Your Wedding Ceremony Checklist
A wedding ceremony is the heart of your wedding day. It’s where you make promises, share your story, and set the tone for the life you’re building together. With so many details to consider, a clear checklist can help you feel calm and prepared — so you can focus on the joy of the moment.
1. Confirm the Venue
☐ Choose a location that feels right — whether it’s a chapel, garden, beach, winery, or family property.
☐ Consider guest numbers, accessibility, and the atmosphere you’d like to create.
2. Book Your Celebrant or Officiant
☐ Find a celebrant or officiant who understands your vision and style.
☐ Ensure they’re available for your chosen date and guide you through the legal process.
3. Organise Legal Paperwork
☐ Complete your Notice of Intended Marriage (NOIM) at least one month before the wedding.
☐ Gather required documents such as birth certificates, passports, or divorce/death certificates if relevant.
4. Decide the Tone of the Ceremony
☐ Consider whether you’d like a formal, relaxed, spiritual, or secular ceremony.
☐ Think about the words, traditions, or rituals that feel meaningful to you as a couple.
5. Choose Readings and Music
☐ Select readings, poems, or blessings that resonate with your journey.
☐ Choose music for the processional, signing, and recessional.
6. Write (or Select) Your Vows
☐ Decide whether to write your own vows, adapt traditional ones, or use a combination.
☐ Practice reading them aloud to ensure they flow comfortably.
7. Select Rituals or Symbolic Elements
☐ Consider including a handfasting, candle lighting, sand ceremony, or cultural traditions.
☐ Keep it simple and personal to you.
8. Plan the Processional and Recessional
☐ Decide who will walk down the aisle and in what order.
☐ Confirm music choices and cue points with your musicians or audio team.
9. Rings and Symbols
☐ Confirm who will carry the rings on the day.
☐ Decide whether you’d like a ring warming, blessing, or special words during the exchange.
10. Rehearsal and Final Details
☐ Arrange a rehearsal with your celebrant, wedding party, and musicians if possible.
☐ Double-check seating, microphones, signing table, and weather contingencies.
Final Thought
Your wedding ceremony is a reflection of your love story. The details matter, but what shines through most is your connection and commitment to one another. With thoughtful preparation, the day becomes less about logistics and more about presence, joy, and love.
Want More Than Just Ceremony Tips?
If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re planning a wedding (or you just really enjoy reading about them—no judgement). Either way, my wedding celebrant services might be what you’re looking for. From writing vows that sound like you to making sure the ceremony runs smoother than your uncle-in-law’s dance moves, I’ve got you covered.