One of the most important tasks that an ordained minister must do when officiating a wedding is to find or write a script for the ceremony. You want it to be memorable and loving. It also needs to incorporate all the elements that make the day special. Most importantly, it should be a true reflection of the couple's relationship and the beginning of their lives together. You can start with a basic wedding ceremony script, but what you end up with will be a combination of the couple's wishes and your own speaking style.

Choose the Ceremony Script Style

You may know the couple you're marrying pretty well already if they're your friends. Even if this is the case, though, don't assume you know what kind of ceremony they want. For example, even if you attend the same church, they may not want to include a lot of religious rituals in the service. Focus on how to make their wedding day unique.

Schedule a consultation to discuss the style of the wedding. Regardless of whether they want a solemn or humorous service, looking at different sample ceremony scripts may be helpful during this conversation. If they want to invite a lot of children, a simple outline is a good option to consider. They may want to include elements that express their shared beliefs or make the service more inclusive. Any specific rituals they plan to include should be discussed and scripted ahead of time. 

Outline the Basics of the Script

After you have a sense of what the couple wants, it's time to outline the service. While the declaration of intent and the pronouncement are the only parts that are required to make the union legally binding, there are several other elements in a ceremony script for a wedding you don't want to forget:

• Processional - The way the couple and wedding party enter the service sets the tone for the rest of the wedding. The specific details depend on who is involved and what their roles are. Traditionally, the parents, ring bearer, flower girl and attendants enter first, followed by the bride, but you can easily tweak it to match the couple's wishes.
• Welcome - This statement serves as the introduction to the service. Let the guests know that the couple is happy they are there to celebrate their special day with them.
• Readings or sermons - Some ceremonies will feature close friends or family members who read the couple's favorite passages or a special poem. Others will focus on the message you give as the officiant. 
• Vows - At some point, the couple will declare their intent to commit to one another. This portion of the ceremony usually involves the exchange of rings but may also include a unity candle lighting, handfasting ceremony or some other ritual that is meaningful to the couple.
• Pronouncement - Once all vows have been exchanged, there is nothing left to do but announce to those present that the couple is married and invite the newlyweds to seal their promises with a kiss. As the officiant, this is one of your most important jobs, as it signals the official start of their marriage. 
• Recessional - The ceremony typically ends with the entire wedding party leaving the way they came in. Usually, the couple will leave first, followed by the attendants. 

There are many different ways to customize a wedding ceremony script. When you meet with the couple, ask them how they want their service to look and outline the options from there. Once you review the final draft with them, you are ready to help make their dream wedding a reality!