used as a wedding planner PowerPoint presentation template. It has 30 different slides that you can add information or pictures to. The Lovera PowerPoint template has a nice clean design that goes with any wedding theme.

Free Wedding PowerPoint templates

Rochester – free wedding powerpoint template.

Rochester is a free and elegant template for Google Slides or PowerPoint. It works for a presentation, school lesson or assignment about classic literature. It’s also perfect for planning a wedding or if you are a wedding planner, you can use Rochester to present your proposal.

Celebrations – Free Wedding PowerPoint Template

This Google Slides, and PowerPoint theme is perfect for celebrations; you can use it for a baby shower, an engagement party, or even a wedding.

Wedding Love – Free PowerPoint Template

This free template is a beautiful and simple design for PPT presentations. This wedding template can be used by wedding planners but also by companies who offer or distribute products for weddings.

Dream Love – Free Wedding PowerPoint PowerPoint Template

This is a lovely wedding themed template with pink toned colors and images. It includes diagrams, charts, and icons. Download free Dream Love template for Powerpoint and Google Slides.

I love You – Free Wedding PowerPoint PowerPoint Template

I Love You Template is a free PowerPoint background that you can download for love presentations, wedding as well as anniversary or engagement. This free PPT template is also good for couples falling in love as well as other presentations on love.

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Most chosen wedding ring material among men in Japan 2023

The most popular precious metal chosen for men's wedding rings in Japan was platinum in 2023. Estimations based on a survey among newly wedded men revealed that over 78 percent of wedding rings were made of platinum.

Most common material chosen for men's wedding rings in Japan as of June 2023

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October 2023

April 14 to June 7, 2023

Postal questionnaire

*Figures are based on a survey among a magazine "Zexy" readers and online members across 46 prefectures who held a wedding ceremony or a reception between April 2022 and March 2023. The national total is a weighted estimate based on the number of marriages in each prefecture and represents the share of people who have bought a wedding ring.

Other statistics on the topic

Demographics

• Average age at marriage in England and Wales 1851-2020, by gender
• Marriage rate worldwide 2018, by country

Family & Friends

• Highest expenditure on weddings 2019, by country
• Lowest marriage rate worldwide 2018, by country

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Statistics on " Marriage and weddings in the UK "

• Number of marriages in the UK 1887-2020
• Marriage rate of opposite-sex couples in England and Wales 1862-2020, by gender
• Number of people marrying an opposite-sex partner England and Wales 2020, by age
• Number of people marrying a same-sex partner England and Wales 2020, by age
• Marital status of people in England and Wales 2002-2022
• Number of marriages in England and Wales 1962-2020, by type of ceremony
• Most popular wedding month England and Wales 2019-2020
• Most popular wedding day England and Wales 2020
• Most popular wedding dates England and Wales 2019
• Number of civil partnerships in the UK 2005-2021
• Average wedding cost in the United Kingdom (UK) 2020-2023
• Average wedding costs in the United Kingdom (UK) 2022, by spending category
• Average spend on wedding necessities in the UK 2019-2021, by type
• Biggest challenges of wedding planning in the United Kingdom (UK) 2021
• Most popular honeymoon destinations in the United Kingdom (UK) 2022
• Most commonly hired wedding suppliers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2020, by type
• Number of divorces in the UK 1858-2020
• Divorce rate in Great Britain 1950-2021
• Average age at divorce in England and Wales 2000-2019, by gender
• Number of civil partnership dissolutions in the UK 2007-2021
• Number of countries that permit same-sex marriage 2022, by continent

Other statistics that may interest you Marriage and weddings in the UK

Marriage demographics

• Basic Statistic Number of marriages in the UK 1887-2020
• Basic Statistic Marriage rate of opposite-sex couples in England and Wales 1862-2020, by gender
• Premium Statistic Average age at marriage in England and Wales 1851-2020, by gender
• Basic Statistic Number of people marrying an opposite-sex partner England and Wales 2020, by age
• Basic Statistic Number of people marrying a same-sex partner England and Wales 2020, by age
• Basic Statistic Marital status of people in England and Wales 2002-2022

Weddings & Civil Partnerships

• Basic Statistic Number of marriages in England and Wales 1962-2020, by type of ceremony
• Basic Statistic Most popular wedding month England and Wales 2019-2020
• Basic Statistic Most popular wedding day England and Wales 2020
• Basic Statistic Most popular wedding dates England and Wales 2019
• Basic Statistic Number of civil partnerships in the UK 2005-2021

Costs and planning

• Premium Statistic Average wedding cost in the United Kingdom (UK) 2020-2023
• Premium Statistic Average wedding costs in the United Kingdom (UK) 2022, by spending category
• Premium Statistic Average spend on wedding necessities in the UK 2019-2021, by type
• Premium Statistic Biggest challenges of wedding planning in the United Kingdom (UK) 2021
• Premium Statistic Most popular honeymoon destinations in the United Kingdom (UK) 2022
• Premium Statistic Most commonly hired wedding suppliers in the United Kingdom (UK) 2020, by type
• Basic Statistic Number of divorces in the UK 1858-2020
• Premium Statistic Divorce rate in Great Britain 1950-2021
• Premium Statistic Average age at divorce in England and Wales 2000-2019, by gender
• Basic Statistic Number of civil partnership dissolutions in the UK 2007-2021

International Comparisons

• Basic Statistic Marriage rate worldwide 2018, by country
• Basic Statistic Lowest marriage rate worldwide 2018, by country
• Basic Statistic Number of countries that permit same-sex marriage 2022, by continent
• Basic Statistic Highest expenditure on weddings 2019, by country

Further Content: You might find this interesting as well

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 1

The ring is an ancient symbol, so perfect and simple.

It has no beginning and has no end.

It is round like the sun, like the moon, like the eye, like arms that embrace.

It is a circle; for love that is given comes back round again.

Your rings are precious because you wear them with love.

They symbolize your commitment in marriage.

They remind you of who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going.

As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are as individuals, but also who you are a couple.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 2

These rings are made of precious metals; purified by the heat of many fires.

They are a symbol of the wealth that resides inside each of you and the purity of your love for one another.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 3

Though we have heard the vows, which have been shared by BRIDE and GROOM, words, once spoken, are carried away on the wind.

Therefore, the wedding ring is a visible symbol of the promises that have been made.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 4

The circle has frequently been used to symbolize eternity.

The ring, like the circle, is a reminder of the perfection and endurance of BRIDE and GROOM’s commitment to and love for one another.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 5

These rings represent the vows and promises you’ve willingly exchanged.

They reflect the commitment those words inspire and all your hopes and dreams for the future.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 6

Let us now have the rings brought forward and presented by the ring-bearer.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 7

May these rings symbolize your inherent wholeness and unity with one another, giving you the strength to happily honor your commitments to each other.

May they remind you that marriage is not a destination but a journey, with no beginning and no end, just a moment to moment opportunity to love and be loved to the best of your ability.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 8

Throughout human tradition, when you make a pledge, it has been deemed good to have a token to remind you of that pledge.

For this purpose you have chosen rings.

They are appropriate to the task because they are circles never ending, like the promises you make to each other today.

And they are made of precious metal, never to be tarnished, like the love you have expressed before me and these witnesses.

Please take these rings and honor each other in their giving.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 9

A circle is the ancient symbol of wholeness and peace.

It also represents the boundaries beyond which the special ness of a particular relationship does not extend.

In the form of a ring the circle is the accepted token of a marriage covenant.

As these rings are fashioned from one of the earth’s most precious materials, so may your love, nourished and sustained by the love of God, be the most precious and durable of the values you share.

In giving and receiving these rings, you again acknowledge that your lives remain joined in one unbroken circle, wherever you go, you will always return to your shared life together.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 10

The wedding ring is a symbol of married love, the precious metals show that your love is your most precious possession, and the unending circle symbolizes that your love may never cease.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 11

Marriage is a state in which two people come together and create a union that is greater than the sum of its parts.

It is difficult to express in words the profound relationship that is love.

Since the beginning of time, the ring has been an emblem of the sincerity and permanence of a couple’s love for one another and regard for their marriage.

As the circle can begin anew at any point, so a good marriage can pick any point to renew itself.

These rings are symbols of your eternal love.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 12

The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love.

Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver.

May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 13

I hold in my hand two beautiful rings, symbolic of a binding contract, to be given and received as bonds of never-ending love and devoted friendship, circles of life and circles of love.

May these rings be blessed as the symbol of this affectionate unity.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 14

Bless, O Lord, these rings to be signs of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other. Amen.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 15

What token of your devotion do you offer your beloved?

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 16

May the Lord bless these rings which you give as your sign of love and devotion. Amen.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 17

Now with these rings, symbolizing the continuous circle of unity and love with the marriage relationship, and ultimately symbolizing the unity and wholeness within the Self, BRIDE and GROOM will finalize their vows.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 18

From the earliest of times, the circle has been a symbol of completeness, a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolized a commitment of love that is also never ending.

As often as either of you looks at this symbol, I hope that you will be reminded of these commitments to one another, which you make today.

May these rings be blessed by God as the changeless symbol of this affectionate unity.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 19

The giving and receiving of rings is the most important part of a marriage ceremony, because the rings are made in the symbol of that which is eternal.

There is no beginning and no end, and as you place these symbols on each other’s finger, it signifies that there shall be no end to your marriage, and no end to the happiness that you will both share together.

But let me remind you that these are also the special symbols you will wear before the world, certainly when you go back to your family, and friends, and co-workers. In fact, you will notice the response when you walk away from this beautiful place tonight.

For when people look at you, they will look at your hand and notice the ring on your finger.

They will know that you belong to someone special and that someone special belongs to you.

Everyday for the rest of your lives, every time you wash your hands or reach out to touch each other, these rings will be there to remind you of the great love that you share and of the wonder that the person standing in front of you loves you as much as you love them.

So when you place these rings upon each other’s fingers, wear them with love and with honor.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 20

Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 21

These rings mark a new beginning in your journey together, filled with wonder, surprise, laughter, tears, celebration, grief and joy.

Let us pray: Bless, O god, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may live in your peace and realized potential.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 22

These rings are made of precious metal, but they are made more precious by your wearing them, for they will adorn your loving hands.

May they be a symbol of your eternal love for one another.

As you wear them, may they be a constant reminder to you of one another, and of the deep bond of faith, trust and love which they represent.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 23

Rings are very large in their significance.

They are made of precious metal, which symbolizes that your love is the most precious element in each other’s life.

The ring has no beginning and no ending, which symbolizes that the love between the two of you will never cease.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 24

May I have the rings.

Let us pray.

Bless, O Lord, the giving and receiving of these rings.

May BRIDE and GROOM abide in Thy peace and grow in their knowledge of Your presence through their loving union.

May the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of their endless love and serve to remind them of the holy covenant they have entered into today to be faithful, loving, and kind to each other.

Dear God, may they live in Your grace and be forever true to this union. Amen.”

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 25

The ring is the symbol of the commitment which binds these two together.

There are two rings because there are two people, each to make a contribution to the life of the other, and to their new life together.

Let us pray:

Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide together in your peace and grow in one another’s eyes.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 26

Father, bless these rings which BRIDE and GROOM have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts.

As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them here.”

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 27

The circle has long been a symbol of God.

Without beginning or end and with no point of weakness, the circle is a reminder of the eternal quality of God and of unending strength.

Let the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of your endless love.

Your wedding rings are most special because they say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bonded, to allow the presence of another human being to enhance who you are.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 28

At this time will you take out the rings you have for each other.

As you wear these things, they will speak to the community you live in, the people you work with, and strangers you run across.

The ring is a symbol which proclaims to the world that you share a love with another and that you are deeply connect in the bond of marriage.

We know what it means when other people see your wedding ring, but before you exchange your rings, I want you to listen to what these ring will speaks to you.

As you go from this celebration with the ring on your finger, allow it to remind you of this day.

Allow it to awaken the deep passionate feelings that are stirring in your hearts at this moment.

Let it remind you of the love that you have just professed with your vows.

But also allow it to speak of more than just symbolism.

Your ring should not only remind you of what you already feel.

Hear the ring’s plea for action.

Hear how it whispers to once again profess your love to your spouse.

Listen to its call to live out your love by doing romantic acts, thoughtful gestures, and caring deeds.

Let it be a reminder that love needs to be offered and not just felt.

When others see the ring they will know you’re married. When you see your ring and when you feel it on your hand, you should be reminded that your love needs to displayed and conveyed in action.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 29

BRIDE and GROOM, you have just made promises love and devotion to each other.

These rings are symbols of the those vows you have just spoken.

Words are intangible and difficult to hold onto, so the rings becomes a vessel which will hold the words you have given to one another.

The words of loving and cherishing,” for better and for worse,” honor and respecting,” are now encased in the ring. It is a physical way to hold on to the promises made to you.

When you first put on a new ring it feels unnatural. You feel the weight and you hear it clank against objects.

It’s a foreign object on your hand.

But then there is a shift that happens.

You become comfortable with the ring. It begins to mold your finger and feel comfortable until the day it just becomes a part of your hand.

The ring is no longer a piece of jewelry that you wear.

It becomes an extension of your hand.

So this ring that embodies your vows…your promises eventually becomes an extension of your hand. In other words, you become your ring….you become your vows.

At first, the ring is a symbol of the vows you have made…it contains them, but during that change when the ring begins to mold to your finger, you become the ring, because you begin to embody the vows.

Instead of the ring being only a symbol of the the promise to love and cherish” you become the love and you display the action of one who cherishes.

You are no longer holding onto promises of sticking around through better and worse, but you begin to live it out….You hold on…you work through.

You take on the process of honoring and respecting that you said you would.

As you place the rings on each other’s finger, the ring is a symbol, a promise, that one day…many days…many years… you will fulfill.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 30

At this time will you take out the rings you have for each other, for these rings will be a visible sign of the vows you have made.

The hand you place this ring on will not stay the same.

In time, wrinkles will form, calluses will come and go, and different scars may appear.

Not only will each of you change physically over time, but internally you will change as well. Your ideals, values, hopes may evolve.

Things that are important to you today may not be the same over time.

In 10, 20, 30 years you will change, but your rings, which represent your vows, will be constant.

The promises to love, cherish, and respect one another no matter what life brings or what paths you take will always be worn around your finger.

Your love will be constant as you walk together into the unknown.

Your rings and your vows will cling to your finger and hold you together no matter what may come

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 31

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity.

It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love.

And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you GROOM, may place a ring on the finger of your bride

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 32

The wedding ring is justly regarded as a fitting emblem of the purity and perpetuity of marriage.

It is symbolic of the circle of eternity, as it is so fashioned as to have neither beginning nor end; while gold is so incorruptible that it cannot be tarnished by use or by time.

So may this marriage, at this time celebrated, be incorruptible in its purity and more lasting than time itself.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 33

You’ve both chosen to wear rings as a reminder of these promises.

People often say wedding bands are a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end.

But these rings did have a beginning. The stones were formed a long time ago deep with the earth.

Eventually, a series of lucky events caused them to rise to the surface, where someone dug them up.

Metal was then liquefied in a furnace at a thousand degrees – molded, cooled, and painstakingly polished.

Something beautiful was made from raw elements.

Love is like that.

It comes from humble beginnings, and through a combination of serendipity and effort, imperfect beings shape it into something extraordinary.

It’s the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all.

As you look at these rings over the years, I hope you remember that.

You’ve created something invaluable, and just as I know you’ll protect these rings, I’m confident you’ll protect the commitments you’ve made to one other today.

Introduction to the Exchange of Rings 34

And so we come Bride and Groom, to the presentation of rings by which you symbolize and bind your love.

The circle has long been a symbol of spirit and the power of God.

The sky and the earth are round.

The wind in its greatest power whirls.

The sun and moon, both round, come forth and go down again in a circle.

Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were.

Let the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of your endless love and unending faithfulness.

Your rings carry a potent double message:

We are individuals and yet we belong; we are not alone.

As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are but also the glorious union that you are now creating.

God, bless these rings and the two who exchange them.

Fill them with your Holy Presence.

Keep them safe in the circle of your protection and love.

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