Take a look at this example Ceremony Script from a Wedding Planner

Here’s an organized way to think of your ceremony script flow and order.

First up, the procession

This typically includes immediate family members (grandparents, Parents, siblings). Then the Groom and officiant, wedding party, followed by ring bearer, then flower girls, and finally the Bride and her parents. Some couples opt to include additional important people in their lives like step parents, Aunts and uncles, and close family friends. Each of these people usually has either a corsage, boutonniere, or bouquet.

Officant’s Welcome

The officiant first and foremost needs to remind your guests to take their seats! This a funny thing that can happen after people stand for the bride and they usually need a cue to sit, so recommend opening with that.

Afterwards, the officiant with start with some welcome remarks. Often thanking guests for coming to celebrate with the couple. It’s always nice to remark about how far guests have traveled especially for destination weddings on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s not easy to get here, so be sure to appreciate those who made the journey.

Then it’s best to reflect on the couple and their love story. It always helps if the officiant knows the couple personally. This makes writing a little about their connection and story easier, but this part should always be written in conjunction with the couple.

Reading, poems, special traditions

After the officiants welcome, some couples opt for a poem or a reading that may have some significance to them, their family, or their culture. Take a look here at some examples.

Declaration of Intent

This section contains the typical “I do” section. Example of a traditional declaration of intent spoken by each partner individually:

(Name) do you take (Name) to be your lawful wedded wife/husband? Do you promise to love and cherish her/him, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better for worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her/him, for so long as you both shall live? “I do”.

Many couples are now opting for something

Example of declaration ceremony script here:

Do you promise to choose each other every day, to love each other in word and deed? “We do”
Do you promise to recognize one another as equals, and support one another in your goals and wishes in the future? “We do”
Do you promise to always share your thoughts, and feelings, and concerns with the other, and be open and honest at all times? “We do”

Vows

Example of traditional vows”

“In the name of God, I, Groom, take you, Bride, to be my (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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.”

Personalized vows

Having a hard time on where to start with writing your own vows? Typical flow goes something like this:

-Share personal stories, a favorite memory. Maybe even share your vision for the future with your partner.

-Remind your partner you’ll be there through thick and thin.

-Make some vows. Vows are promises you want to uphold for life with your partner.

-Don’t forget to tell your partner you love them!

Exchange of Rings

Example of exchange of rings ceremony script:

Groom: Groom repeat after me:
I Groom, give you Bride
This ring to wear with love and joy.
As a ring has no end
so too shall my love
I choose you to be my wife
from this day forward.

Declaration of Marriage

Example of Declaration of Marriage ceremony script:

In the presence of Family and friends, on this day, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.
You may kiss the Bride!

Recessional

Lastly, you will exit your ceremony in the reverse order you came in. The couple goes first, then the officiant,

Remember your ceremony is just, that yours! So don’t forget to make sure to edit your ceremony script to exactly what you want.

Photographs by: Arletta, Randi Baird, Tim Correia