52 "Ceremony Basics" Category Articles

Looking for a non religious wedding officiant? There are several great officiant options to consider when planning a civil, secular, or non-religious wedding or elopement, including asking a friend or relative to get ordained online to officiate. Here's what you need to know to choose who will perform your wedding ceremony!

Learn about the Wedding Recession - the symbolic end of a wedding ceremony that comes after the Officiant's Pronouncement of marriage! With advice on wedding recessional order, the transition from ceremony to reception, and creative ideas to make this part of your wedding ceremony memorable and unique. And don't forget to include your Wedding Officiant in the planning process!

Want to write a creative wedding ceremony script, but aren’t sure what wording to use for the declaration of intent? Let these 6 alternatives inspire you, from funny to formal examples, gender neutral to Spanish / bilingual, and more. The best ways for you and your wedding officiant to say, “Do you?”... “I do!”

How to have a free wedding, or almost free! If you can't afford a wedding, consider these alternatives for a free wedding officiant, free wedding venue, and more!

Choose a wedding processional order that’s best for your ceremony with inspiration from these traditional and non-traditional examples, including nondenominational christian, jewish, and non religious alternatives.

Tips for new or first time wedding officiant: Ask to review a couple’s written wedding vows before the ceremony to ensure compatible length and tone. This is especially helpful when a couple is keeping their vows a surprise, and helps avoid wedding day disasters and an awkward exchange of vows.

Learn how to plan and officiate a group wedding ceremony, also called a mass wedding or double wedding – including what to expect during the ceremony, what to say, how to handle multiple marriage licenses, choosing a date, networking with other vendors or venues, and how to promote and advertise your group wedding package.

Aunque para una ceremonia de Bodas no existen requerimientos legales de palabras específicas, las parejas deben realizar su Declaración de Intenciones y el oficiante debe hacer el Pronunciamiento.

A short video on how to officiate and plan a sequel wedding or a wedding ceremony in two parts, with tips for wedding officiants and newlyweds on what to say, what the legal requirements are, and more.

Want to write a creative wedding pronouncement, but aren’t sure what wording to use? Let these 10 alternatives inspire you, from funny to formal examples, gender neutral to bilingual, and more. The best ways for a wedding officiant to say, “I now pronounce you married!”

Looking for a short wedding script? How about the shortest wedding ceremony script ever? This simple script is only 200 characters, making it short enough to tweet! It includes a Declaration of Intent and the wedding officiant’s Pronouncement.

New wedding script! A short, simple Buddhist wedding ceremony script for modern couples that’s easy to personalize. With shared ‘we do’ wedding vows inspired by Buddhist readings and meditation on community and harmony.

Looking for the right hat to wear to a wedding ceremony? Wondering if you can keep it on during the vows? Learn the rules of wedding hat etiquette for couples, guests, and wedding officiants.

Asked to perform or plan a wedding? Learn how long a wedding ceremony lasts, and which parts of the ceremony to include or cut to keep it from running too long or too short, and hit the ceremony ‘sweet spot.’

Mormon priests perform marriages and baptisms for dead ancestors to give their souls a place in the afterlife. Learn more about these rites, including proxy baptisms, and the history and ethics of speaking for the dead.