“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
What’s inside
- Cover (p1): two interlocked rings, olive sprigs and a threefold cord, with Ecclesiastes 4:12
- Planning the ceremony (p2): what is in the pack, how to print and fold the program, an 8-item checklist and an “ask first” note, with Psalm 127:1
- Sample order of ceremony (p3): 12 steps with what happens in each, about 20 to 30 minutes, with Genesis 2:24
- Officiant script, part 1 (p4): welcome, opening prayer, giving of the bride, reading and message, and the declaration of intent, with Colossians 3:14
- Officiant script, part 2 (p5): the vows, simple vows, rings, prayer, pronouncement, benediction (Numbers 6:24-26) and presentation, with Matthew 19:6
- Program outside (p6, landscape): the front panel “The Wedding of” with names, date, time and place (1 Corinthians 13:13), and the back panel with the wedding party, thanks and reception (Psalm 34:3)
- Program inside (p7, landscape): the order of ceremony to fill in, readings and music, In Loving Memory and a note from the couple, with 1 John 4:19
- Vow cards (p8): four cards to cut out, His Vows, Her Vows, Ring Vows and Ruth 1:16-17
- Wedding Scripture readings (p9): 14 KJV passages and 8 hymns, with 1 John 4:7
Christian wedding ceremony order
This is a common order for a Christian wedding of about 20 to 30 minutes. Your pastor may change it, and the program’s inside page lets you write in your own.
- Prelude: Music as guests are seated, about 15 minutes before the start.
- Seating of the Families: Grandparents, then the mother of the groom, then the mother of the bride.
- Processional: The groom and groomsmen wait at the front; bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer walk in, then the bride.
- Welcome and Opening Words: The officiant welcomes the guests and says why we have gathered before God.
- Opening Prayer: A short prayer asking God to bless the marriage and the day.
- Giving of the Bride: Optional. The father, both parents or a family member presents the bride.
- Scripture Reading: One or two passages, read by a friend or family member (see page 9).
- Message: A short charge to the couple on Christian marriage, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Declaration and Vows: The couple say “I will,” then make their vows to each other.
- Exchange of Rings: Each ring is given with a short promise.
- Prayer and Pronouncement: A prayer for the couple, then husband and wife are pronounced; the kiss.
- Benediction and Recessional: The blessing, the presentation of the couple, and music as everyone leaves.
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Wedding ceremony script for the officiant
The officiant’s words, word for word. Where you see (groom), (bride) or (name), say the names. Words marked “Traditional (1928)” are from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer; the rest is written for this script.
Welcome and Opening Words
Officiant: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of family and friends, to join (groom) and (bride) in holy marriage. Marriage was given by God in the beginning, was honored by Jesus at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and is a picture of the love of Christ for His church. It is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently and in the fear of God.
Opening Prayer
Officiant: Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank thee for (groom) and (bride) and for the love thou hast given them. Be present with us now; bless the promises they make today, and keep them faithful to thee and to each other all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Giving of the Bride (optional)
Traditional (1928):
Officiant: Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?
Father or family: I do. (Or: Her mother and I do.)
Scripture Reading and Message
Reader: A reading from page 9, for example 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 or Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.
Officiant: A short message: God’s design for marriage (Genesis 2:24), love that is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13), and a home built on the Lord (Psalm 127:1).
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
Traditional Christian wedding vows
These are the words of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, which many Protestant churches still use; they are in the public domain. The bride’s vow has no “obey”: the 1928 book left it out.
Declaration of Intent
Traditional (1928). To the groom, then to the bride:
Officiant: (Name), wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
Groom: I will.
Officiant: (Name), wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
Bride: I will.
The Vows
Traditional (1928). The couple join right hands and repeat after the officiant:
Groom: I, (name), take thee, (name), to my wedded Wife, 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, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.
Bride: I, (name), take thee, (name), to my wedded Husband, 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, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.
Or Simple Vows
Each in turn: I, (name), take you, (name), to be my husband (wife). Before God and these witnesses I promise to love you, to honor you and to be faithful to you, in good times and in hard times, as long as we both shall live.
Exchange of Rings
Traditional (1928). Each places the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand and says:
Each in turn: With this Ring I thee wed: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Or a simple ring vow: I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Prayer and Pronouncement
The middle line is traditional (1928). Use the pronouncement wording your church and state expect.
Officiant: Almighty God, bless (groom) and (bride) in their life together. Give them patience, kindness and a love that does not fail, and make their home a place of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Officiant: Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
Officiant: Forasmuch as (groom) and (bride) have made their vows before God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Benediction and Presentation
Officiant: Receive this blessing from the Word of God:
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
Officiant: It is my joy to present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. (name). (Recessional music.)
More on this blessing: The LORD bless thee and keep thee (Numbers 6:24-26).
Wedding vows from the Bible
The Bible does not give a set of wedding vows. Couples often read Ruth’s words to Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17), Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:6. Ruth was speaking to her mother-in-law, not to a husband, but her promise of lifelong loyalty is why so many couples choose it. The fourth vow card on page 8 prints it, labelled “Ruth to Naomi.”
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
“What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Scripture readings and hymns for a wedding
Page 9 lists 14 KJV readings that couples often choose. For more, see our Bible verses for a wedding and 1 Corinthians 13 (KJV), the love chapter.
- Genesis 2:18-24: They shall be one flesh
- Ruth 1:16-17: Whither thou goest, I will go
- Psalm 127:1-5: Except the LORD build the house
- Proverbs 3:3-6: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart
- Proverbs 31:10-31: Her price is far above rubies
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: A threefold cord is not quickly broken
- Song of Solomon 8:6-7: Many waters cannot quench love
- Matthew 19:4-6: What therefore God hath joined together
- John 2:1-11: A marriage in Cana of Galilee
- Romans 12:9-18: Let love be without dissimulation
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-13: Charity suffereth long, and is kind
- Ephesians 5:25-33: Husbands, love your wives
- Colossians 3:12-17: Put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness
- 1 John 4:7-12: Beloved, let us love one another
Hymns for a wedding: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee · Be Thou My Vision · Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing · Holy, Holy, Holy · Take My Life and Let It Be · Blessed Assurance · Crown Him with Many Crowns · Amazing Grace
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Before you plan, ask your pastor or church: their order of service and vows come first. Marriage law differs by state, so check the license and officiant rules with your county clerk.
For the newlyweds
Pray together for a month with the 30-Day Prayer Journal, or learn verses together with the Scripture Memory Cards.
Related reading: Bible verses for a wedding · love and marriage · a marriage anniversary · 1 Corinthians 13 KJV · Numbers 6:24-26 · Proverbs 31 KJV
Also free: Baptism certificates · Funeral program template · Bible verse bookmarks · Psalm 23 printable
Frequently asked questions
Is this wedding ceremony script free?
Yes. It is free for couples, officiants and churches to print and copy for any wedding. Please share the page link rather than the file, and don’t resell it.
What are the traditional Christian wedding vows?
The best-known words come from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer: “I, (name), take thee, (name), to my wedded Wife (Husband), 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, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.” The bride’s vow ends “and thereto I give thee my troth.”
How long is a Christian wedding ceremony?
Usually 20 to 30 minutes. The message takes about 5 to 10 of those.
Can a friend officiate with this script?
The script works for any officiant, but who may legally officiate, and whether they must register first, differs by state, so check with your county clerk. Your pastor or church may also have its own order of service.
Can we write our own vows?
Yes. Page 5 has a simple-vows option you can use or adapt. Many couples keep the traditional declaration (“I will”) and then add a few words of their own.
How do I print the wedding program?
Print pages 6 and 7 double-sided on one sheet (flip on the short edge, actual size or 100%). Fill in that copy by hand, check it, then photocopy as many as you need and fold each sheet in half. US Letter folds to 5.5 × 8.5 in; A4 folds to A5.
Free for couples, officiants and churches to print and copy for any wedding. Please share the page link rather than the file, and don’t resell. Scripture from the King James Version; traditional words from the Book of Common Prayer (1928). Both public domain in the US. This page is not legal advice: check your state’s marriage rules with your county clerk.