How to Conduct a Wedding Ceremony

Aside from candles, flowers and a beautiful dress, the single most important thing that can make or break a wedding is how it is conducted. Conducting a wedding is usually the responsibility of the presiding minister. The presiding minister's attention to detail, choice of ceremony with the couple, rate of ceremony and speaking voice all go in to making a good ceremony.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• License to conduct wedding ceremonies
• Good supply of prewritten wedding ceremonies
• A dark suit or robe

1. Meet with the engaged couple and choose a ceremony. Most ceremonies are pre-written with spaces to insert names.
2. Talk with the couple about the type of service they are looking for, more traditional, contemporary or something that reflects their unique personalities. Ask the couple if they would like to write any of their own vows to be added to the ceremony.
3. Allow the wedding director to direct all aspects of the wedding rehearsal except the actual ceremony. The couple will need to take their cues from you, as you guide them through the various parts of the vows.
   
   
4. Talk through the vows at the wedding rehearsal as they will be said at the actual ceremony, but do not have the couple say the actual vows. This should be saved for the wedding day.
5. Direct them as to when they need to kneel for prayer, light the Unity Candle and when the bride should hand off her bouquet. Make notes of these items in your wedding book as to when they occur.
   
   
6. Give the vows that need to be repeated in short sections. The longer the section you give the more likely a nervous bride or groom will forget and have to be told again.
7. Hold your wedding book out and allow both the maid of honor and best man to place the ring on the book. Pick up the ring from there. Do not let either try and hand you the ring. This reduces the danger of dropping the ring, as they simply have to lay it on the book.
   
   
   

Tips & Warnings

• Always take your time while conducting a wedding ceremony. If you rush through the vows you will end up having to repeat them.
• If you need to talk with the bride and groom during the actual ceremony to give small instructions be sure the sound people can mute your microphone when necessary. The audience only needs to hear the ceremony.
• Performing a good wedding ceremony takes practice. Don't take the importance of rehearsing what you have to say for granted.
• Find out ahead of time how the bride and groom wish to be introduced. Don't take for granted that they want to be called the standard "Mr. and Mrs."

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