Example of
Informal or Semiformal Marriage Ceremony

Ideal for informal or semiformal weddings
such as in a home, garden, or park.

This is basically a religious (wishing you well) ceremony. It is not a preaching ceremony.

Remember

This is just an example and the wording can be changed to suit your personal wants and desires. After all, this is your wedding.

To get an idea of the different types of wordings please see Planning Your Wedding. Also remember that, if you don't see an example that meets your needs, you may compose your own wording.

The Informal Ceremony:

Where to Stand:

This chart shows where each person
in the wedding party should stand or sit.

Making the entrance (Informal Ceremony):

1. The Minister, Groom, and Best Man take their places in that order.
2. The Flower Girl and Ring Bearer march down the aisle. (If there are any)
3. The Brides Maids (if any) are escorted down the aisle by the Groom's Men (if any).
4. The Maid of Honor comes down the aisle alone.
5. The Bride makes her entrance last with her father or whoever is giving her away.
   (Note: If nobody is giving the Bride away then she should come down the aisle alone.)
   After arriving at the end of the aisle, the father of the bride should wait just behind the bride until the minister asks, "Who is giving the bride away?"

The Minister's Opening Remarks.

Minister says:

Before God we have come together today, for marriage is one of the most sacred of His wishes. And now through me He joins you together in one of the Holiest of Bonds.

Let us bow our heads in prayer. O Lord, hear our prayer for (Groom)____________ and (Bride)____________ who today are united in marriage before you. Give them your blessing and always strengthen their love for each other. Amen.

Question Of Intent.

Minister says to Groom: "Do you, (Groom)________________, come here of your own free will to take (Bride)_______________ as your wedded wife?"

Groom says: "I Do."

Minister says to Bride: "Do you, (Bride)________________, come here of your own free will to take (Groom)_______________ as your wedded husband?"

Bride says: "I Do."

Minister says: "If either of you or anyone in this assembly knows any just cause why this marriage should not be performed, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace."

Minister says: "Who then, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, doth give this woman to wed?"

Father of the Bride says: "I, her father do give this woman to wed." He shakes the hand of the groom, who then extends his arm to his bride.

The Marriage Vows.

Minister: I ask you each to now agree to the marriage vows.

Minister says to Groom: (Groom)____________ do you take (Bride's name) for your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?

Groom says: I do.

Minister says to Bride: (Bride)____________ do you take (Groom's name) for your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health?

Bride says: I do.

Ring Exchange:

Sometimes two rings are exchanged, sometimes only one (usually to the bride), sometimes no rings are exchanged. This should be established before the ceremony begins and the following altered appropriately.

Minister says:

At this time I ask that you place the marriage rings in my hand.

May the Lord bless these rings which you give as your sign of love and devotion. Amen.

Minister says to Groom:

(Groom)____________ as you place (Bride's name) ring on her finger I ask that you repeat these words, "With this ring I thee wed".

Groom says: With this ring I thee wed.

Minister says to Bride:

(Bride)____________ as you place (Groom's name) ring on his finger I ask that you repeat these words, "With this ring I thee wed".

Bride says: With this ring I thee wed.

The Pronouncement

Minister says: And so, by the power vested in me by Almighty God and the Comonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

Minister prays for the new family

Minister says: Heavenly Father, we have heard from these two people the impressive acceptance of the solemn and significant vows of marriage. Grant unto them grace and courage, love and loyalty, constancy and faith to maintain these vows to the end of the way. May this new home radiate the sunshine of Thy love, and may everyone who comes in contact with this home be enriched and ennobled. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

The Benediction

Minister says: May you always share with each other the gifts of love and be one in heart and always beutiful of mind. And may you always create a home together that puts in your hearts, love, generosity, and kindness.

What therefore God has joined together let no man put asunder.

You may kiss the bride.

The Exit:

1. Bride and Groom exit down the aisle.
2. Best Man and Maid of Honor follow Bride and Groom.
3. Groom's Men and Bride's Maids follow Best Man and Maid of Honor.
4. Minister exits last.
5. The guests should wait until after the Minister has exited.