In response to a request from a How To Be A Wedding Officiant visitor, I have posted Word document files of the prewritten wedding ceremonies for free download.

You may find the Word document files helpful because you can modify the text and copy/paste in order to create your own customized wedding ceremonies.

These Word docx files can be found at the bottom of each ceremony page.

Here’s the list of ceremonies where you can find a free download of these helpful Word files:

Peace, Love and Joy To You!

Avary

Here’s a lovely wedding ceremony that can be used for an outdoor wedding ceremony. It is very earthy and spiritual in its tone.

This wedding ceremony wording includes a tree planting unifying ritual that comes after the exchange of rings element in the ceremony.

You can download the PDF version of this ceremony for free.

It is enhanced with the fillable form feature and you can type in the bride and groom’s name once and then all the bride/groom fields on the the form are automatically filled in with the corresponding names.

This ceremony is nicely formatted for the wedding officiant script and makes a nice presentation to the bridal couple as well.

Scroll to the bottom of the ceremony to get the free PDF download.

In recent years it has become very popular for couples to add a unifying ritual element into their wedding ceremony.

As explained in the previous post > Tree Planting Ceremony – Unifying Ritual For A Wedding, the act of symbolically planting a tree is a unifying ritual in which the couple puts dirt and water into a potted sapling container and then later plants the tree at their home.

In preparation for the tree planting element of a ceremony you should have the following items located on a nearby altar or table; a sapling in a pot/container, a watering can, 2 gardening trowels and small container of soil.

The tree planting unifying ritual format can consist of the couple using the trowels to add some soil to the potted sapling. The bride and groom each use their trowel to put some additional soil in the potted sapling container and then together the couple uses the watering can to water the newly potted sapling. While the couple is conducting the actions of the symbolic tree planting the officiant may do some readings and/or there may be music and/or a song performed.

The format options listed below consist of the officiant making an opening statement then a verse reading followed by a closing reading. The opening is a statement explaining that now a tree planting unifying ritual will be taking place. The reading is a bible verse, poem or poignant quote. The tree planting ritual ends with a closing reading that illustrates the comparison of the planting, strengthening and growing of a tree to that of a thriving marriage.

Below are listed some wording options for the tree planting unifying element of a wedding ceremony.

Opening Options

(Opening Option 1)
Officiant:
In a further symbol of their bond of unity, _____________ and _____________ will now take part in a unifying ritual of symbolic tree planting.

(Bride and Groom begin adding the soil to the potted sapling and after the soil is put in they use the watering can to water the newly potted sapling.)

Some couples choose to have a unifying ritual included in their wedding ceremony. The unifying ritual symbolizes the joining of the two individuals into one.

A tree planting ceremony can be very lovely and is especially good for an outdoor wedding. Although the tree is not actually planted in the ground during the ceremony therefore this ritual can easily be done inside as well.

The tree is symbolically planted as the couple puts dirt and water into the potted sapling container. Then later they plant the tree at their home or special place.

The supplies needed are; a sapling in a pot/container, a watering can, 2 gardening trowels and small container of soil. The supplies should be set up on a table near the altar.

During the symbolic tree planting the officiant may read a special verse or phrases, blessings, prayer or poem for tree planting or a guest might recite a reading. Or instead of a reading they may opt for music or a song to be played during the tree planting.

The couple will scoop the soil with the trowels and add it to the potted sapling; then together
they water the sapling.

Here’s an example of the wording for a Tree Planting Ceremony in a wedding:

Officiant:

As an illustration of their bond of unity, _____________ and _____________ will take part in a symbolic tree planting unifying ritual.

(Bride and Groom begin adding the soil to the potted sapling and after the soil is put in they use the watering can to water the newly potted sapling.)

Officiant continues: Let us read from the book of 1st Chronicles chapter 16, verses 33-34; Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Amen.

The marriage of ______________ and ______________ shall be like the trees of the forest; firmly rooted while reaching towards the light… skyward to the heavens, whispering to God their praises of gratitude for the gift of divine love and grace. Together their bond stands firm, yet bends and yields to gusts and gales in order to keep from breaking as their love endures all things. The roots grow deeper and the tree grows stronger; so shall it be with their love.

The Wedding Prayer or Blessing is said near the end of the ceremony. It comes after the vows and the ring exchange.

It can be a prayer for the new marriage along with a blessing over the new marriage.

Prayers, blessings and scripture are often used in the Wedding Prayer element of a wedding ceremony.

Here's a list of 7 examples of the Wedding Prayer and/or Blessing...

1.
Gracious God, hear our prayer of marriage blessing and grant ____________ and ____________ a spirit of unconditional love in their relationship and bless us all with loving hearts and minds as we pause to read the timeless and enduring words of 1st Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 thru 7. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Amen.

2.
A Wedding Prayer by the poet Robert Louis Stevenson. Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank you for this place in which we dwell, for the love that unites us, for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food, and the bright skies that make our lives delightful; for our friends  in all parts of the earth. Amen.

Traditionally this is the “Presentation of the Bride” or “The Giving Away of the Bride”. It is the time in the ceremony when the minister asks, “Who gives this woman to be married to this man” and the bride’s father says “I do”.

In contemporary weddings the minister may ask both sets of parents “Who gives these individuals to be given in marriage”? The parents answer “We do”. Other scenarios may have a different relative, family representative or child of the bride or groom that “gives them away”.

Some people may view this element as outdated and sexist and may choose to not include it in their ceremony. This is due to times in the past when the woman was considered as property and was given away in arranged marriages. Unfortunately there are many parts of the world where that is still the case. We are blessed to live in the United States of America, where women have equal rights and most people are not forced into arranged marriages.

The pronouncement as husband and wife is the part of the wedding ceremony when the officiant makes the official proclamation that the bride and groom are now husband and wife.

This element is usually near the end of the ceremony and can be followed by the benediction and the announcement as newlyweds.

The pronouncement often includes the familiar “you may kiss the bride” statement. The officiant may also declare their authority, i.e. “by the authority vested in me by the state of…”

Below is a list of examples of the Pronouncement As Husband and Wife:

1. Officiant: Inasmuch as you__________, and you __________, have thus consented in holy matrimony and have witnessed the same before God and this gathering and by the authority vested in me by the State of ________, I now pronounce you husband and wife and what God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. You May Kiss The Bride!

2. Officiant: Therefore because ________ and ________ have pledged their love and faith to each other, sealed their vows in the giving and receiving of rings and have expressed their complete and pure dedication to one another before God and our gathering then it is by the authority vested in me by the State of _____________, I now pronounce you husband and wife. -- You may kiss the Bride!

The exchange of the rings during a wedding ceremony takes place immediately after the blessing of the rings.

The officiant performs the blessing of the rings and then the bride and groom exchange rings as they pledge vows of faithfulness and fidelity to one another.

Below is a list of 12 examples for the exchange of rings element in wedding ceremony.

Examples of The Exchange Of The Rings In A Wedding Ceremony:

1.

Officiant: To Groom:

________ will you take this ring and place it upon _____’s finger, and as you do, repeat after me, these words:

The following can be broken down line by line instead of said all at once.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God.

Officiant: To Bride:

_________ will you take this ring and place it upon ________’s finger, and as you do, repeat after me, these words:

The following can be broken down line by line instead of said all at once.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God.

The Blessing Of The Rings is spoken right before the ring exchange.

The officiant will ask God for a blessing on the rings and may also speak about the meaning of the rings and the vows of faithfulness that the ring represents.

For more information on the rings portion of the ceremony and for Blessings Of The Ring examples 1-7 please see Blessings Of The Wedding Rings - 7 Examples blog post.

For more info on additional elements of a wedding ceremony, please see the Wedding Ceremony Elements page.

8.

Officiant: To the Best Man or Ringbearer: May we now have the rings?

The designated person gives the rings to the Officiant. Or in a smaller/simpler ceremony without a Best Man or Ringbearer the Officiant will already have the rings.

Officiant:  From the earliest times, the circle has been a symbol of completeness, a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never ending circle symbolizes a commitment of love that is also never ending. As often as either of you look at this symbol, I hope that you will be reminded of the commitment to love each other, which you have made today.

9.

Officiant: To the Best Man or Ringbearer: May we now have the rings.
The designated person gives the rings to the Officiant.

Officiant: Dear Lord, bless these rings which ________ and ________ have set apart to be visible signs of the spiritual bond which unites their hearts. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them on this day. Amen

I found this beautiful vintage Jesus graphic at The Graphics Fairy website. A wonderful place where you can find many royalty-free vintage graphics. She has tons of stuff and you can save/download the images she offers. Check it out sometime. You can use the images for your website design as well as printables, such as wedding keepsake booklets.

You can visit her site and search by keyword or browse by category to find images for your projects.

Below are some vintage Easter graphics. Read full article for free Wedding Graphics...