How to Write an (AWESOME) Wedding Ceremony Script
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 พ.ค. 2024
- Disclaimer: if you're looking for a boring, I've-heard-this-ceremony-a-thousand-times wedding ceremony script, you won't find it here. I like to write personal, fun, engaging, memorable and meaningful wedding ceremonies. If that sounds like something you're into, stick around, I'll show you my full process and even walk you through an entire ceremony.
The couple will love you, the guests will think you must be best friends with the couple and you'll look like a pro.
The incredible people in this video are Becca + Mike, a wonderful couple who wanted to say "I do" in a stress-free wedding ceremony.
Filmed at the beautiful Elora Mill in Elora, Ontario in October 2019
The unedited footage is courtesy of Timothy Muza. You can find him on Instagram at @timothymuza
Throw us a follow on Insta for more officiating tips at @heyjeffmaeck
Lastly, best of luck as you officiate your ceremony! I promise it's going to be so. much. fun! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Looking for that Vibe Setting Announcement I mentioned? Head on over here: th-cam.com/video/V8ELfEjAQls/w-d-xo.html
I'm shaking in my boots - my 1st ceremony (i regret accepting the responsibility) is April 1st.... NO JOKE!!! I"ll be studying this.
haha No need to shake in your boots - you're going to be awesome!! Reach out on Instagram (@heyjeffmaeck) if there's anything I can do to help out, but I know you're going to crush this one!! Good luck!!
Well?! How did it go? 😊 Hope you loved it ans it made you want to do it again. My first (terrifying) is in June. Shaking boots and all. 💋
I'm officiating my first/last weeding in about a week. I gotta say, you're a life saver. I will steal a line or 2 if you don't mind. For a moment, I was trying to scroll down to the bottom of the comments but I lost patience. Not surprising, you have lots and only positive comments. You deserve it. Thank you
Oooh that's awesome! Steal away, I hope it's helpful! Let me know how it goes :)
Hi Jeff,
I just officiated my friends’ wedding and it was my first time doing that. Your video was extremely helpful in helping me prepare and practice. It was a slam dunk and so many people throughout the night were like have you done that before and OMG you were amazing. Many thanks to you!
Would you be willing to share the script you used?
Love this!
This is the best and most informative wedding officiant video I have seen 💯!! Thank you for all the details and breaking down each section of the actual ceremony. I am officiating my first wedding in March. This video has helped ease my nerves.
Wow what a great message!! Thank you! If there’s anything else I can help out with just let me know :) Good luck in your first ceremony - you’ll be great and you’re going to absolutely love every second of it!!
Absolutely agree!!!!
Jeff I'm sending you the biggest most powerful transatlantic high five you've ever been sent, all the way from London, England. You're a natural, beautiful soul and thanks you SO MUCH for taking the time to put this together for folk like me who are doing this for their friends (in 2 short weeks). This has helped no end, I feel soooooo much more confident having these steps to work with and elaborate on. A thousand warm and splendid thank yous. You bloody rock!
Hahahaha!!! I hurt my stomach laughing so hard at that high five description 😂 So happy it was helpful!! You’re going knock this thing outta the park, and I guarantee you’ll love it! Anything I can do to help out reach out on IG @heyjeffmaeck. Best of luck!! ✌🏼
The details and format was awesome but the real gem here is the paradigm shift in mindset making it less formal but still exceptionally classy and fun.
U let us all realize that it can be BOTH!
Thx 4 takin the time!
Ah I didn't even see your comment! Thanks for taking the time to leave one! So happy this was helpful, and you nailed it 10000%. You can dial down the formality but still keep it fun and classy! Couldn't have said it better myself!
Great video, great structure, and great energy to set as an example. I just officiated my first wedding yesterday and this video (coupled with some others + a lot of time writing and prepping) helped a ton. I think the key takeaways for me was: 1) warming up the crowd beforehand by letting them know you're excited and you want them to feel excited as well and the structure set up here works great; 2) splitting up the officiant's speech into subsections; and 3) just having fun with the couple and the crowd. I'd also add that I found it great to huddle up with the wedding party just prior to the start to let them know that we're a team and that if anything goes wrong (and it will) that we have each other's backs. Jeff, you rock my man!
Wowww! Dave what a great message! So happy this was helpful :) I have zeeeero doubts you crushed that ceremony and everyone loved you! I love that idea of the huddle with the wedding party and just the, "hey, we got this thing, and we've got each other's backs up there, ok?!" That's exactly the kind of thing that makes you stand out, nice work! What else did you find helpful in your search to write your ceremony? I won't pretend I have all the answers but I do really enjoy helping out in any way I can.
Thanks so much for the inspiration Jeff! Well done for putting this together. 🙌
Thank you a million times over for this message!! Happy it was helpful :)
Thank you--thankyou--thank you! I was really so stressed about this but you made it so very clear in breaking it into segments! So informative--liked that you made the ceremony personal and real!
Thanks for the kind message!! I try to my best keep it like a conversation between myself and the couple, looking at it that way has really helped me keep things extremely personal :)
Hey Jeff, I “ borrowed” a couple ideas from your video, appreciate it! It was my daughters wedding, and I said at the end “ You may have kissed a “couple” times before, but….”
Jeff, thanks so much for your suggestions! I had been stressing out for weeks trying to figure out how to plan and prepare. This video has helped me so much. I can't begin to express how much I appreciate the time and patience you took walk through the entire ceremony. I've overcome my writers block and have finally been writing my script and am now very much looking forward to the big day! Cheers!
This makes me so happy to hear!! Thanks for the quick message, I appreciate it so much :)
Thank you Jeff! This helped so much. I officiated my 1st wedding last Wknd & it went over great! I’m hoping to get to do it again.
Jeff, thank you so much for the detailed video. This really helped me prepare for my first officiating of my good friends' wedding! Appreciate you!
Ohhh that's awesome!! Happy to hear it was helpful!
THANK YOU!! As an up and coming officiant I am preparing my first ceremony and you give a brilliant guide for structure. I'm a natural public speaker but my main concern has been keeping it smooth neat and tidy. My worries have been relieved!! Thanks again and God bless you brother!!
Ahh you're SO welcome!! This comment made my day ,thank you! Anything else I can be helpful with, reach out anytime! You can catch me most easily at @heyjeffmaeck on Instagram!
Thank you for the tips! You just made the wedding I'm officiating much better!
Jeff, I love your style as a wedding officiant. You look like a model as well with adds more to the couples' photos. Lots of great tips that I will jot down. Thanks again for sharing!
Aaw that's so kind of you! Thanks for the message. In a previous life, I actually WAS a model in Southern Ontario haha I've made a few changes to my approach for 2023, but if there's anything I can help out with, reach out anytime!
Thank you so much for this video! It has been one of the best videos I’ve seen in all of my internet searching trying to figure out my script to officiate two of my best friends wedding! Now I just have to keep my cool and not let my stage fright get the best of me!
You’re so welcome!! Happy it was helpful :) You’re a rockstar, you’ll be great up there! If you have any specific questions or how I prepare I’m happy to share that. Send me a message on Instagram @heyjeffmaeck and I’ll get back to you!
Wow, just what I needed as a first timer. Thank you!
This made a huge impact in helping me plan to officiate my first wedding! It gives you ideas for structuring your script into individual sections and makes the whole process seem less overwhelming.
Jeff definitely seems like he knows his stuff and loves what he does. If you're prepping to officiate, definitely watch this and take notes!
Ah what a great message! Thank you so much, I’m so happy it was helpful!! 🙌🏼 Is there anything else that I could have touched on to make it easier?
@@heyjeffmaeck I was a little confused by section 6 (signing the marriage license) because I haven't seen this take place and didn't see it in other wedding ceremony videos. I realized you (always?) officiate in Canada so I assumed that it was just a procedural difference between the US and Canada. That said, it might be nice to clarify if that is indeed a regional tradition.
Always want to highlight your tip #11 (get out of the photo)! I felt like such a pro ducking out of frame just as the couple kissed and it certainly made for better photos. Certainly not something I would have automatically done in the moment if I wasn't prepared!
Thank you so much for producing these videos. These are an absolute blessing to have. I will be officiating a wedding in September and I desperately needed some guidance and perspective.
Aaaah that makes me so happy! I'm glad it could help out, even if just a little bit! Feel free to reach out any time if I can be helpful or if you have any specific questions :) All the best in September, you're going to love it!
I'm doing my fourth ceremony and haven't done one since 2019. I had lost my confidence. After hearing this video and getting some great ideas, my confidence is back and I can't wait to nail it. Thank you for the very simple instructions, you make it easy.
Aah this note makes me so, so happy!! You’re a pro - best of luck in your upcoming weddings! Couples are so lucky to have you up there with them!
Thank you! I will be referencing this again and again as I figure this thing out! Awesome and informative.
Oh wow that's such a great compliment! So happy it was helpful, if there's anything specific you're curious about go ahead and ask! Best of luck with the upcoming weddings! You'll be great!
So helpful to see the framework and what makes a great ceremony as a future bride.
That’s so great! I have a bit of a different approach (I’m a bit fan of having some laughs up there to keep the couple comfortable and the guests engaged :) but if you have any questions feel free to ask away! And ps you’re getting married - that’s AWESOME!! Woot!!
Thanks for this
I am officiating my first wedding Saturday
Not sure what all to say but have been working on it for a couple of weeks now
This video actually saved me some steps that I don’t need to add to ceremony
How did it go?! I'm sure you nailed it!
Great video! I've been asked to officiate my best friend wedding! .. the tips you share here are gold!! thanks!
That’s AWESOME!! You’re so welcome!! Good luck :)
I'm officiating a wedding between two of my best friends. I've been stressing out about doing it right this whole time, thank you for making this video. My only regret is not having found it sooner!
Aaaaaw that's the BEST!! So happy it was helpful! If there's anything else I can do to help out reach out anytime!!
Such a great video!! My little sister just asked me to officiate her wedding and I’m so honored and so nervous. I love weddings, I love these ceremonies. I never knew how much I wanted to officiate, I’m hoping her wedding isn’t my last to officiate!!
Ooooh man your little sister's wedding!! That's SO exciting! All I can say is embrace the fact that you might be a lot more emotional than you think, and that's a great thing. Enjoy every moment of it, and be sure to get some photos of you in action, you'll cherish those forever! Best of luck! Let me know if there's anything I can do to help out!
I’m Officiating my best friends wedding. This was IMMENSELY helpful. Thank you very much for this video.
Oh you’re so welcome!! Happy it was helpful!! Goooood luck!!
This was awesome! I’ve never officiated a wedding before and ever since my sister asked me to perform hers I’ve been so stressed. This is the best advice I’ve gotten so far after doing tons of research!
Ryan that's going to be amazing!! You didn't ask for it, but my thoughts: your sister asked you because you're obviously not only incredibly important to her, but because she knows you're the perfect person to handle it and that'll be great! You're going to awesome, don't stress at all! Enjoy every second of it, it's going to be a pretty emotional day for you guys I think! If there's anything I can do to help out, reach out on Instagram (@heyjeffmaeck) - happy to help however I can! Good luck!
Im in the exact same boat, except it's my sister-in-law. My wife and I were there the night they met and have been around since. I am both honored, and stressed as hell to officiate! Lol
@@joshbecker8048 - haha wow, I'm in essentially the same situation with my SIL and have the same reaction... t-minus three weeks here. good luck to us!
Thank you so much! This video was so helpful. I’m a romance writer, so it’s my job to deliver Happily Ever Afters, but the one thing I struggle with in every book is the wedding scene. I despise writing them. Your tips have given me a lot to work with. 💗💗💗
Yay!! I’m so happy this was helpful :) What a cool job you have! Best of luck with your writing!!
Really helpful. I've done my training and I'm ready to go It's great to have some tips and see it all in action . thanks so much.
Melanie that's AWESOME!! Congrats on finishing your training - you'll be great! Happy it was helpful. If you have any questions at all, feel free to reach out! I can't promise I have the answer but I'll certainly try my best :)
Thank you for the advice, I'll be doing a wedding this weekend. And plan on using some of your style. Thanks again!
How did it go?!
@@heyjeffmaeck great, the guest all wanted to know how many do I do every year, funny thing this was my first time, and they handed me a mic at last minute, was a little nervous holding mic and book to read from. But I followed your advice and had a script. They loved it. Would do again!
Thanks for your help.
So happy to hear it went that well! You’re a natural!
Thank you for the very helpful and informative video! it was nice to see pieces as explained in the steps in action! Now my question is the Vows templates you suggest?
Great video Jeff! I love how your broke down the 3 sections when writing your speech. I am officiating a couple's wedding that I have been friends with since the beginning of their relationship and I want to knock it out of the park. Would mind if I reached out by email to see what other questions you might ask the couple besides the 4 great questions you mentioned in the video? Great video, you should add more!
Hey hey!! Thanks for the message and encouragement, more in the works for sure! Happy it was helpful :) And definitely, feel free to shoot me an email anytime, jeff@maeckweddings.com!
Thank you for your time and great tips, Jeff! Do you have a tip on what to say as the parents come up with the bride? I don’t want the parents standing up for too long, but feel like a few short words of welcome should be said. I don’t want to just go right into asking if they give the bride as soon as they walk up as that seems awkward (or is that the norm?). Doing a cousin’s wedding next week and keep rethinking this part.
Hey Jeff that was simple and awesome!! THANK YOU
Ah what a great message!! Thanks for the note :) So happy it was helpful!!
Thank you for your time and for sharing with us this great video. Do you have any videos specifically aorund renewal of vows?
Iv been asked by 2 of my best friends to officiate. This is a great template to use. Thank you buddy!
That's awesome! Officiating a friend's wedding is SO MUCH FUN! You're seriously going to laugh (and like cry) the entire time haha enjoy every second of it!
This is sooooo helpful, thank you very much Jeff!
You're so welcome!!
Thanks Jeff! My best friend asked me to officiate her wedding and this helped out so much!
Awesome!! What a great experience for you! Best of luck!
Jeff you’re awesome! Thank you. I’m going to officiate my first this December and I am very nervous but you’re putting me at ease! All the way from SA 🇿🇦
Aaah this makes me so happy to hear! Have you already done it?! How did it go?
Hi @@heyjeffmaeck the ceremony will be at 15:00 CAT today: 17 December 2021. ❤️
I will come back to give feedback.
thank you so much for this jeff!
Thanks for watching! You're so welcome :)
A friend I know from work very randomly asked me to officiate her wedding and I’ve been quite nervous to sit down and write it. It will be an untraditional spiritual borderline pagan wedding and I wanted to know what things to move off of. This helped so much. Thank you so much.
That’s exciting!! You’re so welcome!! Best of luck in the ceremony 🙌🏼
Absolutely loved this video! I'm officiating my friends wedding in a few weeks and I routinely revisit this video. The vibe setting seems tricky but absolutely phenomenal if it lands! Thanks a million
Wowwww what a great comment!! Thank you so much :) That's going to be so, so much fun!! You're going to love it and I knoooow you'll nail it!! Any questions at all shoot me an email or a DM on IG! Oh, and that vibe setting announcement gets asked about a lot, I think I'll do a quick video just on that part alone. Good luck at the wedding!!
Very helpful, thank you. Next time, check the volume of the video you’re explaining- it’s super blown out and deafeningly loud.
Hey hey! Thanks for checking out the video! You're right, the audio is terrible haha although truthfully I made this for a handful of people and I didn't expect it to get the reach it did. I should do a properly updated version for sure!
THANK YOU. Very helpful. Officiating my first ceremony this weekend.
Mike that's aaaaaawesome! Oh man, super exciting! You're going to crush it! Let me know how it went or shoot me a message on Instagram at @heyjeffmaeck, would love to hear all about it! Good luck!
This video was very useful indeed, thank you for sharing. I am officiating for the first time in a few days and have found your information very helpful. If I do half as well as you that'll be a win. Thank you Jeff.
In a few days?! Oh wow!! That’s going to be a blast!! Best of luck, you’ve got this!! ✌🏼
@@heyjeffmaeck Thanks Jeff, I have been preparing for some time and have visited your video again and again for inspiration. I must admit that I have "borrowed" a few of your best bits and tailored to suit. Invaluable. You are very good at what you do and your smile is quite infectious. Thank you again. Stay awesome x
This was very helpful. I feel a lot better and confident to officiate my cousins wedding. Thank you so much.
Aaaaawesome!! So happy it helped :) Best of luck!!
@@heyjeffmaeck Any tips for transitioning between segments. Instead of "next we will do the vows" or "now we will do the unity candle"
I hope you make more videos. Great energy here!
Thanks Jay!! Appreciate the message!! I do have a few more in mind...I’m curious though, is there anything in particular that might be helpful for you or that you’d want to see?
@@heyjeffmaeck I was going to ask the same thing. I would like to see videos that include unity ceremonies if possible. Love this video.
Hey Jeff, thank you for this! Very helpful with the blocking of the ceremony. I'll be officiating my first wedding next week and I'm so excited! A question for you though, did I miss where you did the Declaration of Intent (I Do's)?
Hey Stephanie!! Thanks for the message :) Unless the couple has a different picture of how that part will look, I normally have the Declaration of Intent, or the "I do" part, as they exchange rings. Basically, I would ask Partner 1 (in this video it's Mike): "Mike, do you take Becca to be your wife? Do you promise to....." and his answer is (hopefully!! haha) "I do," then he'd put the ring on her. Then I'd turn to the other partner and ask a similar question, and their response is "I do," then they put the ring on. Does that sort of answer that?
@@heyjeffmaeck that makes a lot of sense, thank you for the reply! After talking to the couple, they liked the flow of the "I Do's" after the ring exchange and it's there day so we are making it work without keeping it redundant after the vows and rings. Loved the video, very helpful!!!
Thank you Jeff!!
Ah I’m late on this reply!! You’re so welcome :)
This is exactly the video I was looking For! I will be officiating my first wedding and will definitely use this to help me! Thanks!
So happy it was helpful! Best of luck in your first wedding - I know you're going to love it (and rock it!).
So helpful for this 1st timer!! Thanks!!
Woohoo! Happy to hear that! Best of luck :)
Jeff,
Thank you so much for your video. I relate to your energy, vibe, and positive excitement. I have been asked to officiate my son's wedding ceremony and wonder if you have any tips for a father who dearly loves his son and future daughter-in-law. I am so humbled by this opportunity and wish to be everything they want. With much respect.
Hmmm this is likely a bit more of a conversation than a note I can leave here. If you have Instagram, feel free to send me a message there and I'll send you a video back (@heyjeffmaeck) or an email jeff@maeckweddings.com. Super excited for you to have this opportunity, I just know you're going to love every second of it (and I know you're going to be great :)
Great tips, thank you, I’ll definitely adopt the one about getting out of the kiss photo. Working on my 3rd wedding script. Can you share more details about what you actually said to help break the ice in your vibe announcement other than the suggestion to put the phone away?
Hey sorry for the late response here. I think I'll make a video about this announcement, but for the part of the phones I normally say something along the lines of, "and hey, if you have a phone or iPad, go ahead and launch that thing immediately. They've hired an incredibly talented photo (or photo and video) team who are going to capture everything, and I promise, their photos are going to be....WAY better than your cell phone shots. Seriously, go ahead and put them away."
Hey Jeff - you have a great personality so all this will work with you.
☺☺☺
Thank you very much. I was asking to officiate a wedding. Its my first to. This helps a lot. One love 🇯🇲.
I love that!! Let me know how it goes, the first one is always a blast! Best of luck, you're going to be GREAT!!
@@heyjeffmaeck thank you for the motivation. I was a bit nervous but pulled it off nicely. Much blessings 🙏. Have a productive week. One love 🇯🇲.
Such a good video and resource thank you!
So happy to hear that! If there's anything else you think would be helpful, let me know! I've changed things a bit from here, but I tend to make small adjustments year to year to keep things fresh and fun!
Very helpful , thank so much Jeff :-)
Very helpful, Jeff. Thanks.
Awesome Brian! Glad it was helpful :)
ok ima post the “OG twitter” version of my comment which is: THANK U SO MUCH 4 THIS ‘cuz I fully believe if it wasn’t for this specific video, my 1st-ever officiant speech wouldn’t have been nearly as successful as it would have been w/out me watching this video!!!
Come onnnnn man! That's the BEST! So happy you crushed it! Thanks for this comment too, means a lot!
Very detailed and lots of ideas. Thank you.
Awesome! You're so welcome :)
Jeff thank you for making this video it is so helpful and inspiring! I just have a question regarding the declaration of intent. Did I miss it or it wasn't included in there . Basically the part where they say I do. I'm trying to advise my couple on the best order between the Vows, ring exchange and declaration of intent. Thanks!
Great question! I know a lot of people like to talk about the significance of the ring, but instead I ask them the Declaration of Intent/"I do" question at that point (instead of saying something like, "the rings are a circle, and like a circle..."). In the example above, Mike has Becca's ring, and I'd look at Mike and ask, "Mike, do you take Becca to be your wife? Do you promise to..." and looking at her, he would answer, "I do" and then place the ring on her finger. Turning to Becca, who has Mike's ring, I'd ask her a similar question, before she placed the ring on Mike's finger. Sorry that wasn't clear above, hope that helps :)
@@heyjeffmaeck got it thanks so much Jeff!
Thank you so much. This was super helpful.
You’re so welcome!! Good luck with your weddings!!
Great video! Thanks for sharing. Is there any way you would share the whole video with the actual sound though? Or the script? Or a sample script? I'm not an officiant, but getting married soon and i'd love to actually watch a full ceremony and get inspiration for what i want to include in mine and hear the stories and see how it's done. Thanks x
Hey Lydia! Congrats on getting married - that's the BEST!! I don't actually post any of my full ceremonies. From a creative standpoint, I love writing them but I don't give them out. I know you can track down some general ones online, that might be a good place to start, then you could find creative ways to personalize it!
What this is LITERALLY THE BEST VIDEO I've seen to set an officiant for success in a wedding ceremony! I'm deeply grateful to you for this amazing video! Best! Tessie
Oh my goodness, sorry I'm just seeing this comment now. Thank you so, so much for the kind words! Sheeeesh :) I hope things are going great and your calendar is full of weddings to celebrate!!!
This is a great video. I see a lot of first time Officiants. I've been officiating since 2010. One thing that people do need to make sure is the requirements of their state. For example, California requires a consent at the start, vows, by the power vested in me I pronounce you.... otherwise you can end up withan unmarried couple. It is a legal transaction and has requirements.
For sure! You’re definitely right. I don’t outline any of the legal requirements since I’m in 🇨🇦 (Ontario, specifically) and I know there are viewers from around the world where the legal requirements are different :) Thanks for watching!
Jeff- thank you for this awesome information- I’m officiating for the first time next month! I’m so curious: what was the audience participation question during the vibe setting?
Hey Parker! Thanks for the message!! Man first one coming up?! That's the best! I've adapted a version of a question that another great officiant down under taught me. Basically, I ask the guests: "what do you do when something good happens?" and I actually ask them to shout out some answers. Most say "clap" or "cheer" or "drink!" - all good answers. And I remind them that this is also good, so I want them to feel free to do the same here. Clap, cheer, get excited, cry - it's all good. I just want them to be real. It's led to some really cool processionals where guests are clapping and cheering like crazy when the groom comes in, or they clap and cheer after the vows. It's always reading the room and reading the couple. When it lands, it's awesome. If you try to get a mostly quiet crowd to be excited, it's a bit trickier (I've learned the hard way haha!). Hope that helps!!
@@heyjeffmaeck Thanks for taking the time to respond! I’m definitely getting hyped as the ideas flow and time draws near. Currently working my hardest to flesh out the “love story” piece. I’m absolutely using that question in some form; it’s gold. I hope you get to make more content soon. Love your vibe!
This was informative, lighthearted and fun to watch. I think I’m all set to officiate my niece’s wedding now. Thanks! 😀
You’ve got this!! Good luck!!
Great video by the way!
Really apprecaited this video as I prepare for my first wedding next week.
Quick question, what was the question you asked at the beginning to get the crowd warmed up? Just curious what sort of "good crowd banter questions" one could use and what you like to do.
No way! That's awesome!! I actually pinned the announcement but I'll post the link here as well (I was getting asked about it a lot haha)
th-cam.com/video/V8ELfEjAQls/w-d-xo.html
I kind of modify this and wing it most times, but the goal is the same each time - remind people they were invited to witness something awesome, and that their role is to celebrate! Good luck with the upcoming wedding - you're going to crush it! If I can be helpful in any way, just let me know!
@@heyjeffmaeck 🤦♂my bad, I appreciate you posting it for me again anyhow - and thanks for the support!
Thank you Jeff
You’re so welcome Claudia :)
Jeff, great job! If you were going to add a unity event such as a sand or tree ceremony , where would you put that in? After the love story?
Thanks!! And great question! If a couple was doing that, I'd typically add it immediately after the signing. It's a natural break in the ceremony (we're already not standing at the front), and it doesn't disrupt the flow of the ceremony by having us leave the front a second time. Before we sign the marriage licence, I'd tell everyone what we're going to do though. Just a, "hey, we're going to get to the best part in just a second, I promise, but before we do we're going to sign the marriage licence. While we're signing the licence, we're also going to _____. This was important to _____ and _____ because....." Something along those lines. Hope that helps!
Jeff, this is an awesome video great advice here! Do you have any tips for officiating a friends wedding when its a second marriage blending a family? Thank you!
Thanks Anthony! Hmm great question. I always try to focus on the couple's journey up to this point. It's no secret they were married and divorced, so I don't avoid it but I more allude to the fact that sometimes life takes on detours before we end up exactly where we should be - marrying our best friend like they are. I like to talk about their family as well, like a "and hey, this isn't just about the two of you, it's about your families coming together." I like to talk about what that means to them and why it's important, and include stories about the kids (depending on their age, it can really help the kids feel included in the ceremony and day). Again, depending on age of the kids, I always recommend couples make some vows also to their partners kids, and look at them when they share them. It just lets them know they're loved and accepted. Hope that helps a bit Anthony!
@@heyjeffmaeck yes! I love the bit about including vows to the kids. Thank you for taking the time to respond!
Really great video, Thank you. I have been officiating for 4 years and really trying to write more personal love story ceremonies.
Jeff, thanks for the video. It really made me feel called to action to take up the path of becoming a minister.
Aaah that’s amazing!! You should definitely do it, I know you’ll love it :) Let me know how it’s going or how I can help encourage you in your journey!! Good luck!!
You mentioned bringing up pet peeves the couple may have about each other in a joking way. I love this and was wondering, do you get that information by interviewing them separately or together?
Great question! I always ask them questions separately then keep their answers/ceremony script a surprise. I find couples are far more willing to tell me hilarious stories when they’re on their own vs together haha
Awesome video, thank you! Do you feel a declaration of intent ("I do") is necessary or not if the couple is reading their vows? Thanks!
Hey hey!! Thank you so much! I would just make sure to follow whatever the legal requirements are in your province or state. It's weird that it differs place to place, right? Even though personalized vows really do confirm intent, I still ask the couple a variation of a declaration of intent that is answered with "I do." Hope that helps!
How long should the officiant speech be? Officiating a wedding in October this year! This is great information! Thanks Jeff
Awesome question! I aim for the tried and true Ted Talk number, 18 minutes. Once you add in a processional, vows, signing the licence, and recessional it normally works out to about 25 minutes from start to finish (but only 18ish minutes of me actually talking). Sometimes it's longer, but I find that number works well.
Awesome, thanks! This video was great and definitely relieved some stress!@@heyjeffmaeck
@@user-zg8oo2nt6f Love hearing that! Anything else I can help out with let me know! Good luck in October, you're going to be awesome up there!
Hey. Thanks for the tips. I have my first [friend’s] wedding coming up in October. I would love to know some more of the questions you ask the couple to help write their story. :)
Hey!! Thanks for the message and congrats on the first ceremony!! Woohoo!! So fun :) I have a bit of a process that I've refined over the past few years that seems to work pretty well. The gist of it is that I like to ask them questions individually, it's amazing (and hilarious!) what people are willing to tell me separately vs together haha I like to grab questions about how they met, what was going on in their life at that time, first impressions, first dates, funny/memorable dates, one or two annoying habits and even an embarrassing thing about their partner (only like a 4 or 5/10 on the embarrassing scale, it's their wedding date, not a time to roast them haha). I have maybe 10 or 12 questions, but I try to let them take the lead and tell me anything they want. Once I have all that info from each of them, I find the story almost writes itself, the pieces fall together and a good storyline trajectory is set. I hope that helps, even a bit! Let me know how it's coming along!
@@heyjeffmaeck thank you so much. I forgot I left this question and I sent you an email, too! Feel free to disregard. And thank you so much for the awesome feedback/suggestions. I’ll keep you posted! ☺️☺️
Pro-tip: Get personal stories of the couple from the wedding party (or family) too, that way when you tell them it'll surprise them and their reactions will be more natural (better experience and photo ops).
That's a great idea (and I've pulled it off a few times with some pretty good success). Have you tried it? One way I keep their reactions natural and candid is by not sharing the ceremony script with them, so the first time they hear it is the day of their wedding. Check out @heyjeffmaeck on Instagram for some photos of what that looks like :) It makes for an entirely candid ceremony full of laughs.
@@heyjeffmaeck Yeah, I was able to get a few stories from the wedding party and it worked pretty well. Traded stories with the best man too so he can use some in his speech. Great experience. And I agree that keeping the script from the couple is good idea.
What questions do you ask to get them to share stories about themselves?
Hey Jeff, what is the reason for the rings that you use? Thanks!
Hey David, sorry, "the rings that I use?" Happy to explain, just let me know what part you mean :)
Great info!
That was a wonderful lesson thank you. How long do you think you’re job last 1015 minutes?
Hey hey! Glad it was helpful! My ceremonies are generally 22-25 minutes :) I think there’s a sweet spot that isn’t too short (which leaves guests feeling like it was rushed) and too long (where they’re ready for the next thing). Hope that helps!
I’m preparing for my daughters wedding right now. Struggling with the script. Do you have a script for sale?
Awesome video thank you SO much!
You’re so welcome!! If there’s anything specific you’re wondering about by all means just ask :) Happy to help any way I can!
super helpful!
Happy it was helpful, Dave!
Hey Jeff! Thank you very much for this video! I'm going to officiate the wedding of my best friend in California in two weeks and there's going to be two readings - how do you introduce the readers or don't you say anything at all? Any suggestions how to do that nice and clean, without spending much time on it?
Aaaah I'm too late on replying to this, I'm sorry!! If I'm not, shoot me a message on Instagram @heyjeffmaeck and I'll send you a quick video on how I introduce these and where I place them in the ceremony!
Man Jeff I am so nervous I am officiating this Saturday
Do you have Instagram? Let me send you a message!
No I don’t. I have to translate in English and Spanish
Wow you are awesome you responding quick
@@guero8820 don’t stress, you’ve got this (promise!). You’re going to be great, and the couple knows it too (that’s why they asked you to officiate!). Just go up there and be you, and remember to have some fun up there! It’s a celebration, the couple and their guests are excited, so have some laughs and enjoy every second :) I can’t wait to hear all about it!
4 o’clock crunch time
Tremendous. Thank you
Rob you're awesome, thanks for watching!
this is unreal!
You're the best! Thanks so much!!
I'm officiating my first for my stepdaughter and i too am extremely nervous about messing it up 😂
Don't be nervous, you're going to be awesome :) Happy to help out however I can, even if it's just a message reminding you how much fun you're going to have up there!
Good afternoon, your video is great! I I was asked to officiate a wedding for my step granddaughter. It’s going to be a large wedding with over 100 guests. I have performed a few ceremonies for family with only a few guests. So do I introduce myself before I start? Any other suggestions as I will be so nervous.
Hey hey! That's awesome!! You're going to LOVE it!! I like to start every ceremony with a solo announcement before the processional, it's a fun announcement to get everyone excited. That's when I introduce myself. "Hello everyone and welcome, my name is Jeff and I have the great honour of helping _____ and _____ get married today..."
Thank you for the excellent video, Jeff. I have been asked by a family member to officiate their wedding and I've never done it. I really want to do it, but am still doing my research. Do you have to be religious to be an ordained minister? I'm in Texas.
Hey hey!! Since you’re in Texas I’d reach out to the good folks at The American Marriage Ministries, they’ll get you set up to legally perform a ceremony (plus they have a million great resources!!). Hope that helps!
@@heyjeffmaeck will do! Thank you, Jeff!
Great video! What microphone do you use? If you bring one with you.
Thank you thank you!! I always bring my own wireless mic and wireless speaker, even if the couple has hired a DJ, I guess I like having the fate of the sound of the ceremony in my hands haha I've had more than a few where the DJ's batteries died or they didn't have a windsock or it was bad quality etc. I use a Sennheiser AVX-835 mic and a Bose S1 Pro speaker. They work perfectly together and no annoying cords or hydro needed, meaning I can bring it anywhere. Oh! And the speaker has a backpack, so I can literally carry it all on my back, zero hassle.
@@heyjeffmaeck awesome! Thanks for the info
Quick question, ‘I will be officiating a wedding and they will be exchanging vows in private, what should I do? I was thinking about making a quick announcement regarding that but am having trouble in wording it.
Hey Alejandro! There are lots of ways to kind of work through this one, shoot me a message at @heyjeffmaeck on Instagram a I’ll shoot you a video back!
@@heyjeffmaeck Love your videos. I'll be officiating my first gay marriage in Texas next months. Any suggestions for script changes?
@@katebartphx I use the exact same process :) Slight wording changes depending on the couple getting married, but honestly, not much of a difference at all! If there's anything specific you're curious about, let me know!
What was the question you asked in the vibe setting announcement?
Hey bro! Thanks for the message! I pinned a video of a variation of that Vibe Setting Announcement in the comments :) Hopefully, it helps!
I'm officiating a deaf ceremony for my niece.Im studying ASL at the moment.Any tips ? Most of the guests will be deaf