This is a sample only. You can use parts you like, and lose parts you don't. Better yet, you can throw it all out, and write a completely original ceremony. Whatever works best for you! I can help you customize this any way you like!
Pre-Wedding Ceremony Events
· Wedding Party Pictures
This should begin at least 90 minutes prior to the start of the wedding and be finished at least 45 minutes before the ceremony.
· Wedding Party Dressed and Ready
The wedding party should be dressed, ready and waiting in the appropriate locations at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
· Prelude
Any musical preludes or solos should take place at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
The Wedding Ceremony
Processional
· Seating of the Parents
The processional music begins with the seating of the honored guests:
· Seating of the Groom's grandmother
· Seating of the Bride's grandmother
· Seating of the Groom's parents
· Seating of the Bride's mother
If you choose to have a Unity Candle, the parents or mothers of the Bride and Groom may each light one of the two candles from which the couple will later light their Unity Candle. Typically, the mothers or parents would do this before they are seated during the processional. Be sure to test light all of the candles, even the Unity Candle, during the rehearsal, or at some point prior to the actual wedding ceremony. Test lighting is done to ensure that the candles will stay lit and not be extinguished by an overhead air duct, draft or fan.
Bridal Processional Begins
· Minister and Groom usually enter from stage right. If the Groomsmen are not escorting the Bridesmaids down the aisle to the altar, they also enter together with the Minister and Groom.
· Bridesmaids enter, usually down the center aisle, one at a time. If the Groomsmen are escorting the Bridesmaids, they enter together.
· Maid or Matron of Honor enters. If she is being escorted by the Best Man, they enter together.
· Flower Girl and Ring Bearer enter.
· Wedding March Begins
The Bride and her father enter. Typically the Bride's mother will stand as a signal for all of the guests to stand. Sometimes the Minister will announce, "All rise for the Bride."
Opening Remarks
· Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, with great affection for ___ and ___, we have gathered here today to witness and bless their union in marriage. To this sacred moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure and a gift from God to share with one another. Today they bring their dreams and hopes, their gifts and talents, their unique personalities and undying spirits, to unite together into one greater being. We rejoice with them in thankfulness to the Lord for creating this union of hearts, built on friendship, respect and love.
The Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, ___ and ___ are now about to vow their eternal loyalty to one another. We ask you to accept the shared treasure of their life together, which they now create and offer to You. Grant them everything they need, that they may increase in their knowledge of You throughout their life together. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
At this time the congregation is typically asked to be seated.
Giving Away of the Bride
· Who presents this woman and this man to be married to each other?
Both sets of parents answer in unison, "I do" or "We do."
The Charge to Bride and Groom
· ____ and ____, the covenant which you are about to make with each other is a beautiful and sacred expression of your love. As you pledge your vows, and as you commit your lives to each other, we ask that you do so with the utmost sincerity, as well as a profound sense of joy, and a conviction that you are committing yourselves to an ever-growing and dynamic relationship of mutual trust, support, and unending love.
The Pledge - AKA - The "I Do's"
· ___, do you take ____ to be your lawfully wedded wife, and in the presence of your friends and family, do you vow that you will do everything in your power to strengthen your commitment and love each and every day? Will you stand by her in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, and will you shun all others and keep yourself to her alone as long as you both shall live?
"I DO"
· ___, do you take ____ to be your lawfully wedded husband, and in the presence of your friends and family, do you vow that you will do everything in your power to strengthen your commitment and love each and every day? Will you stand by him in sickness or in health, in poverty or in wealth, and will you shun all others and keep yourself to him alone as long as you both shall live?
"I DO"
Wedding Vows
Take each others' hands and stand face to face. Repeat after me.
· I, ___, take you ___, 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, 'til death do us part.
· I, ___, take you ___, 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, 'til death do us part.
Exchanging of the Rings
· Minister: "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 ___, may place the ring on the finger of your bride."
Repeat after me "____, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you." "By the same token ____, you may place the ring on the finger of your groom."
Repeat after me "____, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
Lighting of the Unity Candle
· The two outside candles have been lighted to represent both your lives in this moment. They are two distinct lights, each capable of going their separate ways. As you join now in marriage, these two lights become one. From this day forth your thoughts shall be for each other rather than your individual selves. Your plans shall be mutual, your joys and sorrows shall be shared alike. As you each take a candle and together light the center one, you will extinguish your own candles, thus letting the center candle represent the union of your lives into one flesh. As this one light cannot be divided, neither shall your lives be divided. May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of your unity.
The Pronouncement
· By the power vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your Bride.
The Presentation of the Couple
· May joy and peace be yours today and in all of life's tomorrows. Go forth in peace. It is now my privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. ____.
Recessional
The wedding party exits the platform, typically in the following order:
o Bride and Groom
o Maid or Matron of Honor and Best Man
o Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
o Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
o The Ushers return for the honored guests who are escorted out in reverse order of their entrance.
o Ushers may then dismiss the remaining guests, either all at once, or one row at a time.
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