The structure of a wedding ceremony

Unless you’ve been to lots of of wedding ceremonies, chances are you may not know how they’re structured. In this blog, I’ll cover what you NEED to have at your ceremony (for legal reasons) and my preferred structure so that it flows nicely from start to finish!

The mandatory (and legal) bits

There is some legal wording that needs to be said during the ceremony. There are two parts:

1. The Monitum

The Monitum is a statement that I am required by law to make as prescribed by the Marriage Act 1961. It is to state that I am authorised to legally marry you both and includes the legal definition of marriage in Australia.

Here’s the wording:

“I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter.

Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of two people to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life”.

2. Legal vows

Although most couples also choose to write their own personal vows, technically, you only need to exchange your legal vows, which are:

“I call upon the persons here present, to witness that I

(FULL LEGAL NAME OF PARTY 1)

take you (FULL LEGAL NAME OF PARTY 2)

to be my lawful wedded wife (OR husband / wife / spouse / partner in marriage.)”.

These must come after the Monitum has been spoken. If you’re doing a ring exchange, you can bundle up your legal vows with this moment.

Over and above these two requirements, there’s all of the paperwork that you’re required to sign on the day. There are a total of three marriage certificates to sign in the presence of two witnesses (most must be over 18 years old). One of these certificates is a commemorative one for you to take home!

I’ll also get you to sign the Declaration of No Legal Impediment to Marriage (which happens on the day right before your ceremony).

My (recommended) ceremony structure

Apart from the legal wording and the paperwork that needs to be filled out, there are no other rules for your ceremony! 🥳

A big part of my job is to help you craft a ceremony that you’ll feel comfortable with (and pumped about)!

I have a general structure I follow that flows very well, which is outlined here:

• Quick welcome and housekeeping before the ceremony begins
• Processional (aka walk down the aisle) with music
• Acknowledgement of Country (optional)
• Welcome
• Introduction of the wedding party (optional)
• The couple’s story – this is the bulk of the ceremony
• Monitum
• Legal vows (and optional ring exchange)
• Personal vows
• Presentation and congratulations of the newlyweds, kiss and ceremony finish!
• Recessional (aka walking back down the aisle) with music
• Certificate signing with your two witnesses (hopefully with a glass in your hand!).

“Remember, it’s YOUR day, and I’m 100% on board with any non-traditional ceremony inclusions.”

Some other ceremony inclusions

There are lots of other fun and unique things you can include in your ceremony, which we’ll cover in our planning meeting!

You can also check out a podcast episode that has some unique ideas for both the ceremony and reception from real couples that my partner Aleks and I have worked with!

Remember, it’s YOUR day, and I’m 100% on board with non-traditional ceremony inclusions. For instance, when it comes to things like your wedding party or the processional (walk down the aisle), there are loads of options to choose from, a couple of which are outlined below:

The wedding party

If you don’t really want a wedding party, you don’t need to have one! If you do have one, they can be any size or shape, wearing what they like! You definitely don’t have to have an even number on each side! They can come down the aisle with both of you; they can sit at the front rather than standing up with you – it’s your call!

The walk down the aisle

You don’t need to come down the aisle either. Or you can come down together (I love this!), with or without your wedding party. Or you can both dance down the aisle! Have fun with it! 😁

Photo credit: Nikki McCrone