The Wedding Ceremony Running Order: What Actually Happens (And What You Can Ditch)

I hate using the word "standard." Nothing about my ceremonies is standard, that's kind of the point of hiring a non-traditional wedding celebrant instead of going down the registrar route.

But there is a sort of recognisable shape that most wedding ceremonies follow. A rough skeleton that's stuck around because, honestly, it works.

So here's the wedding ceremony running order I use as a starting point with every couple. Emphasis on starting point. Because this is your wedding, you can take out, swap, reorder, or completely reinvent anything you want.

Welcoming your guests

I kick things off by welcoming everyone and setting the tone for what they're about to watch. This is where they realise they're not in for some traditional, formal ceremony.

The big entrance (or not!)

Traditional aisle walk, surprise entrance, together, separately, not at all. Whatever suits you.

Your story

The heart of a celebrant-led ceremony. This is where I tell your actual story. How you met, the moment you realised this is it, your adventures together. All the important parts of your relationship, no matter how big or small. No two of these are ever the same, because no two couples are.

Quotes and anecdotes from friends and family

Sourced from the people who know you best, worked into the ceremony so your nearest and dearest get their moment too.

Proposal story

On one knee at the top of a mountain, in a supermarket car park, with a wedding budget spreadsheet (that’s how I did it!). Whatever your version is, guests love hearing it play by play.

Reading

A reading can genuinely be anything you want - a poem, lyrics, film quotes, or something totally unexpected. It can be read by you, a guest, or me. But also, you don’t have to have readings if there’s nothing that you vibe with.

Vows

Whether you've written your own, want me to do it for you, or a combo of the two, this is where you say it out loud and we all get the feels.

Ring exchange

Symbolic, simple, and yours to make as understated or extravagant as you like (see: mystery ring bearers, ring warming, and a load of other tricks I've got up my sleeve).

I Dos

The bit that seals the deal and makes it real.

Kiss

Self-explanatory, yes, but it can be as low key or dramatic as you like. And it may be a bit controversial, but some people choose not to have that first kiss at all if they’re not into PDAs and think in front of their great gran isn’t the place to start!

Closing

I wrap things up, pronounce you however you want to be pronounced, and set the tone for what's coming next.

Exit

And off you go, married and headed into your next chapter and whatever chaos or calm awaits at the reception.

Why the Order Is Just a Suggestion

This is the wedding ceremony structure I bring to the table as a starting point. I literally have blocks with the different elements on them so you can physically build the structure of your ceremony if you like.

There’s no rulebook with me. Want to skip the reading? Gone. Want your dog to do the ring exchange? Doable. Want a dance break shoved in the middle, or a full-blown ceremony bingo game running the whole way through? That's exactly the kind of thing I live for.

The order of service isn't sacred. It's just scaffolding, something to build your actual ceremony around. What goes in the gaps is entirely up to you.

If you're planning a wedding and want a ceremony that follows this shape, breaks it completely, or lands somewhere in between, I'm Carrie, a non-traditional wedding celebrant based in Hastings, East Sussex, covering ceremonies across Sussex, Kent, London and beyond. Hit the button and let's work out what your ceremony running order actually looks like.