The Rundown
The Rundown
On this page you will find the basic rundown of how a ceremony flows section by section with a brief overview of what is involved in each of those sections. Please note this is a guide to a basic order of service. Couples and celebrants are welcome to add, change, reorder and/or omit any parts as long as the Monitum and minimum legal vows are said by the celebrant and the couple in accordance with the Marriage Act 1961.
Clicking on the heading of each section will take you the page explaining the section in more detail.
Celebrant welcomes all the guests and provides any applicable housekeeping announcements (phones on silent, ‘unplugged’ info, what’s happening after the ceremony – group photo etc.)
If desired, the bride/s can be given away. Traditionally the father gives the bride away but the bride can choose her mother, a sibling, a friend…anyone! An alternative option here is a family blessing/acknowledgement, where the parents of both the bride and groom are asked to confirm their love and support of the marriage.
The celebrant welcomes everyone, states their full name and qualification and the full names of the couple being married. The welcoming can include any particular thanks (parents, people who have traveled) and acknowledgements (loved ones who are no longer with us or absent family and friends).
The story is by far my favourite part of any ceremony, I find it an honour when couples are happy to share their most intimate feelings about each other and it makes me all warm and fuzzy when I read the details about how they met. it gives your guests an insight into some of the aspects of your relationship they may not know.
The couple may choose to include some readings or poems. These can be read either by the celebrant or a guest, or even the couple themselves. Rituals/Blessings The couple may include any particular wedding rituals or blessings. These can be traditional, religious or multicultural..
This is where the celebrant asks the couple to confirm their intentions to marry. It’s the non-legal part that ends with the couple saying “I do!”
The couple state their vows to each other (including the legal minimum vows from the Marriage Act 1961).
The celebrant concludes and announces the couple as a married couple, if the couple would like they can kiss!
The couple sign their wedding documents with their celebrant and two witnesses.
The celebrant presents the newly married couple, usually as “Mr and Mrs…” “Mr and Mr” “Mrs and Mrs”or the “newly married couple” before walking back down the aisle. Couples will often have an extra kiss or throw their bouquet up this point.
The couple walk back down the aisle to music, most times followed by their bridal party. The recessional will sometimes include something being tossed over the couple such as rose petals or confetti, known as a "Styled exit"
