What is the order of service for a non-religious wedding?

Short answer

A non-religious order of service is a printed programme that guides guests through your civil ceremony. It lists the order of events, from the entrance and welcome to the vows, rings, readings, and final pronouncement. It keeps everyone in step and makes the ceremony feel considered and clear.

For a civil ceremony in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, the registrar will lead the legal parts, so your order of service should reflect their structure. Typically it begins with the entrance of the couple and a welcome from the registrar, followed by your vows and the exchange of rings. You can then include readings, poems or non-religious songs, as long as the registrar agrees they have no religious content. The ceremony usually ends with the registrar pronouncing you married and signing the marriage schedule or document, then your exit.

In Scotland, the format is more flexible because your celebrant can be humanist or belief-based, so the order can be shaped around your story. Always check with your registrar or celebrant first, as they will tell you what must be included and what can be adapted. Keep the order simple: welcome, legal words, vows, rings, readings, signing, pronouncement, exit. Print the order in clear, large type so older guests can follow it easily.

If you are having a religious ceremony in a registered building, the order will follow the traditions of that faith, so ask your officiant for the correct sequence. For any legal detail, remember the rules can vary, so check with your register office or place of worship.