Alternative scripting
for those who like to play
*Skip over this whole section until after you've received your ceremony script.
I will write a personalised script that will be matched closely to your vibe, so you may not need to change a thing! But of course you're very welcome to fiddle with the wording after you've read it and the following section may be helpful to you. xx
Acknowledgement of Country
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY #1
Before we begin today, I’d like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, who are the … people. I would like to pay my respects to the Elders past, present and emerging who hold the memories, the traditions, the culture and hopes of Indigenous Australia
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY #2
Before we begin, I would like to acknowledge and pay respect to the .............................. who are the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I would like to pay respect to the Elders of this community who have continued to care for this land and share their cultural wisdom with our communities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY #3
I’d like to begin by acknowledging the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we gather today, and pay my respects to the Elders, past, present and emerging. I acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this region.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY #4
I acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional country of the [Aboriginal nation] people of the [Aboriginal region] and pay respect to Elders past and present. I recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land, which continue to be important to the [Aboriginal nation] people living today.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY #5
I am honoured to be on the ancestral lands of the [Aboriginal group/clan] people. I acknowledge the First Australians as the traditional custodians, whose cultures are among the oldest living cultures in human history. I pay respect to the Elders of the community, past, present and emerging.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY #6
In lieu of a statement by myself, this poem by Jonathan Hill could be read by myself or a guest:
Acknowledgement of Country by Jonathan Hill
Today we stand in footsteps millennia old.
May we acknowledge the traditional owners
whose cultures and customs have nurtured,
and continue to nurture, this land,
since men and women
awoke from the great dream.
We honour the presence of these ancestors
who reside in the imagination of this land
and whose irrepressible spirituality
flows through all creation.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY #7
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians, past and present of this land of the [Aboriginal group/clan] people who long before us lived, loved and raised their children on this land. We also acknowledge all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in our community and we acknowledge their physical and spiritual connections to this land.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY #8
To kick things off I would love to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land we’re celebrating on. This is [Aboriginal group/clan] Country and we are thankful to be sharing it today, with deep respect to elders past, present and emerging.
Unplugged Ceremony
UNPLUGGED CEREMONY #1
(Name) and (Name) would love for you to just relax and be here in the moment with them during their wedding ceremony. For this reason, they have asked if you can please avoid using phones to take photos or videos. Their photographer will be capturing the ceremony and they will be delighted to share photos with you all later on.
UNPLUGGED CEREMONY #2
Good afternoon all. Just a short announcement before we begin. (Name) and (Name) would prefer you didn’t take any pictures of today’s ceremony as they would rather keep it very private and intimate. They have arranged for a professional photographer to take photos and they will be happy to share them with you down the track. Thank you for respecting their wishes on this matter.
Ceremony welcome
WELCOME #1
On behalf of (names), I would like to welcome you all and thank you for being here on this very special occasion. You were invited here to share this day with (names) because you are the people who mean the most to them. Each of you has played an important part in making them who they are today and they are extremely grateful for your love and support.
WELCOME #2
It is my privilege and joy to be here today to help these two loved up people get married. (Names) couldn’t be happier that you could all be here today to celebrate with them. Today is one of the most important days of their lives and it’s only right that they get to share it with their favourite people in the world.
WELCOME #3
What makes a marriage ceremony so special is that we have all come here today to simply celebrate love. In the busy pace of modern life, opportunities to stop and be truly present with each other are often too few and far between. All of us coming together today provides us with a wonderful reminder of just how fortunate we are to have friends and family in our lives. (Names), your favourite people are all here today so that they can celebrate the love you have found in one another. With their presence today, they are showing you that they will be there for you in the future, both to celebrate the good times and also to support you through any challenges you may face.
WELCOME #4
We are gathered here, surrounded by the rugged beauty of nature (description of location, e.g. “epic coastline”), to celebrate and offer love and support as (names) marry today. While they have loved each other for a long time, they value the opportunity to declare their lifelong commitment and celebrate the love they have for each other in the presence of their family and closest friends. On behalf of (Names), I thank you for being here!
WELCOME #5
This evening, we are all gathered here in this amazingly beautiful part of the world to simply celebrate love. All of you have taken yourselves out of the usual rush and tear of daily life to come together and witness a unique moment in the lives of (names). By being here, you offer them your sincere love and support as they take this important step together.
WELCOME #6
What makes a marriage ceremony so sacred and important is that we have all come here today to celebrate love. We celebrate the romantic love that (Name) and (Name) found in one another, but also love of family and friends who these two people tell me they could not do without. (Name) and (Name), each of your families and your closest friends are here today so that they can celebrate this milestone, your wedding day. Their presence is also a reminder that you have their unwavering support and love as you move through this next chapter together.
WELCOME #7
Over a drink earlier this year, we got talking about what today really means to these two. They both agreed that today is a celebration of love -
It’s a celebration of their love and commitment to one another, their love for their family and friends, their love of the beach, the sunshine and the sunset, and their love of being together, in the one place, with their favourite people.
Remembrance
REMEMBRANCE #1
(Names) would like to take this opportunity to pause and remember those who are unable to be here with us today. (Mention names and any other info if you wish). While their physical presence is greatly missed by the families today, they are surely smiling upon the couple as they stand here hand in hand, ready to marry.
REMEMBRANCE #2
(Names) also wish to remember other important people who are unable to be here to share this occasion with them. Those people are held in the families’ (or couple’s) hearts with love.
REMEMBRANCE #3
At this time (names) would like to ask for a moment of silence to remember those who are no longer here with us. Even though they’re not physically present, they are a key part of the foundation that make these two the people they are today. May we always remember the names of lost loved ones. Please cherish our memories of them and all others who live on in our hearts. (MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION…)
The Asking …aka the “I do” moment!
“The asking” can be a nice lead in to the vows. There’s no legal requirement to do it but many couples like the “I do” moment!
ASKING #1
(Name), do you promise to stand by (name)’s side always? Do you promise to care for them and show them the deepest love and respect? Do you promise to share their dreams and desires, supporting them and believing in them as they grow with you and as their own person? (Name), do you take (name) to be your spouse/husband/wife/forever?
“I do”
ASKING #2
(Name), do you take (name) to be your wedded spouse/husband/wife/forever? Do you promise to love them, comfort them, honour them and be true to them for as long as you both shall live?
“I do”
ASKING #3
(Name), do you take (name) to be your wedded spouse/husband/wife/forever? Do you promise to cherish and respect them, to nurture their spirit, to be true to them and to stand beside them through whatever may come?
“I do”
ASKING #4
(Name), do you take (name) to be your lawfully wedded spouse/husband/wife/forever? Do you promise to love them, comfort them, honour and be there for them, both at their best and at their worst, for as long as you both shall live?
“I do”
ASKING #5
(Name), do you promise to be by (Name)’s side as their lover and best friend? Do you promise to support, and encourage them as you both seek to enjoy the simple magic of being together?
“I do”