Wedding Ceremony
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~12 minute ceremony
Written by ULC Minister Liv Moore
Inspired by the natural elements – earth, air, fire, and water – this wedding script infuses your ring exchange with symbolic blessings that honor the balance and energy of your union. Each element represents a unique aspect of marriage, from the grounding strength of earth to the passionate spark of fire. Perfect for nature lovers and spiritual ceremonies, this script adds a deeply meaningful touch to your vows.
Unplugged Announcement (Optional)
Officiant (to guests):
Hello! Welcome to the wedding of _________ and _________! I’m _________ and I will be officiating their wedding today. If I could have all of your attention briefly for an important announcement.
_________ and _________ are so honored you came all this way to watch them say I do and for the next twenty minutes or so… they would like you to be truly present… and take pictures with your minds. They would like to look out and see all your happy faces and not a sea of phone cases. They believe in you… I believe in you, thank you for choosing to witness this ceremony with your eyes and not through a screen.
So, if you could all please put your phones, cameras, and various devices away, stow your tray tables and bring up your seat backs… we can have a wonderful flight.. I mean wedding. Thank you!
*Processional*
Welcome and Creating Space
Officiant:
Welcome all! You are here today to join in the celebration of union for these two magnificent human beings. Here and now we will create for ourselves a sacred space for this ceremony of marriage. We will all choose to become fully present.
Taking together a deep breath in… and out. We can feel the sun and the breeze, and hear the birds. By becoming present as a congregation we allow for this space to be cleansed. We welcome to this space the divine, and the ancestors – those who came before and those beyond. We call this space sacred with our love and intentions, creating a temple.
Thoughts On Marriage
Officiant (to the couple):
_________ and _________, you’ve inspired each other to face fears… held each other accountable to a dedication to self improvement, you moved together, not entirely in unison, for your steps were each your own, at your own pace, in your own time… but still together in both heart and mind, with a shared intention towards a common goal: building your future together.
Together you found new ways to grow, to ask questions, to see confusion as an opportunity to expand your reality rather than a challenge to it. You have transformed each other in so many ways and you have only just begun.
Remember, too: there will be disagreements. There will be disconnects. Because we are human and that is life. But today the two of you will make a pact, an alliance, a solemn vow here and now that in this life whatever is his is yours and whatever is hers is yours… and with that you have agreed to try to treat every moment of friction as an opportunity to learn more about yourself and your spouse and all that you have, all that you are, between you.
You stand ready to make the promise to continue to give all that you are to this journey. To embrace the ebb and flow of life, allow your partner to be imperfect and allow yourself to be, as you reach for a balance to the energy you carry together into the future.
_________, _________, do you agree to enter this ceremony of marriage?
Couple: We do.
Ring Blessing
Officiant:
To begin the ceremony, we will consecrate your rings. The tangible tokens of the strong and enduring love you are promising each other.
Officiant (to the ring bearer/s):
May we please have the rings.
* Rings are placed on the altar *
Officiant:
To begin, I call the West. The element of water. Water symbolizing the way we come together as individual drops join into a mighty river. In water, we are drawn into the experience of our emotions. It is a direction that calls us to self-reflection and self-understanding. Our emotions move in us like water, flowing through our lives, sometimes calm and sometimes turbulent, but always flowing. For the West, water, we give this drink.
* Officiant places a cup on the altar *
Officiant:
I call the North. The element of earth. There is stability here, the ground of our being. The earth holds us, and allows us time and space to heal and grow, to feel nurtured and respected. It is also the place of embodiment, of connecting with our physical self, with the tangible world around us. The earth is present to you if you are seeking balance, there is deep wisdom that lives in your bones, a place of rest and recovery. For the North, earth, we give this soil.
* Officiant scatters Earth on the altar *
Officiant:
I call the East, and the rising sun. The element of air. Air gives us life. It is the direction of inspiration. Turning toward the east, we look for a fresh start, an invigorating breath, a newness. When you are feeling stuck, beholden to a routine, or if the wind has gone out of your sails, look eastward. For the east, air, we give this fan.
* Officiant places a fan on the altar *
Officiant:
I call the South. The element of fire. Fire is a transformative force, it is heat and light and powerful change. We see birds move south, butterflies move south, whales move south, seeking warmer places when the weather gets cold. When our internal weather gets cold, turning south is a metaphor for turning toward warmth and daylight, seeking out the changes that will warm us up, call us out of our winters, and into action. For the South, fire, we light this candle.
*Officiant lights a candle on the altar*
Officiant:
This altar of stone bearing rings of metal and wood now holds all of the elements in attendance to the consecration of your rings with a vow.
_________ and _________, please join hands.
Declaration of Intent
Officiant (to couple):
_________, do you take _________ to be your confidant, friend and lover, your husband/wife. To stand by his/her side as the truest form of yourself. To love and cherish him/her, choosing him/her above all others on this day and for every day of your life?
Partner 1: I do.
Officiant:
_________, do you take _________ to be your confidant, friend and lover, your husband/wife. To stand by his/her side as the truest form of yourself. To love and cherish him/her, choosing him/her above all others on this day and for every day of your life?
Partner 2: I do.
Officiant:
This vow is not made lightly. Here, you have consecrated your rings with the intentions of your marriage. Hold true to them and remember this moment.
Ring Exchange
Officiant:
We will begin with _________’s ring. _________, please take _________’s ring and repeat this vow.
* Partner 1 takes Partner 2's ring. *
Partner 1: _________, I give you this ring as a symbol/ of my dedication to loving you/ inspiring you/ encouraging you/ supporting you/ and being faithful to you always/ what’s mine is yours/ what’s yours is mine.
* Partner 1 places the ring. *
* Partner 2 takes Partner 1's ring. *
Partner 2: _________, I give you this ring as a symbol/ of my dedication to loving you/ inspiring you/ encouraging you/ supporting you/ and being faithful to you always/ what’s mine is yours/ what’s yours is mine.
* Partner 2 places the ring. *
Officiant:
May you wear them always.
Pronouncement
Officiant (to couple):
_________ and _________, what a beautiful ceremony of marriage befitting such a beautiful love story. I am honored to be here today to witness your joining and have no doubt you will have a long and happy marriage.
By the power vested in me by the Universal Life Church, I now pronounce you married. You may seal this promise with a kiss!
Officiant (to everyone):
Family and friends, I present to you for the first time as a married couple: _________ and _________!
