How to Create Wedding Ceremony Words
Your wedding ceremony words are one of the most important aspects of your entire wedding. The words spoken during the ceremony should symbolize and describe your relationship and should be appropriate for the type of wedding you want to have. There are many ways to create the script for your wedding ceremony. The most important thing is to include elements that you and your spouse-to-be want. There is no right or wrong wedding script, but work together can discuss exactly what you want or do not want, and it will turn out great.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer with Internet access
- Minister, officiant or the person who will be marrying you
Instructions
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Discuss with your spouse-to-be what kind of ceremony you want---religious, traditional or unique. It is acceptable to have elements of several types of wedding ceremonies within your own ceremony, unless restrictions your families or church place restrictions on the ceremony.
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Discuss your plans for your ceremony with your minister or officiant. There may be some restrictions, especially if you are getting married in a church; if you are getting married in a church, you may be required to use the church's traditional marriage script. Discuss what options you have with your minister or officiant, and make a decision as to which direction you will take once you know what restrictions you must handle and what compromises everyone involved is willing to make.
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Research traditional wedding ceremony scripts to get a feel for what different cultures and religions include in their wedding ceremonies. Take notes of elements or phrases you like.
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Research quotes, Bible passages or other readings based on wedding scripts and traditions found online. Take note of any elements you like.
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Write your own ceremony script. If you are using a traditional script, simply take that script and fill in any appropriate details, such as specific readings or passages. If you are writing your own wedding vows, keep those separate so that your partner does not see your vows until you speak them during the ceremony.
The elements of a wedding script generally follow a standard order. The ceremony begins with the entrance and processional (with music specified), followed by an introduction from the minister or officiant. Ceremonies then include readings, songs or prayers, questions of intent to the bride and groom (i.e., "I do"), activities (like family candle lighting) or prayers. The couple then says their wedding vows (traditional or written by bride and groom), followed by more readings, songs or prayers and an introduction of the couple from the minister or officiant. The ceremony ends with the recessional and instructions from the minister or officiant about the receiving line and/or reception.
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Tips & Warnings
Many wedding ceremony scripts are available online. Read through as many as you want, from a variety of religions and cultures. You might find elements from all over the world that you like and feel represent you and your spouse-to-be. This is your ceremony, so do not settle for anything less than what you and your partner want; do not be pressured into a traditional religious wedding script if that is not what you want.
When it is time to write, many people use an existing script as their template and add details in where appropriate. This is easier and less daunting than starting completely from scratch.
If you are having writer's block trying to write your vows, start just by writing a love letter to your spouse. Be honest and speak from the heart about how he makes you feel or how he makes you a better person. If you are still having trouble, write about a fond memory of the two of you; describe the memory in detail and read over for ideas for your vows.
References
- Photo Credit placing ring on finger wedding ceremony image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
