Couples faced with composing their own unique ceremony may find helpful the format offered here.

This template serves only as a suggested order of service. It can be altered according to the desire of the couple and the type of ceremony desired. The references to the Uniquely Yours Wedding Resource CD found in the template below indicate where the location on a CD I formerly provided to couples to assist them in preparing their wedding ceremony. Since the CD technology is no longer commonly used, you can ignore those references. I now provide couples with a "Wedding Ceremony Template" as a document attached to an email I send them. That one lengthy document offers options for choosing what they wish to include in their wedding ceremony. Most couples already know there are many sources on the Internet for texts for their wedding. I offer the Wedding Ceremony Template only because some find this less intimidating resource a great alternative to those other sometimes mind-boggling resources. After consulting wedding websites, many couples find texts more personally fitting their preferences. Or they might like to compose your own texts to copy and paste into this format.

COPY AND PASTE YOUR SELECTIONS

To make the composition of your ceremony as easy as possible, I encourage you to make your wedding ceremony truly one that is uniquely yours by composing your own wedding texts. Even then if you need a framework around which to include your selections, this template may assist you. Feel free to create your own document into which you can "copy and paste" the template below. Your own compositions, or the texts you've found that express your own sentiments so well, can then be included into your ceremony by copying and pasting them into your document. In doing so, you'll want to be respectful of all copyrighted material, seeking permissions where necessary.

All materials I provide on the Uniquely Yours Wedding Template are either my own compositions or texts in the public domain. And I encourage couples to edit any of my compositions, if they so choose, to make them more personal.

The Wedding Celebration

of

Name, MN, and Family Name of Bride

&

Name, MN, and Family Name of Groom

Day, Date, Time of Wedding

Location of Wedding, Town, State

Maid [Matron] of Honor N

Best Man N

Groomsmen N

Bridesmaids N

Junior Bridesmaid N

Flower Girl(s) N

Ring Bearer N

Readers N

N

Presiding Rev. John P. Wentland

The Wedding Celebration

of

Name, Middle Name, and Family Name of Bride

&

Name, Middle Name, and Family Name of Groom

Date, Time of Wedding

Location, Town, State of Wedding

Prelude Music? Composer?

If the Sand Ceremony is to be part of your ceremony, at the entrance to the wedding venue, separate containers of sand of two distinct colors are in place. As family and friends enter, two or more designated persons offer each guest the opportunity to offer a short prayer, wish, or reflection as each guest uses a small scoop to take sand from a large container and pour it into one of two smaller separate containers—one each for bride and groom.

Once all guests have done this, ushers bring the containers of the sand for bride and groom to the front, placing them conveniently near parents of bride and groom, so that, at the appropriate moment, each mother [or set of parents] can present the container of sand to their offspring.

Seating of Grandparents

N.N.[of groom] ushered by ?

N.N. [of bride] ushered by ?

Seating of Parents Music? Composer?

Groom’s Parents ushered by ?

Brides’ Mother escorted by ?

Or will both parents accompany their daughter in procession? Or will parents accompany each--bride and groom--as they enter?

ENTRANCE RITE

Processional: Music? Composer?

Entrance of the Groom, Best Man & Groomsman(men) preceded by Rev. John P. Wentland

Entrance of the Maid (Matron) of Honor and Bridesmaid(s)

Entrance of the Ring Bearer and Flower Girl

Music? Composer?

Entrance of the Bride accompanied by NN

If the Unity Candle is to be included in your ceremony, it is fitting that the parents or mothers of bride and groom come forward together after they arrive at their places to light the individual candles representing their offspring.

If Mothers Only: The mother of the groom waits standing until the mother of the groom arrives at the front. They then proceed together to the table where the candles have been placed where they light the two individual candles.

If Both Parents: Once the father has joined the hands of his daughter to her fiancé, the parents proceed to the table where the candles have been placed where the parents join in the lighting of the two individual candles representing their offspring.

Parental Consent - Optional

When the bride arrives at the front of the gathering, she waits with her father (or parents) as the presider asks: “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

If only one parent responds: “Her mother and I.” If parents respond together: “We do.”

The father (or Parents) show their affection for their daughter, greet the groom warmly and then give the hand of their daughter to her fiancé.

Or perhaps to make the question/response less gender-subservient:

Who give this person in marriage?

"She/he gives her/himself, with her/his parents (or our) blessing"

Introduction Rev. John P. Wentland or a family member

Good Afternoon. This is a wonderful day to celebrate the wedding of [Bride] and [Groom]!

If I am asked to introduce the wedding, I start with this short background. I do this for a couple of reasons. First, people invariably come up to me following the ceremony asking about what parish I serve. Second, people are sometimes distracted with questions about who is leading the ceremony. And it's just good manners to introduce oneself.

My name is Jack Wentland. I am Roman Catholic priest associated with CITI Ministries—a national organization of married Catholic priests who carry out various ministries, like this marriage ministry. I am privileged to be asked by [Groom] and [Bride] to preside at their wedding ceremony. And in their name and in the name of their parents, I welcome you.

[The wording of what follows as an Introduction is contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples. They may edit any of them to express what they want me to say as their words to your family and friends at the beginning of their ceremony.]

Opening Prayer Rev. John P. Wentland

[The wording of what follows as an Opening Prayer may be found on the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples. Couples may, of course, compose their own opening prayer. Many choose to include a remembrance of "those here present in spirit" to included deceased relatives.

READING(S)

Please be seated. [Groom] and [Bride] have composed their ceremony, chosing selections they find meaningful for themselves. Their hope is that we, their family and friends, will find in this ceremony and these readings a message that touches our hearts as they have theirs.

Though including readings or a reading may be considered optional, the inclusion of some reflection piece adds a personal note and can help convey a special theme or favorite message the bride and groom wish to convey to their family and friends.

Choices may include selections from any source you choose. Couples will find the texts of a number of contemporary readings used at weddings through a link contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to them.

Contemporary Reading Read by ?

And/or

Scripture Reading Read by ?

Couples will find the texts of all the traditional Scripture readings used at Catholic weddings through a link provided contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples. They can be seen by clicking here

Scripture Readings are concluded with:

If from the Hebrew Scriptures or the Christian texts:

The Word of the Lord. All: THANKS BE TO GOD.

or

If from one of the four Gospels:

The Gospel of the Lord. All: PRAISE TO YOU, LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Personalized Wedding Message - Optional

Allowing your family and friends a part in your wedding in an innovative way that adds a personal touch to your wedding service. Further details of this optional wedding ceremony element are provided to couples who express a preference for this message.

General Intercessions - Optional

Including special prayer for intentions beyond yourselves make clear your desire to embrace the needs of the world in your married life, reaching beyond your wedding ceremony.

You may want to consider the special concerns you and your family share as you decide what you want to pray for. Some examples of petitions for the General Intercessions [or Prayer of the Faithful] are contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples.

Couples may, of course, compose their own personal petitions.

WEDDING CEREMONY

Declaration of Intentions

Before you make your marriage vows, you now declare your intentions to one another in the presence of family and friends

[The Declaration of Intention is distinct from the Exchange of Vows. Explanation and Formats for the wording of the Declaration of Intentions and Vows are contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples.]

Exchange of Promises

[I’ve included some helpful considerations to review in the file on the Uniquely Yours Wed Disk entitled “4. Ceremony Assistance, 4f. Proclaiming Your Vows.” What is essential—not only legally, but intentionally--in your vows is a clear and firm statement of your commitment for life to one another.}.

Now in the presence of this gathering of family and friends, I ask you to affirm to one another your commitment of marriage to one another, sharing all the joys and sorrows of this new relationship, whatever the future may hold.

Optional [as a means of demonstrating that the presider is a witness of this commitment along with all those gathered]: The presider makes his way around [Bride] and [Groom] to stand on the congregation side of the couple facing the couple as the bride and groom turn to face one another. He leads them in their vows according to the format chosen:

[The three commonly used formats for marriage vows are contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples.

Ring Ceremony

What will you share to symbolize your love?

[Bride] and [Groom]: These Rings (or something similar)

Blessing of Rings

Formats for the wording of the blessing and creative wordings of the exchange are contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples. Couples may, of course, compose their own words for this blessing.

Exchange of Rings

Various texts for what couples may choose to say as they exchange rings are contained in the Wedding Ceremony Template I provide to couples. Couples may, of course, compose their own words for this exchange.

Symbolic Action Optional:

Various symbolic actions are used in weddings. A listing with links to these can be accessed by clicking here. Some Examples include:

Sand Ceremony

Unity Candle

Hand Ceremony,

Rose Ceremony

Wine Ceremony

etc.

all of which may be accompanied by instrumental music or a vocal piece.

There are many sources on the Internet from which you may want to choose some form of this kind of symbolic action.

Pledge of Support - Optional

Background on this can be found on the Uniquely Yours Wed Disk , in the file titled “2.Theme and Text Resources, 2f.Pledge of Support” and other forms of this are found as a separate document in that same file.

Offering of Gifts - Optional

As a sign of gratitude and love, bride and groom bring roses, or other favorite flowers, to each other’s mother. No special words are needed for this, but musical accompaniment might be chosen.

A format for the offering of roses to mothers can be reviewed by clicking here.

Pronouncement of Marriage and Kiss

You may choose any form of this pronouncement from any source you find. Some choices are suggested on the Uniquely Yours Wed Disk, in the file entitled “2.Theme and Text Resources, 2g. Pronouncement and Kiss.”

Couples will notice that the usual form used avoids phrases like "I now pronounce you husband and wife" or the "By the authority vested in me. . ." You, as those making this public commitment of permanent and singular love to one another are the ones who make you marriage. The presider, as well as all those present, are witnesses. Many see those phrases as unnecessarily officious.

Nuptial Blessing - Optional

If you choose this option, a number of selections may be found on the Uniquely Yours Wed Disk in the file entitled “2.Theme and Text Resources, 2h. Blessings, Marriage Blessings.”

Optional for both the Nuptial Blessing and the Final Blessing: To involve family and guests , this introduction invites your family and friends to take part in conferring the blessing.

Each of us has the ability to bless others. For instance, many parents bless their children at bedtime. We often think of a blessing being reserved only to the clergy. Today you are invited to take part in extending this blessing to [Groom] and [Bride]. If you are so inclined, please extend your hands over them now and join your hearts and minds in the spirit of this blessing.

Clarification: The Nuptial Blessing is a special request for God’s blessing on you as the newly married couple; the Final Blessing is an all-inclusive request for God’s blessing directed to everyone, including yourselves, in your wedding gathering. The choice of one or both will be made according to the emphasis you wish to place on your wedding ceremony theme.

Final Blessing

The selection of a final blessing may be made from any source you find. A number of selections may be found on the Uniquely Yours Wed Disk in the file entitled “2.Theme and Text Resources, 2h. Blessings, Final”

Optional: As an introduction, like the one for the Nuptial Blessing, the invitation to take part in the blessing may be offered.

Introduction of the Couple Rev. John P. Wentland

If the option is chosen, the presider says: "Please have your containers of bubbles or other symbols of joy ready to shower your joy on [Bride] and [Groom] as they proceed out."

[Example Only – you may choose the manner in which you wish me to introduce you.]

I now have the special privilege of presenting to you the new

Mr. & Mrs. [First Name of Groom] [Last Name Groom]

or

Mr.& Mrs. [First Name of Groom] and [First Name of Bride] [Last Name Groom]

or however you wish to be introduced.

Indoor Option: At an indoor ceremony, the assembled family and friends may be invited to step outside where, with the bride and groom, they release the aforesaid symbols of joy.

Outdoor Optional: The releasing of bubbles, balloons (environment- and bird-friendly), butterflies, etc.

Recessional Music? Composer?

Once you've reviewed this text, you may go to any of the other pages listed in the sidebar on the left margin above.