Crafting Your Wedding Script: A Guide To Perfection

Writing your wedding ceremony script can be a fun and meaningful experience. It is important to start early, so you have plenty of time to find inspiration and craft a ceremony that reflects your personality and beliefs. The script should include an introduction, readings, vows, and a declaration of intent. You can also add your cultural heritage, family traditions, or religious elements to make it more personal.

The basic structure of a wedding ceremony script includes an officiant's welcome, a short sermon to the congregation, a charge to the couple, a declaration of intent to marry, and a pronouncement of marriage. You can also include music, acts of unity, and other rituals to make the ceremony unique.

Remember to share your wedding script with your partner and officiant to ensure everyone is on the same page and to incorporate any legal requirements for a valid marriage.

Introduction: The officiant should know the couple and introduce them to the guests

Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of [name of bride] and [name of groom]. We are here to bear witness to the love and commitment they have for each other and to support their decision to unite as one in marriage.

[Name of bride] and [name of groom] have known each other for many years, and their love has only grown stronger with time. They are best friends and soulmates, and their connection is an inspiration to all who know them.

Today, we honour their relationship and the journey that has led them to this moment. We are gathered here to celebrate the start of their new life together as they declare their love and commitment to one another in front of their family and friends.

[Name of bride] and [name of groom] are grateful to have you here today. They ask for your blessing, encouragement, and support as they embark on this new chapter of their lives together. They also remember and honour those loved ones who are no longer with us [or are unable to be here today... [name loved ones].

Marriage is a sacred bond, a commitment to love and support one another through life's joys and challenges. It is a journey that requires trust, dedication, and faith. [Name of bride] and [name of groom] are ready to embark on this journey together, and they invite you to celebrate this special day with them.

Officiant's Speech

Welcome, everyone, to the wedding of [name of bride] and [name of groom]! It is an honour to be here today and to witness the love and commitment between these two wonderful people.

[Name of bride] and [name of groom] have chosen to share their lives together, to support and uplift each other, and to create a future filled with love and joy. Today, they declare their intentions to be united as one, to join their lives and their hearts forever.

[Name of bride] and [name of groom], your love and commitment to each other are an inspiration. As you begin this new chapter of your lives, may your love continue to grow and flourish. May your marriage be filled with laughter, joy, and all the best that life has to offer.

Now, let us continue with the ceremony and witness the vows that will unite [name of bride] and [name of groom] as husband and wife.

Readings: Include a reading from a book, movie, or a quote

Readings are a great way to personalise your wedding ceremony and share meaningful words that resonate with you. Here are some ideas for readings from books, movies, or quotes:

Books

• "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho: "Love is the 'why' of life: why we are functioning at all, what we want to be efficient for... I am convinced [love] is the fundamental energy of the human spirit, the fuel on which we run, the wellspring of our vitality."
• "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo: "Oh Love! Adorations! Voluptuousness of two minds which understand each other, of two hearts which exchange with each other, of two glances which penetrate each other! You will come to me, will you not, bliss! Strolls by twos in the solitudes! Blessed and radiant days!"
• "The Legacy of Luna" by Julia Butterfly Hill: "The trees in the storm don't try to stand up straight and tall and erect. They allow themselves to bend and be blown with the wind. They understand the power of letting go... Those trees and those branches that try too hard to stand up strong and straight are the ones that break."
• "The Art of Marriage" by Wilferd Arlan Peterson: "A good marriage must be created. In marriage, the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say 'I love you' at least once a day."
• "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" by Louis de Bernieres: "Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your root was so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part."
• "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly."
• "A Farewell to Arms" by Ernest Hemingway: "At night, there was the feeling that we had come home, feeling no longer alone, waking in the night to find the other one there, and not gone away; all other things were unreal."
• "The Bridge Across Forever" by Richard Bach: "A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are."
• "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman: "I will love you forever; whatever happens. Till I die and after I die, and when I find my way out of the land of the dead, I'll drift about forever, all my atoms, till I find you again."
• "Wild Awake" by Hilary T. Smith: "People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time, all we let each other see is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square."

Movies

• "When Harry Met Sally": "I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you're looking at me like I'm nuts. I love you." —Harry Burns
• "Twilight: Breaking Dawn": "It's an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to, and who will accept you for what you are. I've been waiting, what seems like a very long time, to get beyond what I am. And now... I feel like I can finally begin... No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let's start with forever." —Edward Cullen
• "The Notebook": "Well, that's what we do. We fight. You tell me when I am being an arrogant son of a bitch and I tell you when you are being a pain in the ass... I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day." —Noah Calhoun
• "The Wedding Singer": "Now, we don't need a big house. We don't need any money. All we need is you and me. And Sadie and Sunny. I got everything I want. Growing old with you." —Adam Sandler
• "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring": "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." —Gandalf
• "The Princess Bride": "Mawwiage. Mawwiage is wat bwings us togeder today. Mawwiage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam wifin a dream... And wuv, twue wuv, will fowwow you foweva." —The Impressive Clergyman
• "Diary of a Mad Black Woman": "If I'm away from you for more than an hour, I can't stop thinking about you. I carry you in my spirit. I pray for you more than I pray for myself. And see? And that... that smile... when you smile like that, my world... It's all right. I am in love with you." —Orlando
• "The Vow": "I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands. To speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not." —Paige
• "The Fault in Our Stars": "I am in love with you. You heard me. I am in love with you. And I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed. And that one day all our labor will be returned to dust. And I am in love with you." —Augustus Waters
• "Love Actually": "Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport... It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around." —The Prime Minister

Quotes

• "Love is not condescension, never that, nor books, nor any marking on paper, nor what people say of each other. Love is a tree with branches reaching into eternity and roots set deep in eternity, and no trunk!... It is the pure Language of the World." —Rumi, "One Swaying Being"
• "The love of God... flows into a pure soul the way light rushes

Vows: Speak from the heart, but don't wing it

Writing your own wedding vows can be a daunting task, but it's important to remember that they should come from the heart and be a reflection of your love for your partner. Here are some tips and examples to help you craft meaningful and heartfelt vows:

Start with a Basic Structure

Begin with a basic structure that includes an introduction, your vows, and a conclusion. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you cover all the important points.

Speak from the Heart

Your vows should be a reflection of your unique relationship and what you hold dear. Think about the moments in your relationship that have been meaningful to you, the inside jokes you share, or the qualities you admire in your partner. Incorporate these into your vows to make them personal and heartfelt.

Be Romantic

Add a touch of romance to your vows by expressing your unconditional love, admiration, and devotion. You can also include promises to support, encourage, and be there for your partner through thick and thin.

Make Meaningful Promises

Instead of making generic promises, try to be specific and meaningful. For example, you could promise to be your partner's navigator, best friend, and support system through life's adventures. Or, you might vow to always pursue your partner, fight for them, and love them unconditionally.

Include Romantic Quotes or Readings

Incorporate romantic quotes or readings that resonate with you. This could be a line from a poem, a verse from a song, or a passage from a book that holds special meaning for you.

Be Yourself

Remember that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to writing your vows. Be yourself, and let your personality shine through. Whether you're funny, serious, or a mix of both, let your vows reflect who you are as a person and as a couple.

Examples:

"I promise to love, respect, protect and trust you, and give you the best of myself."

"I vow to keep our relationship a safe haven of love, support and peace—even and especially during hard times."

"I promise to be your navigator, best friend, and wife. I promise to honor, love, and cherish you through all life's adventures. Wherever we go, we'll go together."

"I promise to be there to catch you if you should stumble, carry you over every threshold, and fall in love with you every day."

"I promise to love you for who you are, and for who you are yet to become. I promise to be patient and to remember that all things between us are rooted in love."

Rings: Include a ring-giving ceremony and the words to accompany it

The ring exchange is a symbolic and meaningful part of your wedding ceremony. It is the moment in your wedding ceremony where all those promises and dedications you make are symbolized in a physical form.

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love for you."

"I give you this ring as a sign of our love for and commitment to each other. I promise to support you, care for you, and stand alongside you for all of our days."

"I offer you this ring to wear as a symbol of our unbreakable bond. It is a reminder of my eternal faith and unwavering dedication. I will cherish you forevermore."

"This ring is symbolic of my never-ending commitment, love, and devotion to you."

"I give you this ring as a sign of my faithful devotion. I will always love you, cherish you, and honor the vows spoken here today."

"This ring is a token of my love. I offer you all that I have, all that I am, and all that I will be."

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my faith in our united strength. It shines as brightly as my undying love for you."

"This beautifully crafted ring is an outward reminder of our inner unity, a bond which is stronger than any obstacle."

"Let this ring always be a reminder of my promises to you and the unwavering bond between us."

"Take this ring as a symbol of my vow to you. I’ll be your faithful partner forevermore."

"I give you this ring as a sign of my love. With all that I have, I am honored to call you my husband/wife from this moment until forever."

"With this ring, I vow to love and honor you from this moment forward."

"This ring is a symbol of my eternal love. May our everlasting friendship reign forevermore."

"This ring is a token of my love for you. I am yours, today and forever."

"I give you this ring as a reminder that we face this world together. We’re an unbreakable team."

"I give you this ring as a gift that lasts forever. Know that I’m always with you, behind you, and by your side."

"With this ring, we forge a new path on our adventure together. I love you, always, as my best friend."

"I give you this ring as a reminder of today and all our hopes and dreams for the future."

"This ring is almost as beautiful as your smile. Let’s embark on this new journey together and live life by each other’s side."

"You are the love of my life. With this ring, I’m making it official."

"I give you this ring as a way of showing just how much I love you. I’m delighted to call you my husband/wife and spend the rest of our days together."

"With this ring, you’ll have a reminder close by that you’re always in my heart."

"I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness."

"With this ring, I join my life with yours."

"I give you this ring, which is a symbol of my love and commitment to you."

"With this ring, I happily marry you and join my life to yours forevermore."

"You are the love of my life and you are my very best friend."

"I give you this ring as a sign that I choose you to be my lover, my partner, and my best friend, to the end of my days."

"With this ring, I vow to love and honor you from this moment forward."

"May this ring remind you that you're always in my heart."

"I give you this ring as a token of my love."

"Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you."

"With this ring, two become one."

"With this ring, I thee wed, now and for all of our adventures ahead."

"With this ring, I thee wed, and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands."

"You are more precious to me today than yesterday, and you will be more cherished tomorrow than you are today. Please wear this ring as a symbol of my eternal love for you, a love that transcends all our yesterdays, all our todays, and all our tomorrows."

"The fitting of this ring with its unending circle symbolizes my everlasting love for you. The placing of this ring on your finger is the fulfillment of my dreams to have you as my friend, my love, my husband/wife, to live as one forever."

"You are the love of my life and you are my very best friend."

"I give you this ring to wear as a symbol of my enduring love, my eternal faith, and my undying devotion. It is an outward reminder of our inner unity."

"This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as yours. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours."

"I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side and that I will always be a faithful partner to you."

"Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you."

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love, my faith in our strength together, and my covenant to learn and grow with you."

"You have made your vows, which are promises for the married life that you are beginning right now. We witness and bless your vows for the lifetime of your marriage. And so we come to the rings. The final ritual in a wedding ceremony is to make your commitment tangible – your rings are the physical representation of the promises you have made to one another today. They symbolize the sanctity of your marriage and are a constant reminder of your love."

"Alex, this ring is a circle of strength with no beginning or end and with no point of weakness. May this ring be a constant reminder of the promises you have made today. Please place it on Shane’s finger and repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed. I give you this ring as a symbol of our commitment and our connection."

"Shane, this ring is a circle of strength with no beginning or end and with no point of weakness. May this ring be a constant reminder of the promises you have made today. Please place it on Alex’s finger and repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed. I give you this ring as a symbol of our commitment and our connection."

Pronouncement: Declare the couple married and invite them to kiss

The pronouncement is a crucial element of any wedding ceremony. It is the moment when the couple is finally declared married and can seal their marriage with a kiss.

"By the power vested in me by the state of [state], I now pronounce you [husband and wife/husband and husband/wife and wife]!"

"You may now kiss!"

"You may now kiss the bride!"

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you married! You may kiss!"

"By the authority vested in me, it is with joy that I pronounce you married. Now kiss and go celebrate!"

"By the power vested in me by the State of [State], I now pronounce you [husband and wife/husband and husband/wife and wife]! You may now kiss the bride!"

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you [husband and wife]. You may now kiss!"

"By the power vested in me by the State of Colorado, and by the power of your own commitment and choice within, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss!"

"By the authority vested in me, it is with joy that I pronounce you married. Now kiss and go celebrate!"

"By the power vested in me by the State of [State], I now pronounce you [husband and wife/husband and husband/wife and wife]! You may kiss the bride!"

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you [husband and wife]. You may now kiss!"

Frequently asked questions