What is the order of service for a marriage blessing?

A blessing is not a legal wedding, so it does not need a registrar, witnesses, or notice. It is a way to ask for a blessing on the marriage, often used after a civil ceremony, a destination wedding, or a marriage abroad. The order depends on where you hold it. In a church, the vicar or priest will usually follow a set service of prayer, readings, and a blessing, and you can often choose the hymns and readings. In a mosque, synagogue, temple, or other place of worship, the format follows that community's customs, so you should ask the imam, rabbi, or leader directly.

For a humanist or non-religious blessing, you can create your own order with a celebrant. A typical structure is a welcome, a reading, a reflection on the couple's story, the renewal of promises or rings, a symbolic act like a candle lighting, and a closing blessing or toast. You can include music, poems, and contributions from family. Because the legal marriage has already happened, there is no signing of a register or schedule. Check with your venue and officiant about what they allow, and remember that the rules can vary, so it is always wise to ask your place of worship or celebrant for their usual format.