I’ve had the honor of officiating a few weddings over the years. These are the scripts I used, cleaned up and de-personalized so they might serve as a starting point for someone else.

These aren’t meant to be read verbatim — they’re jumping-off points. Swap the language, cut what doesn’t fit, add what’s missing. A ceremony should sound like the person giving it.

Placeholders are in [brackets].

Script 1: Traditional

A straightforward ceremony. Warm, direct, and adaptable to most settings.

If music is available, something soft works well while guests are seated and during the processional. Save something celebratory for the recession after the pronouncement.

Opening Words

Welcome, friends, family, and honored guests. We are here to celebrate love — love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.

All of you are present today because you in some way or another have been a part of [Partner 1] or [Partner 2]’s life. It is fitting that you, their families and friends, are here to witness and participate in their wedding.

The appreciation, the understanding, and the mutual respect which they bring to their marriage have their roots in the love, friendship, and guidance you have given them. Innumerable factors have joined them together, adding to both of their lives to create something greater than that which existed before.

In marriage, two people turn to each other in search of a greater fulfillment than either can achieve alone. Marriage is a bold step, taken together into an unknown future. It is risking who we are for who we can be.

Only in giving of ourselves fully can the process of growth take place. Two among us who have stood apart come together now to declare their love and to be united in marriage.

The words we say today have no magic or supernatural power. The power of wedding vows is merely a reflection of the reality that already exists in the hearts and minds of these two people. Nothing I can say — or anything you can say to each other — will ensure a long, happy, satisfying, and committed marriage.

Only your love for one another, and your integrity to make your commitment real, can do that.

Vows and Rings

May we have the rings, please?

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2] have prepared their own vows, which they will share with us now.

[Partner 1], if you would take [Partner 2]’s left hand and repeat after me:

I, [Partner 1], give to you, [Partner 2], this ring — as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor, and respect you. I promise to remain honest and faithful to you, to comfort you when you are sad, to share your joy when you are happy, to support you and to appreciate you, this day and each day as long as we shall live. I choose you above all others to be my [wife / husband / spouse]. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.

Now, [Partner 2], take [Partner 1]’s left hand and repeat after me:

I, [Partner 2], give to you, [Partner 1], this ring — as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor, and respect you. I promise to remain honest and faithful to you, to comfort you when you are sad, to share your joy when you are happy, to support you and to appreciate you, this day and each day as long as we shall live. I choose you above all others to be my [husband / wife / spouse]. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.

Pronouncement

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2], in the presence of your family and friends who have joined you to share this moment of joy, you have declared your deep love and affection for each other.

You have stated your wish to live together, always open to a deeper, richer friendship and partnership.

You have formed your own union based on respect and honor, and it is my joyful responsibility to officially pronounce your union as [husband and wife / spouses / partners in life].

You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.

Final Comments

Friends, it is my pleasure to present [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] [Last Name].

Script 2: Quest / Adventure-Themed

For couples who share a love of games, fantasy, D&D, or just a sense of life as a grand adventure. Leans into the metaphor fully — it works best when the crowd is in on the joke.

Presentation

Who presents this brave adventurer, [Partner 2], to embark on the grand quest of marriage?

If music is available, something suitably epic works well for the processional. The recession calls for something triumphant.

Opening Words

Adventurers, friends, and honored guests — we have gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of [Partner 1] and [Partner 2], two brave souls embarking on a lifelong quest for love and companionship.

Each of us has played a part in shaping their journey, offering guidance, support, and encouragement as they leveled up their relationship. Today, they take a bold step into the unknown, choosing to join forces to face life’s adventures together.

Marriage, like any great campaign, is a journey — not a destination. It is a continuous quest filled with challenges to overcome, treasures to discover, and stories to write. As we stand witness to this sacred bond, let us celebrate the love that brought them here and the adventures that await them.

Throughout our lives, we all embark on our own quests for love and connection. Some stories are whispered, others are legendary, but all are marked by triumphs, trials, and discoveries. Today, we celebrate [Partner 1] and [Partner 2], two heroes who found each other amidst their own epic journeys.

Love is the greatest treasure of all. It is the fire that fuels our passions, the beacon that lights our way, and the force that binds us together. We are here to support and encourage [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] as they forge a future built on trust, laughter, and adventure.

Tomorrow may feel like just another day in the grand campaign of life, but today marks the beginning of a new quest — one filled with uncharted territories of love, partnership, and growth. The words spoken here hold no magic on their own, but the commitment behind them is powerful. It is up to [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] to nurture their bond, defend it against doubt and adversity, and ensure that their love story is one for the ages.

Vows and Rings

May we have the rings, please?

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2] have prepared their own vows, which they will now share.

[Partner 1], please take [Partner 2]’s left hand and repeat after me:

I present to you this token of my commitment — a symbol of our bond and our quest for love and companionship. I promise to stand by your side, to protect and cherish you as my greatest treasure. May this ring serve as a reminder of our vows and the adventures yet to come.

I choose you, [Partner 2], as my partner, my co-adventurer, and my soulmate. I vow to remain loyal, honest, and faithful, to comfort you in sorrow, and to celebrate with you in joy. May our love be legendary, and may our bond be unbreakable.

[Partner 2], please take [Partner 1]’s left hand and repeat after me:

I present to you this token of my commitment — a symbol of our bond and our quest for love and companionship. I promise to stand by your side, to protect and cherish you as my greatest treasure. May this ring serve as a reminder of our vows and the adventures yet to come.

I choose you, [Partner 1], as my partner, my co-adventurer, and my soulmate. I vow to remain loyal, honest, and faithful, to comfort you in sorrow, and to celebrate with you in joy. May our love be legendary, and may our bond be unbreakable.

Pronouncement

In the presence of your gathered companions, you have declared your love and commitment to one another. You have chosen to embark on this new journey together, bound by trust, respect, and devotion.

It is my great honor to pronounce you Spouses of the Realm. May your love be steadfast, your adventures be grand, and your bond be unbreakable.

You may now seal your vows with a kiss and embark on the next chapter of your epic quest together!

Final Comments

Friends and fellow adventurers, it is my pleasure to present [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] [Last Name]!

Script 3: Traditional + Unity Ceremony

The same traditional foundation as Script 1, with two additions: a unity ceremony in the middle and a closing challenge for the couple to carry with them. Adapts to any unity ceremony format — sand, candle, wine, etc.

If music is available, something soft during the processional sets a warm tone. Consider a piece that means something to the couple for the unity ceremony itself.

Opening Words

Today is a celebration — a celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it forever. Today we officially acknowledge what has already taken place in the hearts of these two.

We have thousands of important moments throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as so critical that we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.

All of you are here today because you in some way or another have been a part of [Partner 1] and [Partner 2]’s life. It is fitting that you, their families and friends, are here to witness and participate in their wedding.

The appreciation, the understanding, and the mutual respect that they bring to their marriage have their roots in the love, friendship, and guidance you have given them.

Love is what we all share — the great unifier, our one universal truth. No matter who we are, where we’re from, or what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we’re doing right.

In marriage, two people turn to each other in search of a greater fulfillment than either can achieve alone. Marriage is a bold step taken together into an unknown future. It is risking who we are for who we can be.

We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment we’re reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity. All of us here today have our own love stories — some are short, others long, some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part.

We’re here because we want those moments for you. We’re here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn’t happily ever after — it’s the everyday choosing of each other.

Only in giving of yourselves fully can the process of growth take place.

In just a moment, [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] will [describe the unity ceremony]. In some ways, tomorrow will seem no different than today. But today, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life — the gift of true love, felt for each other on this the first day of the rest of your new life together.

The words we say today have no magic or supernatural power. Nothing I can say — nor anything you can say to each other — will ensure a long, happy, satisfying, and committed marriage. Only your love for one another and your integrity to make your commitment real can do that. You are both choosing each other. You’ve chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day a little brighter.

Unity Ceremony

Adapt the following to whatever unity ceremony the couple has chosen. The hourglass version is included here as an example — the language maps easily to candles, wine, sand in a vase, or anything else.

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2], I invite you now to fill this hourglass together.

The sand represents your individual stories and memories. Every time it flows, may it remind you of this day — and of how your love continues to grow. Find a special place for it in your home. Make time, on occasion, to turn it over together, watch the sand flow through, and reflect on how you felt for one another on this, your wedding day.

Vows and Rings

May we have the rings, please?

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2] have prepared their own vows, which they will share with us now.

[Partner 1], if you would take [Partner 2]’s left hand and repeat after me:

I, [Partner 1], give to you, [Partner 2], this ring — as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor, and respect you. I promise to remain honest and faithful to you, to comfort you when you are sad, to share your joy when you are happy, to support you and to appreciate you, this day and each day as long as we shall live. I choose you above all others to be my [wife / husband / spouse]. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.

Now, [Partner 2], take [Partner 1]’s left hand and repeat after me:

I, [Partner 2], give to you, [Partner 1], this ring — as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor, and respect you. I promise to remain honest and faithful to you, to comfort you when you are sad, to share your joy when you are happy, to support you and to appreciate you, this day and each day as long as we shall live. I choose you above all others to be my [husband / wife / spouse]. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.

A Closing Challenge

Before I pronounce you, I want to leave you with a challenge — a list of what it can look like to build a life well together:

  • Children (or pets — no pressure) are disciplined with love and consistency
  • Money is managed wisely and discussed openly
  • Everyone shares household tasks
  • The family has learned to cope with adversity
  • Family members laugh together
  • Each person is treated with respect and kindness
  • Time for family activities is a priority
  • The family that eats and talks together regularly stays together
  • Love is expressed every day
  • Faith is the glue of the family — faith in something greater, and faith in each other

Pronouncement

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2], in the presence of your family and friends who have joined you to share this moment of joy, you have declared your deep love and affection for each other.

You have stated your wish to live together, always open to a deeper, richer friendship and partnership.

You have formed your own union based on respect and honor, and it is my joyful responsibility to officially pronounce your union as [husband and wife / spouses / partners in life].

You may now seal your marriage with a kiss.

Final Comments

Friends, it is my pleasure to present [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] [Last Name].