Order Of Service Tips and Information Guide

Most wedding services in Christian churches consist of a number of some common elements including:

• Prayers
• Readings From Scripture
• Blessings
• Declaration Of Consent
• Marriage Vows
• Promises
• Exchange Of Rings

Keep in mind that different church denominations may even have particular orders of the traditions which may be included. A traditional example would be the crowning of the couple which is well known in churches of the orthodox traditions.  There are many local customs that you see in the wedding service, such as the “binding with cords”.

In some religious denominations such the wedding service may also include the celebration of the Mass. This is commonly found in some of the following religious denominations:

• Catholic
• Anglican
• Episcopal
• Lutheran
• Orthodox

Once you have worked out all the particulars for your wedding service, its now time to consider planning an Order of Service, for your wedding ceremony. This is an important characteristic of your Wedding Service for a number of reasons.

An Order of Service provides:

• A historic record of the wedding procedures which took place on your wedding day. In years to follow, you will be able to refer back again to this document and see in detail, information which will not have been documented in photos, videos or even the official marriage papers.
• A souvenir of your wedding ceremony which your guests and friends can take home with them, and some of your friends will actually refer to it when arranging their own wedding ceremonies!
• A helpful guide for the guests participating in your wedding service, who may be not familiar with the liturgy of your church and its practices. Most of your visitors will be interested in the service you have developed, particularly if they can explore it in printed format. They will also really feel much more at ease about engaging in your service if they know the particulars of what is happening and when. Your Order of Service can be a detailed document or a simple outline of the main points in your weddings.

A good Order of Service should contain at least the following information to ensure that it is a useful document:

• Details of the Bride and Groom, and the names of attendants.
• Information of the Date, Time and location.
  
   

Names of the Members in your wedding service - such as the celebrant, readers, other associates of the bridal party, names of your music artists, wedding ushers, etc. A Simple Order of Service should also consist of at least the basic framework of your service, such as

• Entry of the Bride (with title of associated music).
• The Scripture readings, name of readers and the scriptural reference.
• An outline of the Rite of Marriage.
• It should also give basic guidelines to your guests of when to stand up and sit down during the wedding service.
• Words of hymns and songs that the congregation are asked to perform.
• Melody lines of hymns and songs to permit better and more assured engagement, especially if your guests are not acquainted with the tunes.
• Texts and Interpretation of songs or choir motets and anthems which might be in another language. Your guests would like to know and feel more included when that know what it is that is being sung!
• Brief explanations of the symbols used in your marriage service.

A well prepared Order of Service will prove to be a useful aid to your wedding guests and a memento of your big day!

Are you searching for a local Minister for your wedding ceremony? Contact a local Minister in your area today!