Wedding Ceremony Script: Free Template (Secular & Religious)

The 8-part ceremony structure

1. Processional (2–3 min)
2. Welcome & opening words (3 min)
3. Readings (3–5 min)
4. Officiant's address on marriage (3 min)
5. Vows (5 min)
6. Ring exchange (2 min)
7. Pronouncement & kiss (2 min)
8. Recessional (2 min)

Secular ceremony script

Welcome

Friends and family, welcome. We are gathered today to witness and celebrate the marriage of [Partner A] and [Partner B]. Thank you for being here — your presence makes this day what it is.

On marriage

Marriage is a promise made twice. Once in private, when two people decide they want to build a life together — and once in public, like today, when they ask the people they love to hold them to it.

Vow exchange

[Partner A], please face [Partner B] and share your vows. … [Partner B], please share yours.

Ring exchange

[Partner A], please place this ring on [Partner B]'s finger and repeat after me: With this ring, I marry you. I give you my love. I give you my promise.

Pronouncement

By the power vested in me by the state of [State], and by the witness of every person here, I now pronounce you married. You may kiss.

Christian ceremony script (Protestant)

Opening

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…

Declaration of intent

[Partner A], will you have [Partner B] to be your [wife/husband], to live together in holy marriage? Will you love, comfort, honor and keep [her/him] in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live? “I will.”

How to customize

• Add a unity ritual (candle, sand, handfasting) between vows and rings.
• Insert one or two readings before the address.
• For interfaith ceremonies, alternate elements from both traditions.
• Always end with the pronouncement followed by the recessional cue to your musicians.