I Thee Wed Place

Wedding Ceremony Order of Service

Many Nashville area couples have used this as a typical order of events for a wedding ceremony.
Since it is your wedding, you should feel free to add, drop, or alter the sequence of these events.
When I meet with couples to plan their wedding, we discuss many of the options available to them.
This makes a ceremony that is custom and personal, uniquely theirs, and according to their wishes.

It has only been comparatively recent in history that couples have been "allowed" to design their own
wedding ceremony within a church setting. For your reference, you may want to look at the classic
"Anglican Wedding Ceremony" from 1662 ( which was widely followed until about WW II, and which
has the infamous "obey" clause for the Bride. (Note: The man had to give full title of all his
"worldly goods" to his bride, so perhaps the "obey" part wasn't such a bad thing for some wives.)
And you may want to look at the "Book of Common Prayer Wedding Ceremony" of 1945 , which is
followed by many churches even today.

Example of an Extreme Customized Service:

Ushers seat the guests (Prelude music playing)

Special music begins

Mothers/parents/VIPs enter and light candelabras

Parents of the Bride and Groom are seated

The Minister and Groom enter and proceed to the front

The Bridal party enters and proceeds to the front

The Ring Bearer and/or Flower Girl enter, proceed to front, sit down

Music concludes for bridal party

Ushers unroll the aisle runner

The Minister asks the audience to rise and welcome the Bride

Music begins for the Bride’s entrance (Processional music)

The Bride and her escort enter, and are met by the Groom

Bride’s music concludes.

Opening commentary

Bride and Groom light "family candles" to represent their families

Bride and Groom present flowers to parents and/or VIPs

"Declarations Of Intent" by Bride and Groom

First reading (religious or romantic literature)

Musical interlude (solo, etc.)

Second reading

Special music (musical interlude, or musical and vocal performance)

Exchange of wedding vows (traditional or customized)

Blessing of the rings

Exchange of wedding rings (traditional or customized)

Audience recites Lord's Prayer (Roman Catholic or Protestant version)

Minister's prayer of blessing for the Bride and Groom

Bride and Groom light Unity Candle (music in background)

Final commentary

Bride and Groom kiss

Introduction of the new couple by the Minister

Recessional music begins

Bride and Groom exit

Bridal party exits and forms reception line.

Minister's instructions to the audience.

Example of a Standard Service:
 

Processional

Opening Words of the Officiant

The Giving in Marriage (optional)

An Opening Prayer or Reading

Definition of Marriage

Wedding Vows

Exchange of rings or gifts.

Lighting of Unity Candle or other unity ceremony (optional)

Closing

Declaration of marriage

Introduction of Newlyweds