Your wedding ceremony is probably the shortest, and least expensive, element of your day. So while it might be really important to you, for many couples, it ends up falling down the list of priorities after things like food, style or entertainment. We want to make it easier for you to give your ceremony the thought and attention it deserves! We’ve already put together a step-by-step guide to making a ceremony structure, and here, we’ve compiled an essential wedding ceremony checklist to make sure your vows are beautiful, memorable, and go off without a hitch!
Essential Wedding Ceremony Checklist
As with all of our wedding planning checklists, what you need for your wedding ceremony will differ depending on the kind of vows, structure and setting that you have. For instance, a Catholic wedding, will differ a lot from a Humanist outdoor ceremony, and registry office ‘I dos’ may require a lot less detail than a self-plan ceremony. Your celebrant, ceremony style and setting will help you work out what applies to you, so choose accordingly from the list below to get prepped for the big moment.
The Logistics
- A ceremony venue
- A celebrant
- A marriage license/marriage registration form (and a pen!)
- Witnesses to sign the license
- A ceremony structure
- An entrance order for the wedding party (don’t leave this to chance!)
- Ushers to help seat guests
- Vows
- Wedding rings (and box, cushion or tray)
- Any cards or payments for the celebrant and musicians
- Transport for the wedding party
- An exit plan (are you doing a receiving line, where will you have a confetti toss, etc)
- A Plan B if having an outdoor ceremony
The Venue
- Parking
- Chairs for guests
- Chairs for the bride and groom
- A table (or altar) for the celebrant
- Space for an aisle (wide enough to fit two or three people, and a big dress, if required)
- Electricity sources and WiFi if streaming
- Heating/fans/umbrellas as required
- Water if it’s warm and outside
The Readings
- Ceremony readings (normally two) printed
- Church readings and prayers (a religious celebrant will be able to go over this with you)
- People to read
- A step for any child readers
- A podium and/or microphone
The Music
The Decor & Details
Get more handy wedding planning checklists!
