Wedding Ceremonies: What's Allowed And What's Not

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on wedding plans, with many couples facing the difficult decision to cancel or postpone their big day. Wedding ceremonies were restricted to a total of 5 people in some countries, while other countries allowed weddings with up to 30 guests. The UK Wedding Taskforce, for instance, confirmed that wedding ceremonies could take place in licensed venues from April 12, 2021, as long as they were held in a Covid-19 secure environment.

The pandemic has also led to an increase in virtual communication, with many couples opting for online weddings. As of 2024, the United States is the only country that has fully legalized online marriages, but other countries have transitioned some parts of the marriage process online.

Ceremony timings

The timing of your wedding ceremony will depend on a number of factors, including the type of ceremony, the number of guests, and whether you have a first look.

Most ceremonies last between 20 minutes and an hour, with non-religious ceremonies tending to be shorter, and religious ceremonies longer. For example, Catholic ceremonies usually last an hour, but this can be shortened to 50 minutes by reciting prayers instead of singing them. Hindu ceremonies can last up to three hours, but this can be reduced to 30 minutes by cutting anything but the Seven Steps ritual.

If you're planning a wedding with a separate ceremony and reception venue, be sure to add travel time to your schedule.

Spring/Autumn Ceremony Timings

If you're not doing a first look, a ceremony start time of 2:30 is appropriate, as the sun will be setting relatively early. A sample timeline could be:

2:30 pm – Ceremony

3:00 pm – Exit from Ceremony

3:15 pm – Family Formals

3:45 pm – Bridal Party Photos

4:15 pm – Bridal Portraits

5:00 pm – Entrance into Reception

If you are doing a first look, you could start the ceremony at 4:30, or even 5:30, giving you more time to relax in the morning.

Summer Ceremony Timings

In summer, sunset times range from 7:30 to 8:30, so a ceremony start time of 5:30 is ideal. Here's a sample timeline:

2:30 pm – First Look

2:45 pm – Bridal Portraits

3:30 pm – Bridal Party

4:00 pm – Bride in Hiding

4:30 pm – Ceremony

5:00 pm – Ceremony Exit

5:15 pm – Family Formals

6:00 pm – Entrance into Reception

Winter Ceremony Timings

For winter weddings, sunset comes as early as 4:30, so if you're not doing a first look, you'll need to start hair and makeup early to allow for outdoor photos. A sample timeline could be:

1:30 pm – First Look

1:45 pm – Bridal Portraits

2:30 pm – Bridal Party

3:00 pm – Bride in Hiding

3:30 pm – Ceremony

4:00 pm – Ceremony Exit

4:15 pm – Family Formals

5:00 pm – Entrance into Reception

Again, if you are doing a first look, you could start the ceremony at 4:30 or even 5:30.

Other Timing Considerations

Other things to consider when planning your ceremony timings include:

• Allowing time for guests to arrive and be seated before the ceremony begins.
• The time taken for the processional, when the wedding party walks down the aisle.
• The length of the officiant's address and any readings or rituals included in the ceremony.
• The time taken for the recessional, when the wedding party exits the ceremony.
• The time taken for photos, both before and after the ceremony.

Remember, your ceremony timings should ultimately reflect your personal preferences and cultural or religious traditions.

Seating arrangements

Ushers should start escorting guests up to 30 to 45 minutes before the ceremony begins. This can coincide with the music start time or the arrival of transportation. Ushers should assign seats as guests arrive, starting from the front rows and working their way back. It is customary to reserve the first few rows for immediate family members and special guests, such as the flower girl's and ring bearer's parents, those giving readings, and close relatives.

For a traditional Christian wedding or a large civil ceremony, the bride's family and friends are typically seated on the left, while the groom's side takes the right. In contrast, at a traditional Jewish wedding, the bride's family and friends sit on the right, and the groom's side sits on the left.

Divorced parents may choose to sit together in the front row or opt for one parent to sit in the front, with the other sitting in the second row. If one or both parents are remarried, they may prefer to sit in the second or third row.

At Christian ceremonies, the final guests to be seated are usually the grandparents, followed by the mother of the groom and then the mother of the bride. In contrast, at Jewish ceremonies, the parents enter with the bride and stand under the chuppah during the ceremony. Stepparents may choose to sit in the aisle seats in the second or third rows or stand under the chuppah if they are very close to the couple.

Couples having civil ceremonies can customise the seating arrangements to their preferences. For example, same-sex couples might choose to process together, either from opposite sides of the venue or one after the other, and they may opt to be escorted by a parent or not.

It is important to communicate seating preferences to the ushers and ensure that guests are guided to their designated seats smoothly and efficiently.

The processional

The Officiant

The officiant is usually the first to walk towards the altar, signalling the beginning of the ceremony. They can either walk down the aisle or enter from the side of the venue.

The Groom

The groom is the next to enter the ceremony space, either from the side of the venue or by walking down the aisle. He can be escorted by both of his parents or walk alone.

The Best Man

The best man follows the groom and takes his place next to him at the altar. He may also hold the wedding rings.

The Groomsmen

The groomsmen enter the ceremony space by walking down the aisle, usually one by one. They take their places behind the groom, with the first groomsman standing farthest away.

The Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids walk down the aisle, either one by one or in pairs with the groomsmen. They take their places behind the bride, with the first bridesmaid standing farthest away.

The Maid/Matron of Honour

Before the ceremony, the maid of honour helps the bride with any final adjustments to her dress, veil or train. She then walks down the aisle and stands by the bride's side, holding her bouquet.

The Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

The flower girl and ring bearer are the final members of the processional before the bride. They can walk together or separately, with the ring bearer carrying the wedding rings on a small pillow.

The Bride and Her Escort

The bride is traditionally escorted down the aisle by her father, who gives her away to the groom. This marks the end of the processional, and the beginning of the wedding ceremony.

The officiant's address

Paragraph 1 – Welcoming Remarks:

Welcome everyone to the wedding ceremony and thank the guests for their presence as witnesses. You can also acknowledge the importance of the day and express your happiness for the couple. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of [name] and [name]. Thank you all for being here and witnessing this special moment. It is a great honour to stand here today and celebrate the love between these two wonderful people."

Paragraph 2 – A Love Story:

Share the couple's love story, how they met, and what makes their relationship special. "It was a chance encounter on a train that brought [name] and [name] together. From that moment on, they were inseparable. Their love has grown stronger every day, and today we celebrate the beginning of their new life together as husband and wife."

Paragraph 3 – The Power of Marriage:

Speak about the significance of marriage and what it means to the couple. "Marriage is a sacred bond that unites two hearts in love. [Name] and [name] have chosen to stand here today and declare their love and commitment to each other. It is a decision they have made with open hearts, and we are here to support and celebrate their choice."

Paragraph 4 – Responsibilities and Vows:

Talk about the responsibilities of marriage and the importance of the vows. "Marriage is a journey that requires dedication, respect, and unconditional love. [Name] and [name], today you will make vows to love, honour, and support each other through all life's challenges and joys. These vows are a promise to choose each other every day and to create a life together built on trust, compassion, and joy."

Paragraph 5 – (Optional) Readings or Quotes:

Include a reading or quote that resonates with the couple and speaks to the power of love and marriage. "As [name] and [name] prepare to exchange their vows, I would like to share a quote by Rumi: 'Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.' May your marriage be filled with love that knows no barriers."

Paragraph 6 – (Optional) A Blessing:

Offer a blessing for the couple as they embark on their new life together. "May your love continue to grow and flourish. May your marriage be filled with joy, laughter, and all the blessings of life. [Name] and [name], may you always find comfort and strength in each other's arms. And so it is with great joy that I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The reception

• Grand Entrance and First Dance: Make a grand entrance into the reception area and flow directly into your first dance as a married couple. This will get the party started and create a smooth transition into the next part of the evening.
• Welcome Toasts: These are usually given by the parents or a family member of the newlyweds, traditionally starting with the father of the bride.
• Dinner: After the toasts, it's time to eat! This will give everyone a chance to sit down, relax, and enjoy some food.
• Wedding Party Toasts: As dinner is wrapping up, the best man and maid of honor can offer their toasts. Be sure to set a time limit for these toasts to keep the reception flowing.
• Parent Dances: Immediately after the toasts, transition into parent dances. This is a special moment for the parents and sets a heartwarming tone for the rest of the evening.
• Cake Cutting, Bouquet Toss, and Garter Toss: These traditional activities are a fun way to involve the guests and create memorable moments. It is also a good time for the newlyweds to say a few words of thanks to their guests.
• Open Dance Floor: Once the formalities are out of the way, it's time to open the dance floor! Encourage everyone to join in and enjoy the music.
• Grand Exit: End the night with a final song and a grand exit. This could include sparklers, bubbles, or other festive elements. Say your final goodbyes and exit in style!

Frequently asked questions