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Order of service at a civil marriage ceremony

A civil marriage ceremony is usually much shorter than a religious service.  Most civil ceremonies take around half an hour, although some are shorter and others involve a number of special readings and rituals.  The sequence of the ceremony usually runs as follows:

• Opening words: the celebrant welcomes the guests, declares his or her authority to marry and announces the names of the couple getting married.
• Giving away: the father of the bride (or a close relative) usually walks her down the aisle, although some modern brides are choosing both their parents to ‘give them away’, while others prefer to walk by themselves.
• Introduction: the celebrant provides a brief homily on marriage, relationships and commitment, and provide specific comment on the bride and groom and their relationship.
• Opening reading: either the celebrant or a close friend or family member reads a passage chosen by the couple.
• Monitum: the celebrant speaks the words from the Marriage Act.  This goes: “I am duly authorised by law to solemnise this, your marriage, according to the law in Australia. Before (bride-to-be) and (groom-to-be) are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of those your family and friends, I am bound, as you know, to remind you publicly of the solemn, the serious and binding nature of the relationship to which you are about to enter. Marriage, as most of us understand, it is voluntary and is a full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others and is entered into with the desire, hope and firm intention that it will last for life.”
• Declaration of intention to marry: the couple makes a public declaration of marriage.
• Exchange of vows: the couple make their personal promises and define what commitment means to them.  The couple may choose to use existing vows or write their own.
• Ring ceremony: the bride and groom exchange rings.  This is the time to say: “I give you this ring as an expression of my love and commitment to you” or the traditional “with this ring, I thee wed.”
• Reading or ritual: a second reading may feature, or the couple may choose to perform a special ritual such as lighting a candle, pouring sand or tying a knot of love.
• Declaration of marriage: the celebrant announces that the couple is officially married.
• Kiss: the traditional first kiss as husband and wife is usually met with applause.
• Signing of the register: the happy couple sign the register and the celebrant presents the couple with the certificate that precedes their receipt of their formal marriage certificate.
• Congratulations: the celebrant congratulates the couple and introduces them to their family and friends.

If you're wanting to have a religious ceremony or civil wedding ceremony, visit our order of service guide here.

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