5 Minute Wedding Ceremony with Everything You Need
Weddings are as diverse as the couples who celebrate them, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach to saying "I do." While some marriers envision elaborate affairs filled with grand gestures and lengthy ceremonies, others opt for simplicity and intimacy.
Love Every Minute: Choosing Your Perfect Ceremony Length
As a wedding professional, I expect a typical wedding ceremony lasts anywhere from 20 to 60 minutes—that usually includes a welcome from the officiant, a processional song, a reading from a loved one, vows from the marriers, an exchange of rings, and sometimes a unity candle and an extra reading tossed in. And—of course—the kiss!
This classic lineup has its charm—after all, why fix what isn't broken? But for those seeking a more streamlined approach to their nuptials, there are plenty of reasons to consider a shorter ceremony. Maybe they value efficiency and want to focus more of their day on celebrating with loved ones than on formalities. Maybe they prefer a low-key approach and find beauty in the simplicity of exchanging vows in a quick and meaningful ceremony. For others, practical considerations such as time constraints or unpredictable weather may lead them to prioritize brevity. Whatever the reason, the decision to have a super short ceremony is always a perfectly valid choice. It's important to make choices for your wedding day based on what you actually want and need—it's supposed to be the wedding of *your* dreams, after all!
Embracing the Basics for a Beautiful Ceremony
In this post, I share a super simple ceremony script that proves that meaningful moments can be captured in just a few minutes. (If you want help dreaming up some unconventional ways to keep the celebration going after the ceremony ends, let's chat!)
Here's the cool part: in the United States, a wedding ceremony only needs two components to be legally binding—the Declaration of Intent and the Pronouncement. The Declaration of Intent involves the couple expressing their consent to marry, while the Pronouncement is the officiant's proclamation that they are now married. These simple yet profound moments hold the legal weight of marriage, and everything else is completely up to you to do what feels right for you.
Even if you're dreaming of an extravagantly long ceremony that spares no detail, a short ceremony script like this can actually be a great place to start because it provides clarity and focus. Zooming in on these key moments allows you to build your ceremony from a solid foundation, ensuring that every element reflects your personalities and your once-in-a-lifetime journey together. So whether you're opting for a short and sweet ceremony or planning an epic event, starting with the basics can help you design a ceremony that truly resonates with you and your partner.
This ceremony uses gender neutral language, but I encourage you to adapt and personalize this script to fit you.
The 5-Minute Wedding Script That Does It All
Officiant (to guests): Hello everyone, and welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate the wedding of Jordan and Alex. Today, these two demonstrate their love and devotion to one another by committing themselves to a lifelong partnership.
Officiant (to couple): Thank you, Jordan and Alex, for sharing this extraordinary occasion with us, and for including all of us in your lives outside of this place, too. We’re happy to be here, we’re so excited for you both, and we will always root for you! We know we represent just a small number of the many people who know you and the incredible connection you share, and after this day we will continue to support your shared life together in every way possible.
Officiant (to guests): Each of us knows that a marriage is not created by a piece of paper or even a ceremony surrounded by the people we love; rather, it is created by the souls of human beings who have chosen one another. It's as simple as that. A marriage grows—constantly and endlessly—out of loving, caring, and sharing our deepest selves with another person.
Officiant (to couple): This ceremony will not change your relationship into something that does not already exist. It will merely solidify all of the commitments that you two have already made to each other, big and small, in the days since you first met. This ceremony is a representation of how far you have come together since then, and a symbol of the promise that you have already made to each other; to continue to love each other, and embrace what comes together, forever.
You two are honestly some of the kindest, most fun people I've ever met, and I'm absolutely certain that will serve your marriage well. I'm grateful for your friendship, I'm thankful that you trusted me with this incredible duty on such a significant day, and I'm so excited to see where the rest of your journey takes you. I'm lucky to know each of you as the wonderful individuals you are, and I'm even luckier to know you as the amazing team you've become. Now, I think it's time we bring out the rings!
Officiant (to guests): This is the part where I explain that the ring—an unbroken, never-ending circle—is a symbol of committed and enduring love.
Officiant (to couple): These rings represent your relationship, your love, and the union you enter into today. You chose these rings to serve as a lasting reminder of the promises you made today, the many the experiences that led you to this very moment, and all the dreams you share for your future together.
Officiant: Alex, I'm going to ask you to repeat after me and then place the ring on Jordan's finger.
I give you this ring/ as a pledge of my love./ To love and cherish you,/ to share your joys/ and shoulder your sorrows/in wealth and in want/ for the rest of my days.
Officiant: Jordan, repeat after me and then place the ring on Alex's finger.
I give you this ring/ as a pledge of my love./ To love and cherish you,/ to share your joys/ and shoulder your sorrows/in wealth and in want/ for the rest of my days.
Officiant (to guests): Now without further ado… we come to the words that all of us have been looking forward to today—probably none of us more than Jordan and Alex! The words that will make you officially married, wrap up this ceremony, and bring us a little bit closer to eating cake!
Officiant (to couple): Marriage is a voluntary and whole-hearted commitment, made with the hope that you'll have a lifetime together to enjoy it. Marriage, should you choose to accept it, means you're in it together, for better and worse, through whatever life throws your way.
Not everyone is lucky enough to get to marry their person, so marriage also means carrying the privilege of partnership with grace, promising to live well with the good fortune you've been granted—to let love make you brave, over and over again. So here goes...
Officiant: Alex, do you freely and without reservation give yourself to Jordan in marriage? If so, answer "I do."
Officiant (to guests): Phew, okay, one down!
Officiant: Jordan, do you freely and without reservation give yourself to Alex in marriage? If so, answer "I do."
Officiant (to guests): Folks, I'm thrilled to introduce—for the very first time—the coolest newlyweds around, Alex and Jordan!
*Kiss*
*Cheers*
Feeling inspired by the simplicity and depth of this ceremony script? If you're looking to craft a unique ceremony that reflects your love story and values, I'm here to help. Together, we can create a meaningful, unforgettable experience for you, your partner, and your guests. Whether you're planning a grand event or a simple, intimate gathering, let's ensure your ceremony is everything you've dreamed of and more. Contact me today to start crafting your perfect wedding ceremony. And if you want to be the first to know about my ceremony planning resources and special offers, sign up for my newsletter today!
Photos on this page by Asad Photo Maldives, Maico Pereira, Sam Jotham Sutharson, and Kayra Sercan.
