Category: Inspiration & Resources

Looking for modern wedding readings for your wedding ceremony? Discover 29 of our favourite ceremony readings, plus tips for how to find the best readings and readers for your wedding day!

How to choose readings for your wedding

Deciding how to choose readings for your wedding ceremony can be overwhelming. There are so many to choose from! The most important thing is that you and your partner feel connected to the reading. If you have a personal connection to it or resonate with the words, your choice will feel personal to you and much more engaging for your guests.

How to choose wedding readers 

Not only do you have to choose a wedding reading, but you also have to choose the readers! We recommend choosing people who are close to you, comfortable with public speaking and appropriate for the reading. For example, your grandparents who have been married for 50 years might be the perfect people to do a reading about the power and strength of marriage. Your frat buddy or 12 year old cousin? Probably not.

With readers in mind, make sure you pass along our top tips for wedding readers so they can nail their reading on the big day!

Why choose personal, modern wedding readings?

With so many readings to choose from, why are personal, modern wedding readings so appealing?

A personal reading is one that means something to you. Perhaps it’s connected to your heritage, like an Irish blessing in honour of your Irish family, or your interests, like a Jane Austen quote for a diehard Janeite. More than beautiful words, you have a deeper connection to this reading. And best of all, you and your partner can choose the reading together, combining your interests and ensuring it feels good to both of you.

When you opt for modern wedding readings over traditional ones, you increase the odds that no one has heard your reading before. Everyone is familiar with 1 Corinthians and most guests will zone out when a reader starts saying, “Love is patient, love is kind…” It’s not that these readings are bad, they’re just not as unique or memorable to you or your guests.

But because these modern readings are new, they’re more likely to engage your guests. People’s attention will be piqued and they’ll be interested to hear why you chose the reading you did and what it says about you.

A personal reading choice also ensures that your reading will fit with the mood of your ceremony. If you’ve asked your wedding officiant to craft a ceremony that is personal and funny, it can be odd to then have a traditional reading that is stuffy and serious. Instead, you can choose a more light-hearted reading to match the emotional flow of your ceremony.

Not sure if modern wedding readings are right for your ceremony? Keep scrolling for more sample wedding ceremony readings from literature, history, religion and more! 

29 modern wedding readings 

Friends wedding reading

“For so long I wondered if I would ever find my prince, my soul mate. Then three years ago, at another wedding, I turned to a friend for comfort. And instead, I found everything that I’d ever been looking for my whole life. And now here we are with our future before us, and I only want to spend it with you, my prince, my soulmate, my friend.” —Monica Geller-Bing

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Poets often describe love as an emotion that we can’t control, one that overwhelms logic and common sense. That’s what it was like for me. I didn’t plan on falling in love with you, and I doubt if you planned on falling in love with me.

But once we met, it was clear that neither of us could control what was happening to us. We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created.

For me, love like that has happened only once, and that’s why every minute we spent together has been seared in my memory.

Time Travellers by Terah Cox

May you take on the world together with all your hopes and dreams,
may you be each other’s anchor in smooth or rocky seas.

May you bend to the world’s winds and brave stalls and storms,
may you find common ground in all its changing forms.

May you cross stubborn boundaries and turn many a stone,
may you find haven for your souls, may you have heart and home.

And if some days are grey and some nights are long and cold,
May you be each other’s sun and moon as your destinies unfold.

And should you lose sight of each other and start to drift apart, may you circle back by following the compass of your hearts.

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time all we let each other see is is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square. Love lets you find those hidden places in another person, even the ones they didn’t know were there, even the ones they wouldn’t have thought to call beautiful themselves.

Parks n Rec wedding reading

“The things that you have done for me, to help me, support me, surprise me, to make me happy, go above and beyond what any person deserves. You’re all I need. I love you and I like you.” —Leslie

What is a soul mate? by Emily Matthews

If you have found a smile that is the sweetest one you’ve known,
If you have heard, within a voice, the echoes of your own,
If you have felt a touch that stirs the longings of your heart,
And still can feel that closeness in the moments you’re apart,
If you have filled with wonder at the way two lives can blend
To weave a perfect pattern that is seamless, end to end,
If you believe some things in life are simply meant to be,
Then you have found your soul mate, your heart’s own destiny.

Schitt’s Creek wedding reading

“I have never liked a smile as much as I like yours. I’ve never felt as safe as I feel when I’m with you. I’ve never known love like I do when we’re together. It’s not been an easy road for me but knowing that you will be there for me at the end makes everything okay. Patrick Brewer, you are my happy ending.” – David Rose

Blue-eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

I no longer believed in the idea of soul mates, or love at first sight. But I was beginning to believe that a very few times in your life, if you were lucky, you might meet someone who was exactly right for you. Not because he was perfect, or because you were, but because your combined flaws were arranged in a way that allowed two separate beings to hinge together.

Carrie’s Poem from Sex and the City

His hello was the end of her endings
Her laugh was their first step down the aisle
His hand would be hers to hold forever
His forever was as simple as her smile

He said she was what was missing
She said instantly she knew
She was a question to be answered
And his answer was ‘I do.’

Better Together by Jack Johnson

There’s no combination of words
I could put on the back of a postcard
No song that I could sing
But I can try for your heart
Our dreams,
And they are made out of real things
Like a shoebox of photographs
With sepia-toned loving

Love is the answer.
At least for most of the questions in my heart.
Like: “Why are we here?”, “And where do we go?”,
“And how come it’s so hard?”.
It’s not always easy,
And sometimes life can be deceiving
I’ll tell you one thing:
It’s always better when we’re together

Boy Meets World wedding reading

“I wasn’t sure this day would ever come, but you were. I wasn’t sure love could survive everything we put it through, but you were. You were always strong and always sure. And now I know I want you to stand beside me for the rest of my life. That’s what I’m sure of.” —Topanga

The Luckiest by Ben Folds

What if I had been born fifty years before you
In a house on the street
Where you lived
Maybe I’d be outside as you passed on your bike. Would I know?
And in a wide sea of eyes
I see one pair that I recognize
And I know
That I am, I am, I am, the luckiest

Love Actually wedding reading

“Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. The general opinion is starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there — fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the twin towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge — they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find that love actually is all around.” —Prime Minister

From Beginning to End by Robert Fulghum

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another—acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you.

For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this—is my husband, this—is my wife.

Tangled wedding reading

And at last I see the light
And it’s like the fog has lifted
And at last I see the light
And it’s like the sky is new
And it’s warm and real and bright
And the world has somehow shifted
All at once everything looks different
Now that I see you.

Every Day by David Levithan

This is what love does: It makes you want to rewrite the world. It makes you want to choose the characters, build the scenery, guide the plot. The person you love sits across from you, and you want to do everything in your power to make it possible, endlessly possible. And when it’s just the two of you, alone in a room, you can pretend that this is how it is, this is how it will be.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer wedding reading

“When I say, ‘I love you,’ it’s not because I want you or because I can’t have you. It has nothing to do with me. I love what you are, what you do, how you try. I’ve seen your kindness and your strength. I’ve seen the best and the worst of you. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are. You’re a hell of a woman. You’re the one.” – Spike

You and I by Ingrid Michaelson

Don’t you worry there, my honey
We might not have any money
But we’ve got our love to pay the bills
Maybe I think you’re cute and funny
Maybe I wanna do what bunnies do with you, if you know what I mean
Oh, let’s get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France
Let’s get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance
Let’s get rich and build a house on a mountain making everybody look like ants
From way up there, you and I, you and I
Well, you might be a bit confused
And you might be a little bit bruised
But baby how we spoon like no one else
So I will help you read those books
If you will soothe my worried looks
And we will put the lonesome on the shelf

Twilight wedding reading

“It’s an extraordinary thing to meet someone who you can bare your soul to, and who will accept you for what you are. I’ve been waiting, what seems like a very long time, to get beyond what I am. And now…I feel like I can finally begin…No measure of time with you will be long enough. But let’s start with forever.” – Edward Cullen

The One by Rupi Kaur

They should feel like home

A place that grounds your life

Where you go to take the day off

How I Met Your Mother wedding reading

When you love someone you just…don’t stop. Ever. Even when people roll their eyes or call you crazy. Even then. Especially then. You just…you don’t give up… If I could just, you know, take the whole world’s advice and move on and find someone else, that wouldn’t be love. That would be…some other disposable thing that is not worth fighting for. But that is not what this is.

Soul Mates by Lang Leav

I don’t know how you are so familiar to me—or why it feels less like I am getting to know you and more as though I am remembering who you are. How every smile, every whisper brings me closer to the impossible conclusion that I have known you before, I have loved you before—in another time, a different place, some other existence.

The Princess Bride wedding reading

I have not known a moment in years when the sight of you did not send my heart careening against my rib cage. I have not known a night when your visage did not accompany me to sleep. There has not been a morning when you did not flutter behind my waking eyelids.

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

I know that love can be loud and jubilant…

It can be dancing in the swampy mud and the pouring rain at a festival and shouting “YOU ARE AMAZING” over the band.

It’s introducing them to your colleagues at a work event and basking in pride as they make people laugh and make you look lovable just by dint of being loved by them.

It’s laughing until you wheeze. It’s waking up in a country neither of you have been in before. It’s skinny-dipping at dawn. It’s walking along the street together on a Saturday night and feeling an entire city is yours. It’s a big, beautiful, ebullient force of nature.

I also know that love is a pretty quiet thing.

It’s lying on the sofa together drinking coffee, talking about where you’re going to go that morning to drink more coffee. It’s folding down pages of books you think they’d find interesting.

It’s hanging up their laundry when they leave the house having moronically forgotten to take it out of the washing machine.

It’s saying ‘You’re safer here than in a car’ as they hyperventilate on an EasyJet flight to Dublin.

It’s the texts: ‘Hope your day goes well’, ‘How did today go?’, ‘Thinking of you today’ and ‘Picked up loo roll’.

I know that love happens under the splendour of moon and stars and fireworks and sunsets but it also happens when you’re lying on blow-up airbeds in a childhood bedroom, sitting in A&E or in the queue for a passport, or in a traffic jam.

Love is a quiet, reassuring, relaxing, pottering, pedantic, harmonious hum of a thing; something you can easily forget is there, even though its palms are outstretched beneath you in case you fall.

Shall We Dance wedding reading

We need a witness to our lives. There’s a billion people on the planet… I mean, what does any one life really mean? But in a marriage, you’re promising to care about everything. The good things, the bad things, the terrible things, the mundane things… all of it, all of the time, every day. You’re saying, “Your life will not go unnoticed because I will notice it. Your life will not go un-witnessed because I will be your witness.”

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

People say they ‘find’ love, as if it were an object hidden under a rock. But love takes many forms, and it is never the same for any man and woman. What people find then is a certain love. And Eddie found a certain love with Marguerite, a grateful love, a deep but quiet love, one that he knew, above all else, was irreplaceable.

Fleabag wedding reading

It turns out it’s quite hard to come up with something original about love, but I’ve had a go. Love is awful. It’s awful. It’s painful. It’s frightening. It makes you doubt yourself, judge yourself, distance yourself from the other people in your life. It makes you selfish. It makes you creepy, makes you obsessed with your hair, makes you cruel, makes you say and do things you never thought you would do.

It’s all any of us want, and it’s hell when we get there. So no wonder it’s something we don’t want to do on our own. I was taught if we’re born with love then life is about choosing the right place to put it. People talk about that a lot, feeling right, when it feels right, it’s easy. But I’m not sure that’s true. It takes strength to know what’s right. And love isn’t something that weak people do. Being a romantic takes a hell of a lot of hope. I think what they mean is, when you find somebody that you love, it feels like hope.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Love: a single word, a wispy thing, a word no bigger or longer than an edge. That’s what it is: an edge; a razor. It draws up through the centre of your life, cutting everything in two. Before and after. The rest of the world falls away on either side.

A Beautiful Mind wedding reading

I’ve always believed in numbers and the equations and logics that lead to reason. But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask: ‘What truly is logic?’ ‘Who decides reason?’ My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional—and back. And I have made the most important discovery of my career, the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found.

More wedding ceremony reading inspiration!

Need some more wedding reading inspiration? Not sure the above modern wedding readings are for you? Check out our list of wedding readings, scripture, sayings, wedding prayers, blessings and more!

• Our Top 10 Readings for Weddings
• Wedding Ceremony Readings from Songs
• Romantic Wedding Ceremony Readings 
• Wedding Ceremony Readings from TV & Movies
• Wedding Ceremony Readings from Literature
• Offbeat Wedding Ceremony Readings
• Alternatives to 1 Corinthians 13 for Your Wedding
• The Best Wedding Prayers & Blessings for Your Wedding Ceremony
• 33 Wedding Love Quotes to Include in Your Wedding Ceremony

Now that you’ve found modern wedding readings you love, it’s time to plan the rest of your wedding ceremony. Check out our ceremony packages and get in touch to book today! 

Everyone has been to a wedding (or seen one on TV) where a gaggle of flower girls in puffy dresses and ring boys in little suits come down the aisle and we all say, “Awwww!” After all, what could be cuter? But do these roles make sense for your wedding? And if not, what are some alternatives to flower girls and ring boys?

Find out below!

First: Do we still need to call them flower girls & rings boys? 

The terms “flower girls” and “rings boys” are obviously and unnecessarily gendered. In an industry that is already so gendered, let’s remove as many gender norms from weddings as we can please!

Of course, children of all genders can hold rings, hold flowers or be in your wedding party. There’s no reason to split the kids down traditional gender lines. While it might not feel like a big deal, we guarantee someone in your community will appreciate you making this simple change.

Second: Do you need kids in your wedding party? 

Before you start thinking of alternatives, do you even need kids in your wedding party? Maybe not. Maybe you’re not inviting kids to the wedding at all!

It is absolutely not mandatory to have flower kids or ring bearers in your wedding party. If you don’t have children in your life that you’re close to, it’s not worth the hassle just for the cute photo opp. While tiny tuxedos coming down the aisle sounds cute, don’t forget about all of the work that goes into wrangling kids.

On the other hand, you may have special kids in your life but choose not to include them in your wedding party or ceremony processional for a variety of reasons. That’s totally fine! You can still include them in photos, speeches or other parts of your wedding day.

If you do plan to include kids in your wedding party, check out our post: 10 Rules for Having Kids in Your Wedding Party.

15 alternatives to flower girls & ring boys for your wedding

1 – Change the titles

As we mentioned above, let’s remove the unnecessary gender tags on these roles! You can still have children in your wedding, but let’s change their titles to something more modern, more inclusive and, frankly, more fun!

Here are some great alternatives to flower girls & ring boys:

• Flower carriers
• Ring bearers
• Flower kids
• Wedding kids
• Junior wedding attendants
• Best kiddos
• The fellowship of the ring

2 – Enlist a flower dude or flower crew

Instead of having a group of small kids carry flowers down the aisle, why not enlist a few of your favourite adults? This is a great way to eliminate the hassle of dealing with kids coming down the aisle and include more of your adult besties in your wedding.

Plus, this option lets you have a lot more fun! We’ve all the seen the videos of “flower men” coming down the aisle and throwing petals from their belt bags with so much pizazz that your guests can’t help but laugh and cheer. What a way to start a ceremony!

3 – Ask your grandparents to be your flower carriers

If you rather be sentimental than silly, why not ask Grandma to take on the role of flower carrier? This is another trend we’ve seen lately and there’s truly nothing more adorable than watching a sweet granny come down the aisle with a basket of petals.

This is a great way to include your grandparents in your wedding party and honour them during your ceremony. And while this trend is often seen with grandmothers, there’s no reason why grandfathers or any grandparents couldn’t take part!

4 – Send your dog down the aisle!

Many couples are skipping the flower kiddos and choosing to send Fido down the aisle instead! This is a great way to include your fur baby in your wedding ceremony and give them the spotlight they deserve.

Of course, a lot of consideration and planning needs to go into including a pet in your wedding ceremony. Ensure it’s something you, your venue and, most importantly, your dog are all comfortable with before making any plans.

5 – Opt for a flower baby

What’s cuter than a little, tiny baby coming down the aisle? Nothing! Imagine a little baby in a tuxedo onesie or perhaps an Anne Geddes-style floral outfit. Too cute!

Of course, a tiny baby isn’t going to be able to walk themselves down the aisle. You’ll need to have someone carry them and, most likely, a back-up plan should the adorable baby decide to do what babies do, cry the whole time!

6 – Give the rings to an adult in your wedding party

There’s no reason why ring bearers have to be small children. In fact, traditionally, the ring bearer was one of the groom’s attendants in the wedding party.

So skip the pint-sized ring bearer role entirely and just ask someone else in your wedding party to hold the rings. This is the perfect job for a person of honour (FKA maid of honour) or best person (FKA best man).

7 – Give the rings to your parents

An incredibly sweet way to include your parents in your wedding ceremony is to ask them to hold onto your wedding rings. After the processional, most parents take a seat in the front row and aren’t involved in the ceremony again. In some cases, parents who don’t walk in during the processional aren’t involved in the ceremony at all!

Fix that by asking your parents to hold onto the rings. Be sure to make a moment out of turning to them to retrieve the rings before your ring exchange. We’re sure they’ll love it!

8 – Carry each other’s rings

Since you have to put your partner’s ring on their finger and they have to put your ring on your finger, why not just carry each other’s rings in the first place? We’re here for it! Not only is this a practical solution, but it’s also very sweet to think that you’ll be keeping your partner’s ring warm the whole time.

If you opt for this alternative, make it someone else’s job to remind you to grab the ring before you leave your getting ready area. You also want to make sure you have a good place to keep the ring that you can easily access during the ceremony. Unfortunately, not all wedding outfits allow for this!

9 – Do something outside of the box!

There’s no reason why you have to do the same old thing with your flowers and rings! Officiant Shawn once led a ceremony where the couple had a trained bird of prey swoop in and deliver the rings directly to Shawn. He wore a special glove and everything!

Of course, you don’t have to involve birds of prey in your ceremony. But it never hurts to think outside of the box! Could you have the rings come in on zip-line or have them parachuted down to you from above? Get creative!

10 – Have a ring warming

A ring warming allows all of your guests to “warm” your rings with their love before the ceremony starts, either by passing them around or having a place where guests can see and touch them before they sit down.

The logistics of a ring warming can be hard to arrange, but it’s worth it if you love the idea of having your guests more involved in your ring exchange!

For more creative ideas, check out our post: 30 Fun Ideas for Your Wedding Ceremony

11 – Ask the kids to carry something else

There’s no reason why the kids in your wedding party have to carry flowers or rings. In fact, the idea that a kid might lose the wedding rings is a real fear for most couples (and the reason why most mini ring bearers either don’t carry the rings, or only receive them moments before walking down the aisle).

Here are a few things the kids can carry instead:

• Cute signs
• Lanterns (without a flame!)
• Balloons
• Confetti
• Nothing! They can simply hold hands or come down the aisle together.

When choosing an item for the kids to carry, there are four things you should not choose:

• Nothing the venue won’t allow: Many venues have rules against throwing items like confetti or rice.
• Nothing dangerous: You don’t want kids carrying candles with open flames, for example.
• Nothing complicated: Kids shouldn’t be asked to carry pets or smaller children in their arms.
• Nothing you wouldn’t want to lose: The vow books, for example, would be a bad idea to ask the kids to carry.

12 – Use floral decor

Instead of having an official flower carrier, you can just incorporate more florals into your wedding decor. And if it’s specifically the look of petals on the aisle that you want, that’s something you can arrange with your wedding vendors ahead of time.

In fact, it’s probably best to have a professional wedding vendor place the petals on your aisle rather than a six year old. We’ve all seen them drop a basketful of petals at one end and completely forget the rest of the aisle!

13 – Have junior attendants instead

As we shared above, having young kids in your wedding party is not always the best idea. They can get stage fright, they can lose things, and they can be hard to wrangle without constant supervision, naps and a juice box!

So why not include older kids in your wedding instead? If you have any older kids or young teens in your life, including them as junior attendants in your wedding party might be the perfect thing. They’re too mature for the role of “ring bearer” but too young to party with the adults during the bachelor or bachelorette events – so a junior attendant role is perfect!

14 – Give the kids another role in your wedding

There are lots of ways to involve kids in your wedding – they don’t just have to be flower carriers or ring bearers. Some children may not be comfortable walking down an aisle, feel the flower/ring bearer role is too junior for them, or may not be part of the ceremony at all if you’re having an adults-only ceremony.

Here are some other ways to involve your kids in your wedding:

• Take photos with them while you’re getting ready
• Do a first look with them
• Share a special dance with them at the reception
• Ask them to give a speech
• Include them in the wedding party photos
• Have them wear matching outfits

15 – Skip flower girls and ring boys entirely!

Last but not least, one of the best alternatives to flower girls and ring boys is to skip the tradition entirely! As we shared above, these roles are not necessary and you can absolutely skip them if you don’t have children you’re close to, it seems like too much of a hassle, or you simply don’t want to.

If none of the alternatives above resonate with you – or still sound like more trouble than they’re worth – go ahead and skip them too! We’re all about throwing out wedding traditions that don’t work for you and only keeping elements that truly represent you two.

• Don’t force yourself to create a Flower Dude role if the idea of a grown man coming down the aisle with petals makes you cringe.
• Don’t spend weeks looking for flower replacements because your venue doesn’t allow petals or confetti.
• And don’t waste another minute trying to plan a pet-friendly processional if you know your pooch would rather stay home!

As we always say: it’s your wedding, your way. Get rid of anything that doesn’t work for you (including other people’s expectations!) so you can create a day you’ll love.

Will you be having flower carriers and ring bearers at your wedding? Or are you trying one of these alternatives? Let us know!

And don’t forget to book your wedding officiant for your ceremony – one role that you can’t skip if you want to be legally wed! 

Wedding ceremonies can be serious, monumental, emotional and sentimental. But they can also be a heck of a lot of fun! Looking for some fun ideas for your wedding ceremony? We’ve got you covered!

We firmly believe that your wedding ceremony should represent who you are and reflect your values. If you’re a couple who loves to laugh, inject some humour into your big day. If you love colour, make your ceremony bright. And if you’re full of personality and creativity, make your ceremony as unique as you are.

Check out 30 fun ideas for your wedding ceremony: 

Serve drinks before the ceremony

Who says you have to wait until cocktail hour or the reception to open the bar? You can absolutely serve drinks before your wedding ceremony. Not only is this a fun way to start off your wedding day but it sets the mood for your awesome party ahead.

For a morning wedding, consider serving mimosas or caesars. If your ceremony is formal, you can’t go wrong with champagne flutes. Or if you’re wanting to create a more fun and casual vibe, why not a keg of craft beer or a DIY cocktail bar? You could even serve a signature drink that you and your spouse-to-be design yourselves.

And, of course, your pre-ceremony drinks don’t have to be alcoholic. Consider an apple cider bar for a fall wedding, a hot cocoa bar for a winter wedding, or a lemonade bar for a warm, summer day.

Serve some pre-ceremony snacks too!

If you’re thinking about serving pre-ceremony drinks, you may want to consider some pre-ceremony snacks too. After all, you don’t want your guests drinking on an empty stomach!

Pre-ceremony snacks should be easy – both for your vendors to serve and for your guests to eat. You don’t want to serve anything that would be complicated to set up or tough to eat while standing. Think of handheld items that can be set up ahead of time, like bags of popcorn or a candy bar.

Remember: Pre-ceremony drinks and snacks are not mandatory. If you don’t have the budget or capacity to plan for them, go ahead and skip them. But if you’re big foodies or love a craft cocktail, this is a great way to share that with your guests.

Provide pre-ceremony entertainment

Another idea to start your wedding ceremony on a fun note would be to provide some entertainment for your guests to enjoy before the ceremony gets started. You could set up lawn games, have a photo booth or ask your musician/DJ to take requests.

You may even be able to use your pre-ceremony entertainment post-ceremony, during cocktail hour or during your reception. If you’ve rented lawn games for the day anyway, why not set them up early? Let your fun ideas entertain your guests all wedding day long!

Plan a theme or costume wedding ceremony

Nothing says “fun wedding ceremony” better than a theme or costume wedding! As officiants, we’ve officiated a number of theme weddings such as Halloween weddings or nerdy fandom weddings.

Theme weddings aren’t for everyone. But if there’s a holiday, hobby or theme that you and your partner are passionate about, why not incorporate it into your wedding? Your guests will have a blast dressing up, checking out your on-theme decor, and finding all the fun ways you’ve incorporated your passion into your wedding day.

Warning: Don’t let your theme go too far! Just because you’re having a Star Wars wedding doesn’t mean every last detail needs to be from a galaxy far far away. Don’t forget the real theme – getting you married!

Show up in style

Talk about making an entrance! A fun idea for your wedding ceremony could be showing up in an out of the box way that will totally blow your guests’ minds. Wow them from the moment you arrive at your venue!

You could ride in on motorcycles or in an old fashioned car. You could hire a big school bus or even take a helicopter to your ceremony. Consider getting more bang for your buck by also using your cool mode of transportation for your ceremony exit too.

Hire a live musician to play at your wedding ceremony

While we love DJs and playlists, sometimes there’s nothing better than live music. A musician can add a special element to your wedding ceremony and let you personalize the moment.

You can hire a singer, guitarist or piano player. Or go outside the box and hire a violinist, tuba player or someone who rocks the kazoo! Curate the song selection with a few of your favourites or ask your musician to write a custom song just for you two.

Start the guest book early!

Ask anyone who had a guest book at their wedding and odds are, not all of the guests signed it. In fact, most guests completely miss the guest book. They’re too busy eating, dancing and drinking at your reception!

So why not put your guest book out at your ceremony? For guests who show up early, they’ll have fewer distractions to keep them from signing. Plus, if you have your guest book out at both the ceremony and reception, you’ll double your chances of people signing.

Remember, a guest book doesn’t have to be a book. Ask your guests to sign a globe, a bench, a record or something unique and fun for you two. You could also ask for marriage advice or date night ideas, instead of simply guest signatures.

Invite your guests to participate in a ring warming

A ring warming is when your wedding rings are passed around to all of your guests to warm with their love and blessings before you exchange them during your ceremony. While the logistics of this can be hard to arrange, the idea behind it is very sweet! Plus, it’s a fun way to keep your guests involved and engaged in your ceremony.

For tips on how to do a ring warming without a hitch, plus more ways to involve your guests in your wedding ceremony, check out this post! 

Wow your guests with unique ceremony decor

If you’ve spent any amount of time wedding planning, you’ll know that you can have a lot of fun with your decor! From custom signs to hanging floral installations, the sky is truly the limit!

Use your ceremony decor to show off your personality. Showcase your favourite colours, lean into a theme or impress your guests with something they’ve never seen at a wedding before. Hire designers and decorators or go the DIY route – both work for a wedding ceremony look that will truly wow you and your guests!

Ask your guests to take part in a community vow

A community vow is a great way to involve your guests in your wedding ceremony and, specifically, bring them into your vows and declaration of intent. Much like you and your partner will commit to one another by saying “I do,” a community vow allows your guests to do the same.

For example:

Your officiant says, “And do you, honoured loved ones, promise to encourage this couple, support their marriage and bring joy to their lives together? If so, please respond with a resounding, ‘We do!’” 

Your guests say, “We do!” 

Give your wedding party a statement look

Everyone has seen bridesmaids in matching pink dresses and groomsmen in matching navy suits. Why not have some fun and mix it up a little?

The sky is the limit when it comes to your wedding party’s outfits! You could go for a mismatched look, asking everyone to follow a specific colour scheme. You could gift each member with a pair of funky socks or a cool bow tie. Or you could go outside the box and opt for custom jumpsuits or jean jackets.

Mix up the seating

In a traditional wedding ceremony, guests are seated in rows facing the altar with one partner’s family on one side and the other partner’s family on the other. But there’s no reason you have to follow this tradition!

Many couples mix up the seating by inviting their loved ones to sit wherever they want, rather than sticking to a specific side. Some take it a step further by rearranging the ceremony seats into a circle so their guests can encircle them with love. You could also consider having your guests seated at cocktail tables or on couches for a new approach to ceremony seating.

Play unexpected ceremony music

There’s no reason why you have to walk down the aisle to the Bridal Chorus by Wagner or a hymn or instrumental track you’ve heard at every other wedding. There are no rules when it comes to ceremony music, so why not have some fun with it?

You can come down the aisle to 90’s hip hop, a piano cover of your favourite TV theme song, or the latest single from Taylor Swift or Drake. If it’s a song you love, why not include it in your ceremony? Of course, you’ll probably want to opt for something wedding-appropriate (hint: no lyrics about exes and cheating), but it doesn’t have to be a traditional love song.

Check out our top ceremony song choices!

Make your wedding programs fun and personal

Do you need wedding ceremony programs? Probably not. But if you want to have them, you might as well have some fun with them!

Besides covering any essentials, like instructions for a cultural ceremony or lyrics to a song guests are expected to sing, your program has a lot of room for fun. You can include little jokes, a timeline of your relationship or maybe an illustration of your pets. Your program can also pull double duty as a fan!

Get creative with your ring bearer and/or flower attendants

Wedding TikTok has shown us that ring bearers don’t have to be little boys in suits and flower girls don’t have to be little girls at all! We’ve seen grandparents, pets and grown men throw petals down the aisle or carry the rings.

Have fun with your ring bearer and/or flower attendant by asking other people in your life to take the role, especially if you don’t have any kids you’re close to. You could also consider asking your ring bearer or flower attendant to hold a funny sign, wear a costume or come down the aisle creatively, like on skateboard!

Swap out the traditional bouquet

Another fun idea for your wedding ceremony is to mix up your bouquet. You don’t have to go with the traditional wedding bouquet you’ve seen hundreds of times before. Opt for something more fun that suits your theme and personality.

You can go dramatic with a huge bouquet in striking colours. Or you can go more minimalist with a bouquet made out of greenery or no bouquet at all. Instead of a typical bouquet style, you could opt for a floral hoop or basket. Or you could go really outside the box and come down the aisle holding a lantern, balloons or even puppies!

Walk into your wedding ceremony your way

The wedding processional is the way the couple of the hour and their wedding party get to the front of the ceremony. There are traditional processional orders and then there are modern spins. Need some inspiration? Check out 8 unique processional orders for your wedding ceremony!

The way you walk into your wedding – much like the way you walk into your marriage – should honour your beliefs and work for the two of you. If the idea of a bride being given away by her father makes you uncomfortable, change it. Or if you love that traditional aspect, keep it! If the idea of a groom not getting to walk down the aisle doesn’t sit right with you, add in an aisle walk for him. Remember: This is your wedding, your way!

Incorporate a unity ceremony

One of the most fun ideas for your wedding is to incorporate a unity ceremony. A unity ceremony is a special event during your larger wedding ceremony when you and your spouse do something to symbolize your marriage commitment.

The most common unity tradition is the unity candle ceremony. In this tradition, each member of the couple will take a lit candle and together light a third candle. There are also variations of this ceremony using sand, paint or even wine!

Plan a surprise for your spouse

What could be more fun that surprising your spouse-to-be during the wedding ceremony? Put a huge smile on their face when you surprise them with an element they didn’t see coming. You could surprise them by playing their favourite song as you come down the aisle or saying your vows in their native language.

Remember that any surprises you plan for your spouse on your wedding day should be small things you know they’ll love. A balloon drop at the reception that they weren’t expecting? So fun! Completely changing the dinner menu they helped choose? Not so fun…

Ask your officiant to share your love story

We’ve all been to the same boring wedding ceremony where the officiant says the same generic things about love. Don’t want that for your ceremony? Go for something custom and creative instead!

With Young Hip & Married’s Custom & Creative Ceremony, your officiant will custom-write a ceremony completely personalized to you. They will meet with you to learn all about your love story and even interview your friends and family to get the inside scoop. You’ll have final say over the script and get to edit as much as you want.

Learn more about Young Hip & Married’s ceremony packages here! 

Incorporate your traditions and beliefs into your wedding ceremony

Another amazing way to add some more fun and personality to your wedding ceremony is to incorporate your personal, cultural or religious traditions and beliefs. This can make your ceremony so much more meaningful and engaging for you and your guests.

For example, Officiant Beth shares this from Telnaz and Farbod’s wedding:

“I got to partner with their grandparents to lead the Persian traditions within the ceremony, like the grinding of the sugar and the fingers dipped in honey. After the wedding, I had posted on Instagram a photo of their Persian desserts and how I wished I could have tried them. Telnaz, the bride, brought some leftover sweets to my house a couple days later, along with some dried flowers from their table! What a gem.” 

Involve your loved ones in your wedding ceremony

If you want to honour and involve your loved ones in your wedding ceremony, you can do so in lots of fun and creative ways. Of course, the obvious option is to invite them to join your wedding party, but there are other options too.

You could invite loved ones to take other roles in your wedding ceremony, such as ushers, readers or even musicians if they have that talent (though be warned about working with friendors!). You could also make time in your ceremony to stop and hug special loved ones, like your grandparents, or ask your officiant to shout out guests who travelled from far away.

Make sure you and your guests are comfortable

You can’t have fun if you’re not comfortable! Before you worry about making your ceremony fun and exciting for you and your guests, you first have to ensure that everyone is comfortable.

This might look like having a plan for the rain so no one gets wet, not making guests stand through a long ceremony, and ensuring no one gets too hot or too cold. But you can still have fun with it! Instead of a heater, consider beautiful blankets to keep guests warm. And for sunny days, consider handing out funky sunglasses or custom fans.

Incorporate props

An easy and fun idea for your wedding ceremony is to utilize props. Guests both young and old love when they have something to hold and something to do during a wedding event. For example, you could hand out kazoos, confetti or bubbles for guests to use during your recessional.

Not only are props fun for guests, keeping them more engaged and involved in your ceremony, but they also make for awesome photos!

Start the photos early

Speaking of photos, why not start your photo coverage even earlier during your wedding ceremony? If you have the budget, you could set up a photo booth at your ceremony to start capturing memories right away. You could also ask your photography or videography teams to arrive early and shoot more footage from the ceremony.

While not everyone has the budget to add extra photo coverage to their day, if it’s an option for you, it can be pretty special to get more shots of your guests mingling, reuniting and gathering for your big moment.

Hire an artist to create a live wedding painting

If you’re looking for a creative keepsake from your wedding and something that will wow your guests, consider hiring a live wedding painting artist. This artist will set up at the back of your ceremony and create a painting of your wedding in real time. It’s pretty impressive to witness!

Plus, what could be a cooler wedding memory to hang in your house than a live painting of your ceremony?

Involve your pet in your wedding ceremony

If you’re a pet parent, the cutest thing you can do would be involving your pet in your wedding ceremony. Everyone has fun when a wedding dog is around!

Of course, it takes some planning to involve your pet in your ceremony. You’ll need to figure out how they get there and get home, assuming they’re not staying for the entire wedding. You’ll also want to make sure that your pet can handle a high-stress, crowded situation.

If your pet can’t be a physical part of your ceremony, you can still involve them in your wedding day. You can talk about them in your vows, use their photos in your decor or name your signature drink after them!

Go out in style!

End your wedding ceremony with a bang by incorporating a fun, creative element. As mentioned above, you can distribute props for your guests to use during your exit recessional, such as bubbles, confetti or ribbon wands.

You could also end your ceremony by distributing champagne flutes or shot glasses and doing a toast with your guests. What a fun way to end your ceremony and officially start your marriage! Or you could show off your skills and perform a choreographed dance as you exit your ceremony.

Take a group photo right after the ceremony

Nothing says fun like a group photo, right? Sure, it might be cheesy but we promise a big group photo is one of the best memories you’ll have from your wedding day. And the best time to take that group photo? Right after your wedding ceremony!

This is the perfect time to take your big group photo because everyone is there, everyone is excited and no one is too drunk or tired yet (hopefully!).

Host a post ceremony ice cream truck!

Who wouldn’t want ice cream cones right after the ceremony? This is the perfect sweet treat for you and your guests, especially after an outdoor, summer ceremony. Plus an ice cream cart doubles as a great place to sign your marriage licence!

Bonus: The most fun idea for your wedding ceremony? Writing your own wedding vows!

The most fun, creative and personal element you can add to your wedding ceremony is your own vows. Personalized vows not only allow you and your partner to share an intimate moment, but it also gives your guests a sneak peek into your love story.

Plus, writing your own vows can also be a ton of fun! Imagine sitting down with your fiance and reminiscing about your relationship milestones while you look at old photos and cards. Then you crack open a bottle of wine, grab your notebook and sit down with a vow writing course to help the words flow.

Your personal vows let you design your own promises for marriage – not just the generic promises that everyone makes. They let you tell your own love story. And personal vows are the most loving thing you can give to your spouse – they’re the best wedding gift ever!

Nervous to write your own vows? Not sure where to start? Grab our free guide: How to Write Kickass Wedding Vows! Plus, learn all about our video vow writing course!

Which one of these fun ideas for your wedding ceremony is your favourite? Which will you be using on your wedding day?

One of the best ways to personalize and add meaning to your wedding ceremony – apart from writing your own vows – is to incorporate readings for weddings into your ceremony. But it can be hard to choose the wedding reading that is right for you!

As wedding officiants, we’ve heard a lot of readings – some good and some not so good. Below, we’re sharing our top 10 readings for weddings. We’re also sharing why we love these particular wedding ceremony readings so much and what makes a good reading for your ceremony.

Getting started with readings for weddings

What are wedding ceremony readings?

A wedding ceremony reading is a passage that is read during a wedding ceremony. Typically these passages are readings about love, marriage, unity, etc. They are selected by the couple getting married and read by a chosen speaker (known as the reader) or by the officiant.

Wedding readings can come from any place. Religious couples may choose script readings or prayers for couples to be read during their ceremony. You could go for something cultural, like the well known Irish wedding blessing, or something lyrical, like a wedding ceremony poem. Your reading could also be inspired by your favourite song, movie or TV show.

Where do I incorporate wedding sayings and readings?

Check out our wedding ceremony outline post to find out exactly where readings on love and marriage can fit into your ceremony. Remember, the wedding ceremony script is just a guide. Talk with your officiant to find the perfect reading placement for your ceremony. You may even want to include wedding readings in your reception.

How do I choose from all of the love readings for weddings?

Lucky for you, we’ve written a blog post on that very topic: How to choose readings for your wedding. The post outlines not only how to choose the perfect reading – by focusing on what matters most to you as a couple and what sounds most authentic to who you are – but also shares our tips for choosing who should do the reading at your ceremony and if you need a wedding reading at all!

Our top 10 readings for weddings

1) The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach

A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.

Why we love this wedding ceremony reading: We love this wedding reading by Richard Bach because it’s romantic without being too mushy. It feels like it has substance! Plus, it’s not super popular, so you probably haven’t heard it at too many weddings before.

2) Wedding blessing

Lord, bless this beautiful couple with love and hope we pray.
Keep alive forever more the vows they’ve pledged today.
May you bless their dreams and visions,
And keep them always safe.
May peace and joy be with them now
On this their wedding day.

Why we love this prayer for couples: This is the perfect option for religious couples who want to incorporate their faith in a short and sweet way. Plus, we love the rhyming scheme!

3) The Art of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

Why we love The Art of Marriage: The Art of Marriage is a classic wedding reading – and for good reason! We love the instruction aspect as the reading perfectly lays out what it is to be the right partner.

4) Thank You by Led Zeppelin

If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you
When mountains crumble to the sea
There would still be you and me
Kind woman, I give you my all
Kind woman, nothing more
Little drops of rain
Whisper of the pain
Tears of loves lost in the days gone by
Our love is strong
With you there is no wrong
Together we shall go until we die. My, my, my
Inspiration’s what you are to me
Inspiration, look and see
And so today, my world it smiles
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles
Thanks to you it will be done
For you to me are the only one
Happiness, no more be sad
Happiness…. I’m glad

Why we love this reading about love: Think your wedding reading has to be traditional and boring? Think again! These rock lyrics by Led Zeppelin would make a great reading for any music lover’s wedding.

5) Love Sonnet 17 by Pablo Neruda

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.
I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.
I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way
than this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Why we love this wedding poem reading: We love this beautiful sonnet by Pablo Neruda because of the imagery it evokes and the lyrical language. If you’re looking to add a bit of romance and beauty to your ceremony, this might be the best reading for you!

6) Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak

They loved each other, not driven by necessity, by the ‘blaze of passion’ often falsely ascribed to love. They loved each other because everything around them willed it, the trees and the clouds and the sky over their heads and the earth under their feet. Perhaps their surrounding world, the strangers they met in the street, the wide expanses they saw on their walks, the rooms in which they lived or met, took more delight in their love than they themselves did.

Why we love this ceremony reading: This is the perfect reading for couples who feel like something magical conspired to bring them together and who want to better the world with their love.

7) Zoidberg on Valentine’s Day (Futurama)

As the candy hearts poured into the fiery quasar, a wondrous thing happened, why not. They
vaporized into a mystical love radiation that spread across the universe, destroying many, many
planets, including two gangster planets and a cowboy world. But one planet was exactly the
right distance to see the romantic rays but not be destroyed by them: Earth. So all over the
world couples stood together in joy.

Why we love this nerdy wedding reading: Are you and your partner big Futurama fans? Then consider adding this hilarious, and quite sentimental, reading from Zoidberg to your ceremony. It’s the perfect blend of nerdy and romantic!

8) When Harry Met Sally wedding reading

I love that you get cold when it’s seventy-one degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour-and-a-half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.

Why we love this movie reading for weddings: Nothing beats a good rom-com! We love this passage from When Harry Met Sally all about the small details of love and wanting to celebrate your love as soon as you can.

9) All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum

All of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school. These are the things I learned…

Share everything.
Play fair. Don’t hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don’t take things that aren’t yours.
Say sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Give them to someone who feels sad. Live a balanced life.
Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day.
Take a nap every afternoon.
Be aware of wonder.

Remember the little seed in the plastic cup? The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Why we love this wedding ceremony reading: Not only is this a great wedding reading, it’s also just wonderful advice! This quirky reading is perfect for the couple who doesn’t want anything too romantic but does intend to walk through life holding hands.

10) Anne’s House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery

It was a happy and beautiful bride who came down the old, homespun-carpeted stairs that September noon – the first bride of Green Gables, slender and shining-eyed, in the mist of her maiden veil, with her arms full of roses. Gilbert, waiting for her in the hall below, looked up at her with adoring eyes. She was his at last, this evasive, long-sought Anne, won after years of patient waiting. It was to him she was coming in the sweet surrender of the bride. Was he worthy of her? Could he make her as happy as he hoped? If he failed her – if he could not measure up to her standard of manhood – then, as she held out her hand, their eyes met and all doubt was swept away in a glad certainty. They belonged to each other; and, no matter what life might hold for them, it could never alter that. Their happiness was in each other’s keeping and both were unafraid.

Why we love this classic wedding reading: Taken from a traditional piece of Canadian literature, this passage about Anne and Gilbert’s wedding beautifully explains what it is for two people to come together and belong to one another, without a doubt in the world.

Even more readings for weddings

Need more ideas? Check out our full list of wedding readings, scripture, sayings, wedding prayers, blessings and more!

• Wedding Ceremony Readings from Songs
• Romantic Wedding Ceremony Readings 
• Wedding Ceremony Readings from TV & Movies
• Wedding Ceremony Readings from Literature
• Offbeat Wedding Ceremony Readings
• Alternatives to 1 Corinthians 13 for Your Wedding
• The Best Wedding Prayers & Blessings for Your Wedding Ceremony
• 33 Wedding Love Quotes to Include in Your Wedding Ceremony

Where else to find love readings for weddings? If you still need more readings for weddings, head to Google for an exhaustive list. Narrow it down by searching for readings that involve your favourite hobbies, like travel or reading, or your favourite fandoms for the best nerd wedding reading. Also think back to weddings you’ve attended: Did they recite a reading you really loved?

Now that you’ve found your wedding reading, it’s time to find your wedding officiant: Get in touch to meet our team and start planning your custom ceremony now! 

One of the most symbolic parts of any wedding ceremony is the ring exchange. But what exactly goes into a ring exchange and what words are you supposed to say? Let’s find out!

What is a ring exchange? What is a ring ceremony?

So first things first: What is a ring exchange? A ring exchange, also known as a ring ceremony, is the part during a wedding ceremony when the couple will exchange wedding rings. Each member of the couple will hold the other’s wedding ring and slide it onto their partner’s finger.

The ring exchange usually happens after the couple has exchanged wedding vows and before they share their first kiss. It marks the commitment they are making on their wedding day. In a short and simple ring wedding ceremony, the vows and ring exchange may happen at the same time.

What is the symbolism of rings? What is the meaning of wedding rings? 

While most modern married couples wear wedding rings, not many stop to ask why. What is the symbolism of wedding rings and what do these rings mean?

Over 5000 years ago, rings were first exchanged in Ancient Egypt as symbols of love. They were typically made of woven reeds or leather and stood for eternal life and everlasting love. Soon after, rings began showing up in Ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, with the Romans using rings as signs of betrothal (aka the first engagement rings!).

While wedding rings have come a long way since then, they still symbolize a lot of the same things: unity, love and an eternal bond.

What is a ring warming ceremony?

To add even more meaning and significance to a ring exchange, some couples choose to conduct a ring warming ceremony first. A ring warming ceremony is when your wedding rings are passed from guest to guest, each warming the rings with their love, before they arrive at the front of the ceremony in time for your ring exchange. Guests typically hold the weddings rings in their hands while thinking or whispering loving thoughts for the couple.

While this may sound like a beautiful tradition, there are some things you’ll need to consider before including a ring warming in your wedding ceremony:

• How are you making the ring warming sanitary? After a few years of covid, most people are not going to want to touch rings that hundreds of people have held and breathed on. Consider making hand sanitizer available or coming up with a creative, no-touch option for the warming.
• How are you keeping the rings safe? With two tiny rings being passed between dozens or hundreds of people, there’s a good chance they might get lost! In order to not lose the rings, you may want to tie them together or keep them in a box.
• How will you ensure the rings arrive on time? Ideally, the ring warming is happening throughout your ceremony with the rings arriving to your officiant just in time for the ring exchange. But in reality, this type of precision usually requires someone to know where the rings are at all times and to keep them moving at a good pace.

Keep in mind that a ring warming may also be distracting for guests if it’s happening throughout your ceremony. Instead of listening to your vows, they may be fumbling for the rings or paying attention to someone else holding the rings. If that’s a concern for you, consider tweaking the ring warming so it’s not a distraction. Perhaps you could have the rings on a pillow at the entrance to your ceremony so all of your guests can pass by them and “warm” them with love on their way to their seats.

Wedding ring blessings: What words do you say during the ring exchange?

The words you say during your ring exchange are called a ring statement or a wedding ring blessing. A ring statement is usually a short (1-2 sentence) line explaining the significance of the rings to you and reaffirming your commitment to your partner.

Are ring statements and wedding vows the same thing?

No. Your wedding vows are the promises you make to one another for your lifelong marriage. They are usually significantly longer than a ring statement and focus more on what you love about each other and what you want your marriage to look like.

A ring statement, on the other hand (pun intended!), is a short line or two focused solely on the rings and reaffirming your commitment. It is not long promises but is simply a nice way to bring additional meaning to your ring exchange. Think of it as the closing line of your vows – the perfect conclusion to all of the promises you have already made.

However, some couples who are having very short ceremonies (like in an elopement), may choose to say their vows during their ring exchange. Or they may opt to skip the vows or the ring statement altogether. The great thing about a wedding ceremony is you can do it your way!

10 ring statements & wedding ring blessings for your ring exchange

Choosing a ring statement for your ring exchange allows you to add another level of personalization to your wedding ceremony. You could go with the traditional wedding ring statement, “With this ring, I thee wed.” Or you could opt for something much more niche, like a Lord of the Rings wedding ring statement.

Whatever words you choose for your ring exchange, we hope they are meaningful to you and make your ring exchange that much more special.

Here are some of our favourite ring statements:

1. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours forevermore.
2. I give you this ring as a reminder that I will love, honour, and cherish you, in all times, in all places, and in all ways, forever.
3. This ring is an outward sign of an inward commitment. Today, with these vows, I make my commitment to you.
4. With this ring, I give you my heart. From this day forward, you shall not walk alone. My heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.
5. I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow. With all that I am, I will love and honour you.
6. Just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal and my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring, I take you to be my trusted confidante and partner for life.
7. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you. Let it be a reminder that I am always by your side, even when you snore!
8. With this ring, I marry you and bind my life to yours. It is a symbol of my eternal love, my everlasting friendship, and the promise of all my tomorrows.
9. This ring is my precious gift to you, as a sign that from this day forward, you shall be surrounded and encircled by my love.
10. Let this ring be a symbol of our love, may it represent our today, our tomorrows, our future & our past.

Inspired by these ring statements? Go ahead and use one as the words for your ring exchange. Feel free to mix and match them or create your own!

Now that you have the words for your ring exchange settled, it’s time to plan the rest of your wedding ceremony. Book your Young Hip & Married wedding officiant today for the ultimate creative, custom and personal wedding ceremony! 

For couples planning a religious wedding, including bible verses and scripture about marriage in their ceremony is incredibly important. These sacred verses for marriage set the tone for not only your wedding day but your marriage too.

So how do you decide which scripture on marriage to include? Below we’re sharing 25 of our favourite wedding scriptures and bible quotes on marriage that would work perfectly for your wedding ceremony.

Not religious or worried about including a bible verse that doesn’t align with your beliefs? We get it. Check out our suggestions below for alternative verses, readings and quotes.

Do you have to include scripture on marriage in your wedding? 

Absolutely not! You can have a secular (non-religious) wedding with no mention of religion, scripture or the bible. You can have a religious wedding, but that religion doesn’t have to be Christianity. Or you could even have a religious, Christian wedding, but skip quoting the bible altogether.

We believe your ceremony should be done in your style, whether or not that includes religious verses about marriage. With a Young Hip & Married custom wedding ceremony, you can design your own ceremony and include a ton of religious references or none at all.

If you are getting married in a religious institution, double check what their ceremonies look like. Many will have formats in place that include scripture, but may be open to removing or tweaking it.

How do you find scripture about marriage that aligns with your values? 

So you want to include a Christian quote for marriage in your wedding ceremony, but you don’t really want to hear about women submitting to men, how divorce is evil, or that marriage can only be between a man and a woman? We get that!

While many parts of the bible are not as inclusive as they should be, you can still find verses and scripture about love and marriage that align with your values. Case in point: None of the 25 bible verses below say anything about how weak women are or how immoral divorce is!

Seek out verses that feel good to you and represent what you believe about your partnership. Feel free to cut down passages or find versions that use words you’re comfortable with. You could also use a bible verse to inspire another prayer or reading, or work with an inclusive clergy member to help you find the right scripture.

Of course, you could skip the bible scripture for your wedding altogether and use a reading from somewhere else instead!

What about wedding prayers, readings or quotes? 

Besides biblical scripture, here are some other wedding prayers, readings and quotes you can use during your ceremony:

• Wedding Ceremony Readings from Songs
• Romantic Wedding Ceremony Readings 
• Wedding Ceremony Readings from TV & Movies
• Wedding Ceremony Readings from Literature
• Offbeat Wedding Ceremony Readings
• Alternatives to 1 Corinthians 13 for Your Wedding
• The Best Wedding Prayers & Blessings for Your Wedding Ceremony
• 33 Wedding Love Quotes to Include in Your Wedding Ceremony

25 marriage scriptures for your wedding ceremony

1 Corinthians 13:2-7

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

PS: 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most popular bible vows for marriage, and for good reason! But if you want to do something a bit more unique, check out our alternatives to 1 Corinthians 13.

Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Colossians 3:14-17

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Genesis 2:24

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Matthew 19:4-6

‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.’

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Song of Solomon 3:4

I have found the one whom my soul loves.

1 Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Let all that you do be done in love.

Isaiah 62:5

For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

1 John 4:7-8

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Ephesians 4:2-3

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 54:10

‘For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Proverbs 3:3-4

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Psalm 143:8

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you lift up my soul.

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Psalm 85:10-11

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.

Song of Solomon 8:7

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Ruth 1:16-17

But Ruth said, ‘Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.’

1 John 4:16

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Proverbs 30:18-19

There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman.

Jude 1:2

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

Song of Solomon 6:3

I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine…

Which scripture on marriage do you want to use at your wedding? Let us know!

Whether you’re planning a religious wedding or a secular ceremony, a Young Hip & Married wedding officiant can help you get married in your own unique way. Get in touch for a custom quote! 

So your son is getting married? Congratulations! But he’s asked you to give a speech at the rehearsal dinner and you have no clue what to say. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Below we’re sharing exactly how to structure your speech plus providing you with some father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech samples.

Why give a rehearsal dinner speech? 

Well, the best reason to give a rehearsal dinner speech is probably because your son or daughter asked you to give one! But why do speeches at the rehearsal dinner happen at all?

A rehearsal dinner is a more intimate occasion – usually a nice dinner following the wedding ceremony rehearsal. It’s generally for the couple, their parents, the wedding party and maybe some out of town or close family and friends. The guest list is smaller than the wedding and the focus is on the new family and upcoming wedding day.

With a rehearsal dinner speech, you can welcome the two families coming together and set the stage for a beautiful wedding day. Note that while speeches may happen at the rehearsal dinner, there will likely be speeches at the wedding reception too. Check in with the almost-newlyweds about when they would like you to deliver your speech.

PS: Don’t miss our resource for bride and groom wedding speeches! 

What about the mother of the groom? Or the bride’s parents? Who should speak at the rehearsal dinner?

While this post is all about father of the groom wedding speeches, a lot of our advice and samples below will apply to all parents of the couple getting married. And, of course, not all weddings have brides or grooms (and not all couples have moms and dads), so a “father of the groom” may not even exist!

Traditionally, only the men of the family would speak at weddings. Speeches were done by the father of the bride, the groom and the best man. But these days, anyone who is special to the couple can be invited to say a few words! There’s no reason why only the men get to speak.

Typically, a rehearsal dinner speech is given by whoever is hosting the event (aka paying for it). Sometimes one side of the family will take on the responsibility and cost of hosting the rehearsal dinner, so it would be customary for someone from that side of the family to give a speech.

The wedding couple may also ask a few other people to speak at their rehearsal dinner, such as members of the wedding party or other family members. This is typically done so we’re not leaving all of the speeches for the reception. Couples will break up the speeches – some happening at the rehearsal dinner and some happening at the wedding reception – so everyone gets a chance to speak and no one event becomes hours and hours of speeches.

For more tips, check out our posts on a mother of the groom speech, mother of the bride speech and father of the bride speech.

How to structure your father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech

Check out our step-by-step instructions for writing your father of the groom speech, plus father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech samples below!

Step #1: Begin with a toast introduction and welcome

Start your father of the groom speech off by simply introducing yourself and your relation to the couple. If you are the first to speak, the host of the event, or the first to speak from your side of the family, this would also be a great opportunity to welcome everyone to the rehearsal dinner.

Note: If you are not the host of the event, it may not be appropriate to welcome everyone. That would be like attending a friend’s birthday and welcoming everyone to the party – not your place. Instead, share how happy you are to be there and thank the hosts for their hospitality.

Step #2: Talk about the groom

As the father of the groom, your speech should naturally start with a few sentences about your son. You can talk about how proud you are of them, what a joy it was to raise them, how much you’ve loved getting to know them as an adult, etc. You could also share a short story from their childhood that showcases your father-son bond.

Step #3: Talk about the groom’s partner

Next, you’ll want to bring in your son’s partner and soon-to-be spouse. You can talk about how you knew they were the one, the affect they’ve had on your son or what you admire most about them. Most importantly, be sure to welcome them into your family.

Step #4: Share a fun story about the couple

Now that you’ve talk about both the groom and his partner separately, it’s time to bring them together! You can share a short story about how the couple met, what brought them together or any favourite memories you have with them.

Step #5: (op) Share some marriage advice

If you’d like to add to your father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech, consider adding a bit of marriage advice. This should be something short and sweet that you want to pass onto the happy couple.

Step #6: Look forward to the wedding

As you begin to wrap up your speech, don’t forget to reference the wedding around the corner. Talk about how much you’re looking forward to it, share any advice you have for the newlyweds on the big day, and thank anyone who has been helping with the wedding planning.

Step #7: End with a toast conclusion

Lastly, you’ll end your speech with a toast to the couple of the hour. Cheers to the almost-newlyweds!

Hint: Don’t forget to remind everyone to raise their glasses! So often, speakers will just dive into their toasts and only half the guests will know what’s happening. Take our advice and start this section of your speech by saying, “Let’s all raise a glass…”

Father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech samples

Need some more inspiration for your speech? Check out our father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech samples below!

Father of the groom example speech #1

My name is Herb and I am the father of the groom. Together with his mother, we would like to thank you all for being here tonight as we celebrate Taylor and Cory.

Growing up, I always knew Taylor was going to go on great adventures. From finding him camping out in our backyard at four years old to wiring him money on his first backpacking trip in Germany, I knew Taylor was going to see and do everything he set his mind to. And that’s why I’m so glad he has found his perfect adventure companion in Cory.

Cory, it has been the pleasure of my life to watch how you and Taylor love, support and cherish one another. I couldn’t be prouder of the life you two have built and am thrilled to welcome you to the family. 

Ever since the moment you two met at a hostel in Thailand, I think we all knew this was it. Taylor had found his person. And we are all so excited to celebrate the two of you finding one another at your wedding this Saturday! 

So if everyone could please raise their glasses to Taylor and Cory, who are about to embark on the greatest adventure of their lives. Cheers! 

Father of the groom example speech #2

Hello, my name is Lin and I am the father of the groom. I’d like to start by thanking the Sheng family for hosting this beautiful rehearsal dinner and truly making us all feel so welcome tonight.

My husband and I could not be more proud to be standing here on the cusp of Taylor and Cory’s wedding day. Cory, having you as a son has been the greatest blessing. Being able to raise you and see the man you have become has meant so much to your dad and me. We could not be more proud of you!

The only thing any parent wants is for their child to be happy, to have purpose and to find love. Cory, I am thrilled that you have found all of that and more in Taylor. Taylor is the most kind and warm human and we are so excited to officially welcome them into our family. 

I still remember when you first introduced us to Taylor. Cory, you were so nervous! But right away, we could tell that Taylor was someone special. The way you two lit up around was another was so wonderful to see. We knew after that first dinner that we’d be seeing your wedding one day – and here we are! 

Taylor and Cory, as we look forward to your beautiful wedding day this weekend, I want you to remember one thing: Choose one another. Every day when you wake up, choose each other. Choose your relationship. Choose your life together. Do that and you’ll never spend a day wanting. 

And so, let’s all raise our glasses to Cory and Taylor, and a love that chooses us every single day! 

Father of the groom example speech #3

Hello everyone! My name is Jeff and I am the father of the groom. Together with Randy, we are thrilled to welcome you all here tonight to Taylor and Cory’s rehearsal dinner.

Cory, I am so proud to be your father. Raising you from a baby into the impressive young man you are today has been the best job I could ever ask for. You taught me so much about what it means to love, to care and to go the extra mile.

Taylor, when I first met you I thought, “Cory, don’t mess this up!” I knew you were so special and could already see how much you had changed my son for the better. We are all better people for having known you and I am so glad you are finally joining our family.

When Taylor and Cory got engaged, Cory called to share the news with Randy and me. But instead of saying “she said yes” or “I asked,” Cory said, “We did it! We’re engaged!” And right from that moment, I knew that everything Taylor and Cory would do, they would do together. There was no more “I” – there was only “we.”

And so, as we look forward to Cory and Taylor becoming an official “we” this weekend, let’s all raise our glasses to the best team ever. Taylor and Cory, congratulations on finding your perfect teammate!  

Father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech do’s & don’ts

DO check in with the couple and ensure they want you to give a speech. Don’t just rush the stage or grab the mic! Check in with the couple ahead of time or wait until they ask you to give a speech.

DON’T talk forever. Keep it short! A good speech is 2-3 minutes long and never more than 5 minutes. Again, check in with the couple. Odds are they will have the night scheduled out and a specific time they want you to aim for.

DO remember to mention your son’s partner. Even though you are the father of the groom, you shouldn’t just talk about the groom. Remember, this event is about two people. So include both members of the couple in your speech.

DON’T bring up anything embarrassing. There’s a fine line between funny and cringe-worthy. A story about your son wearing a cape to school? Funny! A story about your son’s ex-girlfriend or how he dealt with your divorce? Not funny.

DO write your speech down. This isn’t one of those times were you should wing it. Take the time to plan what you’re going to say and write your speech in advance.

DON’T leave the other parent out. If you’re the one giving the speech, don’t forget to mention your co-parent or spouse and share sentiments from both of you.

DO practice. You don’t have to memorize your speech but you should be comfortable and familiar with it. Take time to practice at home in front of the mirror before the rehearsal dinner.

CHECK OUT MORE OF OUR WEDDING SPEECH RESOURCES:

• 4 Mother of the Groom Wedding Speech Samples
• Father of the Groom Rehearsal Dinner Speech Samples
• How to Write Your Wedding Speech as the Mother of the Bride
• How to Write Your Wedding Speech as the Father of the Bride
• How to Write an Incredible Best Man Speech
• 5 Maid of Honor Speech Examples
• 12 Tips for Wedding Readers
• The Ultimate Wedding Toast Guide
• How to Write A Killer Bride or Groom Wedding Speech

There you have it! Everything you need for an amazing father of the groom rehearsal dinner speech! And speaking of important words at weddings, don’t forget to check out our wedding officiant packages and free vow writing guide! 

When it comes to your wedding party (aka bridal party), we know things can get a little stressful. It’s hard to manage a group of different people from different parts of your life who all have different likes and dislikes, different budgets, different schedules and different experiences with weddings.

But at the end of the day, you want to have an awesome experience with your wedding party and they want that too. One of the best ways to ensure the wedding experience is great for everyone is to make it unique to you. By personalizing your wedding, you can do what’s best for your group, instead of trying to fit everyone into a boring, traditional box.

4 things to keep in mind

Before we jump into our ideas for rethinking your wedding party, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Remember that you are inviting your friends to have positions of honour at your wedding. You are not hiring them as unpaid wedding planners, party throwers or crafty DIY-ers.
2. No one can read your mind. Don’t just assume your wedding party will know what you want.
3. It’s okay if your wedding party members don’t all become best friends. As long as everyone gets along and is respectful, there’s no need to force lifelong friendship on adults who may not have much in common (besides how much they like you!).
4. Your wedding is not everyone else’s top priority. Remember that your wedding party members have full lives outside of your wedding and it’s nice to check in with them about those lives from time to time.

For more tips, don’t miss our post on how to have a stress-free wedding party experience!

Reconsider gender norms

Traditionally, we’re told a bridal party is made up of bridesmaids, on the bride’s side, and groomsmen, on the groom’s side. But by 2022, we’re throwing all of that out the window!

There’s no need to separate your wedding party by gender or use gendered terms. People of all genders get married and have friends of all genders who stand up and support them. There’s no need to put anyone in a box. Choose your wedding party based on your relationships, not someone’s anatomy.

To make your wedding more inclusive, feel free to ditch traditional wedding party monikers. Instead of bridesmaids and groomsmen, try:

• Wedding crew
• Wedding party
• Wedding people
• People of honour
• Best humans
• Or just call them by their names!

PS: We’re also not here for the term “bride tribe.” Not only is this gendered but it also appropriates Indigenous culture. So just say no!

Gift experiences instead of wedding party gifts they’ll only use once

If you do a Google search for “bridal party gifts,” you’ll be inundated with adorable ways to pop the question to your friends when asking them to be a part of your wedding party. But instead of a tumbler that says “bridesmaid” or a piece of jewelry you’d like them to wear on the wedding day, why not gift your wedding party an experience?

With experiences, you’re creating memories that you and your loved ones can cherish for a lot longer than anyone will drink out of a “bridesmaid” glass. It gives you a great chance to bond and focus on your friendship which, after all, is the entire reason why you’ve asked them to be in your wedding party!

Some great gift experiences might include:

• Spa day
• Paint night
• Tickets to a sports game
• Dinner at their favourite restaurant
• Wine or beer tasting
• Picnic at their local park

Play the best bridesmaid song to walk down the aisle to

If you’re planning for your wedding party to walk down the aisle during the processional of your ceremony, then why not make their entrance one to remember with a great song? You can go with something fun and uplifting, a song about friendship, or maybe a tune you all used to listen to back in your college days.

If you’re not sure what song to pick, ask your wedding party for their suggestions. Or if you have a song in mind, surprise them with the tune on the big day!

Here are some of our favourite wedding party processional songs to walk down the aisle to:

• Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton
• Graduation (Friends Forever) by Vitamin C
• Star Wars Theme
• I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
• I’ll Cover You from Rent
• Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
• Good as Hell by Lizzo (why not?)

Don’t make it all about the outfits

Sometimes it feels like a wedding party is all about the outfits. In fact, couples can get so stuck on fabric colour, shoe height and hair length that they forget that their wedding party is made up of their friends, not paid models. Yes, you want your wedding photos to look nice, but surely you didn’t decide to have a wedding party just so you could spend months working out the perfect outfits?

Instead, take the focus off of the outfits and keep things simple. Either give your group more relaxed instructions, such as wearing some shade of blue, with accessories they already have at home. Or find an affordable and accessible outfit everyone can easily rent or buy. Cut down on endless shopping trips and conversations about measurements, fittings, matching, etc.

With the outfits out of the way, you can turn your focus to more important wedding planning tasks and just hanging out with your wedding people!

Should the best man hold the wedding rings? What about the best woman at your wedding? 

Traditionally, the best man holds the wedding rings, passing them to the wedding officiant when asked at the ceremony. However, that doesn’t have to be the case! What if your wedding doesn’t have a best man? What if you have a best woman at your wedding instead? Or a best person?

You can ask anyone you want to hold your wedding rings. A great way to give someone a position of honour, such as your parents, would be asking them to hold your wedding rings. You could even do something creative, such as ring warming ceremony, or have your dog bring the rings in on their collar!

Rethink having kids in your wedding: Do you need flower girls and ring boys? 

Should you have kids in your wedding party? Maybe! If you have children in your life who are important to you and up for the task, go for it. But don’t force it if you have to ask your second cousin twice removed if she’ll lend you her twins for the weekend, even though you haven’t seen them in five years.

Kids are often not great at waiting patiently, walking in a straight line, smiling for hours and sitting still. They like to run around, they are prone to spilling on their clothes, and they don’t always follow instructions. Accept that going in and you’ll have a much better experience.

If you do decide to include kids in your wedding party, throw out the gender norms. There’s no reason you need to have flower girls who are female and ring boys who are male. A group of children can come down the aisle carrying flowers, bubbles, a cute sign or nothing at all.

And as for the rings, if you really want a child to hold them, we suggest not giving them the rings until right before they walk down the aisle – or else those rings will get lost!

Skip the cheesy entrance dance 

You know what we’re talking about. We’ve all been to a wedding where the MC introduces the wedding party at the reception and they’re forced to do a cheesy entrance dance as they come in. Let’s leave that trend back in 2012 where it belongs.

(We’re totally kidding….kinda! But seriously, if you have your heart set on a choreographed entrance dance, go for it!) 

Ask your wedding party to take a seat

Traditionally, the wedding party will stand with the couple at the front throughout their ceremony. And while some couples like this look, consider asking your wedding party to take a seat instead.

Not only will your wedding party appreciate the chance to sit down and rest their feet, but it also puts the focus back on you two. After all, it’s the two of you getting married – not your cousins and high school besties.

With the wedding party seated, your ceremony can be completely about your love and commitment, not a fidgeting wedding party. You can spend your ceremony looking into your spouse-to-be’s eyes, instead of over their shoulder at their sibling, best friend, and one person from college.

Your wedding crew can still get ready with you and process down the aisle. But when they get to the end of the aisle, instead of standing at the front, they can take a seat in the first row. They’ll have the best seats in the house, perfect for your closest friends and family who want to watch you get married.

Invite your friends to be your something blue

A beautiful way to include more friends and family members in your unofficial wedding party is to ask them to be your “something blue” from the old wedding rhyme, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”

Reach out to your group of besties and ask them all to wear a little something blue on your wedding day – such as a blue outfit, blue shoes or blue accessory. You could even gift them all with their “blue thing” for the big day, like a blue brooch or blue socks.

Then, on your wedding day, make it a point to grab a photo with your “something blue crew” where everyone shows off their blue item. This way, your friends know how much they mean to you and you make them feel included, without the hassle of having 20+ people in your wedding party.

Thank your wedding crew & shout them out

Your wedding party likely went above and beyond for you. While accepting a position of honour in a wedding party isn’t the same as accepting a job, most wedding party members put in a lot of work. They probably paid quite a bit of money to buy their wedding outfit and accessories, helped with wedding planning and prep, maybe organized a pre-wedding party or two, and dedicated a lot of time to your wedding. So you absolutely want to make sure they know how grateful you are for everything they’ve done.

Typically, couples will give their party members gifts to thank them for all of their help. Consider gifting something sentimental (like a handwritten card or a photo of you two), an experience (like we shared above) or something practical (like a gift card to their favourite coffee shop).

But beyond a gift, you want to thank your wedding people in words and actions too. Thank them often and out loud throughout the wedding day and at any pre-wedding events. And definitely give them a huge shout out during your wedding speech.

What do you want your wedding party to remember about your wedding? 

If you find yourself feeling stressed or having a difficult time with your party, come back to this question: What do you want your wedding party to remember about your wedding?

You probably don’t want them to look back and remember stress-inducing text messages and long email chains, working for hours to set up your venue, feeling uncomfortable in their outfit or not being able to afford all of your pre-wedding events and gifts.

More likely, you want your wedding party to remember the fun lunch you had together while wedding outfit shopping, all the laughs at your pre-wedding event, the beautiful ceremony they got to witness, and dancing the night away together on the dance floor. With this in mind, cut down on the drama, let go of the fine details and focus on creating a fun experience for everyone.

Ditch the wedding party altogether! 

Feeling unsure about having a wedding party in the first place? Consider ditching the wedding party altogether! By skipping the wedding party, you’ll be able to save on costs, time and drama. You won’t have to rank your friends or force them to spend a lot of money on outfits and other wedding expenses.

Even without an official wedding party, you can still enjoy lots of pre-wedding events with your friends. You can still have a wedding shower or bachelor/bachelorette party, you can still ask loved ones to come outfit shopping with you or lend a hand with wedding day tasks, and you can still invite your nearest and dearest to get ready with you on the morning of your wedding. All the pros of a bridal party with none of the hassle!

What unique things are you planning for your wedding party experience? Let us know!

And don’t forget to check out our custom wedding ceremony packages – the perfect way to make your wedding unique and personal to you!