Wedding Ceremony Structure and Order

Structure and Order of Wedding Ceremony

Adelaide’s BEST Celebrants

To personalise your Wedding Ceremony, you will meet with your Celebrant to outline a ceremony that is beautiful and meaningful. This overview is designed to give you a starting point for designing your ideal wedding ceremony. As long as the Celebrant says the ‘Monitum’ and reads the ‘Legal Vows’, you can do whatever you want and we’re here to help you make it Fun, Simple and Relaxed!

ORDER OF SERVICE (Marriage) The traditional wedding service usually includes the following elements (although not necessarily in this order):

1. House Keeping is an important part of the beginning of the ceremony. This is done before the bride arrives and will let the guests know any special information.This might include asking for guests’ attention, suggesting guests turn off their mobile phones and providing information about whether the bride and groom wish the guests to take photos and/or if its alright to put photographs on social media. This instruction will be as per the couple’s wishes.

2. Processional (or Bridal March). The Bridesmaids/Groomsmen enter, followed by the Bride/Groom and the person who is giving them away. Not every Newlywed is given away.

3. Welcoming. The Celebrant welcomes family and friends, and introduces her/himself.

4. Giving Away of the Newlyweds can be done in many ways including:*  giving away of the Newlyweds by their dad/ brother/mum/sister/other family member/friend*  giving away of the Newlyweds by their parents*  giving away of the Bride by her own parents*  giving away of the Bride/s and Groom/s to each other*  some brides/grooms prefer the wording, ’who presents this bride/groom to be married today? ’This is also a point where the couple or parents of the couple, could light a candle, one for the bride/s and one for the groom/s. These candles may be used at the end of the ceremony to light their marriage candle.

5. Introduction. The Celebrant speaks about the couple’s commitment to each other and what marriage means to them. We could also talk about anything else the couple feels is meaningful and/or significant. At this point we may tell a story of the Newlyweds. Remember this does not need to be long. Most people present will know at least some of the story.

6. Reading. Verses or poetry can be used and its nice to have a close friend or family member do these readings. The placing of a reading or verse should be directly related to the meaning of the verse.

7.** Monitum/Legal. From the Marriage Act and said appropriately by the Celebrant in accordance with s46 Marriage Act. Subject to subsection 2 before a marriage is solemnised by, or in the presence of, an authorised celebrant, not being a minister of religion of a recognised denomination, the authorised celebrant shall say to the parties, in the presence of the witnesses, the words: “I am duly authorised by law to solemnise 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 now about to enter.”“Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”

8. The Asking – In this section the couple get the opportunity to say ‘I do,’ although not legaly required in a ceremony. Many people like to have the asking. e.g, “do you John present yourself here today to be joined in marriage with Jane, promising to be faithful and honest with her as long as you both may live?”

9. **Legal Vows Section 45 Marriage Act. This is often called the ‘Declaration ofMarriage’ which is a public declaration to everyone. Both the Bride/s and Groom/s must say, “I call upon the persons here present to witness that I….take thee,…. to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband)”

10. Vows. This might include a selection of either custom written or poetic vows. The personal vows can be added directly to the legal vows. e.g “I call upon the persons here present to witness that I,…. take thee, ….. to be my lawful wedded wife (or husband) as my friend for life etc.”

11. Ring Ceremony. Most couples give rings to each other. The ring ceremony can also be added to the vows.

12. The Pronouncing. The celebrant announces the couple ‘Husband/Husband, Wife/Wife or Husband and Wife’ and says ‘you may kiss’.

This is a very important part to the ceremony. Most couples can finally relax after we say those magic words.

13. Signing of the Register. The couple and two witnesses sign the Marriage Register, Certificate of Marriage and the Marriage Certificate.

14. (Optional ritual section,) This is a perfect place for the couple to light their marriage candle, a family unity ceremony etc (they will complete this for the first time as husband and wife.)

15. Conclusion. A short conclusion is said by the celebrant with acknowledgement of other parties. At this stage of the ceremony, you will need to announce any further details or instructions while you still have the guests’ attention. Some couples will need to get away for photos before they are congratulated by the guests.

16. Summing up or Blessing – just before we announce the couple for the very first time, the celebrant could say a few words or a blessing to send them on their way.

17. Congratulations and presentation to family and friends. The celebrant congratulates the couple and introduces them in an agreed way. For example, they could say ‘Introducing Mr/s and Mr/s…’ it’s your choice how this is done.

18. Recessional. The couple leave the ceremony area followed by the bridal party and there is usually some music played.

Elements marked with a double asterisk (**) are mandatory components and must be included in the ceremony.