Following are samples of the various ceremony script components - openings, readings, vows, ring

exchanges, unity, and more.

These are just examples, and couples should not feel limited by what they see here.

Processional/Entrance

The officiant and groom enter first, either through a side door or down the aisle, and wait at the altar.
They can either enter together, or with the officiant first, followed by the groom. One variation has the
officiant enter from the side and the Groom walk down the aisle first in the procession. In this, groom
may either enter alone, escort his mother to her seat, or escort both mothers to their seats, before
taking his place.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids usually walk down the aisle in pairs, either starting with the two who
will stand farthest from the bride and groom, and ending with the maid of honor/best man, or starting
with best man and maid of honor, working outwards. A modern alternative would be for the officiant,
groom, best man, and groomsmen enter from a side door in a line, with the bridesmaids and maid of
honor proceeding down the aisle unescorted. Then the ring bearer, followed by the flower girl, and
finally the bride and her father (or other close family member). The bride walks on the left side. If the
bride's escort is her father, he leads her to the front of the aisle, then takes his seat next to the bride's
mother. A popular traditional option is to have the bride’s escort stand for a moment as the officiant asks
"Who gives this woman to this man in marriage?" to which he responds "I do," or "Her mother and I do."
Then the bride steps forward as the escort takes his seat.

The "Hand Off"

This is an option where the escort, after answering the question, actually "hands" the bride to the
groom. In the simplest form, the escort, with his right hand, takes the brides right hand from his left arm
and places it in the groom's left hand. (Reminder tip: "Right, Right, Left, Left") Groom takes a step
forward during the transition to accept the hand off. A more elaborate hand off has the escort shake the
hand of the groom first, kiss the bride on the cheek second, then hand off the bride to the groom.

Following the hand off, bride usually passes her bouquet to the maid of honor, then faces the groom and
places her left hand in his right *OR* after passing the bouquet, the bride and groom face the officiant,
turning later in the ceremony to face each other. Ceremony begins.

Note: It is not required for either the bride to be escorted, or for the bride to be "given away". While
very traditional, both should be considered personal preference.

A more modern variation of the processional uses two aisles, with bridesmaids entering from the left
and groomsmen from the right. Typically in this option the bride is not escorted. Instead, bride and
groom walk down separate aisles, both last in the procession, and they meet at the front. Ideally, the
two aisles should be in a "V" formation from the back, coming together at the wedding point. Room
layout, however, may require a variation, as two back corner doors may not be available. Seating is
arranged to accommodate and surround the two aisles. If there is a pre-opening question, rather than
the "who gives this woman" question, it would be a mutual question like ”Are you both, this day and
before all present, ready to accept each other in marriage?"

While the pattern of traditional processionals is somewhat culturally standard, the bride and groom can
alter sequence and/or design of the processional to fit their preferences and personalities.

Opening/Greeting

The opening is usually a greeting to guests, combined with some sentiment of the occasion - either
generic or more personal. In some weddings, the opening is directed to the bride and groom rather than
the guests, and the focus of the opening is more along the lines of inspiration to the couple, for the
commitment they make.

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of
________________ and _____________________ in marriage. In the years they have been together,
their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live
their lives together as husband and wife."

"Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of
____________________________ and _________________________ in marriage. Through their time
together, they have come to realize that their personal dreams, hopes, and goals are more attainable and
more meaningful through the combined effort and mutual support provided in love, commitment, and
family; and so they have decided to live together as husband and wife.”

"To all present I say: We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what
already is! We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate with
__________ and ___________ the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their
lives, and the commitment they make today."

"Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the
joining of ____________________________ and _______________________________ in marriage.
With love and commitment, they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife."

"Welcome everyone. ____________ and ___________ have chosen you, those special and important to
them, to witness and celebrate the beginning of their life together. Today, as we create this marriage, we
also create a new bond and new sense of family - one that will undoubtedly include all who are present
here today."
"We are here today to join _________ and __________ in a life of mutual commitment. It is fitting and
appropriate that you, the family and friends of __________ and _________, be here to witness and to
participate in their union. For the ideals, the understanding, and the mutual respect which they bring to
their life together had their roots in the love and friendship and guidance you have given them. The
union of two people makes us aware of the changes wrought by time. But the new relationship will
continue to draw much of its beauty and meaning from the intimate associations of their past."

"________ and _________, today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all of whom have
gathered here to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Today, as you join
yourselves in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities
and potentials of your married life are great; and now falls upon your shoulders the task of choosing
your values and making real your dreams. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and
nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also
a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life."

"___________ and _____________ - Today you enter as individuals, but you will leave here as husband
and wife, blending your lives, expanding your family ties, and embarking upon the grandest adventure of
human interaction. The story of your life together is still yours to write. All those present have come to
witness and celebrate your love and commitment this day - eager to a part of the story not yet told."

Reading

A reading usually highlights the importance of marriage. The reading can include a definitional
statement, quotes from literature, poetry, or something personal from the couple being married. Below
are some of the more popular readings used:

"True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of two persons; it is the union of two hearts.
It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old, but thrives on the joy of each new day.
Marriage is love. May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each
other, to enjoy life together, and to share moments of quiet and peace, when the day is done. May you
be blessed with a lifetime of happiness and a home of warmth and understanding."

"Marriage is a vital social institution. The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other
nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society. For those who choose to marry, and
for their children, marriage provides an abundance of social benefits, as well as obligations - a "social
institution of the highest importance."

"Love should have no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if your love and needs must have desires, let
these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the
pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly
and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at
the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; Then to sleep
with a vision of the beloved in your heart and a song of love on your lips."

"___________ and ____________, remember to treat yourselves and each other with respect, and
remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Take responsibility for making the other feel safe,
and give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your connection deserves.
When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship, as they threaten all relationships at some
time or another, remember to focus on what is right between you, not just the part that seems wrong. In
this way, you can survive the times when clouds drift across the face of the sun in your lives,
remembering that, just because you may lose sight of it for a moment, does not mean the sun has gone
away. And, if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by
abundance and delight."

"May you always need one another, not to fill an emptiness, but to help each other know your fullness.
May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you embrace one another, but not encircle one
another. May you succeed in all important ways with each other, and not fail in the little graces. May you
have happiness, and may you find it in making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find
it in loving one another."

"No other human ties are more tender and no other vows more important than those you are about to
take. Both of you come to this day with the deep realization that the contract of marriage is sacred as are
all of its obligations and responsibilities"

"Ultimately there comes a moment when a decision must be made. Two people who love each other
must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they
are willing to take. Commitment may well be a fearful gamble. Because it is the nature of love to create,
a marriage itself is something which has to be created, such that as we come together in marriage, we
become a new creature."

"When you love someone, you do not love them all the time, in exactly the same way, from moment to
moment. Such is an impossibility, and even a lie to pretend to. And yet this is exactly what most of us
demand. We have so little faith in the ebb and flow of life, of love, of relationships. We leap at the flow
of the tide and resist in terror its ebb. We are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanency, on
duration, on continuity; when the only continuity possible, in life as in love, is in growth, in fluidity - in
freedom, in the sense that the dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in the same
pattern."

Apache Blessing:
"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for
each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be
companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty
surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years, May happiness be your companion
and your days together be good and long upon the earth."

"The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping,
even. Security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what was in nostalgia, nor forward to what
it might be in dread or anticipation, but living in the present relationship and accepting it as it is now.
Relationships must be like islands, one must accept them for what they are here and now, within their
limits - islands, surrounded and interrupted by the sea, and continually visited and abandoned by the
tides."

"___________ and _______, the time has come to forget all the stress of planning this day and simply
enjoy your friends and family who have gathered to spend this day with you. This group of loved ones
will, likely, never be together in the same place again. Through quiet reflection and nostalgia, think about
how each person has touched your life and why they are here with you today."

The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran:

"You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white
wings of death scatter your days. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, and let the winds of the
heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of your love; let it rather be a
moving sea between the shores of your soul. Fill each others' cup but drink not from one cup. Give one
another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let
each one of you be alone. Even as the strings of a lute are alone, though they quiver with the same
music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your
hearts. And stand together yet not too near together: for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the
oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow."

"________ and ________, today you choose each other before your family and friends, to begin your life
together. For all the tomorrows that follow, you will choose each other over and again, in the privacy of
your hearts. Let your love and friendship guide you, as you learn and grow together. Experience the
wonders of the world, even as patience and wisdom calm the restless nature. Through your partnership,
triumph over the challenges in your path. Through the comfort of loving arms, may you always find a
safe place to call home."

Vows

Vows may run from traditional to customized. Below are examples of some common vows. Feel free to
add your own embellishments, loving words, funny promises (I promise to take the trash out!) and inside
jokes. Also, couples may like pieces of several of the vow examples, while not finding any one example
that completely reflects their preferences. Pieces from several can be blended together to make the
"perfect" one.

There are 3 formats or "styles" for vows (and also ring exchanges):
1. Echo - Officiant says "Please repeat after me", then reads the vow one line at a time, with participant
repeating each line, one line at a time, until the vow is complete.

2. I Do - Officiant begins with "Do you", then reads the entire vow, followed by the participant's response
of "I do"

3. Recital - a more personal vow, spoken from memory while looking directly into the partner's eyes, and
without prompt by officiant. This format can be tricky, especially if the vows are long and complex. A
written text (cheat sheet) tucked in a sleeve for backup is a good idea for this option.

"Do you ____________, take _____________ to be your lawfully wedded wife, promising to love and
cherish, through joy and sorrow, sickness and health, and whatever challenges you may face, for as long
as you both shall live?"

"Do you ________________, take _____________, to be your partner in life and sharing your path;
equal in love, a mirror for your true self, promising to honor and cherish, through good times and bad,
until death do you part?"

Do you ____________, take __________ to be your (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day
forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish;
from this day forward until death do you part?"

"Do you _________ choose _________ to be your partner in life, to support and respect (her/him) in
(his/her) successes and as well (his/her) failures, to care for (him/her) in sickness and in health, to
nurture (him/her), and to grow with (him/her) throughout the seasons of your life together?"

"Do you _____________, accept _______________ as your lifemate and one true love, promising to
share in all that life offers and suffers, to be there for (him/her) in times of need, to soothe (him/her) in
times of pain, and to support (him/her) in all endeavors, big and small."

"I __________, accept you __________, as my companion and my (wife/husband). I promise to care for
you, honor you, and cherish you, for as long as we both shall love."

"I take you to be my spouse, in equal love, as a mirror for my true self, as a partner on my path, to honor
and to cherish, in sorrow and in joy, till death do us part."

"I take you as my wedded [wife/husband], to share my life with you, and pledge that I will love, honor,
and care for you in tenderness and affection in all the varying circumstances of our lives."

"I acknowledge my love and respect for you and invite you to share my life as I hope to share yours. I
promise always to recognize you as an equal individual and always to be conscious of your development
as well as my own. I shall seek through kindness and understanding to achieve with you the life we have
envisioned."

"I promise to always be there for you, to shelter and hold your love as the most precious gift in my life. I
will be truthful and honor you. I will care for you always and stand by you in times of sorrow and joy."

"I, [Name], promise you, [Name], that I will be your [wife/husband] from this day forward, to be faithful
and honest in every way, to honor the faith and trust you place in me, to love and respect you in your
successes and in your failures, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry, to care for you in
sickness and in health, to softly kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your
friend, on this journey that we make together."

"I, (Bride/Groom), take you (Groom/Bride), to be my (wife/husband), to have and to hold from this day
forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish;
from this day forward until death do us part."

"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my [opt: lawfully wedded] (husband/wife), my constant friend, my
faithful partner and my love from this day forward."

I pledge to you endless strength that you can count on when you are weak. I'll be your music when you
can't hear, your sunshine when you can't see, or your perfume when you can't smell. You'll never need
to look further than me. I'll be your days and nights when you need them filled, your spark of life in the
darkness, your hope when you're down and out."

"In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in
sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you
unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with
you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

"I (name), take you (name) to be my (husband/wife), my partner in life and my one true love. I will
cherish our union and love you more each day than I did the day before. I will trust you and respect you,
laugh with you and cry with you, loving you faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the
obstacles we may face together. I give you my hand, my heart, and my love, from this day forward for as
long as we both shall live."

"I, [name], choose you [name] to be my [husband/wife], to respect you in your successes and in your
failures, to care for you in sickness and in health, to nurture you, and to grow with you throughout the
seasons of life."

"I, (name), take you, (name), to be my partner, loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet
know. I eagerly anticipate the chance to grow together, getting to know the (man/woman) you will
become, and falling in love a little more each day. I promise to love and cherish you through whatever
life may bring us."

Exchange of rings

First question is how many rings? Some ceremonies only involve the groom giving the bride a ring. The
next question is who will be speaking during the ring exchange? First option is for the one placing the
ring to speak their line as they place the ring on the other's finger. In a one ring ceremony, the groom
speaks the line while placing the ring on the bride's finger. In the two ring ceremony, this is followed by
the bride speaking the line while placing the ring on the groom's finger. Often, the ring statement by
groom/bride is recited (memorized), with or without prompt from officiant. This works well for one liners
like "With this ring, I thee wed". For longer ring statements, echo style works well. Some couples like to
give a response to receiving the ring, so examples of those are also provided. Second option is for the
officiant to read a meaningful quote, such as the importance and/or history of the golden band, either
before or as the rings are exchanged. This can either be followed by bride/groom statements, or rather
instead of. While statements are traditional, it is not required for bride and groom to speak during ring
exchange.

"I (name) give you (name) this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you."

"With this ring, I thee wed."

"Through this ring, I accept you as my (wife/husband), now and for all time."

"I give you this ring, as I give to you all that I am, and accept from you, all that you are."

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

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my
heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our
wedding day."

"This ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am"

"I give you this ring as a visible and constant symbol of my promise to be with you, for as long as I live."

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

"I have for you a golden ring. The most precious metal symbolizes that your love is the most precious
element in my life. The ring has no beginning and no ending, which symbolizes that the love between us
will never cease. I place it on your finger as a visible sign of the vows which have made us husband and
wife."

"(Name), I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. As it encircles your finger, may it remind you always
that you are surrounded by my enduring love. "

Response (optional):
"I will forever wear this ring as a sign of my commitment and the desire of my heart"

"I will wear it gladly. Whenever I look at it, I will remember this joyous day and the vows and
commitments that we have made."

(Officiant, before or as rings are exchanged)

"Wedding rings are made precious by our wearing them. Your rings say that even in your uniqueness you
have chosen to be bound together. Let these rings also be a sign that love has substance as well as soul,
a present as well as a past, and that, despite its occasional sorrows, love is a circle of happiness, wonder,
and delight. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today."

"You have for each other a golden ring. This most precious of metals symbolizes that love is the most
precious element in your life together. The ring has no beginning and no ending, which symbolizes that
the love between you will never cease. You place these rings upon each others fingers as a visible sign of
the vows which, this day, have made you husband and wife."

Declaration of Marriage

The officiant will say something like "By the power vested in me by the State of _______, I now
pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss (Traditional: You may kiss the bride”.) Then the first
kiss and introduction of the newly joined couple to the attendees: "Ladies and Gentlemen" (or) "Family
and Friends", then “I present to you" (or) "For the first time" (Mr and Mrs optional)______________ and
_____________ _________________

Note: Traditional introduction uses only the groom's name (i.e. "Mr and Mrs John Doe")
More contemporary: Groom's first and last, bride's first ("John and Jane Doe")
Introduction is generally suffixed by "husband and wife", "newlyweds", or something similar.

Other Options

Unity Traditions:

There are a variety of Unity traditions that may be included in a ceremony. Some are old and some are
recent, but unity traditions are growing in popularity. Below are some examples:
Unity Candles: The bride and groom each take a lit candle and simultaneously light a third larger "unity
candle." They may blow out their individual lights, or leave them lit, symbolizing that they have not lost
their individuality in their unity.

Sample reading for candle ceremony:

(prompt)And now, ______________ and __________, it is time to light your candles.
(Alternate) And now it is time to light the candles of unity.

(During Candle Lighting) On this day you make a new light together, symbolizing the two becoming one.
May you also continue to recognize that separateness from which your relationship has sprung. May the
lights of your own special lives continue to feed the new flame of love which will fuel your future
together -- through all its hopes and disappointments, its successes and failures, its pleasures and its
pains, its joys and its sorrows -- a future filled with the warmth and love of the flame you share today..

Variations: All guests are given a candle, and the first guest's is lit. Guests pass the flame until all are lit,
and then the bride and groom together light their unity candle. This variation typically includes a
proclamation that this ceremony represents the unity of friends and family supporting the couple in their
marriage.

Rose Ceremony: A simple unity ceremony where the bride and groom exchange roses. Other variations:
the families exchange roses, the bride and groom exchange roses with their families, the bride and
groom exchange roses, then present their mothers with the roses.

Wine Ceremony: The bride and groom each take a carafe of wine and pour it into a single glass, which
they both drink from.

Water Ceremony: The couple each pour a different colored water into a single glass, creating a third
color.

Sand Ceremony: Similar to the water ceremony, the bride and groom both pour different colored sand
into a glass. A common reading used for sand ceremonies (can be adapted for water, too): "Life’s
moments are as grains of sands, forever moving and shifting with the winds of time. Today, ________
and __________, you are making your eternal commitment to one another, blending the sands of your
lives together. The separate vessels of sand you each hold represents your lives up to this moment. And
from this moment on, as with the sands you now blend together, you shall become one - a family
created."

Salt Ceremony: Indian weddings often include a salt ceremony, where the bride passes a handful of salt
to her groom without spilling any. He then passes it back to her and the exchange is repeated three
times. She then performs the salt exchange with all the members of the groom's family, symbolizing her
blending in with her new family.
Breaking Bread Ceremony: The bride and groom tear off pieces of bread, and then each eat a piece.
Sometimes the bread is also shared with family and friends. It symbolizes their future as a family
together.

Garland Ceremony or Lei Ceremony: The bride and groom exchange garlands of flowers. This is a
common part of Indian weddings, where the ceremony is called varmala or jaimala, and represents a
proposal by the bride and acceptance by the groom. It also represents their new unity, blessed by
nature. In Hawaiian weddings, the bride and groom typically exchange leis. The families may also
exchange leis with the couple. Leis represent the love and respect you have for the person you are giving
it to, and the unity of the new family.

Circling: In Eastern European ceremonies, the bride and groom circle the altar three times, which are
their first steps together as husband and wife. In Hindu ceremonies, couples circle the fire seven times,
sealing their bond. The unbroken circle represents the unbroken commitment to each other.

Poetry, special music, photos, videos, audience participation rites, etc., can also be tastefully added to
a ceremony for that personal touch.

http://www.angelfire.com/id/vancuren/wedscript.html April 12, 2011

This page was created to help couples plan and design their personal ceremony, from the moment the
music starts, until their exit as husband and wife.

Notice: Script samples found here are common and considered public domain, visitors may use
anything found on this page without restriction