Order of Service

In This Section

Exchange of Vows
Blessing of Rings
Exchange of Rings
Readings
Unity Rituals
Additional Rituals
Blessing of the Marriage
Declaration of Marriage
Including Family &  Friends
Order of Service
Type and Tone

Wedding ceremonies are generally shorter than most people expect. I once officiated a wedding with a processional, presentation of the bride, words of welcome, declaration of intent, blessing of the parents, reading, full homily on marriage, lengthy self-written vows, blessing of the hands, ring exchange, unity candle, second reading, blessing of the marriage, declaration of marriage, introduction of the couple and recessional that lasted a whopping 21 minutes.

If you would like to include anything beyond the required vow exchange, each element it is unlikely to add more than a minute or two to the overall length of the service. This is your day and your relationship. If you have a reading that perfectly describes your relationship, have someone read it. If you like the symbolism of the vessel and rose ritual, do it. A competent officiant should be able to help you put together an order of service that is most meaningful to you.

Note

• The Presentation of the Bride is when the officiant asks "Who presents this woman at her wedding this day?" of my simply instruct the groom to join his bride.

• The Declaration of Intent is when the officiant, in formalized language, asks the couple if they are come this day to "joyfully and without reservation to give themselves to one another in marriage."

• The Affirmation of the Couple (also referred to as Charge to the Couple, Admonition to the Couple or Challenge to the Couple) is a few words about the couple, their regard for one another and the gifts they bring to the relationship. It is usually written by the officiant and provides a smooth transition to the vow exchange.

Here are some sample Orders of Service for weddings that last approximately fifteen minutes.

Here is an example of an order of service for a longer wedding.

Processional

Presentation of the Bride

Words of Welcome with Memorial Statement

Flower Presentation to Mothers

Blessing of the Parents

Declaration of Intent

Reading

Affirmation of the Couple

Exchange of Vows

Blessing of the Hands

Exchange of Rings

Blended Family Sand Ceremony

Community Vow of Support

Reading

Bell of Truce

Signing of the License

Blessing of the Marriage

Declaration of Marriage

Introduction of the Couple

Recessional

25 minutes! I told you weddings go faster than you think.

Where to Find Examples of the Elements in an Order of Service

....or how to have everything in your wedding except the kitchen sink.

• Processional

• Presentation of the Bride 

• Opening Words (Greeting of the Guests)

• Reading / Musical Interlude / Blessing of the Parents / Declaration of Intent http://www.brevardminister.com/readings.htm

• Affirmation of the Couple (Wedding Message)

• Exchange of Vows http://www.brevardminister.com/vow_options.htm

• Blessing of the Hands / Hand Ceremony http://www.brevardminister.com/rituals.htm

• Blessing of the Rings http://www.brevardminister.com/ring_blessings.htm

• Exchange of Rings http://www.brevardminister.com/ring_exchanges.htm

• Unity Candle / Sand Ceremony / Handfasting / Wine Ceremony / Vessel & Rose / Signing of the License / Rose Ceremony / Wine & Letter Box / Tasting of the Four Elements / Bread, Salt, Wine and Silver / Thirteen Coins / Bell of Truce http://www.brevardminister.com/unity_ritual.htm and http://www.brevardminister.com/rituals.htm

• Reading / Musical Interlude / Declaration of Support  

• Blessing of the Marriage http://www.brevardminister.com/blessings.htm

• Declaration of Marriage http://brevardminister.com/declaration_of_marriage.htm

• Butterfly Release / Dove Release / Wish Upon a Shell / Jumping of the Broom / Breaking of the Glass http://www.brevardminister.com/rituals.htm

• Introduction of the Couple

• Recessional

SAMPLE WEDDINGS http://www.brevardminister.com/samples.htm