Wedding Ceremony Planning Template

 

Looking to plan your wedding and wondering where different traditional elements to include? Here is a helpful resource to help you plan!

Wedding Ceremony Template Feel free to copy and paste into your own document or download as an editable document to edit. See some of the background/history for the different elements at the bottom.

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Principle: Seek to Honor God and Others

• 1 Corinthians 10:31 — "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
• Philippians 2:3-4 — Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Goals: Covenant declaration, worship of God, honoring others, gospel proclamation (evangelism), fellowship/community, celebration!

Elements/Principles

The list is presented in a typical chronological order of service (approximately 30–45 minutes), blending traditional and contemporary elements common in conservative evangelical weddings. All elements aim to center the ceremony on Scripture, prayer, worship, and the gospel-centered meaning of marriage as a covenant reflecting Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22–33).

• Prelude — Instrumental music (organ/piano/strings traditionally; sometimes contemporary worship tracks) as guests arrive and are seated.
• Seating of family/parents — Ushers seat mothers (groom's mother first, often with father), sometimes lighting unity candles by parents (traditional).
• Processional — Wedding party enters: groomsmen, bridesmaids, ring bearer/flower girl, maid of honor/best man, then bride escorted by father or both parents (traditional march; occasionally updated music).
• Giving away of the Bride / Presentation of the Bride — Officiant asks, "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" (or a modern variation like "Who presents this woman...?"). Response typically from father (or parents): "I do" or "Her mother and I." This symbolizes parental blessing and transfer of responsibility. It conveys Biblical headship in the home and marriage.
• Call to worship / Welcome & opening prayer — Pastor greets guests, acknowledges God's presence, and opens in prayer.
• Hymn or congregational song / Praise and worship — Traditional hymn (e.g., "Great Is Thy Faithfulness") or contemporary worship song (e.g., "How Great Is Our God") sung by congregation or led by worship team.
• Scripture reading(s) — Biblical passages on marriage (e.g., Genesis 2:18–24, Ephesians 5:22–33, 1 Corinthians 13, Colossians 3:12–17), read by officiant, friends, or family.
• Message / Sermon — Pastoral exposition (10–20 minutes) on biblical marriage as covenant, reflecting Christ and the church, husband/wife roles, etc. (central to evangelical services). May share the gospel here.
• Declaration / Charge to the couple — Officiant reminds couple of vows' seriousness before God and witnesses.
• Declaration of intent — Officiant asks the couple questions to affirm free willingness and lifelong commitment (e.g., "Do you take this man/woman to be your husband/wife, to live together in holy marriage according to God's word? Will you love, honor, and keep him/her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?" Couple responds "I do" or "I will." This is a key legal and biblical step, often separate from the full vows.
• Exchange of vows — Traditional, Scripture-inspired vows repeated after pastor (or written and read personally); lifelong commitment "in the presence of God."
• Exchange of rings — Rings given with explanation of symbolism (unbroken circle, covenant, fidelity).
• Unity ceremony — Symbolic act like unity candle lighting, sand pouring, or cord of three strands (Ecclesiastes 4:12).
• Prayer for the couple / Intercessory prayer — Pastoral or corporate prayer blessing the marriage; may include silent congregational prayer. Parents/family/friends praying over couple. (This can be placed towards the beginning if preferred.)
• Blessing / Benediction — Final pastoral blessing over the couple.
• Pronouncement of marriage — Officiant declares them husband and wife (e.g., "What God has joined together, let no one separate"); often with kiss invitation.
• Recessional — Couple exits first, followed by wedding party (upbeat traditional or contemporary music).
• Postlude — Music as guests depart or are dismissed.

Additional occasional elements (not always included but fitting in conservative evangelical contexts):

• Brief testimony — Couple or pastor shares God's role in their story (short and God-honoring).
• Communion — As first act of worship together (less common, but present in some churches).
• Special music — A song sung or played that may be meaningful to the couple.

Where did these wedding elements come from? Why do we do them?

Here is a consolidated bullet-point list of common wedding ceremony elements in conservative evangelical weddings, including historical background and Christian/Biblical reasoning for each. These draw from early Christian adaptations of Jewish, Roman, and pre-Christian customs, evolving through the Middle Ages into Protestant and evangelical traditions that emphasize Scripture, covenant theology, and Christ-centered worship. Historical elements often originated in secular rituals but were modified to align with biblical principles, purging idolatrous aspects while highlighting God's sovereignty in marriage. The focus remains on marriage as a sacred covenant reflecting Christ's relationship with the church (Ephesians 5:22–33).

• Prelude — Instrumental music as guests arrive and are seated. Historical Background: Evolved from early Christian wedding services in the Greco-Roman era, where music set a solemn tone; by the Middle Ages, it incorporated church organ or strings to prepare for the rite, adapting Roman processional fanfares without pagan god invocations. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Creates a worshipful atmosphere, inviting reflection on God's faithfulness; draws from biblical calls to praise (Psalm 150:3–5), preparing hearts for the covenant as a holy event before God.
• Seating of family/parents — Ushers seat mothers (groom's first), sometimes with unity candle lighting by parents. Historical Background: Rooted in ancient Hebrew blood covenant rituals where families sat on opposite sides, symbolizing divided covenants; adapted in early Christianity to honor parents' roles, with seating formalized in medieval church ceremonies. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Acknowledges parents' stewardship in raising children (Ephesians 6:1–4); reflects family as witnesses to the covenant (Genesis 15:9–10), emphasizing generational blessing and the couple's new unity.
• Processional — Wedding party enters in order, culminating with the bride. Historical Background: Derived from pagan Roman evening processions with torches and songs honoring marriage gods; Christians in the early centuries adapted it by removing idolatry, using it as a daytime church entry by the Middle Ages, influenced by Jewish betrothal customs. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Symbolizes the groom entering first as Christ initiates the covenant (Ephesians 5:23); echoes the parable of the ten virgins awaiting the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1–13), representing readiness for Christ's return.
• Giving away of the bride / Presentation of the bride — Father (or parents) presents the bride at the altar. Historical Background: From Roman faux kidnappings and mournful processions symbolizing parental loss, adapted by early Christians under bishop oversight as a transfer of responsibility; standardized in medieval Jewish-Christian traditions as parental blessing. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Represents leaving parents to cleave to one's spouse (Genesis 2:24); signifies purity and family endorsement, mirroring God's presentation of Eve to Adam and Christ's care for the church.
• Call to worship / Welcome & opening prayer — Pastor greets and prays, acknowledging God's presence. Historical Background: Emerged in early Christian ceremonies led by bishops, replacing pagan sacrifices with prayers; by the Reformation, Protestant services emphasized communal worship openings in church settings. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Invites the congregation into worship (Psalm 100:1–2); grounds the ceremony in prayer, seeking God's blessing as the foundation of marriage (Matthew 18:20, where two or three gather in His name).
• Hymn or congregational song / Praise and worship — Traditional or contemporary songs sung together. Historical Background: Adapted from Roman processional songs like Talassio, stripped of pagan elements; early Christians incorporated psalms, with hymns formalized in medieval liturgies and revived in evangelical revivals. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Fosters corporate praise (Ephesians 5:19, singing psalms and hymns); reflects God's faithfulness in marriage, as in songs drawing from themes of love and covenant (Song of Solomon).
• Scripture reading(s) — Passages on marriage read aloud. Historical Background: Influenced by Jewish Torah readings in weddings; early Christians added New Testament passages by the fourth century, becoming central in Protestant services post-Reformation. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Centers the ceremony on God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16–17); uses verses like 1 Corinthians 13 or Ephesians 5 to teach love and roles, portraying marriage as a reflection of divine truth.
• Message / Sermon / Homily — Pastoral teaching on biblical marriage. Historical Background: Evolved from bishop instructions in early Christianity (e.g., Tertullian's addresses); formalized in medieval rites and emphasized in evangelical traditions for gospel proclamation. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Exhorts the couple and witnesses (Colossians 3:16, teaching one another); focuses on marriage as covenant (Malachi 2:14), mirroring Christ's sacrificial love (Ephesians 5:25).
• Declaration / Charge to the couple — Reminder of vows' seriousness. Historical Background: Part of medieval vow preparations, drawing from Roman oath exchanges; in evangelical contexts, it's a pastoral admonition added during the Reformation. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Charges fidelity before God (Hebrews 13:4, honoring the marriage bed); underscores accountability to witnesses and God, as in covenant charges (Deuteronomy 31:26).
• Declaration of intent — Affirmation of willingness and commitment. Historical Background: Developed from early Christian bishop-led affirmations; similar to Roman consent statements, formalized in Protestant liturgies for legal and spiritual clarity. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Ensures free will in the covenant (Joshua 24:15, choosing whom to serve); aligns with lifelong vows, echoing "forsaking all others" from Scripture's monogamy emphasis (Matthew 19:6).
• Exchange of vows — Promises repeated or read. Historical Background: From Roman phrases like "Ubi tu Gaius ego Gaia," adapted by Christians for monogamy; standardized in medieval church rites and personalized in evangelical traditions. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Forms the covenant oath (Numbers 30:2, keeping vows); reflects mutual submission and love, as in Ephesians 5:21–33, binding "in the presence of God."
• Exchange of rings — Rings given with symbolic explanation. Historical Background: Pagan Roman oath symbols on the fourth finger; Christians adopted mutual exchange by the Middle Ages, adding blessings to signify eternity without pagan ties. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Circle represents eternal covenant (Genesis 9:12–16, rainbow sign); seals authority and fidelity, symbolizing shared resources in one-flesh union (Genesis 2:24).
• Unity ceremony — Acts like candle lighting or cord braiding. Historical Background: Adapted from pagan unity symbols like touching fire/water; unity candle emerged in 20th-century American Christianity (popularized 30–40 years ago), with cord from evangelical adaptations of Ecclesiastes. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Illustrates three-strand cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12, not easily broken, including God); represents becoming one (Genesis 2:24), often with parents for family unity.
• Prayer for the couple / Intercessory prayer — Blessing prayers. Historical Background: Replaced pagan sacrifices in early Christianity; intercessory prayers formalized in medieval liturgies, emphasized in evangelical services for congregational involvement. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Invokes God's guidance (James 5:16, effective prayer); seeks blessing on the covenant, as in prayers for fruitfulness and faithfulness (Genesis 1:28).
• Pronouncement of marriage — Declaration as husband and wife. Historical Background: From Roman post-vow unions; Christians added bishop pronouncements by the fourth century, formalized in Protestant rites as official sealing. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Affirms God's joining (Matthew 19:6, let no one separate); marks the covenant's establishment, reflecting divine authority over marriage.
• Blessing / Benediction / Closing prayer — Final pastoral blessing. Historical Background: Evolved from early Christian thanksgivings; benedictions added in medieval ceremonies, common in evangelical closings for sending forth. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Pronounces God's favor (Numbers 6:24–26, priestly blessing); commissions the couple in faith, as ambassadors of Christ's love.
• Signing of the marriage license — Legal signing during or after. Historical Background: A modern addition post-Reformation, blending church and state; rooted in medieval church records but formalized with civil laws in the 16th–19th centuries. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Honors governing authorities (Romans 13:1–7); serves as a public witness to the covenant, aligning with biblical calls for integrity in commitments.
• Recessional — Couple exits first, followed by party. Historical Background: Adapted from Roman departures after ceremonies; in Christian contexts, it marked the end of the rite by the Middle Ages, with upbeat music added in Protestant traditions. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Celebrates the new union (Psalm 118:24, rejoicing); symbolizes going forth to serve God together, as in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20).
• Postlude — Music as guests depart. Historical Background: Extension of prelude traditions; developed in church liturgies by the Renaissance, providing a joyful close in evangelical services. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Sustains worshipful joy (Psalm 100:1); reminds of ongoing praise in married life, reflecting God's enduring faithfulness.

Additional occasional elements:

• Brief testimony — Sharing God's role in the couple's story. Historical Background: Emerged in evangelical revivals (18th–19th centuries) as personal faith narratives; influenced by Puritan and Methodist emphases on conversion stories. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Testifies to God's providence (Psalm 66:16, declaring what God has done); highlights marriage as part of redemption, as in sharing testimonies (Revelation 12:11).
• Communion — Shared as first act of worship. Historical Background: Rare in weddings but rooted in early Christian agape feasts; incorporated in some Reformation traditions and modern evangelical services for symbolism. Christian/Biblical Reasoning: Remembers Christ's sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:23–26); symbolizes unity in Christ, as marriage reflects His body (Ephesians 5:30–32).