Making announcements before, during and after a wedding ceremony is very common.  Sometimes it's as simple as asking couples to be seated so the ceremony can begin.  Depending on what is going on after the ceremony, those few minutes before the ceremony can be a time when you have everyone's attention. As a wedding officiant, I think it can be a good time to welcome everyone and set the tone of the ceremony. ​

Couples may choose to announce an unplugged ceremony for several reasons.  And there are several reasons they might not. Some people say, "There's a sign to tell people to turn their phones off."  That's true!  But, it's also a cute sign that may be more eye-candy than a serious request. ​

Traditionally, the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father and then we ask, "Who gives this woman to be married?"  That still happens, but a lot less often than it used to.  Yes, the bride is usually walked down the aisle by someone.  It might be her dad, stepdad, or both!  She may be escorted down the aisle by both parents.  She may be escorted by a brother, uncle, her children, or she may choose to walk alone.  Not to mention grooms! Grooms get to have their moment too!  Many grooms walk down the aisle with their parents. It may not be quite the same fanfare as a traditional bride, but it's still a thing!

If two men or two women are getting married, they may each have their own idea of what they want on their wedding day.  One partner may take on a traditional role, but sometimes they both want to have their moment walking down the aisle on their wedding day.  There is no right or wrong, only possibilities!  

I may ask who gives this woman to be married?  Or, who presents this woman to be married? I may ask nothing at all.  More often, we are asking ALL of the parents for their formal blessing.  You can check out some options below. 

Keep in mind, the "presentation of the bride" has always traditionally been the first thing we say during a ceremony.  If we are asking for a parents blessing, I usually work it into the ceremony a little later where it flows better and makes more sense.  

I perform a lot of semi-religious wedding ceremonies.  Often, an opening prayer might be the only Christian element added to an otherwise non-religious ceremony.  Here are some wonderful options. 

I like to start a wedding ceremony by welcoming your guests to your wedding.  It can be done before the ceremony actually begins with opening announcements, after an opening prayer.  I start all of the ceremonies I perform by welcoming the couple quietly, and then welcoming the guests.

Below are some great ways to welcome your family and friends to your wedding ceremony.  I often look at them as writing prompts. 

​Sometimes, I like to begin with,
"family, friends, honored guests, I'd like to warmly welcome you to the celebration of the marriage of Name and Name..." 

Other times,
"Welcome to Name and Name's Wedding! Together, they have built an amazing life, today we celebrate with joy, their choice to keep building a more amazing life as a married couple!" 

After that, I may add something more personal about the group gathered. 

If someone has recently passed away and will be hurt.  Sometimes it's just too soon.  I had a bride that had literally planned most of her wedding with her grandmother and she passed away before the wedding.  She was wearing her grandmother's wedding ring and carrying her memories on her bouquet.  She had a hard time keeping the tears back in general.  

In another situation, there was another family member that would completely lose it when the deceased family member was mentioned.  We just chose to keep it out.  ​

This is a nice option to ask not only your parents to support you in marriage, but your friends and family as well. I think it makes them feel like they are part of your ceremony and keeps them engaged - instead of bored.  NO BORING CEREMONIES!!! 

A wedding ceremony often begins with talking about why the couple is choosing to get married.  This can be different as the couple getting married.  There are many reading about love and marriage that can be incorporated into introductions like these.  

These are readings for a traditional wedding.  They may have been read at your parents wedding!  I would consider these to be g-rated, traditional wedding -friendly. 

There is so much that has been written about love, life, and relationships.  These passages can be used as a reading in your wedding ceremony, or the words can be used as inspiration in creating your ceremony.  The more wedding ceremonies I read online, the more I see passages from different readings weaved together to make something unique.  I invite and encourage you to do the same!

There are many different scriptures that talk about marriage and love.  There are independent authors and poets that write based on their faith. 

There are many spiritual paths and cultures represented in our world and many of them might be represented on your wedding day.  Sometimes, couples will find something in this list that's perfect for them.  From a Native American blessing, Irish Blessing, Rumi, or other Eastern traditions. 

Our Furry Friends are important!  Often, they are the first "children" a couple may have.  More and more venues are allowing dogs to be at your wedding ceremony and it can be adorable and a lot of fun!  Cats may also be a big part of your life but not a good fit for a wedding ceremony!  If you are personalizing your wedding ceremony, there are some interesting ways to incorporate your animals.  

Harry Potter and the unbreakable vow is definitely a great way to add personality to your wedding ceremony!  I've written two different wedding ceremonies incorporating the magical wizzarding world.  You can read those here.  Below, are also some great quotes you can use to incorporate any way you like.  

Quotes from pop culture can make a wedding a LOT of fun.  It really depends on the couple and the weddings.  Some quotes are sweet and some are iconic.  Star Wars, The Office, Princess Bride, there are so many options!

​The "I Do's!" 
The only thing I really have to do when I marry a couple is as for their verbal consent to the marriage. 

"Do you?" "I Do!"  "Do you?"  "I Do!"  "We're done!"  Or, I now pronounce you married! 

Many think of these as wedding vows, and they are.  Some couples think of weddings vows as something you write yourself, your thoughts and feelings about each other.   We often use these options as the declaration of intent, followed by your own vows, or just use these options and they very easily serve as both the Declaration of Intent, and the vows.  

A lot of couples may use these as prompts for writing their own vows - because sometimes you need a little help to get your own feelings to flow!

Here is a collection of Christian marriage vows and declaration of intent I have gathered.  At some point during the wedding ceremony, you need to say "I do" and consent to the marriage.  It's pretty much the only thing you have to do when you get married. Many denominations have their standard vows written in their prayer books. 

Wedding vows come from the heart. Couples often ask if I will proof-read their vows and let them know they are OK.  I always say I will read them, but I would NEVER give any sort of negative feedback.  I'm a firm believer in speaking your own heart and mind in your own way!  Everyone expresses themselves differently and your vows are not a competition!  I've had one partner share pages, and pages, and the other a short paragraph.  They said almost exactly the same thing, in two different ways.  It was perfect! 

I have a guide for writing your own vows that you can use here.  

How to Write Your Own Wedding Vows

Below, are some pop-culture vows you are welcome to use as inspiration, or just read and feel the feels!!

If you are looking for the "I do's"  They are called the Declaration of Intent, and can be found here:

The I do's!

Wedding rings. What do they mean?  What do you say about them?  What do you say when you exchange them? Do I have to wear a ring at all?   My answer as a professional wedding officiant is, you don’t have to wear a ring, that’s between the two of you.  Your wedding rings have any meaning you choose to give them and you can say that any way you want!  But, that may leave it a little too wide open for some people so here are some options I’ve collected to inspire you. Feel free to use any of them as they are or re-write any of them to best express you and your relationship. ​

Most couples exchange rings.  Many simply exchange them with no words, knowing their implied meaning.  Some couples share their own vows while exchanging rings.  Others choose specific meaning for their rings and what they symbolize to them and their marriage. For some, the blessing of the rings during your ceremony is important.  Being able to look at your rings over your lifetime and remembering the blessing your marriage is can be very powerful.  Over the years I've had couples specifically ask for ring blessings. 
Here are some great options.

What you say when you exchange your rings is up to you.  Some couples choose to say nothing, most couples speak some sort of vow as placing the ring on their spouses finger.  Some couples don't exchange rings!  it's up to you!

Christian ring exchanges are generally based on religious prayer books.  Most religions use the same basic statement while exchanging rings.  I think you can mix one of these with some of the secular options to give your rings more meaning.