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Outline of a Wedding Ceremony

Elements of a Ceremony

  • Celebrant Ladies and Gentlemen would you all rise, the bride is about to make her entrance.

  • Entrance

(Music can be played as you make your entrance)

  • Giving the Bride and or Groom away

(This is not essential

  • Welcome to family and friends (eg Ladies and Gentlemen on behalf of               and               I would like to welcome you.                   and          have invited you all here today to bear witness to their very special marriage ceremony.
  • Introduction

(A potted history of how you meet and your journey so far as a couple or family)

  • Reading (1st)
  • Monitum

(This is the Legal Part of the Ceremony which must be said by the Marriage Celebrant)

I am duly authorized by law to solemnize  marriages according to law.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter.

Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

  • The Asking (an example but this is not necessary)

Will you take X to be your lawful wedded wife/husband?

Will you love, honour and respect her/him, be honest with him/her
And stand by her/him through whatever may come, so you can
genuinely share your life together?

  • Vows,  Marriage Commitment

I call upon the persons here present to witness the I (Full Name) take thee or you ,

(Full Name) to be my lawfully wedded Husband / Wife

I call upon the persons here present to witness that I (Full Name) take thee or you,

Full Name to be my lawfully wedded Husband / Wife

  • Exchange of Rings
  • Other Symbols (optional)
  • Reading (2nd)
  • Declaration and Kiss

…………  and …………. Have made your vows of marriage before your family and friends here today, we acknowledge and support you in your love and commitment to each other and on behalf of all those here today, it is my honour to declare you Husband and Wife, you may kiss your bride.

  • Signing of the Marriage Register and Certificates
  • Presentation of Newlyweds

You will be presented with your Marriage Certificate and announced as Husband and Wife for the very first time.