Create A Wedding Ceremony Script
What exactly is involved in choosing a prewritten ceremony or creating your own ceremony?
This walks you through the process:
This walks you through the process:
Photo by Casey and Her Camera - Location: Indiana State House.
When you book your formal wedding ceremony with me I send you a link to a Google Share Document. It's a super-convenient way to keep your ceremony organized all in one place. Anyone with the link can both view and edit the document. We can all be talking on the phone and on the document at the same time during a virtual meeting!
You can cut, paste and edit the document however you like. Google saves changes and we can revert back to older versions if you edit a little too much...
I ask that you cut and paste everything into the share document instead of sending separate attachments. It’s easier to keep everything in one place. I will print your ceremony out from the document and it will also be a digital back-up - just in case - and I can read it from my phone or iPad. (If I get to your wedding and there is only a handheld microphone I will most likely switch to iPad so I don't have loud and awkward page turns during your ceremony.)
You can make changes directly on the document or you can use the edit features. You can also just send me an email and let me know which pre-written ceremony you would like. This process can be as simple or as detailed as you like. Some people think Google Docs are great and some people have no idea how to use them and have no interest in learning now. That's OK too! That's why I have this webpage to look at too.
You can cut, paste and edit the document however you like. Google saves changes and we can revert back to older versions if you edit a little too much...
I ask that you cut and paste everything into the share document instead of sending separate attachments. It’s easier to keep everything in one place. I will print your ceremony out from the document and it will also be a digital back-up - just in case - and I can read it from my phone or iPad. (If I get to your wedding and there is only a handheld microphone I will most likely switch to iPad so I don't have loud and awkward page turns during your ceremony.)
You can make changes directly on the document or you can use the edit features. You can also just send me an email and let me know which pre-written ceremony you would like. This process can be as simple or as detailed as you like. Some people think Google Docs are great and some people have no idea how to use them and have no interest in learning now. That's OK too! That's why I have this webpage to look at too.
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Details
The first thing I need to do is gather a little information about your wedding. I might not meet you before your wedding day. You might book everything online, well communicate by email and I'll just come and marry you. It happens often. Some things are good for me to know ahead of time so I can plan accordingly. I'll ask that you please answer these questions for me:
Is your wedding formal, semi-formal or casual?
I want to know how to dress for your wedding. I generally dress for a formal wedding in a black dress or suit - if you don’t like that or if you are having a more casual wedding let me know and I can change my attire to be more suitable. If we are hiking to your ceremony site I'll want to wear walking shoes. I could also get to your backyard wedding thinking it's casual and it's anything but.
Will you be seeing each other before the wedding?
I generally have you sign the marriage license before the ceremony - you can sign it separately with or without a photographer. I like to do it this way to get it out of the way. You will be busy with photographs and greeting your guests after the ceremony. We can sign the marriage license after the ceremony with the photographer if you prefer, but we will need to schedule for it. I may need to leave shortly after your ceremony has ended. You can always re-create the signing of the license after the wedding if you need to with your photographer.
Is your wedding formal, semi-formal or casual?
I want to know how to dress for your wedding. I generally dress for a formal wedding in a black dress or suit - if you don’t like that or if you are having a more casual wedding let me know and I can change my attire to be more suitable. If we are hiking to your ceremony site I'll want to wear walking shoes. I could also get to your backyard wedding thinking it's casual and it's anything but.
Will you be seeing each other before the wedding?
I generally have you sign the marriage license before the ceremony - you can sign it separately with or without a photographer. I like to do it this way to get it out of the way. You will be busy with photographs and greeting your guests after the ceremony. We can sign the marriage license after the ceremony with the photographer if you prefer, but we will need to schedule for it. I may need to leave shortly after your ceremony has ended. You can always re-create the signing of the license after the wedding if you need to with your photographer.
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The Marriage License
You can't be legally married without a marriage license. You will need to pick up your own marriage license. Indiana marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. Once you have the license, what I do is fill it out with my information and watch you sign it.
You may already be legally married at your formal wedding. That is fine. I marry many couples twice. Sometimes you need to get legally married ahead of time. I do both. I legally marry couples and they have someone else perform their formal wedding ceremony or they are already legally married and I perform the formal ceremony. I can be very discreet when needed. The price of your formal wedding doesn't change if you are already legally married. You are paying me to be at your wedding and perform a ceremony. If you have booked a $450 formal wedding ceremony package with me we can meet and sign the license at any time.
Here is everything you need to know about How To Obtain a Marriage License In Indiana. I will probably remind you way too many times to bring it with you. It’s the most commonly forgotten part of a wedding day.
You can't be legally married without a marriage license. You will need to pick up your own marriage license. Indiana marriage licenses are issued by the county clerk. Once you have the license, what I do is fill it out with my information and watch you sign it.
You may already be legally married at your formal wedding. That is fine. I marry many couples twice. Sometimes you need to get legally married ahead of time. I do both. I legally marry couples and they have someone else perform their formal wedding ceremony or they are already legally married and I perform the formal ceremony. I can be very discreet when needed. The price of your formal wedding doesn't change if you are already legally married. You are paying me to be at your wedding and perform a ceremony. If you have booked a $450 formal wedding ceremony package with me we can meet and sign the license at any time.
Here is everything you need to know about How To Obtain a Marriage License In Indiana. I will probably remind you way too many times to bring it with you. It’s the most commonly forgotten part of a wedding day.
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The Wedding Ceremony Script - Where do we begin?
Many people don’t really know where to begin with they are considering a wedding ceremony. You’ve seen a wedding ceremony in person or on TV or in movies and it doesn’t look that complicated - and it’s not - you just need the right tools.
The best place to start is by reading through some wedding ceremonies.
You can follow this link to my 6 most popular formal wedding ceremonies. There are religious and non-religious ceremonies to choose from. You can choose one of these or you can create your own ceremony using one as a template. On the bottom of this page are links to many more complete ceremony scripts you might like to read through as well.
Need more inspiration?
Here is a link to Ceremony Scripts other couples have created using these tools.
I've taken personalizing your wedding ceremony to a whole new level:
I have found that too many choices can be a bad thing sometimes. I created this website with a curated choice of wedding ceremony options - basically the most popular options - to make it easier for couples to choose. But this is by no means to limit you. You can search the entire internet for ceremony options and choices. I've made a pretty good head start with this: I have an entire wedding ceremony site with hundreds of ideas.
Many people don’t really know where to begin with they are considering a wedding ceremony. You’ve seen a wedding ceremony in person or on TV or in movies and it doesn’t look that complicated - and it’s not - you just need the right tools.
The best place to start is by reading through some wedding ceremonies.
You can follow this link to my 6 most popular formal wedding ceremonies. There are religious and non-religious ceremonies to choose from. You can choose one of these or you can create your own ceremony using one as a template. On the bottom of this page are links to many more complete ceremony scripts you might like to read through as well.
Need more inspiration?
Here is a link to Ceremony Scripts other couples have created using these tools.
I've taken personalizing your wedding ceremony to a whole new level:
I have found that too many choices can be a bad thing sometimes. I created this website with a curated choice of wedding ceremony options - basically the most popular options - to make it easier for couples to choose. But this is by no means to limit you. You can search the entire internet for ceremony options and choices. I've made a pretty good head start with this: I have an entire wedding ceremony site with hundreds of ideas.
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The parts of a wedding ceremony
Each of the links below leads to options for each part of a wedding ceremony. Your finished ceremony might not have all these parts. The only thing legally required to get married is for you to say “I do” in some form to legally consent to the marriage.
You can edit the options I’ve provided any way you like. Some couples love a pre-written ceremony but edit it to make it shorter - that’s OK! Many of the options I’ve collected from all over the internet are ideas to start with. The tone of your ceremony might be completely different. Modern wedding ceremonies are much more direct with less “ceremonial” wording - but it’s your wedding. If you want traditional wording - you get traditional wording! With this ring, I thee wed, or With this ring, I marry you. It’s up to you!
The parts of your ceremony might be in a different order so that the ceremony flows better. Sometimes the moment of silence might be included in an opening prayer. Depending on how “the bride is being given away” it might sound better after the welcoming and opening remarks. You might choose not to be “given” or “presented” in marriage. We might ask your parents blessing instead. It makes sense later in the ceremony.
Generally, I will do a final quick edit of the ceremony to make sure it makes sense and the grammar is correct. If you have paid for a personalized wedding ceremony or ceremony consultation the edits will be more detailed and we will go back and forth until you are completely happy with the ceremony.
For an explanation of what I mean about a personalized ceremony and what you are (and are not) paying for
please click here for: Personalized Ceremonies Explained.
Each of the links below leads to options for each part of a wedding ceremony. Your finished ceremony might not have all these parts. The only thing legally required to get married is for you to say “I do” in some form to legally consent to the marriage.
You can edit the options I’ve provided any way you like. Some couples love a pre-written ceremony but edit it to make it shorter - that’s OK! Many of the options I’ve collected from all over the internet are ideas to start with. The tone of your ceremony might be completely different. Modern wedding ceremonies are much more direct with less “ceremonial” wording - but it’s your wedding. If you want traditional wording - you get traditional wording! With this ring, I thee wed, or With this ring, I marry you. It’s up to you!
The parts of your ceremony might be in a different order so that the ceremony flows better. Sometimes the moment of silence might be included in an opening prayer. Depending on how “the bride is being given away” it might sound better after the welcoming and opening remarks. You might choose not to be “given” or “presented” in marriage. We might ask your parents blessing instead. It makes sense later in the ceremony.
Generally, I will do a final quick edit of the ceremony to make sure it makes sense and the grammar is correct. If you have paid for a personalized wedding ceremony or ceremony consultation the edits will be more detailed and we will go back and forth until you are completely happy with the ceremony.
For an explanation of what I mean about a personalized ceremony and what you are (and are not) paying for
please click here for: Personalized Ceremonies Explained.
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Do You want to announce an Unplugged Ceremony?
This is asking your guests to turn off their phones. You might have a sign but it’s much more effective to say this out loud, especially before you start the ceremony. You don’t have to do this. You might think it necessary or you might think it’s rude.
This is asking your guests to turn off their phones. You might have a sign but it’s much more effective to say this out loud, especially before you start the ceremony. You don’t have to do this. You might think it necessary or you might think it’s rude.
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If you are having a non-religious wedding, this is not necessary.
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Ways to welcome your guests and start your ceremony. It can set the tone of your ceremony how you welcome your guests and acknowledge them as part of your lives and how they've helped you come to this moment in time.
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This can just be a general statement or you can name specific people. If you feel it would be too emotional to include this, just leave it out. It’s a nice gesture in the right situation.
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This talks about why we are gathered together for a wedding. In a church service, it might be the sermon. There are many excellent non-religious ways to do this including poetry, book passages and other writings. There are many authors who say great things about what love and marriage is.
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You can express your own feelings about love and marriage with readings or quotes. It could be bible verses, poetry or quotes from your favorite movies. I've create a page on this website to give you an idea of reading options. My intention is to give you an overview on this website and then link to many more options when you narrow it down to what you might like to see more of.
Here is the link to reading samples on this website.
The links below lead to those other options on my ceremony site:
This is the landing page/index for all of my readings, quotes, cultural options.
Readings about love
Readings about marriage
Spiritual readings
Christian readings and scriptures
Non Traditional Readings
Hindu Readings
Asian Readings and Vows
Disney Quotes
Harry Potter Quotes
Celtic Wedding Ideas
Include your Cat and/or Dog
Star Wars!
Dr. Who
Here is the link to reading samples on this website.
The links below lead to those other options on my ceremony site:
This is the landing page/index for all of my readings, quotes, cultural options.
Readings about love
Readings about marriage
Spiritual readings
Christian readings and scriptures
Non Traditional Readings
Hindu Readings
Asian Readings and Vows
Disney Quotes
Harry Potter Quotes
Celtic Wedding Ideas
Include your Cat and/or Dog
Star Wars!
Dr. Who
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The Declaration of Intent is when you say “I do” or “I will” or “YES!!!” It’s when I ask you for your verbal consent to the marriage. It’s the only thing legally required in a wedding ceremony in Indiana. It can be as simple as, “Do you take (insert name here) to be your husband/wife?” Or more elaborate with “to have and to hold from this day forward…”
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This can be when you exchange your own vows or actually repeat after me to speak your vows out loud. You may have your declaration of intent and vows all in one. These vows options I've included can also inspire you to write your own vows. I include secular and Christian marriage vows ideas.
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Wedding Ring Exchange
The ring exchange can be broken down into parts. Not all the parts are necessary. Ring aren't even required, you can get tattoos!
Your rings may implied meaning and you don’t feel the need to say more than “now you may exchange rings.” There are a lot of different ways you can address the symbolism of your rings. They can have specific meaning for you.
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You can choose what you say as you place the rings on each other’s fingers. Some will choose to say traditional vows, speak from the heart, or say nothing. These are non-religious options.
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Some coupes may want to have a formal ceremony with a few religious elements and choose a ring blessing.
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These are basically religious options collected from main-stream denominations.
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A unity ceremony is not required. It is a nice addition to a ceremony if you find something you like that suits you and your relationship. This page is an overview of possible ceremonies. I give an example of each and then link to more options on my ceremony site. This should give you a good idea of options. But they are as limited as your imagination.
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These are the final words to wrap up your ceremony. It does not have to be religious or spiritual.
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I now pronounce you married! Or husband and wife! Or Husband and Husband or Wife and Wife! There are many interesting traditional and updated ways to do this.
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How would you like to be addressed as a married couple at the end of your ceremony?
It could be, “Jane and John are Married!” “Mr. and Mrs. John Doe” or “Mr. and Mrs. John and Jane Doe”, “Mr. and Mr.” or “Mrs. and Mrs.”
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Are there any announcements to be made to your guests after the ceremony?
Should they move to a different area for cocktails and appetizers? Stay for pictures?
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More Wedding Ceremony Scripts to Look at for Inspiration
Complete Secular Ceremony Scripts
Complete Christian Ceremony Scripts
Ceremony Scripts with a Theme
Here are some Simple Ceremonies that might be perfect for you
Simple Civil Ceremonies
This is a link to the index of my ceremony site where you can find links to all the pieces of a ceremony including unity ceremony options.
