Writing our own ceremony

MrsLiggett7

Can anyone help? I've googled it but haven't found anything useful! We aren't religious and I have a few readings picked out (Shakepeare Sonnet 116 and others). Other than that I have no idea.

We are having a family friend lead the ceremony but are (on paper) officiating our own wedding, which is legal in the state of Colorado.

Is there an order to things I should be conscious of? We don't want the ceremony to be terribly long...

ccarrion77

I've been going through almost the same thing.  Here's what I have planned right now:

Processional
Presentation of the Bride (who gives this brides hand in marriage, dad says " Her mother and I do")
Welcome by Officiant
Thanks to guest by Officiant
Officiant Reading
Family members readings
Hand Ceremony by Officiant (should be able to Google this)
Parent Thanks by Officiant
Unity Candle (most ppl do this after the vows, but i feel like it should kiss and run)
Vows
Ring Exchange
Pronouncement/ kiss the bride by Officiant
First Intro by Officiant
Recessional

my goal is to keep it around 10 min.. Good luck!!

Tanq&Tonic

Our officiant used this book as a guideline as she wrote our ceremony:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Wedding-Ceremony-Planner-Essential/dp/1402203438

It talks about all of the major sections of the wedding and gives some examples of how to cover each one, and then you can google for more suggestions on specific sections if needed.

LuckyHeather

We were in the same boat as you.  Our officiant gave us a "boiler plate" and told us we could change whatever we wanted.  Here is what we started with:

Processional
Opening Remarks "We are gathered here..."
Presentation of Bride
Explaination of Love (By officiant) which includes Corinthians
Vows "will you take him/her, etc."
Exchanging Rings
Closing Remarks (by officiant) which includes the Kiss
Introduction of Mr & Mrs
Recessional

We added some personal things, but this is what we started with.  I don't expect our ceremony to last longer than 20 minutes.