What is the order of service for a wedding ceremony?

The order of service for a wedding ceremony is a printed card or booklet that tells guests what will happen during the ceremony itself. It is usually handed out as guests arrive or placed on seats. The exact order depends on your type of ceremony, whether civil, religious, or belief based. For a civil ceremony in England and Wales, the registrar will lead the legal parts, and you can include readings, poems, and songs that are not religious. For a Church of England or Church in Wales wedding, the order usually follows the prayer book, with hymns, readings, vows, and prayers. In Scotland and Northern Ireland, the structure can be more flexible, especially with a humanist or belief celebrant. A typical order might be: welcome and introduction, entrance of the couple, readings, vows, exchange of rings, declaration, signing of the marriage document, and the pronouncement. You can also include a song or a moment of silence. Ask your officiant or registrar for their required structure, then add your personal touches. The order of service is not a legal document, so you can design it freely. Print it as a single card, a folded booklet, or a simple sheet. It is a lovely keepsake for guests and for you.