A Sample Wedding Service For Couples

By Dan Wilt

I’ve officiated many weddings over the years, and here is a sample wedding service to give you ideas as you plan your own.

Sample Wedding Ceremony

Prelude (seating of main family in the front, groomsmen and groom take place)
Processional (bridesmaids come in, maid of honor, then bride)
Welcome (from the presiding pastor or priest)
Presentation of Bride (“who gives this woman…)
Scripture Reading 1
Scripture Reading 2
A Word About Marriage (presiding pastor, 10 min. or less)
Worship Song or Two
Exchange of Vows (personally written or Book of Common Prayer)
Exchange of Rings
Optional: Couples Communion, Candle Lighting, Sand Mixing, etc. with some special music while it happens
Presentation of Couple (“you may now kiss the bride!)
Postlude

(Receiving Line)

(Reception Instructions)

Your Wedding Day is a special day. Get creative, and enjoy the celebration of commitment and covenant marriage was designed to be!

Dan +

P.S. If you haven’t read it yet, please read my flagship article in the Relationships Series.

Other Helpful Resources

While I do not endorse all of the content, perspectives, or presenting organizations of every article linked at the sites below, one or more of them may prove helpful to your particular situation or need.

The National Marriage Project

The Institute For Family Studies

Books

Premarital Workbooks

The Meaning Of Marriage (Keller)

The Mystery Of Marriage (Mason)

The Act Of Marriage (LaHaye) (the beauty of sexual love)

AVAILABLE NOW

Sheltering Mercy & Endless Grace: Prayers Inspired by the Psalms

Sheltering Mercy and Endless Grace help us rediscover the rich treasures of the Psalms—through free-verse prayer renderings of their poems and hymns—as a guide to personal devotion and meditation. Sheltering Mercy helps the reader pray Psalms 1-75; Endless Grace leads in prayer through Psalms 76-150.

The church has always used the Psalms as part of its prayer life, and they have inspired countless other prayers. Each book contains 75 prayers drawn from the Book of Psalms, providing lyrical sketches of what authors Ryan Smith and Dan Wilt have seen, heard, and felt while sojourning there. Each prayer is a response to the Psalms written in harmony with Scripture. These prayers help us quiet our hearts before God and welcome us into a safe place amid the storms of life.

These artful, poetic, and classic devotional books are a perfect gift, and feature compelling stunning illustrations and hardcover binding, offering a fresh way to reflect on and pray the Psalms. Co-written with Ryan Whitaker Smith, Brazos Publishing.

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