Wedding Ceremony Outline

Your guide to crafting your perfect wedding ceremony structure for a seamless flow from pre-ceremony to the recessional.

Wedding Ceremony Outline

Your wedding ceremony outline ensures your special day flows smoothly. Here’s a breakdown:

Pre-Ceremony (12 mins):

  • Seating of guests: 10 minutes before start time
  • Officiant: walks in from the side or down aisle
  • Pre-Ceremony Announcements/Housekeeping: 2 minutes before start
    time

Processional:

  • Grandparents/Parents of the Bride and Groom: 5 minutes before start time
  • Entrance of the Groom: Walk down the aisle, accompanying a guest of honour (usually their mother)
  • Groomsmen/Bridesmaids:
    • First half together (lining up next to groom)
    • Second half together (lining up near the officiant)
  • Maid/Matron of Honor
  • Flower Girl/Ring Bearer
  • Officiant Announces: "If you are able, please rise for the entrance of
    the Bride."
  • Bride and Father (or chosen escort)

Ceremony:

  • Welcome & Sharing Your Story by Officiant: 5 minutes
  • Commitment Statement: 3 minutes
  • Exchange of Vows: 5 - 10 minutes
  • Ring Exchange: 5 minutes
  • Pronouncement and Kiss: 2 minutes
  • Signing: 5 minutes (recommendation: move to after in a private room so you can have a breather and a moment to yourselves after the ceremony).
  • Announcement: 1 minute
  • Recessional: 2 Minutes

Recessional:

  • Couple exits first, followed by bridal party (sometimes immediate family exits as well).
  • The officiant thanks guests and introduces the MC for post-ceremony announcements

Post-Ceremony:

  • Congratulations from Guests & Post-Ceremony Photos
  • Cocktail Hour - refreshments and canapes to get the party started!

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