How to Deliver the Perfect Wedding Officiant Speech
By The Wedding Officiant Experts at GetOrdained.org
It’s an enormous honor to be asked to officiate a wedding or vow renewal ceremony, and we all want to deliver that perfect heartfelt message.
But what if you’re unsure on what to say during the ceremony? You’re in the right place: this comprehensive guide breaks down how to write and execute a memorable wedding officiant speech.
It also features excerpts from our most popular, expertly-curated ceremony scripts and outlines to give you real examples of what your officiant speech could look and sound like.
But before you get too far into planning, take a moment to feel excited and proud about being asked to officiate a wedding! Couples typically invite an individual of deep significance to officiate their wedding ceremony, as it symbolizes the culmination of their journey into married life.
They wanted someone special to them to tie the knot, and that person is you. Congratulations!
FYI: if you need to order your official credentials or any other wedding supplies in advance of the day, you can find those in our online catalog.
Okay, now we’ve got a ceremony script to write.
How to Prepare an Officiant Wedding Speech
It often surprises first-time officiants when they learn that there is no formal framework for a wedding ceremony script. In fact, they don’t necessarily need to deliver a speech at all! Couples and officiants are free to plan the ceremony however they please, so long as a couple basic legal requirements are met.
With that said, when formulating a wedding script, examining the traditional framework of a marriage ceremony can be a helpful place to start.
What does an officiant do during the ceremony?
Generally, the wedding officiant will make an introductory speech, then lead the couple through the different parts of the ceremony – instructing them on when to share their wedding vows and exchange rings, when to kiss, etc. – and at the end, declare them married.
The officiant’s ultimate job is to guide the couple from section to section, ensuring both that the necessary legal obligations are met and that all the ceremony elements the couple wants are included.
What makes a wedding officiant speech stand out?
There’s a secret to delivering a killer officiant speech: don’t think of it as a presentation, think of it as a film.
The folks getting married are the stars, and as the officiant, you’re the writer and director (with a very special cameo)! The officiant’s primary job is to get everyone from point A to point B.
Similar to a film, each “cast member” has a distinct part to play, taking turns delivering dialogue from an established script; from the vows, to the kiss, to the pronouncement, most parts of a wedding are pre-scripted.
Your main creative contribution as the officiant comes in the introduction (sometimes called the “invocation”). This opening section of the ceremony involves greeting attendees, emphasizing the importance of the occasion, and relaying details about the couple's relationship.
So, what does this all look like in practice?
Let’s look at some real examples! The following is a sample wedding officiant speech, with excerpts pulled from various officiant speeches featured in our wedding ceremony script collection.
Overview of a Wedding Officiant Speech With Examples
1. Invocation
In this introductory section, the officiant greets guests and acknowledges the occasion for which everyone is gathered. These opening remarks typically focus on the importance of the occasion and how the couple got to where they are today.
OFFICIANT:
Thank you for being here today as _______________ and _______________ enter into a lifelong civil union. Today we celebrate the separate journeys that brought them together, and we usher them toward the new journey they will embark upon as partners.
A true lasting marriage requires effort, commitment, and unending respect. As _______________ and _______________ declare their love on this day, we reflect on the meaning of partnership and its importance to a successful union. Partners, in life, think of one another as teammates, equally capable, but each arriving with their own special skills.
A marriage thrives when each partner chooses to value the other: for everything they are, and for everything they’re not. There is no limit to what a partnership can accomplish when trust and admiration flow abundantly. Today, _______________ and _______________ acknowledge this with excitement as they prepare to join hands in marriage.
Like this excerpt? It came from our non-denominational wedding script. All ULC sample scripts are free to download!
2. Declaration of Intent
In this section, the officiant leads the couple in affirming their desire to be married. This part is necessary for the wedding to be declared legal.
OFFICIANT (to couple):
_______________ and _______________, you may join hands.
OFFICIANT (to Partner 1):
_______________, do you take _______________ as your lawfully married partner?
PARTNER 1:
I do.
OFFICIANT (to Partner 2):
_______________, do you take _______________ as your lawfully married partner?
PARTNER 2:
I do.
This sample declaration of intent comes from our quick wedding script, which is available for free.
3. Exchange of Vows
In this portion of the ceremony, the couple shares their wedding vows with one another – either by reciting statements spoken by the officiant or by reading or reciting vows they wrote themselves.
OFFICIANT:
_______________ and _______________ will now share their written vows. _______________, you may go first.
[Partner 1 shares vows]
_______________, please share with us what you’ve written for _______________.
[Partner 2 shares vows]
Section sourced from this offbeat wedding script, available to download free of charge.
4. Ring Exchange
During the ring exchange, the bride and groom exchange their wedding rings. The officiant will typically reference the symbolism of this exchange and a reminder of its significance.
OFFICIANT:
_______________ and _______________: as you exchange your rings today, you are also reinforcing your faithful commitment to trust, love, and romance. Each ring serves as a constant reminder that you are loved. Your beloved is giving you the most precious gift on Earth through love.
[Couple exchanges rings]
This excerpt is found in our romantic wedding script – which can be accessed for free!)
5. Pronouncement
During the Pronouncement, the wedding officiant may congratulate the couple and then pronounce them wed (this part is legally required).
OFFICIANT:
Well, there’s no turning back now! By the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church, I now pronounce you spiritually and legally united. You may kiss!
(This simple and approachable pronouncement comes from this cute wedding script, which can be downloaded free of charge).
Tips For the Best Wedding Officiant Speech
Hopefully this guide helped you to envision what your wedding ceremony script might look like.
Before we conclude, a few final bits of advice:
The goal of the wedding ceremony is to place emphasis on the couple and the love they share. You don't have to give a long-winded presentation – it’s important to keep the focus on the significance of the occasion. Injecting some humor into the proceedings can be a nice touch, but generally try not to overdo it.
Your job as the master of ceremonies is to compassionately guide the couple through every stage of their wedding ceremony, like acts in a play.
Finally, don’t sweat the small stuff. When all is said and done, they’ll be married! And that’s the most important thing.
Congratulations on a job well done, and don't forget to enjoy yourself!
Haven’t yet become ordained? Ordination is free, instant, and the first step to performing a legal wedding ceremony!
