Ceremony Script

Browse ceremonies online. Many officiant websites allow you to pick and choose elements to include as a starting point. Laweddingwoman.com has ideas as well as offbeatbride.com. The only thing that is required is the officiant asking if you are entering the marriage of your own free will and some type of vow exchange. The rest is optional.


If you choose to have any readings, it’s actually more common and traditional for the officiant to recite them than to stop and wait for a guest to walk up, read, and then sit down.

I found weddingceremonypro.com and made my entire script. They break down each section, and have a bunch of scripts to choose from!

I wrote my own ceremony script. I included the follow sections:

-Intro/opening remarks
-Readings
-Declaration of intent
-Vows
-Unity ceremony
-Ring exchange
-Pronunciation of husband and wife

From my understanding, the only things that really *have* to be included are the declaration of intent and exchanging of vows (whether it be traditional or personalized), and I think the pronunciation of the married couple. And a signed marriage license, but that doesn't have to be done during the ceremony. The readings, exchanging of rings, unity ceremony, etc. are all optional, but can certainly be included if you prefer!

I searched Pinterest and Google for sample scripts and wording ideas for each individual section, and built my own script inspired by what I found (with also slightly rewording most of the sections and completely writing my own words from scratch for some sections).

I love the idea of incorporating a Harry Potter theme into your ceremony! You could reference the vows as the "unbreakable vows", make/drink "love potions" as a unity ceremony (or do a sorting hat ceremony, if you're planning on taking your fiance's last name), incorporate music from the movies into your ceremony, and/or read love themed sentences from one of the books: https://www.theknot.com/content/harry-potter-wedding-reading

To tie in the Harry Potter theme, I was reading on officiant website a suggestion to have a unity ceremony with colored water that fizzes or smokes when it’s combined in a larger jar.

Like someone already said, not a lot "has" to be in there - just the I DO, or whatever equivalent you and your partner choose to use.

I highly recommend The Knot Guide to Wedding Vows and Traditions - I found it at my local library, and it gave me some incredible ideas for the ceremony! It even has a sample ceremony itinerary on one page, so that could be a great jumping off point for you.

Other than that, my philosophy is to make it personal ... and same could be said for your Uncle, the officiant. Ask him to speak from the heart about what love means to him, or (if you knows you and your partner super well) an anecdote about your love specifically.

I also recommend watching Four Weddings (been bingeing that show, love love love it!) - they don't show the full ceremonies, but I've picked up key words/phrasings here and there from a lot of episodes, potential words/phrasings that I'd love to consider adding to my ceremony. For example: the officiant says part and then asks the bride/groom to repeat "I give you my hand / my heart / and my love" - this was mentioned in two different ceremonies, and I never would've come across it otherwise ... I really like how it sounds!