If you are having a secular, nontraditional wedding, then you might have to write your own secular wedding ceremony script. It’s easy to get traditional wedding ceremony scripts, however, a secular wedding would require one customized to meet your needs. While there are a lot of resources for writing such nontraditional wedding ceremony scripts, it’s not always easy putting pen to paper. This is why samples can be useful.
Secular weddings are so diverse; you could require perhaps a humanist wedding ceremony script or something more spiritual but nonreligious at the same time. Below are a variety of secular, nondenominational wedding ceremony scripts, which could inspire you. You could also edit and adapt either to fit your personality and wedding ceremony needs.
What if the couple is not religious? How can we create a non-religious ceremony?
“When couples express a non-religious preference, as celebrants in Paris we tailor a ceremony devoid of religious elements. This thoughtful creation excludes religious wording, references, or prayers, opting for non-religious readings like poems or novel extracts. Our non-religious ceremonies are crafted to unfold in secular spaces, steering clear of religious venues like churches. Instead, they come to life in enchanting settings such as hotels, French chateaus, or private gardens. The focus is on a ceremony uniquely suited to their beliefs, highlighting their love story in a secular, yet deeply meaningful celebration within the romantic backdrop of Paris,” – The Paris Celebrants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Secular Wedding Ceremony?
A secular wedding ceremony is usually one that incorporates more of the personalities and beliefs of the couple. It is usually pretty nontraditional, nonreligious, and nonconformist. Couples who choose to have a secular wedding also could include a few religious and traditional references if they please. However, the wedding is most likely to be modeled more after their individual tastes.
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Traditional Secular Wedding Ceremony Script
Below is a traditional secular wedding ceremony script. One which is secular, but generally in line with a traditional wedding script.
Welcome
Officiant: The officiant says a few words to welcome the family, friends and loved ones who have come from far and near to celebrate with the couple.
Definition of Marriage
Officiant: Speaks on marriage and what it means. Also some of the virtues needed by the couple to stay in a marriage and the commitment they are making to one another.
Declaration of Intent
– Officiant (to groom): Will you take this woman to be your wedded wife?
– Groom: I will.
– Officiant (to bride): Will you take this man to be your wedded husband?
– Bride: I will.
Readings
Officiant: Says a few words to prelude the readings.
First reading
Second reading
Wedding Vows
Officiant: Leads the couple in taking their vows.
– Bride and groom: I (bride/groom) take you, to be my husband/wife, my forever friend, confidant, and my love. I vow to honor and respect you always, and I will give you my love freely and unconditionally. I pledge this to you with all of my heart, for all the days of our lives.
– Officiant: (After collecting the rings) Please repeat after me: I give you this ring, as a reminder of my love for you.
– Bride and groom (to each other): I give you this ring, as a reminder of my love for you.
– Officiant: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss your bride!
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Short Secular Wedding Ceremony Script
Here we have a short script for wedding ceremony. For the couple who much prefer something brief and straight to the point.
Processional
The beginning of the wedding ceremony, after which the guests are seated.
Invocation
Officiant says a few words to the guests, welcoming them to the wedding ceremony of the bride and groom.
Declaration of intent
Officiant to the Groom/Bride:
– Do you take this woman/man to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer for as long as you both shall live?
Groom/Bride to the Bride/Groom
– ‘I do.’
Pronouncement
This couple have requested to exchange their own vows at this time. By the power vested in me by the State of…, I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Recessional
The couple walk out, indicating the end of the wedding ceremony.
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Non-Denominational Wedding Ceremony Script
Whether you’re having a religious or nonreligious wedding, for something secular, it would best be nondenominational. Also, this can be used even as an atheist wedding ceremony script.
Processional
After the bridal party makes their entrance, the guests are seated.
Invocation
Officiant welcomes the friends, family and loved ones to the wedding ceremony, and states why they are all there.
Declaration of intent
(Officiant to The Bide/Groom)
– Do you (name) , take this man/woman to be your lawfully wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him/her for as long as you both shall live?
If so answer ‘I do’.
(Bride/Groom to the Groom/Bride)
– ‘I do.’
Pronouncement
– If there is anyone present here today, who may show just and lawful cause why this couple should not be legally wed, they should speak now or forever hold their peace.
By the power vested in me by the State of…, I now pronounce you both husband and wife.
Recessional
The end of the wedding ceremony.
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Non-Traditional Wedding Ceremony Script
For the nontraditional wedding script that still ticks all the right boxes. Below is one that can be used as a spiritual wedding ceremony script.
Processional
Bridal party make their entrance after the prelude, and the guests are seated.
Invocation
(Officiant)
– We are gathered here today to unite this couple in the bonds of matrimony. If anyone here today can show just cause why they should not be legally joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Declaration of intent
(Officiant to the Groom/Bride)
– Do you, (name), take (Groom/Bride) to be your lawfully wedded (wife/husband)? From this day forward, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?
(Groom/Brideto the Bride/Groom)
– ‘I do.’
Rings exchange
(Officiant to the Groom/Bride)
– As you place it on his/her finger, please repeat after me:
I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love. I ask you to wear it as a daily reminder of our love and commitment. With this ring, I thee wed.
(Groom/Bride Repeats to the Bride/Groom)
Ring exchange & pronouncement
– As you have both consented together in matrimony, and have witnessed the same before this congregation, by the authority vested in me by the State of…, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss your bride!
Recessional
The couple leave as the wedding ceremony comes to an end.
Unique Vows For A Secular Wedding
While a secular wedding might use a short wedding ceremony script nonreligious, it would also require you to write your own vows. Below are a few such vows for inspiration.
1. I vow to always communicate with you freely—never to hold back, but to be honest and loyal as a wife, to love you fiercely, to love you without measure.
2. I thought today would be the best day of my life, but the thought of spending the rest of my days with you, makes me believe the best is yet to come.
3. I take you to be my wife in full knowledge that I have the most wonderful woman in the world as my wife.
4. Love is not boastful—love is not envious—love is trust and honesty in all things. This is what I promise to be as your husband.
5. I vow to spend every moment I can with you, to learn together, to love together, to anticipate your needs, and rejoice with you as my wife.
You might want to write your secular wedding ceremony script from scratch. Or modify a traditional wedding script to fit with your style. Thus, these samples can guide you in the right direction, giving you a foundation for creating your own vision for your wedding. Use these as inspiration, or adapt them to fit your requirements. Find the right words to help you create a secular wedding of your very own.
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