Order of Service Books

Here are some things to consider when choosing wedding order of service books:

Style: There are many different styles of wedding order of service books available, from simple and elegant to fun and whimsical. Choose a style that reflects your wedding’s overall theme.

Size: Order of service books come in a choice of sizes. Choose a size that is easy to hold and read.

Pages: Order of service books typically have between 4 and 12 pages. Choose a number of pages that is appropriate for the length of your wedding ceremony.

Paper: Order of service books are made from high quality paper that is durable and will last for years to come.

Printing: Order of service books can be printed in a variety of colours and fonts. Choose a colour and font that coordinate with your wedding’s overall theme.

Personalisation: Order of service books can be personalised with the names of the bride and groom, the date of the wedding, and other important information. Additionally we can add a photograph of the venue or couple to make it a truly unique and special memento.

Order of Service Template

It is important to speak with your vicar, priest or registrar when starting to think about your order of service and to agree the content you’d like to include in your wedding ceremony.

For most couples this is the most important part of the day and a lot of thought should be given to the readings and music you’d like to include.

Your church or chapel will have their own preferred order for the marriage ceremony but we have put together a template which is the most popular format for a Church of England Wedding and this can be easily tweaked by your vicar if necessary.

Order of Service

for the marriage of

Charlotte Stevens

to

Michael Miles

at St. Mary’s Church, Winchester

Saturday 24th August 2024

Entrance of the Bride
Music: Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel

Welcome and Introduction
Reverend E Jones

Hymn
Morning has broken

Morning has broken,
like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken,
like the first bird
Praise for the singing,
praise for the morning
Praise for them springing
fresh from the word

Sweet the rain’s new fall,
sunlit from heaven
Like the first dewfall,
on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness
of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness
where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight,
mine is the morning
Born of the one light,
Eden saw play
Praise with elation,
praise every morning
God’s recreation
of the new day

Reading
by David Buchanan
1 Corinthians, Chapter 13: 1-13

The Marriage Ceremony

The Prayers

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Exchange Of Rings

Hymn
Lord of the Dance

I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth:
At Bethlehem I had my birth.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they would not dance and they wouldn’t follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the dance went on:

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame:
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high,
And they left me there on a cross to die:

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone;
But I am the dance, and I still go on:

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

They cut me down and I leapt up high;
I am the life that’ll never, never die.
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me:
I am the Lord of the dance, said he.

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance, said he.

The Signing Of The Register
Witnesses: Jeanette Stevens and David Miles

Bride and Groom Exit
Music: Wedding March by Mendelssohn

Civil Wedding Ceremony Booklets

A civil wedding ceremony booklet is a document that outlines the steps involved in a civil wedding ceremony. It is typically given to the couple getting married, as well as to their guests, so that everyone knows what to expect.

The booklet will usually include the following information:

• The legal requirements for a civil wedding in the jurisdiction where the ceremony is taking place
• The order of events for the ceremony
• Any special instructions for the couple or their guests
• An interlude for the couple to sign their marriage certificate

Entrance of the bride
Welcome and introductions
Reading
The marriage ceremony
The Vows
Exchange of Rings
Reading
Musical Interlude
Signing of the Certificate
Exit of the bridal couple

A civil, or registrar, ceremony is a non-religious legal marriage ceremony performed by a government official or functionary. In the United Kingdom, this person is typically called a registrar.

These ceremonies are held in register offices or on grounds that are licensed for marriage ceremonies, such as estates, castles, hotels, barns and restaurants.

They are normally short, more informal, intimate ceremonies. Instead of traditional wedding vows, couples exchange their own written vows that speak of their love and promises to each other.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wedding Order of Service Books