This article is all about your wedding ceremony script.
Want some ideas on how to officiate a wedding? The wedding officiant often reads from a helpful script to make sure that the ceremony stays on track.
Of course, it is up to the couple how they want things to flow. But if you need some ideas for a wedding ceremony script, then we’ve got your back.
In this blog post, we will cover everything you need for your wedding ceremony script. We will discuss all the components and provide detailed examples you could use for your special day.
Here you will find basic wedding ceremony script examples. You will also see a wedding ceremony script with your own vows and semi-religious ceremonies. We’ve included some tips and tricks to apply to your ceremony as needed.
What is a wedding ceremony script?
This is what the officiant (the person performing the ceremony) says at the wedding. The job of the wedding ceremony script is to guide the couple through the most important part of their special day.
Before you get overwhelmed with looking at a wedding ceremony script, let’s break it down into parts.
- Processional
- Officiant’s speech
- Exchange of vows (optional)
- Declaration of Intent
- Exchange of rings
- Pronouncement
- Closing remarks
- Presentation
Now, this is the standard breakdown, but you could tweak and add things if you like. Basically, you’d want to use this as an outline of what should be said during the wedding ceremony. The examples in this post will have several variations of this sequence.
Wedding Script Tip:
When exchanging vows or rings, if you want the person to repeat after you, use short phrases. Know that they may be nervous and it will be easier for them to remember what to say if you chop it up into small parts.
Here are 5 wedding ceremony script examples
1. Simple wedding ceremony script for your wedding day
Officiants Speech
On this beautiful day, we have come together to witness this sacred moment. A marriage ceremony represents one of life’s greatest commitments. Marriage is a mighty endeavor.
It calls us to share the best of ourselves. It inspires our deepest motivations. When the happiness of another person is essential to our own happiness.
I submit to you that love is the most powerful force in the universe. You cannot finish it. It brings our hearts together to find the peace that one couldn’t find alone. Love Is an expression and an assertion. It is the only force that involves genuine and enduring change.
And now [NAME] and [NAME] as you face one another I invite you to please join hands.
Exchange of Vows
[HIS NAME], do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in (holy) matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?
The man answers, “I do.”
[HER NAME] do you take this man to be your husband, to live
together in (holy) matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?
The woman answers, “I do.”
Declaration of Intent
Repeat after me
I, [HIS NAME] take you [HER 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, till death do us part.
I, [HER NAME], take you [HIS 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, till death do us part.
Exchange of Rings
Ask the man to place the ring on the woman’s finger.
Repeat after me
I give you this ring as a token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.
(Repeat the same for the bride).
Pronouncement
By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of ______, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride
2. Wedding ceremony script with own vows
Officiants Speech
On behalf of [NAME] and [NAME] I would like to welcome everyone here today. My name is______________. And I have the honor of performing this wedding ceremony.
I’ve known this couple for a long time they are great people. I love them. I am honored to be here on this special day.
On this marvelous day we have come here to bear witness to the most important moment of these two souls. I would like to open the ceremony with a poem
[Insert your Favorite Marriage Poem HERE] See Example, Marriage Poem By Rumi HERE
This is your time to declare everlasting love to each other. It is now time to say your vows.
A vow is not a noun. It is a verb. It is what you will do for each other forever and in this moment and wherever life takes you.
Know that this is what truly matters. Love is an evolving spirit. And with this union, It will continue to grow.
You may now join hands.
Exchange of Vows
(Man reads his own vows first, then the bride reads her vows. (Methodist Style)
“Will you have this woman/man to be your wife/husband, to live together in holy 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 to her/him as long as you both shall live”
Ring Exchange
The ring represents a never-ending love and devotion to each other. The ring signifies a never-ending connection between your two souls. Forever connected as one.
Please repeat after me
I give this ring as a symbol of my love. That I am choosing you to share my life with. I promise to love you today, tomorrow and forever.
(Repeat the same for the bride)
Pronouncement
With that being stated. It is with great pleasure that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Closing remarks
Thank you all for attending this magnificent ceremony. The bride and groom and party will be in the garden for photos. Feel free to stick around for appetizers and cocktails.
Presentation
Ladies and gentlemen, By the power vested in me, I present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. [NAME].
3. Non-religious wedding ceremony script
Officiant’s Speech
[NAME] and [NAME] you have come here today to mark the beginning of what would be and also to celebrate what already is. For it is a truth your marriage already exists.
In your everyday moments together. You’ve had many conversations about hopes, promises, past hurts, dreams, values, and fears.
You said I love you, shared adventures, made confessions, and perhaps even had an argument or disagreement. You’ve told each other your stories, parts of which you have revealed to no one else.
What emerged from these conversations was the making of a covenant. A bond of commitment that is uniquely yours.
Together perhaps you have decided what you want, what you believe, what you hope for, and that you want to stay together.
And so you are here today because you said to one another “I love you I trust you I will be here for you when you are hurting. And when I am hurting, I will not leave.”
The marriage is complete. All that is left is the wedding which is the public declaration of your love. Today you will legally become that of which you already are emotional, a husband and wife.
[NAME] and [NAME] as husband and wife you will grow together in mind, heart, and spirit. This mutual growth and sharing will strengthen your relationship more than any spoken or written words.
Marriage is a promise. Potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other. That takes a lifetime to fulfill.
Today you proclaim your love and commitment to the world. So I ask that you turn to one another and hold hands.
Exchange of Vows/Declaration of Intent
Do you [NAME] take [NAME] as your wife joining with her today in spirit offering her unconditional love and commitment?
Do you promise to honor her growth and freedom as well as your own? To cherish and protect her to love her and embrace her in times of challenge as well as in times of joy?
If so respond by saying, “I Do.”
Do you [NAME] take [NAME] as your husband joining with him today in spirit offering him unconditional love and commitment?
Do you promise to honor his growth and freedom as well as your own? To cherish and protect him to love him and embrace him in times of challenge as well as in times of joy?
If so respond by saying, “I Do.”
Having stated your intentions for each other And before those gathered here I now ask that you repeat after me
I [NAME] take you [NAME] as my friend in love. Beside me and apart from me. And laughter and tears in conflict and in tranquility.
Asking that you be no other than yourself loving what I know of you and trusting what I do not know yet. In all the ways that life may find us.
Exchange of Rings
The rings mark the adventure of wonders, surprises, tears, celebrations, grief, and joy. They are signed by one unbroken circle. Wear them always as of late civil reminder of your vows of love and commitment.
Please repeat after me
I give this ring as a token that I shall love you in all times in all places and in all ways forever.
Pronouncement
You have agreed to love each other forever by these vows, these rings, and the joining of your hands. It is my great pleasure that I now declare you husband and wife. You may now kiss!
4. Very Short Wedding Ceremony Script
Welcome friends and family, we are gathered here today to celebrate the love and commitment of [partner 1] and [partner 2]. They have chosen to join their lives together in marriage, and it is an honor for us to witness and support their union.
[Partner 1], do you take [partner 2] to be your lawful spouse? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?
[Partner 1]: I do.
[Partner 2], do you take [partner 1] to be your lawful spouse? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?
[Partner 2]: I do.
(officiant) I now pronounce you married. You may kiss the bride/groom
(officiant) It is with great pleasure that I present to you, [partner 1] and [partner 2], as a married couple. May your love continue to grow stronger with each passing day. Please join me in congratulating the newlyweds.
5. Formal Semi Religious Wedding Ceremony Script
Opening
Officiant: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are gathered here today to witness the union of (bride’s name) and (groom’s name) in marriage.
Opening Prayer or Reading
Officiant: Let us begin with a prayer, scripture or reading. Here are some scripture examples that could lead to the prayer
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6).
“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.” (1 Corinthians 13:4)
Exchange of Vows
Officiant: (Bride’s name), do you take (groom’s name) to be your lawfully wedded husband?
Bride: I do.
Officiant: (Groom’s name), do you take (bride’s name) to be your lawfully wedded wife?
Groom: I do.
Officiant: (Bride’s name), please repeat after me:
I, (bride’s name), take you, (groom’s 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, until death do us part.
Bride: I, (bride’s name), take you, (groom’s 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, until death do us part.
Officiant: (Groom’s name), please repeat after me:
I, (groom’s name), take you, (bride’s 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, until death do us part.
Groom: I, (groom’s name), take you, (bride’s 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, until death do us part.
Exchange of Rings
Officiant: (Bride’s name), please place the ring on (groom’s name)’s finger and repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge my love to you.
Bride: With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge my love to you.
Officiant: (Groom’s name), please place the ring on (bride’s name)’s finger and repeat after me:
With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge my love to you.
Groom: With this ring, I thee wed, and pledge my love to you.
Officiant Bless o lord these rings
Pronouncement of Marriage
Officiant: By the authority vested in me by the state of (state), I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss.
Closing
Officiant: Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. (groom’s last name).
Recessional
(The newlyweds, the wedding party, and the guests exit the ceremony space.)
Note: This is only a sample script and can be tailored to your needs. Also, Make sure to check with the venue/officiant if they have any specific requirements.
Conclusion
We hope you found these wedding ceremony script ideas helpful. feel free to use any of these ideas for your wedding. Please let us know if you have anything to add in the comment section below.
Feature Image by Emma Gossett
{RELATED: Wedding Bio Ideas}
This article was all about amazing wedding ceremony script ideas.
