How to Conduct a Wedding Ceremony
Though wedding ceremonies can vary greatly with religion and culture, having someone to conduct the ceremony is a very important part of every wedding. Meeting with the engaged couple and rehearsing the ceremony will help ensure that the ceremony runs smoothly on the big day.
Items Needed
- License to wed
- Written ceremonies
Conducting The Ceremony
- Check with the state in which you will be conducting the wedding ceremony to make sure your license is valid in that state. If the wedding ceremony is in a church, you will also need to check with the church to make sure that you meet all of their requirements.
- Arrange a meeting with the engaged couple to discuss their wishes for the wedding ceremony.
- Go over all of the different prewritten ceremonies with the engaged couple to see which one they would like to use for their wedding. They may also wish to write some of their own vows.
- Ask them if they would like any special verses or text read by friends or family members, as well as what music they would like to use during the ceremony.
- Ask the couple how they would like to be introduced at the end of the wedding ceremony.
- Have a rehearsal for the ceremony the night before the wedding to ensure that the ceremony runs smoothly the next day.
- Go over the wedding vows with the couple during the wedding rehearsal, but avoid having them say the actual vows. The actual vows should be saved for the wedding ceremony.
- Guide the couple through the wedding ceremony, such as letting them know when it is time to kneel for prayer or light the unity candle.
- Tell the couple the wedding vows they are to say to each other. It is important to say the vows in smaller sections, so they are able to remember them.
- Announce the new bride and groom to the audience.