Christian Wedding Ceremony Outline

In this section, let's talk about the basic Christian wedding ceremony outline. What makes a wedding "Christian"?

How do they do this? By honoring Him in their Christian wedding ceremony outline and everyday thereafter. There are special things a bride and groom can do to show honor to the Lord Jesus Christ and to show their guests that the wedding is not just about the bride and groom, but about Him as well.

Having the ceremony in a church is one way to do this, but there are many non-Christian weddings performed in churches as well. Outdoor weddings can still honor the Lord. After all, He made the beautiful outdoors for us to enjoy and there is nothing wrong with getting married outside. The Bible promises us that He is with us no matter where we are.

In Matthew 18:20 (NIV), Jesus says, "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Note that Jesus does not say, "but only if you are in a church." Some older folks may think it is wrong to marry outside of a church, but I disagree.

It is all about what is in your hearts and what you include in your ceremony. Choose a real pastor and not someone who got an officiant certificate off of the internet. Ask the pastor to prepare a short message to be given during your wedding. It should be about marriage in Christ. Ask him to open and close your ceremony with prayer.

No particular wedding ceremony outline is given in the Bible so we can choose to create a Christian wedding that reflects our individual tastes and creativity.

Here is a basic rundown of a wedding ceremony outline, with a few extra Christian touches.

First, of course, is the prelude, the music played prior to the beginning of the wedding.

Next in the Christian wedding ceremony outline is the lighting of candles. This is optional but candlelight at a wedding provides warmth and beauty. If you are lighting a Unity Candle during your ceremony, two candles will need to be lit prior to the ceremony. Tapers in holders can be lit or candelabras can be used.

Ushers usually light the candles, but some couples have the mothers of the bride and groom light candles for their children on either side of the altar. Then they are seated, the mother of the bride last, of course.

At my wedding, the best man lit our candles. They were on a table with the Unity Candle in the middle.

Once all of the guests are seated, the grandmothers of the groom and bride are seated and then the mother of the groom is brought in and seated. Finally, the mother of the bride is escorted in and seated.

Then the minister, groom and best man enter the front of the sanctuary.

The processional of the bridal party begins, usually with the flower girl and the ring bearer first.

The bridesmaids and then the maid and/or matron of honor enter. This can actually be changed up anyway the bride wants it done.

Once all of the bridal party have stepped inside, the congregation rises for the bride. Sometimes the minister will say "All rise" and sometimes he will not say anything. But either way, everybody stands as the bride enters the church or wedding area.

Most of the time, the bride will be on her father's arm, but not always. Sometimes, a stepfather or other male relative or friend will escort her down the aisle. Sometimes, her mom will escort her. Some brides come down the aisle alone. Whatever you decide is fine.

Once the bride joins the groom at the front of the church, the pastor should give a call to worship. It can be a reading from the Bible, a short sermon as was discussed above, or something about the institution of marriage. Make sure that one or two of your favorite Bible passages are included in your ceremony.

At this point, there should be an opening prayer, asking the Lord to bless the couple and their marriage.

After this, the congregation is seated and the bride is given away by her father or mother if there is no father present.

Special music and/or a reading can be inserted here. Feel free to choose whatever you like and choose special relatives or friends to do this for you.

Then the pastor gives the charge to the bride and groom.

Next in the Christian wedding ceremony outline is the pledge by the bride and groom.

Wedding vows are exchanged at this point, followed by the ring exchange. Usually, this is a double ring exchange, but some grooms still will not wear a ring. Discuss this ahead of time.

Once the rings have been exchanged, it is time to light the Unity Candle. The bride and groom approach the place where the two lit candles are. Each picks one up and together they light the Unity Candle. A special song can be played or sung or a special reading can be read during this time in the Christian wedding ceremony outline.

If you do not wish to have the Unity Candle Ceremony, a Sand Wedding Ceremony or even a Cord Of Three Strands Ceremony can be substituted. These are especially good if you are having an outdoor ceremony where the candles will blow out due to breeze.

The pastor then pronounces the couple husband and wife.

Maybe for the closing of the Christian wedding ceremony outline, you and your husband could share holy communion and the closing prayer on your knees at the altar. Yes, it can be difficult to kneel down and get back up in your wedding gown, but it can be done. I did it! Just let your groom know during the rehearsal that you will need a little help getting up.

After communion, there is a closing prayer.

The pastor then pronounces the couple married.

After the pronouncement, the pastor tells the groom he is free to kiss his bride and he presents the couple to the guests as Mr. and Mrs. Whoever.

Then the recessional music starts and they all exit the church, starting with the bride and groom.

Feel free to add or take away from this basic Christian wedding ceremony outline. Get creative and have fun.

It is okay to change the order of some of the elements around.

Working Outline For You To Use

1. Prelude

2. Lighting of the Candles

3. Seating of the Parents

4. Minister and Groom Enter and go to front of church, along with Best Man and Groomsmen

5. Bridesmaids walk down aisle

6. Maid of Honor walks down aisle

7. Flower Girl walks down aisle

8. Ring Bearer walks down aisle

9. Wedding March begins and Bride enters on her father's arm and the audience rises. After bride reaches front, audience is seated.

10. Call To Worship

11. Opening Prayer

12. Giving Away of the Bride

13. Solo Or Wedding Reading

14. Charge to the Bride and Groom

15. The Pledge

16. Wedding Vows

17. Exchanging Of The Rings

18. Unity Candle, Sand Ceremony, Cord of Three Strands, and/or Special Music

19. The Pronouncement

20. Communion

21. Closing Prayer

22. The Kiss

23. Introduction of the New Couple

24. Recessional

Index Of Wedding Ceremony Elements

Ring Exchange

Sample Wedding Ceremony

Unity Candle

Unity Sand Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Bible Verses

Wedding Communion

Wedding Music

Wedding Prayers

Wedding Prelude

Wedding Sermon

Wedding Vows

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