Wedding Ceremony Order of Service

21 Step Order of Service Guide

Designing the wedding ceremony within the church setting, is a recent development for many modern couples.

The ceremony order of events may differ according to the size of the bridal party, the customs or the imagination of the wedding planner.

Some couples begin the ceremony by lighting a unity candle or candelabra. Although, customising the wedding vows or other aspects of the ceremony may add special meaning to your wedding day.

It is still advisable to check with your priest or celebrant for the propriety of the changes.

The Wedding Rehearsal

The wedding rehearsal usually takes place 2-7 days before the wedding day. This is when all elements - the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, ring Bearers, and of course the bride and groom and their parents come together for a trial run.

The Ceremony Outline

The wedding ceremony order or wedding program is usually given to guests at church weddings. The wedding program has the names of the bride and groom and the date and name of the church. The program needs the approval of the priest or minister before printing and should have all aspects of the service, such as readings, hymns and music.

Wedding Ceremony Order of Events

On the Wedding Day:

1. Wedding Ushers

The ushers are the first to arrive, around 30-45 minutes before the wedding ceremony. They stand outside the church, greeting and directing the early guests to the appropriate seating arrangements and handing out programs or service notes and boutonnières for guests. Groomsmen often double as ushers up-until the ceremony starts.

2. Groom & Best Man

The groom and best man are the next to arrive and usually 30 minutes before the ceremony. The best man pays the organists and any church fees on behalf of the groom before taking his seat at the front of the church on the right-hand pew with the groom, in front of the groom's family, waiting for the bride to arrive.

3. Prelude Music

The organist plays the prelude music, setting the mood for arriving family and guests.

4. Wedding Seating Arrangements

The bride's family and friends arrive and are seated to the left of the church and the groom's family and friends, to the right.

5. Parents & Close Family

Parents and close family of the bride and groom should arrive 20 minutes early and take their place. The parents sit at the 1st pew and close family sit from the 2nd. Guests should arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the ceremony. They are seated directly behind the bride and groom's close family.

6. Bride's Mother & Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids arrive with the bride's mother 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony. The mother takes her place at the front pew of the church, while the matron of honour and bridesmaids wait outside for the bride with at least one of the ushers.

Here Comes the Bride:

7. The Bride's Arrival

The last to arrive at the church is the bride. The bride and her father pause outside the church for a few moments as the bridesmaids help with the bride's hair, veil and train. Just before she enters the church the bride's face is covered by her veil.

8. Processional Music

The usher informs the organist that the bride is ready. The processional music begins and the congregation stands.

9. Junior Wedding Attendants

The flower girls and page boy or ring bearer enters the church and walks down the aisle. If you have only four adults in your bridal party, eg: bride, groom, matron of honour and best-man; the next to follow is the matron of honour, the best man is already at the steps waiting with the groom.

10. Adult Wedding Attendants

If you have bridesmaids and groomsmen, they are next to walk down the aisle, arm in arm and coupled (you can also have 2 bridesmaids and one groomsman in the middle if the numbers are out), they take up their positions at the front of the ceremony - before the bride enters the church with her father.

11. The Bride & Her Father

The bride enters the church, walking down the aisle on her father's arm. The next step is optional; the bride is either followed by a train bearer, a bridesmaid or the matron of honour, to hold the brides brides train. If you only have four in your bridal party, example; bride, groom, matron of honour and bestman, someone else could hold the train. If there is no need for a train bearer then the bride just walks down the aisle with her father.

12. Groom & Best Man

The groom and best man move out of their pew to the chancel steps, and turn to watch the bride walking slowly down the aisle on her father's right arm.

13. Bride's Father

Before the bride reaches the chancel steps, the father takes his daughter's hand and places it in the groom's right hand. He takes his seat next to his wife, his role completed.

14. Bride & Groom

The Bride is greeted by the groom. She hands her bridal bouquet to the matron of honour, who can also help her lift back her bridal veil. The bride may prefer the veil be left in place until the minister pronounces them husband and wife, prior to the kiss.

The Ceremony Begins:

15. The Service Begins

The minister says a few introductory words to the congregation and the marriage ceremony begins.

The minister says a few words on the significance of marriage and some advice on the correct approach to marriage, outlining its purpose. He asks if anyone present knows of any reason why the couple should not be married and gives a last chance for objections to be raised.

16. Wedding Vows

The couple then take their wedding vows in turn, repeating the words after the minister and answer, 'I will'. (Taken from the 1928 revised version of book 1662 Book of Common Prayer).

'I (name) take thee (name) to be my wedded wife/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; till death us do part, according to God's holy law; and thereto I give thee my troth'.

17. Ring Exchange

The best man gives both rings to the minister to be blessed. The bride's ring is then given to the groom, who places it on the third finger of her left hand and repeats the words:

'With this ring I thee wed; with my body I thee honour; and all my worldly goods with thee I share. In the name of the father, the son and of the Holy Ghost'.

The bride then repeats the same words as she places the groom's ring on his finger.

18. Husband & Wife

The minister will speak a few words to declare that the couple are now husband and wife: the bride and groom kiss.

The minister says: 'Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder'.

19. Signing The Register

The final stage is to sign the register. This usually takes place with the bride and groom, their parents, the best man, matron of honour and their attendants present. A register entry copy, is usually given to the bride by the minister for her to keep.

20. Leaving The Church

When the signing of the register has finished, the bridal party leaves the church. The bride and groom lead the way, while the organist plays the recessional music. Next to leave, is the best man and matron of honour, followed by the other junior and adult attendants, the bride and groom's parents. The congregation follow after the wedding party has passed by.

21. The Receiving Line

You may choose to have a receiving line after the wedding ceremony. If not, your guests and friends can mingle after the ceremony, leaving a receiving line at the reception instead.
However if you do want a receiving line after your ceremony, ask your church for their permission first. There may be another wedding ceremony directly after yours and you may be required to leave the premises quickly.

Here's an example of a line-up:

Bride's Mother
Bride's Father
Groom's Mother
Groom's Father
Bride
Groom
Matron of Honour
Best man
Bridesmaid
Groomsmen
Bridesmaid
Groomsmen,
Bridesmaid
Groomsmen etc...

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