Crafting A Heartfelt Wedding Invocation: A Guide For Friends

An invocation is the first thing an officiant says during a wedding ceremony. It immediately follows the procession and sets the tone for the rest of the wedding. The invocation usually consists of three parts: welcoming the guests, introducing the couple, and reminding attendees of the event's purpose.

The invocation can be short and sweet, or it can last for several minutes. It can be religious, non-religious, funny, heartwarming, formal, quirky, or anything in between.

If you've been asked to perform a wedding for friends, you may want to add a personal touch to the invocation. This can be done by dividing it into three parts: the welcome (greeting), words on marriage, and the couple's story.

Greeting the guests and introducing the couple

Hello, and a warm welcome to you all. We are gathered here today in this beautiful setting to celebrate the marriage of [Bride] and [Groom]. Thank you all for being here and sharing in this special moment.

For those of you who don't know me, my name is [Name], and I am [Relation to the couple]. I have known [Bride/Groom] for [Number] years, and [Bride/Groom] for [Number] years. I feel incredibly honoured to be standing here today as their friend and officiant, and I am so happy to be able to share this day with them and with all of you.

[Bride] and [Groom] first met [Number] years ago in [Place]. It was truly a meeting of minds, and they quickly became close friends. Their relationship blossomed, and they soon became inseparable. They have supported each other through life's challenges and shared so many joyful moments. They are truly a perfect match and bring out the best in each other.

Today, we are here to witness and celebrate their commitment to one another as they begin this new chapter of their lives together.

Introducing the Couple

So, without further ado, let me introduce you to the happy couple.

[Bride], you look absolutely radiant today. You are a kind, intelligent, and strong woman, and your presence in [Groom]'s life has brought him so much joy.

[Groom], you are a lucky man! [Bride] is a wonderful person, and it is clear to see how much you love and care for her. Your life together will be filled with love and laughter.

Reminding Guests of the Event's Purpose

[Bride] and [Groom] have asked me to keep my speech short and sweet, so I will now hand things over to them as they exchange their vows and pledge their love and commitment to one another.

May their marriage be filled with happiness, love, and all the best that life has to offer.

Let's give a round of applause and our warmest wishes to the happy couple!

Explaining the purpose of the event

The invocation is the first thing the officiant says during a wedding ceremony. It immediately follows the procession and sets the tone for the rest of the wedding.

The invocation can be short and sweet, lasting only a sentence or two, or it can go on for several minutes. It can be religious or non-religious, funny or heartwarming, formal or quirky.

The invocation usually consists of three parts:

• Welcoming the guests: The officiant greets the guests in a warm and friendly manner. This can be brief, consisting of only one sentence, or longer, depending on the couple's faith traditions.
• Introducing the couple: The officiant tells those present who is getting married. This should fit the tone of the event.
• Communicating the event's purpose: The officiant reminds the attendees of the reason they have gathered. In many faiths, this section acknowledges a divine presence.

"Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Tabitha and Charlie."

"Dearly beloved, we’ve gathered here today in this holy place, in the presence of God and the spirits of our ancestors, to witness the joining of Tabitha and Charlie in eternal matrimony. We ask for God’s blessing..."

"Hello and welcome, dear ones.

We’ve asked you here today to join us in this most spectacular of moments, as Tabitha and Charlie do something big, something powerful, something they’ve been threatening to do for years -- they’re finally getting hitched!

Now, if you know these two wonderful weirdos as well as I do -- and I know that most of you do -- you know that Tabby and Charlie don’t take this marriage business lightly. They’ve spent years rebelling against the concept of contracts and legal hocus-pocus when it comes to love. But getting older has softened them a little -- don’t tell Charlie I said that -- and their understanding of love, and marriage, has deepened, too.

They’ve come to see marriage not as some elaborate codified institution, but as a simple and transcendent spiritual bond. A connection that exists beyond the trappings of our world, beyond our sometimes jaded views of relationships and commitment, beyond even our most earnest attempts at language -- They’ve come to know marriage as something ethereal, eternal... Something spiritual."

"Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the wedding of NAME and NAME. You have come here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow NAME and NAME to start their married life together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them. So welcome to one and all, who have traveled from near and far. NAME and NAME thank you for your presence here today and now ask for your blessing, encouragement, and lifelong support, for their decision to be married."

Sharing the couple's story

The Couple's Story

Today, we celebrate the union of [Couple's names], two individuals who have found in each other a partner, a confidant, and a best friend. Their story began [Number] years ago when they first met at [Place they met]. From the moment they locked eyes, it was evident that their connection was extraordinary. They quickly became inseparable, navigating life's adventures and challenges side by side. Over the years, their love has deepened and strengthened, forming an unbreakable bond.

[Couple's names] have experienced countless memorable moments together, from romantic getaways to shared milestones. They have supported and uplifted each other through life's trials, always remaining a constant source of strength and comfort for one another. Their relationship is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and unconditional love. They have embraced each other's families and friends, creating a community filled with warmth and joy.

The defining characteristic of their relationship is their unwavering dedication to each other. They bring out the best in one another, encouraging and inspiring each other to pursue their passions and dreams. Their relationship is a beautiful testament to the power of love, demonstrating that true love conquers all obstacles and endures through life's ups and downs.

[Couple's names] have shared countless memories and experiences that have shaped their journey together. From romantic dates to spontaneous adventures, their relationship has been filled with laughter, joy, and deep connection. They have created a home together, a sanctuary of love and support, where they can be their true and authentic selves. Their relationship is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and compromise, allowing their love to flourish and grow.

Together, [Couple's names] have weathered storms and shared countless joys. They have navigated life's challenges with resilience and grace, always emerging stronger on the other side. Their relationship is a testament to the power of love, commitment, and perseverance. Through thick and thin, they have supported and uplifted each other, fostering a deep and enduring bond. Today, they stand here, ready to embark on a new chapter of their lives together, more in love than ever before.

Asking if anyone objects to the marriage

If you are writing an invocation for your friends' wedding and want to include this traditional element, here are some suggestions on how to approach it:

Understanding the Purpose

It is important to understand that objections to a marriage are meant to address legal issues, not emotional ones. This means that any objections must have a valid legal reason behind them. Examples of this include:

• One of the parties is already legally married to someone else.
• The couple is too closely related.
• One of the parties is being forced into the marriage.

Wording the Question

When asking if anyone objects to the marriage, the officiant usually says something along the lines of:

> "If any person here present knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, they should declare it now."

The key word here is "lawful," as it emphasises that any objection must have a legal basis.

Handling Objections

If someone does object during the wedding ceremony, it is the officiant's responsibility to handle the situation. There are two common approaches:

• The officiant can take the objecting person to another room to privately discuss the reason for the objection.
• The officiant can ignore the objection and continue with the ceremony, allowing the wedding guests to deal with the objecting party and encourage them to leave.

Omitting the Question

If you are not religious, you do not have to include an opportunity for objections in the wedding ceremony. This tradition is becoming less common, and it is understood that any legal issues would have been addressed before the wedding day.

However, if you are religious, particularly in the Anglican or Episcopal church, this tradition may be automatically included. If you wish to omit or modify it, speak to your officiant about your preferences.

Preventative Measures

If you are concerned that someone may object during the wedding, it is best to address it beforehand. Have a private conversation with the person and ask them to respect your wishes and keep any objections private. If necessary, you may also decide to rescind their invitation.

Additionally, be mindful of who you invite to the wedding. Avoid inviting anyone who you think may cause a disruption, including individuals who are heavy drinkers.

Asking for God's blessing

The Invocation

The invocation is the first part of the wedding ceremony. It is where the officiant greets the guests, introduces the couple, and announces the purpose of the gathering. This can be done in a religious or non-religious manner, depending on the couple's preferences.

Welcoming the Guests

Start by welcoming the guests and explaining the purpose of the event. You can simply say, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God to celebrate the marriage of [Bride] and [Groom]." This will let everyone know that the ceremony is beginning and that you are asking for God's blessing.

When asking for God's blessing, you can incorporate biblical verses, teachings, and sentiments. Here are some examples:

• "May God grant you both the wisdom to live a harmonious and joyful life together, the strength to navigate life's challenges, and love that overflows to bless all who know you."
• "May God bless, keep and guide you both for the rest of your lives. Happy Wedding Day!"
• "May the God of hope fill you both with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
• "Lord, on their wedding day, may every word spoken and every precious token remind them of the One who holds all things together and who makes all things good."
• "May God bless the two of you abundantly in love, joy, and happiness."

A Prayer for the Couple

You can also include a prayer for the couple, asking God to guide and bless their marriage:

"O God, you established and blessed marriage, and you use it as a picture of the spiritual marriage and unity between Christ and his Church. Look mercifully on this man and woman that they may love, honour, and cherish each other, and live together in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen."

Remember to personalise your invocation by adding stories and anecdotes about the couple. You can also ask them questions about their relationship and what marriage means to them to make it even more special.

Frequently asked questions