How to Write a Marriage Ceremony

Make writing your wedding ceremony easier by completing 10 easy-to-follow steps.

Let your creativity flow by writing a wedding ceremony that reflects your personality and personal preferences. The traditional wedding ceremony offers a variety of choices to make your special day unique while offering you an easy-to- follow format. Creating your own vows doesn't have to be overwhelming if you choose simple yet expressive words that reflect your feelings for each other. Writing the ceremony will personalize your wedding day and it will create an unforgettable experience for you, your spouse, family and friends.

Instructions

1. Format the different parts of your wedding ceremony on your computer's word processing software or a blank, lined-notebook using headings such as "Assembly," "Call to Gather," "Introductions," "Readings," "Intentions," "Wedding Vows," "Ring Ceremony," "Declaration," and "Signing of Marriage License."

2. Plan how your wedding guests will assemble at your wedding venue. Guests may be seated in advance using ushers with music accompaniment or be seated informally. Guests can may also be lead to stand, gather into rows, a circle or a semi-circle for the wedding ceremony.

3. Create a call to gather passage for the wedding officiant to read. When the officiant reads the "Call to Gather" it will officially start the wedding ceremony. Example: "Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the holy matrimony of (bride) and (groom)."

4. Think about what you want to say for the wedding ceremony introduction. This passage is read by the officiant. Example: "We have been called together as witnesses to the happiness which this couple has found together and to the pledge of mutual caring and responsibility for their common life."

5. Select a short passage for the readings part of the wedding ceremony. Readings can be performed by the wedding officiant or by a family member or friend and may include religious passages or poems.

6. Write out the wording for the intention to marry part of the wedding ceremony. This passage will be read by the wedding officiant. Example: "(Bride's name) and (Groom's name), please join hands and face each other. (Bride's name), are you ready join (Groom's name) in a life-long union, believing that your love and faith will endure all things?" The officiant will repeat the intention passage using the groom's name. The bride and groom must both answer with "I am" separately, after the officiant reads the passage.

7. Create your wedding vows or use the standard vows by asking the officiant to give you examples. The wedding vows are read by the officiant. Example: "The pledges you will now repeat are a testament of your intent to love each other for your common lives. (Bride's name), do you take (Groom's name) to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in marriage, to promise to love and comfort one another for as long as you both shall live?" The officiant will repeat the vows using the groom's name. The bride and groom both answer with "I do."

8. Write out the passage that will be read by the officiant during ring ceremony. Example: "It is a custom to exchange rings as a symbol of the love and devotion the happy couple have for one another. (Groom's name), what token do you give that you will perform your vows?" The groom will hand the ring to the officiant. "(Bride's name), do you receive this ring in token of the same?" The bride will say "I do." The officiant will hand the ring to the groom to place on his bride's finger. Repeat the ring ceremony passage for the groom to receive his wedding ring from his bride.

9. Complete the last passage for the declaration part of the wedding ceremony. This passage will be read by the officiant. Example: "You have expressed your love and promise of commitment to each other. It is with great pleasure that I declare that you have married each other in the presence of family and friends, and you are now husband and wife."

10. Determine if you want music playing during the signing of your marriage license portion of the wedding ceremony.

References

• Weddings of New York: Weddings Worksheet

Resources

• The Knot: Ceremony Readings