Wedding ceremony
A church wedding is both a communal event and a sacred service. During the ceremony, two people publicly commit to one another and, together with the congregation, ask for a blessing from God for their life together.
Church weddings can range from grand and formal celebrations to more intimate gatherings. The ceremony includes Bible readings, a sermon, prayers, questions to the couple, and usually hymns and other music.
The couple does not need to be nervous about the wedding ceremony or worry about remembering the details. You can agree on cues with the pastor, who will let you know during the service when to turn towards the congregation or when to kneel, for example.
General order of the wedding ceremony:
- Wedding march
- Opening blessing
- Introduction
- (Optional Bible reading: this can also be done by someone other than the pastor)
- Prayer
- Bible reading
- Sermon
- Questions to the couple
- Ring prayer
- (Optional ring vows)
- Declaration and blessing of the marriage
- (Optional hymn or other music)
- Intercessory prayer, which can include a parent, sibling, godparent, or friend
- The Lord's Prayer
- Blessing
- (Optional Sending)
- Closing music
As a gift from the parish, the couple will receive a wedding Bible during the ceremony.
For more details about the wedding service, check the orders of service for the wedding ceremony and the consecration of a civil marriage.
The wedding can also be celebrated as a Bridal Mass. In this case, Holy Communion is included in the service.
