For pastors, clergy & officiants
Everything for the Ceremony, in One Place
You prepare couples for marriage. This site helps with the rest: the wording, the order of service, and the many little questions couples bring to you.
It was written by a former pastor who stood at the front of a great many weddings. Use whatever is helpful, pass along whatever your couples need, and skip the rest.
Ceremony Resources
Wording you can use as it is or adapt, one part of the ceremony at a time.
The Full Ceremony
Every part in order, from the welcome to the recessional, with wording ready to adapt.
Welcome & Opening Prayers
Words of welcome, opening prayers and reflections, from faith-based to simple and brief.
The Charge
What a charge to the couple should say, with seven examples given at real weddings.
Intentions, Vows & Rings
The declaration of intent, traditional and personal vows, and ring wording.
Blessings & Benedictions
Blessings for the couple, closing benedictions and the pronouncement.
Scripture & Readings
Scripture passages and other readings, with help for couples choosing their own.
Also helpful: Processional order The rehearsal Blended families Honoring a loved one who has died Including the guests Ring warming Marriage license basics
Free printable · letter size
A Handout for Your Engaged Couples
A one-page sheet, “From ‘Yes’ to ‘I Do’,” that points couples to the planning help on this site. There's a spot at the bottom to write in your church or your own name. Print as many as you like.
Download the handout (PDF)Pages to Point Your Couples To
So your time together can go to what matters most.
Their Ceremony
Helps couples come to your first meeting with ideas instead of a blank page.
Meeting With You
Why that first conversation with the officiant matters, and how to start it.
Beyond the Big Day
Advice from a couple married over fifty years, plus free notes for the first year of marriage.
Teaching or Training Ministers?
Seminary and ministry instructors are welcome to share these pages with students preparing to officiate their first weddings. A one-page overview is here to print or pass along.
Download the clergy overview (PDF) →Asked to Officiate a Friend's Wedding?
Not ordained, and doing this for the first time? Start with who can legally officiate, then the tips for the one who's been chosen.
Are you allowed to marry them? →Tips if you're the chosen one →
With gratitude
Have a prayer, reading or blessing you'd like to see added, or a correction to suggest? Write to ourweddingguide@gmail.com.