Walk through the wedding service

The choices made for a wedding service make it unique and special. Scroll through the order of service to see what happens and where choices can be made.

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When the bride arrives, there will be a few moments before she enters the church. Bridesmaids may lead the way or follow the bride, and as the bridal party enters, the entrance music will begin to play. The bride may walk in to church by herself or accompanied. When the bride arrives at the altar, she takes her place beside the groom.

The vicar will begin by welcoming everyone and a hymn is often sung. After the hymn, the vicar gives an introduction which speaks of the purpose of marriage and God’s will for it.

‘Love is the gift, And love is the giver,
Love is the gold that
Makes the day shine;
Love forgets self to care for the other,
Love changes life from water to wine.’
Extract from Come to a Wedding

The vicar will ask everyone present if there is any reason in law why the couple should not marry. The vicar then turns to the bride and groom and asks them each the same question about their commitment to the other. They answer ‘I will’. The vicar then asks everyone present if they will support the couple in their marriage. Everyone replies ‘We will’. A Bible reading and the vicar’s talk may happen at this point, or, the service may continue with the vows.

‘…to have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.’

The best man steps forward to hand the rings to the vicar, which are blessed. After the rings are exchanged vicar will say: “They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.”

‘I give you this ring as a sign of our marriage. With my body I honour you, all that I am I give to you, and all that I have I share with you, within the love of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.’

There will always be a Bible reading and a talk by the vicar, or, the vicar may do these after the legal part of the service – the vows, the exchange of rings and the blessing – are complete. Other readings can be included too. Anyone present can read from the Bible or do one of the other types of readings.

Along with the bride, groom and vicar, two witnesses must be present when the register is signed, and they must sign it too. Those involved may go to one side of the church, or even into a separate room. It takes a few minutes to complete so music is often played, or everyone sings a hymn.

After the marriage register is signed, the witnesses return to their seats and the couple remain in front of the vicar, who will lead some final prayers. Everyone says the Lord’s Prayer together before the vicar says a final blessing. There may be a final hymn at this point.

Music can be played while the couple and the wedding party walk out of church. The newly married couple leave first, followed by the best man and the chief bridesmaid. The couple’s parents then follow.  Outside there’ll be more photos and confetti-throwing!

For couples keen to make a start on planning the ceremony, there’s an online tool to help with choosing hymns and readings. The print-out of the draft ceremony can then be discussed with the vicar. Click where you’d like to go:-

Ceremony planner

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