Will Chandler Cater

Wedding Ceremony Script

For Elizabeth & Joshua

Officiated by Will Cater

[Processional]

(Guests seated, wedding party enters. The couple joins at the front.)

[Giving of the Bride]

Now, as we begin, I ask:

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

(Response: “Her mother and I do.”)

Officiant (Will):

Welcome, family and friends. We are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of Elizabeth and Joshua. This is a day of joy and reflection—a time when two people come together to make a lifelong promise, surrounded by the people who love and support them.

Marriage is both a sacred and human experience. It is a bond rooted in trust, love, and mutual respect. Love is a powerful force that brings two souls together and calls us to give the best of ourselves, every single day.

Before we begin, let us pause and acknowledge the beauty of this moment. Let us hold space for the presence of love, the divine, and the deep commitment being made here today.

[Invocation / Prayer]

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this beautiful day and for the love that has brought Elizabeth and Joshua together. We ask Your blessing on their marriage—that it may be filled with compassion, laughter, strength, and peace. Guide them in their journey together, and may they always be reminded of the joy found in each other. Amen.

[Message to the Couple]

Elizabeth and Joshua, your marriage is a partnership built not just on romance, but on dedication, understanding, and shared values. It is a daily choice—to love, to forgive, to grow, and to stay connected, even when life challenges you. Today, you are not just promising to share your days—you are promising to build a life together.

As you stand here, take a moment to look at each other. Remember what brought you here. Let that love anchor you for all the days to come.

[Exchange of Vows – Traditional]

Will:

Josh, please repeat after me:

Joshua:

I, Joshua, take you, Elizabeth, to be my wedded wife,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better, for worse,

for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish,

so long as we both shall live.

Will:

Elizabeth, please repeat after me:

Elizabeth:

I, Elizabeth, take you, Joshua, to be my wedded husband,

to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better, for worse,

for richer, for poorer,

in sickness and in health,

to love and to cherish,

so long as we both shall live.

[Exchange of Rings]

Will:

May these rings be a symbol of your love—an unbroken circle, representing eternity, wholeness, and the promise you make today.

Joshua, as you place the ring on Elizabeth’s finger, please repeat after me:

With this ring, I thee wed.

Elizabeth, as you place the ring on Josh’s finger, please repeat after me:

With this ring, I thee wed.

[Reading/Poem]

***Insert Here if requested by the couple***

____________________________________________________________________

[Closing / Blessing]

May your marriage be blessed with kindness, laughter, and unwavering support. May your home be a place of peace and joy. And may you always find your way back to one another, no matter where life leads you.

[Pronouncement]

By the power vested in me by the state of South Carolina, and with great joy, I now pronounce you Mr. And Mrs. Joshua Wood.

Joshua, you may kiss your bride!

[Recessional]

(The couple exits, followed by the wedding party.)

[DISMISS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS]

[ANNOUNCE COFFEE HOUR]