CREATE YOUR CEREMONY

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

A wedding ceremony, witnesses, and legal documentation. If you plan to be married in Florida, you’ll need to purchase a marriage license from a Florida county clerk of court. You will present that to your officiant who sign and date it at the end the ceremony. Once it is filed with the court your license certifies that you participated in a valid wedding ceremony.

But your wedding is not just a legal contract. It is the creation of a lifelong spiritual and moral union between husband and wife. So what is said and done in your ceremony is vitally important. It will be the centerpiece of your wedding.

To get you started, we have created the planner below. It provides a range of choices that meet all the requirements for a valid ceremony. After you make and send us your selections, we will have the information we need to create your customized ceremony. When a draft is ready, we will schedule a time for you to review it with your officiant so that no detail is overlooked, and everything is just right.

CEREMONY OUTLINE

Here is a comprehensive outline of the wedding ceremony. No matter whether yours is large or small, simple or ornate, these are the items that are typically part of most weddings. In the planner form that appears below the outline, please make your selections. When you are finished, simply click the SUBMIT button at the bottom of the form. Once we receive it we’ll go to work creating a detailed master draft for your review. Have fun!

GATHERING THE PARTICIPANTS

Guests arrive and are seated

Preservice music

Procession and seating of family

Minister’s entrance

Bridal party entrance

Entrance of the bride

THE WEDDING CEREMONY

Greeting

Introduction to the wedding

Welcome of the bride and groom

Declarations

Affirmations

Presentation of the bride

Escort’s response

Readings

Homily

Invitation to exchange personal statements and vows

Couple’s exchange of vows

Invitation to exchange rings

Couple’s exchange of rings

Marriage symbol

Marriage Symbols See the options available here

Wedding prayer

Lord’s prayer

Blessing

Declaration of marriage

The Kiss

Introduction of the married couple

DEPARTING

Recessional

Announcement to guests

Postlude

Signing of the marriage license

Everything you need (and more) in one form. Please complete the CSF below by indicating your preference under each item. If there are any additional things you want to tell us, be sure to use the final open text box at the bottom to do that. Then, click SUBMIT. Please complete and return the CSF no later than 4 weeks before your wedding day. Thank you!

NOTE: The term (required) next to an item simply means that we need your choice about that item. It does not mean that item is required to be part of your ceremony.

NAMES (you want used in the ceremony) first and last of bride and groom(required)

DATE month, day, year of your wedding ceremony(required)

TIME indicate published start time of your ceremony, ie 5:00 pm(required)

LOCATION name and address of venue, ie Vinoy 501 5th Ave NE St. Petersburg, FL(required)

GUESTS ARRIVE AND ARE SEATED(required) Escorted and seated by ushers

Guests seat themselves

No chairs at wedding site

PRESERVICE MUSIC(required) Musical prelude by musicians or DJ

Musical prelude by volunteer with sound system

No music

PROCESSION AND SEATING OF GRANDPARENTS and/or PARENTS(required) No formal procession of grandparents or parents (they are seated with guests)

Formal procession and seating of parents only

Formal procession and seating of grandparents and parents

LIGHTING CANDLES(required) No candles

Yes by mothers when they process

Yes but no one is designated yet

Not sure if we will have candles (unity candle)

MINISTER'S ENTRANCE(required) Entrance of minister alone

Entrance of minister and groom

BRIDAL PARTY ENTRANCE(required) No bridal party - bride and groom enter together

Groomsmen escort bridesmaids

Groom and groomsmen enter in single file followed by bridesmaids

RING BEARER AND FLOWER GIRL ENTRANCE(required) Ring bearer and flower girl

Ring bearer only

Flower girl only

No ring bearer or flower girl

ENTRANCE OF THE BRIDE - guests stand(required) Entrance of bride with escort and presented to groom

Entrance of bride but presented later in the ceremony (see option below)

Entrance of bride with no escort

THE MINISTER'S GREETING(required) Minister welcomes guests and invites them to be seated

Minister welcomes guests asks them to refrain from use of cell phones and invites them to be seated

INTRODUCTION TO THE WEDDING choose one or more(required) We have gathered to celebrate the marriage of N and N Marriage is the promise of hope between a man and a woman who love each other who trust that love and who wish to share the future together.

Marriage involves caring and giving It involves learning to share one’s life with another person forgiving as Christ forgives enjoying the love and meaning which can be found together It involves facing together whatever adversity may arise.

It enables two separate people to share their desires longings dreams and memories and to help each other through their uncertainties It provides the encouragement to risk more and thus to gain more In marriage husband and wife belong together providing mutual support and a stability in which their children may grow.

Here in the presence of God we recognize and affirm their relationship as they begin their married life in the community.

We have come together to witness the promises of N and N in marriage to share with them in their happiness and in their hopes for the future.

Here before God N and N wish to pledge their love for each other and their desire to spend their lives together.

Dear friends we gather here at this hour to witness and to celebrate the drawing together of two separate lives We have come so that this man N and this woman N may be joined in marriage Two people in love do not live in isolation from the rest of the world To achieve love is not to be removed our connection to the wider community So it is that the institution of marriage is ordained as a public recognition of the private experience of love This ceremony is the act in which Nand N set themselves apart from all others only for each other in the sacred bond of marriage in order that they may enjoy its great purposes At the same time it represents their desire to share their joy in each other with you their family and their friends.

WELCOME (required) Minister to bride and groom: N and N we welcome you. We are glad to join with you in the celebration of your marriage to witness your vows to pray with you and to wish you every joy in your life together.

THE DECLARATIONS(required) Minister to groom: N do you love and trust N and want to be her husband? Groom: Yes I do. Minister to groom: Will you stand by her no matter what happens respecting her as a person understanding her needs and enjoying her love until death parts you? Groom: Yes I will Minister to Bride: N do you love and trust N and want to be his wife? Bride: Yes I do. Minister to Bride: Will you stand by him no matter what happens respecting him as a person understanding his needs and enjoying his love until death parts you? Bride: Yes I will.

Minister to bride: N will you take N to be your husband? Will you share his joys and ease his burdens? Will you be honest with him and be faithful to him always as long as you both live? Bride: I will with the help of God. Minister to groom: N will you take N to be your wife? Will you share her joys and ease her burdens? Will you be honest with her and be faithful to her always as long as you both live? Groom: I will with the help of God.

Minister to bride: N do you take N as your husband promising to tenderly care for him to respect him to cherish him as he is to love him with fidelity? Bride: I do. Minister to groom: N do you take N to be your wife promising to tenderly care for her to respect her to cherish her as she is to love her with fidelity? Groom: I do.

THE AFFIRMATIONS choose one or more (not required) Minister to parents: In your new relationship with N and N do you as their parents pledge your loving support? Parents: We do.

Minister to parents: Are you willing to strengthen this marriage by upholding both N and N with your love and concern? Parents: We are.

Minister to family and friends: Will you their friends and family do all in your power to support this couple now and in the years ahead? People: We will.

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE if not presented earlier(required) Minister: Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?

Minister: Who brings this woman to be married to this man?

Minister: Who supports this couple in their marriage?

Minister: Who supports this woman in her marriage to this man?

No presentation

ESCORT'S RESPONSE(required) I do.

Her mother and I do.

Escort does not say anything.

HOMILY(required) The minister says some brief words about your marriage

INVITATION TO EXCHANGE VOWS(required) Minister: The vows through which you accept each other as husband and wife contain no hidden power within themselves. It is to the extent that they express in words your intention and commitment that they have meaning. Since it is your intention to enter into the covenant of marriage I ask that you join your hands and unite yourselves to one another with these words.

Minister: N will you have this (woman/man) to be your (wife/husband) and will you pledge your faith to (her/him) in all love and honor in all duty and service in all faith and tenderness to live with (her/him) and cherish (her/him) according to the ordinance of God in the holy bond of marriage?

INVITATION TO EXCHANGE PERSONAL STATEMENTS(required) We will exchange personal statements before exchanging our vows.

We will not share personal statements.

INVITATION TO EXCHANGE RINGS Minister: Do you have rings to give each other as symbols of your vows? Couple: Yes.(required) We will exchange rings

We will not exchange rings

COUPLE'S EXCHANGE OF RINGS(required) 1. Used by non-denominational Christians Protestants Episcopalians and Methodists: I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow and with all that I have and all that I am I honor you and love you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

2. Baptist: With this ring I thee wed and all my worldly goods I thee endow In sickness and in health in poverty or in wealth till death do us part.

Lutheran: I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness Receive this ring as a token of wedded love and faith.

4. Presbyterian: This ring I give you in token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love.

5. Roman Catholic: In the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit take and wear this ring as sign of my love and faithfulness.

6. Traditional old English: With this ring I thee wed with my body I thee worship and with all my worldly goods I thee endow in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen.

7. Jewish: Harey at mekuddeshet li b’taba’at zo k’dat Moshe v’Israel which means Behold thou art consecrated unto me with this ring according to the law of Moses and of Israel.

THE WEDDING PRAYER(required) 1. Minister: Let us pray. O God give your blessings now to what we have done here. Make this moment fruitful to N and N through an added devotion to one another through new inner strength and through a new sense of the sacredness of all life. Though we pray that together they always flourish in love we do not ask that they be kept from sorrow and trial but that they may learn from these and be stronger because of them. We do not ask that all life be easy and profitable to them but that they find life good and worth celebrating. May all their tasks in life especially the calling to be your children be easier because they approach these tasks together. Make them each quick to forgive quick to laugh quick to enjoy. Let each so treasure the personality of the other that neither of them will try to change each other. And let them In the measure of time that is theirs together find much joy in small things. Amen.

2. Minister: Let us pray. O God thank you for the gift of marriage for joining these two lives in a blessed communion of love. I ask that you give your blessing now to what we have done here. Make this moment fruitful to N and N through an increased devotion to one another through new inner strength and through a new sense of the sacredness of every aspect of life. We pray that together they will always flourish in love and that when they experience any sorrow and trial they may discern wisdom and become even more resilient in the face of any adversity. We pray that they enjoy seasons of ease and prosperity born out of their appreciation for the gift of life and love which is now theirs to share together. May they always find life to be good and worth celebrating no matter what challenges they may be called to face. May all their tasks in life especially the calling to be your children reflecting your glory beauty justice and truth be easier because they engage and accomplish them hand in hand heart in each other’s heart. Give them O God the grace to be quick to forgive quick to laugh and quick to enjoy. Let them so treasure the personality of each other that neither of them will abandon that treasure by trying to change one another. And let them in the measure of time that is theirs find much joy in all things. Amen.

3. Prayer 3 below

WEDDING PRAYER 3 with options (below) Let us pray. Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life that each may be to the other a strength in need a counselor when they are in perplexed a comfort in sorrow and a companion in joy. Amen.

Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will and their spirits in your Spirit that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Amen.

Give them grace when they hurt each other to recognize and acknowledge their fault and to seek each other’s forgiveness and yours. Amen.

Make their life together a sign of Christ’s love to this sinful and broken world that unity may overcome estrangement forgiveness heal guilt and joy conquer despair. Amen.

Bestow on them if it is your will the gift and heritage of children and the grace to bring them up to know you to love you and to serve you. Amen.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Amen.

Grant that everyone who is married and who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed. Amen

Grant that the bonds of our common humanity by which all your children are united to each other both living and dead may be so transformed by your grace that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven where O Father with your Son and the Holy Spirit you live and reign in perfect unity now and forever. Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER(required) 1. CONTEMPORARY: Our Father who in heaven hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.

2. TRADITIONAL trespasses: Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory now and forever. Amen.

3. TRADITIONAL debts: Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory now and forever. Amen.

THE BLESSING(required) 1. Minister: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord be kind and gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace that you may faithfully live together in this life and in the age to come have life everlasting.

2. Minister: God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit bless preserve and keep you. The Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace that you may faithfully live together in this life and in the age to come have life everlasting.

3. Minister: All praise and blessing to you God of love creator of the universe maker of man and woman in your likeness source of blessing for married life. All praise to you for you have created courtship and marriage joy and gladness feasting and laughter pleasure and delight.

4. Minister: May your blessing come in full upon N and N. May they know your presence in their joys and in their sorrows. May they reach old age in the company of friends and come at last to your eternal kingdom. Amen.

5. Minister: And the blessing of God Creator Savior and Giver of life be with you all now and forever Amen.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE (required) The minister addresses the couple Minister: N and N you have come here today to profess your love for each other. You have offered yourselves freely to each other and have sealed your vows by the giving and receiving of the rings you now wear. Therefore I now pronounce you husband and wife.

THE KISS (required) Kiss

No kiss

MINISTER’S INTRODUCTION OF THE MARRIED COUPLE(required) 1. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Last name)

2. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Husband’s full name)

3. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Husband’s first name and wife’s first name and husband's last name)

NO RECESSIONAL – the bridal party remains at the ceremony area(required) Correct

the bride and groom will remain and not leave the area

We will not have a recessional

We will have a recessional and leave the ceremony area

RECESSIONAL – the bridal party departs, choose one or more(required) Groomsmen escort bridesmaids to follow bride and groom

Bridesmaids depart in single file followed by groomsmen in single file

Parents recess after bridal party

Parents remain seated and do not follow the bridal party

ANNOUNCEMENT to guests about pictures and location of post-ceremony festivities(required) Yes

POSTLUDE(required) Music accompanies departure of guests

No music as guests depart

SIGNING OF THE MARRIAGE LICENSE Bride and groom watch the minister sign. You may have 2 witnesses sign.(required) Bride and groom want the signing to be photographed

Bride and groom do not want the signing to be photographed

OTHER NOTES FOR YOUR OFFICIANT enter any additional information here