Looking for an unplugged wedding script or non-traditional wedding speech? This non-religious wedding officiant script sample helps 1st-time officiants outline what to say at the start, middle, and end of an ‘unplugged’ wedding script.
Have you been asked to officiate a non-traditional wedding? Did the couple say, ‘ Will you be our ceremony speaker?’ Structuring and officiating a speech as a novice means getting the tone of delivery right. The momentous task assigned to you involves delivering opening / closing remarks, as well as introducing the vows/kiss. You may also be asked to lead a wedding rehearsal.
If you have a fear of public speaking (glossophobia), you’re not a skilled communicator, reluctant compere or rock star. Learn to be a strong public speaker like a pro; deliver a speech or a script for a commitment ceremony with confidence. When someone says, Can you marry us!’ You know what to do. Use my free structured wedding speech sample for non-religious ceremonies. Good luck!
Non-Religious Wedding Officiant Script & Speech
Non-Religious Wedding Officiant Speech: Tricks of the Trade
- So you’ve been asked to officiate and perform a wedding, use a short and sweet ceremony speech. As an inexperienced speaker officiating preparing and writing a script isn’t straightforward. This ready made non-religious wedding officiant speech or standard ceremony builder can help you.
- Secondly, if you have a combined role as the officiant/attendant/greeter & usher. Connect with everyone by seating the guests.
- Share your connection to the couple. Provide guests with clear instructions about the ceremony and reception in a concise and authoritative manner.
- Integrate music to create a welcoming atmosphere.
- During the ceremony, get off to a good start by telling the couples story (keep it clean!)
- Unplugged non-traditional wedding ceremony script can mean an offline wedding. It’s a social media time-out with ‘No mobile phones or pictures are allowed!’. See below what to say.
- Suggest a group photo or an engaging activity. This will encourage audience participation. Most importantly, strengthen the bond between the two families.
- Ultimately, as the wedding officiant and MC, your role is vital. Deliver important information about the ceremony and venue while maintaining discretion and tact. Your aim is to create a respectful atmosphere that prioritizes the comfort of the couple and guests.
What is an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony
A plugged wedding allows guests to focus on their phones, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Why is this a concern? In a world dominated by smartphones and social media, it can be very challenging to capture guests’ attention. A wedding is a special occasion that requires the utmost attention from all present. So, how do you, as an officiant, get everyone to focus on the ceremony? Easy, politely ask (in an authoritative voice) for everyone to safely put their phones away under their chairs. And remind everyone that pictures won’t be allowed during the ceremony. There should be professional photographers and videographers present to capture the special moments. This creates a more intimate atmosphere, ensuring your loved ones are fully engaged to celebrate the couple’s special day.
Opening words: non – religious wedding officiant
(housekeeping announcements)
Welcome family and friends to this unplugged wedding (off-line wedding) an exciting and long awaited partnership celebration (Commitment Ceremony/partnership ceremony) of Parker and August.
OR
Welcome to ‘location name’ to the wedding celebration of Parker and August. This splendid venue steeped in history is the ideal backdrop and the perfect setting to celebrate love.
But, before we continue..
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is (Officiants’ name), and I’ll be conducting today’s ceremony.
OR
Officiating this wedding is a huge honour for me as the sister, brother, mother or father of Parker/August.
That is to say, on behalf of the happy couple…we want you to be fully present with us today. When Parker and August asked me to officiate a short and sweet ceremony wedding ceremony script. I was so happy to be a part of their special day I jumped at the chance.
During our conversations, I thought what a lovely couple they make; they belong together and have a deep connection that lasts forever. What greater gift can two people share than the gift of love?
Parker and August have chosen this day for a non-religious officiant ‘unplugged’ ceremony because it reflects their core values and fundamental beliefs as individuals and as a couple. To clarify they said to, ‘keep the ceremony short and sweet!’…..
So, let the wedding begin…
*Add one of the below sentences if you are officiating an unplugged wedding; here’s what you can say:*
- Moments are fleeting, so put your phones and camera’s away, and enjoy the day.
- This is an unplugged wedding. Please take your time to switch off your mobile phones and camera’s. But, don’t worry, ‘during the ceremony we’ve got photography covered. We promise we’ll share all the professional photos with you later.
- SMILE – As the happy couple tie the knot, please be our guest, let the photographer do the rest.
BRIDAL PROCESSION
(Bridal party enter, groom & bride)
Welcome speech: non-religious wedding officiant
(couples & guests introduction)
Family & Friends,
It’s so lovely to see you hear today, we are here in the presence of love.
OR
We have come together to unite and bear witness to the joining of Parker and August.
It’s an historic day, whereby we will celebrate one of life’s greatest moments. We are here to acknowledge a powerful connection that already exists between them Parker and August.
The happy couple wish to confirm their union of love publicly and share this treasured moment with the ones (family & friends) that matter the most to them – that’s you all.
This joyous and memorable occasion, which has great significance for us all, is possible because of your presence. Thank you for being here on this wonderful day.
So, let’s start with a warm welcome to the official witnesses…
Parker and August choose….because…(NAME WITNESSES)
Because you are the witnesses of the happy couple, you are ready to sign their lives away and say; “yes they do!”
RING BEARER
In addition, we have the lord/lady of the rings – ring bearer …..through every milestone you’ve been there and now on the biggest day of their lives you want to help them seal the deal. Parker and August know their precious rings are in safe hands (no pressure)!
SPECIAL WELCOME
There is a warm welcome to (NAMES), because the couple are delighted to have you here on this bright and cheerful day, to celebrate with them their love, joy and happiness. You have given them so much without asking for anything in return.
And (NAMES), there’s also a special acknowledgement to (NAME – best friend), because you were instrumental in getting the couple together.
We also wish to commemorate the memory of (deceased family or relative) those who are not able to be with us today. So, you will be forever in our hearts today and always.
Address guests: non-religious wedding officiant
I repeat, this is an unplugged wedding – no phones or cameras are allowed. What happens here, stays here! You are the community that surrounds the happy couple and the fabric of their lives.
Stitched together with hope, love and faith, each one of you plays a significant role in this celebration. Surrounded by the warmth of all of you – the different eras of their lives, we can celebrate their joy & happiness. We are a major part of their patchwork.
Perhaps you are a childhood friend, or you taught Parker and August about the value of belonging.
A few of you may have only met these two recently, as the adorable couple they’ve become.
Today, we embark on the new chapter of their married life. Without your gift of love and support, this wedding would be less joyous and exciting. We greatly appreciate the time and effort you put in to join us. Thank you all very much for coming.
Meaning of Commitment
(non-religious wedding officiant reminds couple about the meaningfulness of life, love, vows & promises)
Parker and August, you have embraced a new life together. Your budding romance has blossomed into full bloom. Your are two souls entwined into one who have an exclusive closeness and a true understanding of the purpose and beauty of companionship. Good communication, compassion, commitment, and challenges is the heart of it all.
Reading
At this time during the short and sweet ceremony a guest speaker [friend or family member] can share a reading, [title of reading].
The Love Story: non-religious wedding officiant
(couples’ uniqueness, personality & feelings for one another/ readings about life partners, companionship/love poem from Joe Black the Movie)
Out of the ordinary, the extraordinary happened after sliding door moments. The story/movie goes; one scene with two monologues, each person finishing one another’s sentences. Parker and August two inquisitive people see each other at waitross supermarket and then meet at Churchill Arms Pub in London, while watching F1 Grand Prix.
She is beautiful, smart, geek chic, and as wise as an owl.
He is handsome, quirky and supportive like a tree, strong and sturdy.
They start chatting, realise they are united by their love of cars, get to know each other better, become sweethearts (constant companions), fall madly deeply in love, and decide to share the rest of their lives together, then take the final step (PROPOSAL DATE) – become life partners.
Personal vows
Before I unite them as partners for life the couple will speak their personal vows and promises of love to one another.
I will now ask each of you in turn to share your personal vows to one another.
PARTNER 1: please speak / say / share your personal vows to partner 2.
PARTNER 2: please speak / say / share your personal vows to partner 1.
Exchanging of rings
So with the love you feel in your hearts, you want to seal your vows by exchanging wedding rings. These precious rings signify unity (oneness), and the unbroken circle of love.
(Ring bearer, please come forward)
PARTNER please take the ring and place it on PARTNERS’ left hand and repeat after me (officiant).
I choose PARTNER , to be my lifelong partner and give you this ring as a token of my love. I join my life to yours forever.
Duplicate the above for PARTNER 2.
OR
PARTNERS 1 & 2 please take the ring and place it on one another’s left hand and repeat after me (officiant).
With these rings we choose one another and join our lives together forever. I love you.
PARTNERS’ you have pledged yourselves to a lifetime of helping, sharing and caring for one another. May these rings be a treasured reminder of the glad promises you have made today and show the world you are united as one.
Formal vows: non-religious wedding officiant
(Official vows non-religious wedding officiant speech)
Today, before your adoring family and friends you declare to cherish, love, and care for one another for the rest of your lives.
Now hold hands and answer the following, to each other.
OPTION 1
CELEBRANT / OFFICIANT:
Do you promise to love, cherish, comfort, honor, and keep xxxx, in sickness and in health. For good or for bad, for rich or poor and shelter her/him for as long as you both shall live?
What is your answer?
PARTNER 1: Yes, I do!
Repeat the above to PARTNER 2….
OPTION 2
CELEBRANT / OFFICIANT:
Do you promise to respect ……..as an individual and as your life-partner. Will you live together in love and companionship and as equals today and forever.
What is your answer?
PARTNER 1: Yes, I do!
Repeat the above to PARTNER 2….
OPTION 3
CELEBRANT / OFFICIANT:
Partner 1 and 2, with a mutual understanding, do you give yourselves freely and without reservation to one another completely /in marriage?
What is both of your answers?
COUPLE: YES, We, do!
Signing symbolic certificate: non-religious wedding officiant
(The couple’s signature moment with the wedding officiant and guests is meaningful. It is quiet, so make it memorable with a song (optional)
COUPLE’S NAME please step forward and sign the symbolic marriage certificate.
So, I would like to invite the witnesses’, ……. to come forward.
The witnesses, and celebrant all sign.
Community vows: non-religious wedding officiant
Wedding community vows of support, also known as guest affirmations, provide family and friends the change to join in non-religious wedding celebrations (optional).
CELEBRANT / OFFICIANT:
As the community and gathered family and friends of Parker and August, will you join me in supporting them as they face challenges to build bridges of commitment? And to remember the excitement Parker and August felt at their first encounter, let them fall in love time and time again with each other.
Please respond by saying “YES, WE DO”!
Thank you.
Declaration of unity: non-religious wedding officiant
(Non-religious wedding officiant speech closing remarks)
Today on ……DATE…., we wish the happy COUPLE’S NAME…, a good start to their new journey up and down the road full of bumps, twists and bends.
(COUPLE’S NAME) You have our best wishes, our hopes, our high expectations, and our love.
I (CELEBRANT/OFFICIANT) now pronounce you ‘partners in love’ or ‘partners for life.
Or
I now pronounce you Mx. & Mx.
The Kiss: non-religious wedding officiant
As a wedding officiant, your role is to pronounce the couple united in partnership or marriage. This is a highlight of the non-traditional ceremony! It’s the moment for the couple to share their first kiss as newlyweds. Below, you will find three options for what to say:
1. PARTNER, you may know kiss PARTNER 2.
2. You may now celebrate your love.
3. And now for your first kiss.
End of Ceremony: non-religious wedding officiant
(Non-religious wedding script ending)
So, with this final act, the couples’ partnership becomes morally binding in the eyes of us all.
With great joy and happiness, I declare that the couple are on one voyage. And are committed to their partnership, long-term companionship and a beautiful shared life together.
Let me present to you the happy partners for life………
NON-RELIGIOUS WEDDING OFFICIANT SCRIPT
To conclude, if you’re not a prolific writer of love stories telling a story isn’t easy, if are qualified, trained or ordained to carry out a ceremony. Just use a non-religious wedding speech with the help of provenance ceremony builder. Or contact me for writing a structured wedding ceremony speech!
While you are here…
Do you need help with delivering a commitment ceremony script? Or have you been asked to lead a wedding rehearsal? Please ask me your question, and I’ll answer it below.
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