Resource: Sample Wedding Ceremony Program

Sample Wedding Ceremony Program

(Officiant Template – Downloadable)

Order of Service

1. Prelude

2. Seating of Parents/Grandparents

3. Lighting of the Unity Candle (optional)

4. Processional – Wedding party enters and stands in Position One

   • Bridesmaids and groomsmen enter and line up at the front (Position One).

   • The white aisle runner may be rolled out in preparation for the bride, if used.

   • The flower girl and ring bearer (if any) proceed into place.

5. Bridal Processional

6. Declaration of Purpose

7. Giving of the Bride / Blessing of the Couple
   (After this moment, the officiant leads the couple to Position Two at the center front.
   The wedding party moves into their final places behind or beside the couple.)

8. Invocation and Meaning of Marriage

9. Declaration of Intent

10. Exchange of Vows

11. Exchange of Rings

12. Lighting of the Unity Candle or Sand Ceremony (optional)

13. Scripture Reading

14. Message

15. Declaration of Marriage

16. Presentation of the Bride and Groom

17. Recessional

Declaration of Purpose

We have come together before the face of God to join _____________________ and _____________________ in marriage. We seek to honor the will of God for marriage, the concern of the Christian Church for its well-being, and the interest of the state in the orderly development of society.

Giving of the Bride / Blessing of the Couple

Standard (younger couple) option:

Who gives this woman to this man?
Answer: “Her mother and I” or “We do” or “I do.”

Alternative (older couple / second marriage) option:

If the couple prefers not to use “giving” language, you may instead say:

“Who blesses this marriage and supports this couple as they begin this new chapter?”

Family and friends respond:

“We do.”

Invocation

God, our Father, we praise you for making and redeeming us to live together in love. We thank you for the love and trust which bring ____________________ and ____________________ to this their marriage day. Favor them with the honor of your presence at their wedding. Unite them by your Spirit so that together they may reflect the love of Christ for his church. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Institution and Meaning of Marriage

In marriage, as instituted by God, a man and a woman covenant to live together in a lifelong, exclusive partnership of love and fidelity (Genesis 2:18; Matthew 19:5–6). The apostle Paul sees the union of husband and wife as a symbol of the union between Christ and his church (Ephesians 5:31–32). If marriage is to be pleasing in the sight of God, those who enter into this covenant of life must share a common commitment to the Lord of life.

In putting His blessing on a marriage, God intended that it would provide:

— a context within which husband and wife can help and comfort each other and find deep companionship;

— a setting within which husband and wife may joyfully share marital intimacy as a holy gift from God, expressing their covenant love as living souls and whole persons;

— a secure environment within which children may be conceived, born, and taught to know and serve the Lord; and

— a structure that enriches society and contributes to its orderly function.

When these purposes are prayerfully pursued in union with Christ, the kingdom of God is advanced and the blessedness of husband and wife assured.

Declaration of Intent

Now that you have heard the will of God for marriage, do you promise to abide by it?

Exchange of Vows

Groom:

_____________________, I take you, _____________________ to be my wife, and I promise before God and all who are present here to be your loving and faithful husband, as long as our lives shall last. I will love you and give myself up for you. I will serve you with tenderness and respect, and encourage you to develop the gifts that God has given you.

Bride:

_____________________, I take you, _____________________ to be my husband, and I promise before God and all who are present here to be your loving and faithful wife, as long as our lives shall last. I will love you and give myself up for you. I will serve you with tenderness and respect, and encourage you to develop the gifts that God has given you.

Rings

Rings are a symbol of your covenant in Christ.

Groom:
I give you this ring as a symbol of our covenant in Christ.

Bride:
I give you this ring as a symbol of our covenant in Christ.

Lighting of the Unity Candle or Sand Ceremony

(Often, a song is sung during this portion.)

Message

(A short Christ-centered wedding message may be shared here.)

Declaration of Marriage

As a minister of the church of Christ and by the authority which the state has vested in me, I now pronounce you, _____________________ and _____________________, husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Matthew 19:6)

Recessional

The couple and wedding party exit to joyful music as the guests celebrate.

Downloadable PDF

Here is the ready-to-use PDF version of this updated Sample Program that officiants can print and bring to the rehearsal or ceremony: