If you need the proper wedding ceremony order and its parts, you’ll find it here! Today we’re talking about the parts of a wedding ceremony so you don’t miss a thing. Be sure to subscribe for free tips, updates, and giveaways to your inbox!
What are the parts that comprise a ceremony? And what is the correct wedding ceremony order? You don’t want to forget something or include an item that isn’t really necessary. If you’re writing your wedding ceremony and need some helpful hints, you’ve come to the right place. :)
The wedding ceremony has various parts and once you figure out what they are, it becomes so much easier to write your ceremony order of events.
Bride-to-be, Petra, writes us with this question:
“Emmaline, what are the parts of a wedding ceremony? I’m writing my ceremony for the wedding but I’m worried I’ll forget something. Help!”
Great question and thanks, Petra, for writing!
The wedding ceremony is composed of 7 key parts.
Wedding Ceremony Parts
Your wedding ceremony may have additional parts or components, depending on religious customs or traditions. For instance, a traditional Catholic Mass or Jewish ceremony will have many additional parts of its ceremony. You can ask the officiant for specifics to follow along on your program.
For many wedding ceremonies, the following are the 7 parts of a wedding ceremony you need to have. The events will typically occur in this order, although there is a little wiggle room if you’re including additional items (such as a unity ceremony or blessing of the rings). The items of your ceremony are known as the Order of Events.
Let’s begin with the Procession!
1. The Procession
The procession is the formal start of your wedding ceremony. The wedding party enters and music is played and noted on your program as The Processional.
Your wedding party walks down the aisle in this order, with the bride at the very end. Many times, guests will stand during this moment, as the music changes to signal the bride making her way down the aisle. In doing so, guests may stand to greet the bride and she will process down the aisle.
2. The Introduction
One of the important parts of a wedding ceremony is the introduction, where the officiant will welcome guests to the event and introduce the couple. He or she may share a short passage or thoughts on marriage. Before the introduction, the officiant may ask guests to please be seated.
3. The Declaration of Intent to Marry
The officiant will ask for your declaration of intent, which means you’re agreeing to enter into marriage freely and without hesitation.
4. The Exchange of Vows
This is the part of the ceremony when the couple exchanges vows by reciting them aloud. During this time, the couple may read from vow books, a piece of paper, or memorize the vows. Oftentimes, if the vows are traditional, the officiant may recite portions of the vows and ask the bride or groom to repeat them afterward.
5. The Exchange of Rings
Once the vows are exchanged, it’s time for one of the biggest parts of a wedding ceremony: the exchange of rings! The couple places the ring on their new spouse’s ring finger to symbolize the unity of marriage.
6. The Official Pronouncement
Now it’s official: the officiant will announce, “I now proclaim you…” or “By the power vested in me…” or “It is my pleasure to announce…” and then announce your names as the newlyweds. This is such an exciting part!
7. The Recession
This is when the ceremony is officially over and the wedding party begins exiting by forming a recession line, led by the newlyweds. Guests may remain seated or follow immediately after the wedding party recesses.
Additional Ceremony Parts to Include
If you wish to include additional components, here are a few items some couples add to their ceremony.
Note: If you’re having a unity ceremony, it can take place anytime
• Lighting of Candles
• Reading / Responsorial Psalm / Poem
• Song
• Blessing of the Rings
Ceremony Parts + Inspiration
One of the best tips for writing your wedding ceremony is to look to programs for inspiration. When you review other couples’ programs, you can get a sense of the flow of your ceremony and how to properly lay it out, step by step, to fit your style. Here are some ceremony program examples you can browse, all from Minted here, where you can completely customize everything from start to finish — even wording — to get it just right. See for yourself!
For more inspiration or ideas for parts of the ceremony, head to this page.
Hope it helps + thanks so much for writing! :)
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
This is a sponsored post with Minted.
