Weddings
Wedding ceremony scripts you can read, copy and make your own
Five complete wedding ceremony scripts: traditional Christian, modern non-religious, a short 10-minute ceremony, a unity candle section and a Catholic-style outline. Copy one, change the names and you have a ceremony.
By Jon Horton · Updated
A good wedding ceremony script does three things. It tells everyone why they’re there, it lets the couple make their promises clearly, and it sounds like the person reading it. The scripts below are written to be read aloud by a friend who has never officiated. Sample names are Ellie and Marcus (and Maya and Jordan in the modern script), so find and replace them.
Each script has the parts most states expect: a declaration of intent, vows, a pronouncement and a presentation. Stage directions are in [brackets]. Scripture is quoted from public-domain translations (KJV and WEB) and named. If you’d rather have a script written around your couple’s real story, the Officiant Script Builder does that.
Traditional Christian ceremony (about 20 minutes)
Prayer, Scripture (KJV and WEB), traditional vows and a blessing. Replace Ellie, Marcus, Sam and Reyes with your own names.
[Music for the processional ends. The couple stands facing the officiant. Guests are seated.]
WELCOME
Friends and family, welcome. Thank you for being here. My name is Sam, and I have the joy of standing with Ellie and Marcus today.
We have come together in the presence of God and of one another to celebrate the marriage of Ellie and Marcus. Every person in this room has helped bring them here, and they asked me to say that they are grateful for each of you.
[Pause and smile at the couple.]
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray.
Gracious God, you are the source of all love. We thank you for Ellie and Marcus, and for the way you brought them together. Be with them today. Bless the promises they will make. Bless every family and friend gathered here. Let your peace fill this place. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE
Marriage is one of the oldest gifts God has given us. In the second chapter of Genesis we read, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh" (KJV). It is a gift of companionship, and it is also a calling to love another person on purpose, every day, for the rest of your life.
Marriage is not held together by a feeling, though feelings are a wonderful part of it. It is held together by a decision, made again and again, to stay, to listen, to forgive and to begin again. Ellie and Marcus are not here to promise that life will be easy. They are here to promise that they will face it together.
THE READING
[A reader comes forward.]
Our reading comes from the first letter of Paul to the Corinthians, chapter thirteen, in the World English Bible.
"Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
[The reader returns to their seat.]
A WORD TO THE COUPLE
Ellie and Marcus, a word to you before you make your vows.
You met at a church softball game, where Marcus dropped an easy catch and Ellie laughed so hard she had to sit down. That laugh is the sound this marriage will be built on. Keep laughing. Keep choosing each other when things are easy and especially when they are not.
Love one another as Christ loves us: patiently, generously and without keeping score. Pray together. Forgive quickly. Say thank you often. Make your home a place where other people are welcome.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
[The officiant turns to the groom.]
Marcus, do you take Ellie to be your wife, to live together in marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
[Marcus answers: "I do."]
[The officiant turns to the bride.]
Ellie, do you take Marcus to be your husband, to live together in marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
[Ellie answers: "I do."]
THE VOWS
[The couple joins hands and faces each other. The officiant says each phrase and waits for the partner to repeat it.]
Marcus, please repeat after me.
I, Marcus, take you, Ellie, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death parts us, according to God's holy will. And this is my solemn vow.
[Pause. Then Ellie repeats the same vow, replacing "wife" with "husband" and the names.]
THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS
[The best man and maid of honor hand the rings to the officiant.]
A ring is a circle with no beginning and no end. It reminds us of the love we are asked to give without end. Let us bless these rings.
Lord, bless these rings, and bless the two who will wear them. May they be a sign of faithfulness and a reminder of the vows made today. Amen.
[The officiant gives Marcus Ellie's ring.]
Marcus, place this ring on Ellie's finger and repeat after me.
Ellie, I give you this ring as a sign of my love and my faithfulness. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
[Repeat for Ellie with Marcus's ring.]
THE BLESSING
[The couple stays facing each other. Guests may be invited to stand.]
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Amen.
PRONOUNCEMENT
Ellie and Marcus, you have declared your love before God and before these witnesses. By the authority granted to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Marcus, you may kiss your bride.
[Pause for the kiss and applause.]
PRESENTATION
Friends and family, it is my great joy to introduce, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Marcus and Ellie Reyes!
[Music begins. The couple walks back up the aisle.]
[After the ceremony, sign the marriage license with the witnesses, exactly as the form instructs.]
Modern, non-religious ceremony (about 18 minutes)
Warm and personal with no prayer. Sample names are Maya and Jordan. The story section is your chance to use real details from the couple.
[Guests are seated. Music fades. The couple stands facing each other, with the officiant between them.]
WELCOME
Hello, everyone, and welcome. I'm Sam, and I've known Maya since the first week of college, when she told me she was never going to date anyone who liked pineapple on pizza. Jordan, I can report that she has made an exception for you.
We are here for one of the happiest reasons there is. Two people who love each other have decided to build a life together, and they've invited every person in this room to watch it begin.
A MOMENT ON LOVE
Maya and Jordan asked me to keep this honest, so I will.
Love isn't only the swoon of the first date or the beauty of a day like this one. It is Tuesday-night dishes and long drives to see each other's families. It is telling the truth when it's awkward and choosing kindness when you'd rather win the argument. It's showing up for the ordinary days so that you can enjoy the extraordinary ones together.
Maya and Jordan already do this. It's the reason everyone here is smiling.
THEIR STORY
They met when a mutual friend asked both of them to help move a couch up three flights of stairs. Somewhere around the second landing, the couch got stuck, and instead of arguing, they started laughing. They have been working out how to get through narrow places together ever since.
[Smile at the couple and let the story land.]
WHO SUPPORTS THIS COUPLE
Maya and Jordan are surrounded by people who love them. Family and friends, do you promise to support this couple in their marriage, to celebrate with them in joy and to stand beside them in hard times?
[Guests answer: "We do."]
THE READING
[A reader comes forward.]
"Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up... and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
That is Ecclesiastes 4, in the King James Version, a text that is thousands of years old and still true. Two people who carry each other are stronger than either one alone.
[The reader returns to their seat.]
DECLARATION OF INTENT
Maya, do you choose Jordan to be your spouse? Do you promise to love him, to be honest with him, to respect him and to stay with him through whatever comes?
[Maya answers: "I do."]
Jordan, do you choose Maya to be your spouse? Do you promise to love her, to be honest with her, to respect her and to stay with her through whatever comes?
[Jordan answers: "I do."]
THE VOWS
[The couple joins hands. The officiant says each phrase and waits.]
Maya, please repeat after me.
Jordan, I choose you. I choose you today, and every day. I promise to be your friend, to tell you the truth, to listen when it's hard, and to laugh with you when it's not. I promise to hold your hand through every good thing and every hard thing. I will love you, and stay with you, for all the days of my life.
[Jordan repeats the same vow with Maya's name.]
THE RINGS
[The rings are handed to the officiant.]
These rings are small circles, and they carry a big promise. Wear them as a reminder, on the good days and on the days that need reminding, of the choice you made in front of the people you love most.
[The officiant hands Maya the ring for Jordan.]
Maya, place this ring on Jordan's finger and say: "Jordan, wear this ring as a sign of my love and my promise. I give it to you freely."
[Repeat for Jordan.]
PRONOUNCEMENT
Maya and Jordan, you have made your promises in front of the people who love you most. By the authority granted to me, it is my joy to pronounce you married.
You may kiss.
[Pause for applause.]
PRESENTATION
Everyone, I'm delighted to present, for the first time as a married couple, Maya and Jordan!
[Music. The couple walks back up the aisle.]
[After the ceremony, sign the marriage license with the witnesses, exactly as the form instructs.]
Short 10-minute ceremony
Everything legally and emotionally necessary, and nothing more. Good for courthouse, backyard or elopement weddings.
[Guests are seated. The couple stands before the officiant.]
WELCOME
Welcome, everyone. We are here to celebrate the marriage of Ellie and Marcus. I'm Sam, a friend of both, and it's an honor to stand with them today.
They have asked for a short ceremony, because the promises are what matter. So let's begin.
A FEW WORDS
Ellie and Marcus, you've known for a long time that you wanted this. What you are about to promise isn't a feeling. It is a decision to love each other on easy days and hard days, and to keep deciding it for the rest of your lives.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
Ellie, do you take Marcus to be your husband? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor him and be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?
[Ellie answers: "I do."]
Marcus, do you take Ellie to be your wife? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor her and be faithful to her for as long as you both shall live?
[Marcus answers: "I do."]
THE VOWS
[The couple joins hands. The officiant says each phrase and waits.]
Ellie, repeat after me.
I, Ellie, take you, Marcus, to be my husband. I promise to love you, to honor you, and to be faithful to you, in good times and in hard times, in sickness and in health, for as long as we both shall live.
[Marcus repeats the same vow.]
THE RINGS
[The rings are handed to the officiant.]
These rings are circles with no end, a sign of a promise with no end. Marcus, place this ring on Ellie's finger and say: "Ellie, I give you this ring as a sign of my love and my faithfulness."
[Marcus does so. Repeat for Ellie.]
PRONOUNCEMENT
Ellie and Marcus, you have made your promises in front of your family and friends. By the authority granted to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss!
[Pause for applause.]
PRESENTATION
Please welcome, for the first time, Ellie and Marcus!
[Music. The couple walks back up the aisle.]
[After the ceremony, sign the marriage license with the witnesses, exactly as the form instructs.]
Unity candle section
A drop-in section to add after the rings to any ceremony above. Allow about three minutes.
[Place a unity candle on a small table beside the couple, flanked by two taper candles. Light the two tapers before guests are seated. Insert this section after the exchange of rings and before the pronouncement.]
THE UNITY CANDLE
[The couple walks to the table and each takes a lit taper candle.]
Ellie and Marcus, you came to this day as two separate lives, each with your own history, your own family and your own light. The two taper candles stand for those lives, and for the people who made you who you are.
Tonight you begin a life together. The center candle stands for the marriage you are starting. When you light it, you are not putting out your own light. You are choosing to let your light shine together.
Ellie and Marcus, please light the unity candle together.
[They light the center candle together. Allow a moment of quiet. Soft music may play.]
Friends and family, notice that the two flames are still burning. Marriage doesn't take away who you are. It gives you someone to share the light with.
[Optional: the couple may return the taper candles to their holders, or blow out the tapers, as they have chosen.]
A BLESSING OVER THE FLAME
May the light you have lit today warm your home for all your years together. May it light the way on dark days and brighten the good ones. May you always find your way back to each other.
[The officiant continues with the pronouncement.]
Catholic-style outline (for reference, not a script)
The order of the Catholic rite of marriage. Labeled an outline because a Catholic wedding is led by a priest or deacon.
This is an outline of the Catholic rite of marriage, so you can follow along or help a couple prepare. It is NOT a script for a lay friend to lead.
A Catholic wedding celebrated in the Church is conducted by a priest or deacon, who receives the couple's consent on behalf of the Church. A friend who has been ordained online cannot celebrate a sacramental Catholic marriage. If your friends want a Catholic ceremony, they should speak to their parish priest as early as possible, because preparation takes months.
The order of the rite, ceremony with Mass:
ENTRANCE: The priest and ministers process. The couple may process with their parents or the wedding party. The priest greets the people.
LITURGY OF THE WORD: Readings from Scripture, usually an Old Testament reading, a psalm, a New Testament reading and the Gospel. The priest preaches a homily.
THE RITE OF MARRIAGE: Questions to the couple about their freedom, their fidelity and their openness to children. The couple joins right hands and exchanges consent: "I, ___, take you, ___, to be my wife (husband). I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life." The priest receives and confirms the consent.
BLESSING AND EXCHANGE OF RINGS: The priest blesses the rings, and the couple gives them to each other with the words, "Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity."
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL: Intercessions for the couple, their families and the Church.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST: When the ceremony is within Mass, the Eucharist follows.
NUPTIAL BLESSING: The priest blesses the couple, over them or after the Lord's Prayer.
CONCLUDING RITES: Final blessing and dismissal. The couple and the witnesses sign the register.
If your friends are marrying outside the Church or are non-Catholic, their ceremony will follow the civil and religious rules that apply to them. A conversation with a priest is always the right first step.
How to personalize a script
A script becomes yours in about an hour of small changes.
- Replace the names and the sample story. The “couple’s story” section is where a script stops being generic. Use two or three true details: where they met, what they laugh about, how they treat each other. Ask the couple, then ask a friend or a parent.
- Say your relationship once. “I’ve known Ellie since college” earns the room’s trust in one sentence.
- Choose the tone. If they’re religious, keep the prayer and the Scripture. If not, delete the prayer, keep the reading and use the modern script’s opening.
- Read it aloud, standing up. Mark every place you stumble and rewrite the sentence. Shorter sentences are easier to say with your hands shaking.
- Time it. Read at a calm pace and add two minutes for music, laughter and applause. A 1,000-word script runs about 10 minutes; a 2,000-word script about 20.
- Print it large. Use 14-point type, one section per page, and a folder or a small binder. Phones go to sleep and screens glare outdoors.
See the wedding ceremony outline for the order of events and timing, and how to officiate a wedding for everything around the script.
Alternate lines for any ceremony
Other ways to open
- “Welcome, everyone. Take a breath. Look around. Every person in this room is here because they love one of these two.”
- “We’re here today for the best reason there is: two people are about to make a promise.”
- “Good afternoon. Before we start, I want to say that this is the happiest assignment I’ve ever been given.”
Other vows (repeat after me)
“I take you to be my partner in life, my closest friend, and my love. I promise to be honest with you, to encourage you, to laugh with you and to stay when it’s hard. I give you my heart today and every day.”
“I, Ellie, take you, Marcus, to be my husband. Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people. I will love you all the days of my life.”
The second echoes Ruth 1:16, which in the King James Version reads, “whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”
Other ring lines
- “Take this ring as a sign of my love and my faithfulness.”
- “With this ring, I promise to love you, to honor you and to choose you every day.”
- “I give you this ring as a symbol of everything I’ve promised today.”
Other pronouncements
- “By the authority granted to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
- “By the authority granted to me, I now pronounce you wife and wife.”
- “By the authority granted to me, I now pronounce you married.”
Common questions
What is the order of a wedding ceremony script?
Welcome, opening prayer or reflection, words about marriage, the couple's story, a reading, the declaration of intent, vows, the exchange of rings, any unity ritual, a blessing, the pronouncement, the kiss and the presentation of the couple. The full order with timing is on our wedding ceremony outline page.
How long is a typical wedding ceremony script?
Most are 15 to 25 minutes. A 10-minute ceremony is about 1,000 spoken words. A 20-minute ceremony is about 2,000 words. Add 3 to 5 minutes for a unity candle, sand ceremony or communion.
What do you say at the beginning of a wedding ceremony?
Welcome the guests, say who you are and your relationship to the couple, and say why everyone is here. For example: “Friends and family, welcome. We’re here to celebrate the marriage of Ellie and Marcus.” Keep it short. Then move into a prayer or a reflection.
What are the words the officiant says to pronounce a couple married?
A common version is: “By the authority granted to me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” For other couples, “wife and wife,” “husband and husband,” “spouses” or “married” work well. Follow with “You may kiss,” then present the couple.
Can I use these scripts word for word?
Yes. They’re written to be read aloud and edited. Replace the sample names, add the couple’s real story, and read the script out loud once so it sounds like you. Scripture is quoted from public-domain translations and named.
Can a friend officiate a Catholic wedding?
No. A Catholic marriage celebrated in the Church is conducted by a priest or deacon. The Catholic outline on this page is for reference. If the couple wants a Catholic wedding, they should speak to their parish priest early.
Do the scripts cover the legal requirements?
They include the declaration of intent and the pronouncement, which most states expect. But each state decides who may officiate and how to file the license, so confirm with the county clerk. This is not legal advice.
Keep reading
- Officiant script builderBuild a full, personalized wedding officiant script — welcome to pronouncement — with vows, a rehearsal run-sheet and your state's legal steps.
- Ceremony outlineThe wedding ceremony order of events, step by step, with timing for each part and a free printable outline for the officiant.
- How to officiate a weddingFirst time officiating? From ordination and the license to the rehearsal, the script and the kiss — everything a friend officiant needs.
- Get ordained onlineHow to become an ordained minister online to officiate a wedding — which services are legit, what it costs and what your state requires.