The wedding ceremony is a time to exchange vows, say “I do,” and begin your new, beautiful lives together!
And while the actual ceremony may not last for too long, the planning and preparation can take months. One of the first decisions you will need to make is what order the wedding ceremony will go in.
There are many different ways to structure a wedding ceremony, so it is vital to find an order that works for you and your partner. Here is a complete guide to the wedding ceremony order!
- Processional
The processional is the entrance of the bridal party into the ceremony space. This typically includes the bride, groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearer.
The processional is followed by the lighting of the unity candle or another form of opening ritual.
- Opening Remarks
Once everyone is in their place, the officiant will welcome everyone to the ceremony, followed by a reading, poem, or prayer.
- Exchange of Vows
This is the main event! The couple will exchange personal vows they have written for each other. It’s a very emotional moment for the couple and their guests and one of our favorite parts of a wedding!
- Ring Exchange
After exchanging the vows, the couple will place the rings on each other’s fingers. This is often accompanied by a ring-warming ceremony, where guests pass the rings around and bless them with their love and well wishes.
- Pronouncement of Marriage
Once the rings have been exchanged, the officiant will pronounce the couple married. Next comes a round of applause from all of the guests!
- Recessional
The recessional is when the newlyweds walk back down the aisle as a couple. Next will be a receiving line, where guests can congratulate the couple on their marriage. The end!
Now that you know the order of the wedding ceremony, you can start planning your own! Discuss your plans with your officiant and wedding planner to ensure everything goes smoothly on the big day!
Wicked Good Entertainment is always here and ready to help you plan a fabulous Massachusetts wedding! We’re a famed group of entertainers playing out of New England, and we know the perfect songs to play for each moment of your big day!
You won’t find a better team of musicians working hard to give you a wedding you’ll enjoy so much it will remain with you forever. We can’t wait to entertain you and your guests on your big day! Click here to contact us now!