A Simple Wedding Script to Use When a Friend Officiates Your Ceremony

wedding PROCESSION / PROCESSIONAL

• GUESTS ARE SEATED. THE COUPLE ENTERS & THE CEREMONY BEGINS.

wedding INVOCATION & opening words

wedding oFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION

Welcome friends and family. A wedding is such a wonderful occasion, filled with hopes, dreams, and excitement. We’ve gathered here today to celebrate the love between [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], and to witness the depth of that love as they join together in the commitment of marriage. 

In the [number of months or years] that they’ve known each other, these two have had countless adventures together, made joyful memories, and supported and comforted each other through difficult days and weeks.  

They’ve ____________________________________, ____________________________________, and ____________________________________. 

For the couple: Fill in the blanks with personal details. What are three of your favorite memories together? What is something the two of you overcame that you could never have done alone? Include your most important moments here to share with friends and family.

And with patience, understanding, laughter, and honesty, they’ve grown into the couple you see before you. 

Now, they are ready to spend the rest of their lives together, building new memories as [husband and wife / partners for life / etc.]

wedding oFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

The foundations of a true marriage begin long before the wedding day, and the efforts of marriage continue long after the ceremony ends. A brief moment in time and the stroke of a pen are all it takes to form the legal bond of marriage, but it takes a lifetime of love, commitment, and compromise to make marriage durable and everlasting.

When you asked me to share this special day with you, my heart filled with joy. I can’t imagine two people better suited to each other. I’ve had the privilege of know you both for [amount of time], and watched you  ____________________________________ and ____________________________________. I’ve witnessed your respect and love for each other as you weathered ups and downs together, strengthened by your __________, __________, and __________. 

Today you declare your commitment to each other before family and friends.

For the officiant: Fill in the blanks with personal details. What are two of your favorite memories of the couple? These can be activities you did together, or memories you have of them that demonstrate their compatibility and strengths. For the officiant: Fill in the blanks: What are the couple’s best qualities as a team? What qualities do they bring out in each other? For example: humor, compassion, and devotion.  

wedding DECLARATION OF INTENT

wedding oFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

Do you [PARTNER A], take [PARTNER B] to be your [wife/ husband/ spouse], to love, honor, and cherish, through all of life’s ups and downs, sharing the days in joy and comfort, from this day forward?

• PARTNER A RESPONDS WITH AN AFFIRMATION.

wedding oFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

Do you [PARTNER B], take [PARTNER A] to be your [wife/ husband/ spouse], to love, honor, and cherish, through all of life’s ups and downs, sharing the days in joy and comfort, from this day forward?

• PARTNER B RESPONDS WITH AN AFFIRMATION.

wedding RING EXCHANGE

wedding oFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE

You’ve chosen to exchange rings [or gifts] as a symbol of the promises you make here today. They will be a reminder to you of the love you’ve cultivated these past [number of years], and of all the joys yet undiscovered, that lie on your journey ahead. 

OFFICIANT TO PARTNER A

When you’re ready, [Partner A], you can go first.  

PARTNER A TO PARTNER B

[PARTNER B], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to  ____________________________________, ____________________________________, and ____________________________________. I will never  ____________________________________, and always ____________________________________. I love you always.  

• PARTNER A PLACES THE RING ON PARTNER B'S FINGER.

For Partner A: What are three promises you want to make to your partner on your wedding day? Or, what are the three things you value most about being someone’s spouse? Then, what is one thing you promise never to do? This is a good opportunity to add humor, something light hearted and funny to make your partner smile. Or, if it suits the tone, choose something that you know is very important to your partner. And last, what is something you promise to do every single day of your marriage? 

 
wedding oFFICIANT TO PARTNER B

[Partner B], you’re up.

PARTNER B TO PARTNER A

[PARTNER A], I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. I promise to  ____________________________________, ____________________________________, and ____________________________________. I will never  ____________________________________, and always ____________________________________. I love you always. 

• PARTNER B PLACES THE RING ON PARTNER A'S FINGER.

For Partner B: What are three promises you want to make to your partner on your wedding day? Or, what are the three things you value most about being someone’s spouse? Then, what is one thing you promise never to do? This is a good opportunity to add humor, something light hearted and funny to make your partner smile. Or, if it suits the tone, choose something that you know is very important to your partner. And last, what is something you promise to do every single day of your marriage? 

wedding PRONOUNCEMENT

wedding oFFICIANT TO THE RECEPTION AND COUPLE

It is my great honor to stand beside you both today, joined by the people that love and support you the most, as you take this next step. 

By the power vested in me by the State of [Name of Wedding State], I pronounce you [husband and wife / wife and wife/ partners for life / married/ etc.]. 

You may kiss!

Family and friends, I present to you for the first time, the newlyweds! Let’s celebrate them! 

wedding recession/ RECESSIONAL

• End of Wedding Ceremony, the couple makes their exit as newlyweds.