Whether you’re a first-time officiant or have officiated a dozen weddings, it can be an overwhelming task when it comes to writing and organizing the wedding script. 

As a professional wedding vow, speech, and ceremony writer, I work with first-time and the most seasoned officiants to write personalized wedding scripts. 

Here’s your ultimate wedding script guide for officiants. Follow these tips and you’ll feel more confident and prepared to write your own officiant wedding script.

Create a Wedding Ceremony Timeline 

The key to officiant wedding scripts is creating a detailed and realistic timeline.

There are so many elements to a wedding ceremony. Find out which elements the couple wants to include and then list each one.

Next to each ceremony item, estimate how long it will take.

Finally, organize each part into a cohesive order for the ceremony. 

Here are examples of what could be included within a ceremony:

• Processional

• Opening remarks

• Declaration of intent

• Consent or the giving away of the bride

• Readings: Bible readings, poetry, song lyrics, movie dialogue. 

• Blessing

• Unity ritual 

• Songs

• Cultural rituals such as jumping the broom, breaking a glass, a tea ceremony.

• Officiant’s address to the couple 

• Vows

• Ring exchange

• Pronouncement

• Kiss

• Closing remarks

• Recessional 

Write the Officiant’s Address

Of all the ceremony elements, the one that you are completely responsible for is the officiant’s address.

The officiant’s address is meant to be an inspirational speech about commitment, marriage, and love. 

But keep in mind: most couples want this section of their ceremony to sound personalized to them versus a cookie-cutter description of what marriage should be.

To write a more personalized wedding script for the officiant, you’ll need to interview the couple. 

Example questions to ask the couple:

• How did you meet?

• How did you know this was the person that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? 

• What do you value most in your relationship? 

• How do you envision your marriage?

Have each person write down their answers. Then meet in-person to discuss the questions in more detail. 

As the officiant, you’ll write the wedding script based on your conversation with the couple while also intertwining the themes of love, commitment, and marriage in some way.

Understand the Ceremony Vibe

Before you write the wedding script for the officiant, you need to understand the desired vibe for the ceremony.

Should be it more traditional and religious or modern with gender-inclusive language?

For example, does the couple want you to exclaim, “You may now kiss the bride,” or should you say, “You may now kiss each other?”

Understand the vibe and then you can work on the officiant wedding script.

Brush Up on Your Public Speaking Skills 

As the officiant, everyone from the guests to the couple are looking at you for setting the tone in the room.

You need to bring 110% of your energy. Be louder than you think you need to. Even with a microphone, there will be people who struggle to hear you so project your voice.

And speak articulately. This is arguably the most important part of the entire wedding so make it memorable and special.

It’s your job to not only write a wonderful wedding script but it’s also your job to deliver it in powerful way.

Hire Someone to Write the Wedding Script  

If you’re a new officiant, writing the wedding script can be incredibly challenging.

Consider working with a professional wedding script writer. 

I work with officiants to write the entire wedding script from the opening remarks to the closing remarks. 

Learn more about what the process is like and get in touch to see how I can help you write your wedding script. 

Reference a Wedding Script for Officiant Example

Here’s an example script. Notice how there are personal aspects mixed in with larger themes related to marriage.

Beth and Harry, today you have made the decision to commit your lives and hearts to one another. Everyone here can see how much you two love each other and I know that from this day forward, your love will only strengthen with each passing year of your marriage. 

Having known you both for the past ten years, I have seen you grow as individuals and as a couple. 

Beth, your outgoing and charismatic energy has inspired Harry to chase after his dreams and conquer things he never imagined he could do. But with you by his side, he’s stronger and has achieved more.

Harry, your thoughtful nature and unique perspectives have encouraged Beth to slow down, enjoy the present moment more, and be open to things not always going as planned. 

These are all essential qualities in marriage. You must feel free enough to chase your dreams and strong enough to weather storms when the plan gets turned upside down. 

While you are both incredible people on your own, together you’re unstoppable. And it’s the unique qualities that are specific to you each that when combined together will make your marriage a success and your happiness inevitable. 

Continue to acknowledge and appreciate each other’s characteristics, especially the ones you don’t possess for these are the ones that will serve you most.

Continue to lean on each other for support and encouragement.

Continue to provide support and encouragement.

And always remember that you’re on the same team, stronger together, growing forever—as husband and wife, as one.