It's All About the Ceremony!
The Marry Me In Indy Formal Wedding Ceremony Guide.
I became a wedding officiant so that I could help any couple get married any way they want. You can express yourself in your ceremony any way you want. That means you can choose what you want to say - or don't want to say. Or what is said and not said! You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, and if there is something you want to do, you should be able to do it. It's YOUR wedding!!
What kind of wedding ceremony do you want?
Your wedding can be short and sweet. It's not the length of your ceremony, it's the words you say that count. You can have a fun wedding ceremony! Your wedding ceremony can be light-hearted and express your personality. You can have the traditional ceremony you've always dreamed of. If there is a way you have always envisioned your wedding ceremony, we can create that. We can bring your fantasy to life.
We can create a ceremony that makes you, and everyone in your family happy. We can bring together different traditions and beliefs in a way that is beautiful, honoring everyone from the most religious guest to the least religious. We can find a happy medium for everyone.
I believe that if we perform a truly beautiful ceremony, most people will not notice what we did, or did not say. The goal to have everyone walk away thinking, 'That was a great ceremony! Let's celebrate!"
We can create a ceremony that makes you, and everyone in your family happy. We can bring together different traditions and beliefs in a way that is beautiful, honoring everyone from the most religious guest to the least religious. We can find a happy medium for everyone.
I believe that if we perform a truly beautiful ceremony, most people will not notice what we did, or did not say. The goal to have everyone walk away thinking, 'That was a great ceremony! Let's celebrate!"
Photo taken at the pergola at Balmoral House by Casey and Her Camera.
How To Use This Guide.
Start with reading a ceremony.
Many people really don't know where to begin. When I sit down with a couple and ask if they have any questions, it is not uncommon for them to not really have enough information to know what questions to ask. I think it helps so much to just read a ceremony.
Find your tone.
I think one of the first things to start with, is finding your tone. What's the vibe of your wedding? What do you want your ceremony to feel like? Romance? Poetry? Traditional - whatever that means to you. Do you want a Christian ceremony? A basically non-religious ceremony with a prayer? Do you want Jewish elements? How about a handfasting?
One of the first questions I ask a couple is, "will you be drunk during your ceremony?" If the answer is yes, we create a ceremony that goes along with that mood. We wouldn't create a religious ceremony for drunk people. We'd create a really fun ceremony!!
Most couples want something light-hearted. They want to feel the love!
You might want a more serious wedding. Not that you won't be feeling the love, but because you need certain religious elements to honor your family traditions. (Even if they aren't yours.) See our Christian-Lite Ceremony, or our Inter-faith Jewish ceremony. Yes, I know what a Ketubah is, and I've signed one! I've also had a bride insist on breaking her OWN glass!
Maybe you just graduated at the top of your law class and now the entire law firm - including your boss is going to be there and it needs to be appropriate! (See Formal Ceremony 10!)
Your heart may be breaking because the most important people in your lives won't be at your wedding ceremony. We can make that a beautiful experience too.
One of the first questions I ask a couple is, "will you be drunk during your ceremony?" If the answer is yes, we create a ceremony that goes along with that mood. We wouldn't create a religious ceremony for drunk people. We'd create a really fun ceremony!!
Most couples want something light-hearted. They want to feel the love!
You might want a more serious wedding. Not that you won't be feeling the love, but because you need certain religious elements to honor your family traditions. (Even if they aren't yours.) See our Christian-Lite Ceremony, or our Inter-faith Jewish ceremony. Yes, I know what a Ketubah is, and I've signed one! I've also had a bride insist on breaking her OWN glass!
Maybe you just graduated at the top of your law class and now the entire law firm - including your boss is going to be there and it needs to be appropriate! (See Formal Ceremony 10!)
Your heart may be breaking because the most important people in your lives won't be at your wedding ceremony. We can make that a beautiful experience too.
If you are a reader, and want to scroll through all the ceremony information at once, click on the first link below. It will take to Formal Wedding Ceremony 1. You can then scroll through all 10 of my pre-written ceremonies It's in blog form, each ceremony is an article.
I have also created a link to each individual ceremony with a short explanation. That way, you can skip over the ceremonies you know won't interest you.
If you are in a hurry, read Formal Wedding Ceremony #2 and #3. #3 is the most popular. #2 is the most traditional and the best template to use to create your own ceremony - religious or non-religious.
This can be such a fun experience! I recommend every couple be in the mood. A cold winter day can be great for this!
I have also created a link to each individual ceremony with a short explanation. That way, you can skip over the ceremonies you know won't interest you.
If you are in a hurry, read Formal Wedding Ceremony #2 and #3. #3 is the most popular. #2 is the most traditional and the best template to use to create your own ceremony - religious or non-religious.
This can be such a fun experience! I recommend every couple be in the mood. A cold winter day can be great for this!
Make Your Ceremony Your Own.
Once you have read a ceremony and have gotten a feel for it, you may want to tweak it a bit. Maybe not. You might just say - We like #10 and leave it at that!
Your Ceremony Document
I send every couple a link to a Google shared document set to edit. There are questions for you to answer about you and your ceremony specifically. We also use the document to create your ceremony. You are welcome to cut, paste, and edit your ceremony any way you like. You can also create your ceremony in any type of document you want and email it to me directly at [email protected]. Not everyone likes google!
The Questions I ask about you and your ceremony.
Some of these questions may not apply to you.
- What are your full names?
- What names do you go by?
- Do you have preferred pronouns?
- How do you want to be pronounced after you are married?
- How many people are in your wedding party?
- Do you have a wedding planner/Day of Event Coordinator?
- Will anyone be participating in your ceremony? Readers?
- Do you want an unplugged ceremony?
- Do you want a photo moment?
- Will the bride/groom be escorted down the aisle?
- Do you want me to ask who gives(or presents) this person to be married? (Or not)
- Do you want a moment of silence?
- Will you be sharing your personal vows during the ceremony?
- Will you exchange rings?
- Who will have the rings during the ceremony?
- Do you want a unity ceremony?
- Do you have any announcements for your guests after the ceremony?
These are additional questions you may want to answer that will add more personalization to your ceremony.
- What are some pivotal moments in your relationship?
- What was your first official date or favorite date?
- Tell me about the first time you met.
- When did you fall in love?
- Why do you want to get married?
- Favorite way to spend the day together?
The Parts of a Ceremony
There are many possible parts of a wedding ceremony. You don't have to use them all. Legally, you just have to say, "I do." and then I pronounce that you are married. How you say, "I do," how I pronounce you married, and everything else in between is up to you!
My pre-written ceremonies do not have all these parts, but they can be added - or taken away.
ALL OF THE PARTS OF THE WEDDING CEREMONY ARE OPTIONAL! You do not need to include them. I just want you do know that they exist.
As you scroll down the page, you will see links to read all of the different pre-written ceremonies. After that, you will see link to all the different parts of a ceremony. If you follow the link, it will lead you to an explanation of each part and have several options for each part. You can mix and match parts of the ceremony.
My pre-written ceremonies do not have all these parts, but they can be added - or taken away.
ALL OF THE PARTS OF THE WEDDING CEREMONY ARE OPTIONAL! You do not need to include them. I just want you do know that they exist.
As you scroll down the page, you will see links to read all of the different pre-written ceremonies. After that, you will see link to all the different parts of a ceremony. If you follow the link, it will lead you to an explanation of each part and have several options for each part. You can mix and match parts of the ceremony.
- Announce an "Unplugged Ceremony." Or make any pre-ceremony announcements.
- Procession of the wedding party
- Procession of the Bride/Groom
- Who gives (or presents) this woman to be married?
- Photo Moment
- Opening Prayer
- Welcoming
- Moment of Silence
- Recognition of Parents/Asking for parents blessing.
- Words about Love and Marriage
- Readings
- Declaration of Intent - The "I do's."
- Vows to children
- Meaning of the Rings
- Blessing of the Rings
- Ring Exchange
- Unity Ceremony
- Final Words
- Closing Prayer/Blessing
- Pronouncement
- Fist Kiss
- Breaking of the Glass
- Instructions for the guests after the ceremony
Formal Wedding Ceremony Scripts
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Parts of a Wedding Ceremony
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Extra Content
Looking for even more options for parts of a ceremony?
I've gathered quite the collection of wedding ceremony scripts parts!
I used to have an entire website with ceremony script options. It was a little much for some couples so I curated the options.
The above options are the most popular options and the collections are shorter.
Below, are links to longer lists of options if that's what you are looking for.
Many of the options are duplicates. So, if you are reading through this page before looking at options and want to fully immerse yourself in your wedding ceremony script you may want to start with the links below.
I used to have an entire website with ceremony script options. It was a little much for some couples so I curated the options.
The above options are the most popular options and the collections are shorter.
Below, are links to longer lists of options if that's what you are looking for.
Many of the options are duplicates. So, if you are reading through this page before looking at options and want to fully immerse yourself in your wedding ceremony script you may want to start with the links below.
Pre-ceremony announcements
Unplugged Ceremony Scripts
Photo Moment Scripts
The Presentation and Declaration of Support
Opening Prayers
The Welcoming
A Moment of Silence
Declaration of Community Support
Words About Love and Marriage
Non-Religious Readings
Non-Traditional Secular Wedding Readings
Christian Readings and Scripture
Spiritual and Multi-Faith Readings
Cats and Dogs in your Wedding Ceremony
Harry Potter Quotes for your Wedding
Pop Culture Quotes for your Wedding
Declaration of Intent - Secular, non-religious, "I do's"
Declaration of Intent - Christian "I do's"
Wedding Vows
Meaning of the Rings - Secular
Christian Ring Meanings and Blessings for the Rings
Exchange of Rings - Secular
Exchange of Rings - Christian
Secular Blessings
Scottish and Irish Blessings
Seven Blessings for a Jewish Wedding
Closing Prayers
The Pronouncement of Marriage
The Kiss
The Breaking of the Glass
Introduction As A Married Couple
Announcements for your Guests
Unplugged Ceremony Scripts
Photo Moment Scripts
The Presentation and Declaration of Support
Opening Prayers
The Welcoming
A Moment of Silence
Declaration of Community Support
Words About Love and Marriage
Non-Religious Readings
Non-Traditional Secular Wedding Readings
Christian Readings and Scripture
Spiritual and Multi-Faith Readings
Cats and Dogs in your Wedding Ceremony
Harry Potter Quotes for your Wedding
Pop Culture Quotes for your Wedding
Declaration of Intent - Secular, non-religious, "I do's"
Declaration of Intent - Christian "I do's"
Wedding Vows
Meaning of the Rings - Secular
Christian Ring Meanings and Blessings for the Rings
Exchange of Rings - Secular
Exchange of Rings - Christian
Secular Blessings
Scottish and Irish Blessings
Seven Blessings for a Jewish Wedding
Closing Prayers
The Pronouncement of Marriage
The Kiss
The Breaking of the Glass
Introduction As A Married Couple
Announcements for your Guests