Wedding Officiant: How To Read Your Wedding Ceremony Script Like A Pro!

As a wedding officiant/celebrant coach and creator of Unboring!Wedding Academy, I get asked at least once a week: “How much of the wedding ceremony script can I read? Is it even okay to read it at all? How much of the script do I have to memorize?”
I love being the bearer of good news, so here it is: You can read absolutely all of your wedding ceremony script word-for-word up there.
BUT: There are ways to read well, and there are ways to read badly.
This video will give you the 3 best tips for reading your wedding ceremony script the best you possibly can - without being glued to the page.
For more detail and to get a downloadable cheat sheet of this video, head to the companion blogpost: www.unboringwedding.com/how-t...
⭐️⭐️👉🏻 Grab my free, quickstart, instant-access 5-Step Wedding Ceremony Guide here: unboringwedding.com/guide 👈🏻⭐️⭐️
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📞 Wedding Script and Ceremony Coaching: www.unboringweddingacademy.co...
🖥 "Done-For-You" Pro Website For Officiants and Celebrants: www.unboringweddingacademy.co...
💒 Officiating Service: unboringwedding.com
✍🏻 Story Writing Service: unboringwedding.com/custom-lo...
📝 Ceremony Writing Service: unboringwedding.com/ceremony-...
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Background Photos thanks to:
TJ Tindale Photography
Scarlet O’Neill | Photography
Olive Photography
Luminous Weddings
Christine Hewitt Weddings
Magnolia Studios
Hillary Deane Photography
Thumbnail Photos thanks to:
Sherry Brown Photography
Photo by Eric Benchimol: www.ericbenchimol.com
Clips:
Tony Robbins Live
Justin Trudeau Canada Day Speech
Community
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#WeddingOfficiant #WeddingCelebrant #WeddingScript

[@unboringwedding]

Grab my free, quickstart, instant-access 5-Step Wedding Ceremony Guide here: unboringwedding.com/guide 👈🏻⭐

[@JoeandMommaD]

I was ordained 7 years ago, more or less as a joke, and never thought twice about it since. When friends of ours said they were getting married, I said as a joke, “you know I’m ordained, right?” Not thinking she would take me seriously, and I wasn’t planning on doing it for real, but here I am, watching your videos, and preparing a script for a wedding that will have about 200-250 guests! 😲 Nothing like jumping in the deep end right off the bat! 🤣 Depending on how it goes, I plan on doing it as a “retirement” gig when that time comes. Thanks for the very informative tips, from the great state of Texas! 😁

[@mayram-haspil4897]

Funny!! 😅

[@annelemon3768]

I just found this video and I will say, after just about 200 weddings, Im glad to know I am doing it right! 😂. My script is in 14 pt font with 1.15 - 1.2 line spacing. The line spacing makes a big difference in readability. The couple’s name is in a larger font and bold. I have invested in a professional lapel mic which gets clipped to the end of my ceremony binder. It does a good enough job amplifying my voice as well as the couple.

[@michael7324]

Also when typing up the script, I change the font color of the bride and groom responces so I won't inadvertently speak their lines fron being nervous.

[@ajnasu5099]

Kudos for the video content! Sorry for the intrusion, I would love your opinion. Have you ever tried - Rozardner Inspiration World Reality (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now)? It is an awesome exclusive guide for understanding the simple way to do an amazing wedding speech without the hard work. Ive heard some incredible things about it and my friend at last got great success with it.

[@melodiescott8186]

You have been beyond helpful as I prepare to officiate my niece’s wedding ( 1st time officiating)! You’ve been a blessing. Thank you

[@LolaLoopsAndStitches]

I started Wedding Officiant and I love it! ❤ Love your tips!

[@carlosvelez8750]

Hey Mark, I finally did it! Just officiated my first wedding this weekend for my best friend. I watched all your videos and I crafted the script and ceremony using your guidance. I even had to explain a few traditional Jewish portions of the ceremony as it was a half Jewish wedding. Thank you for all these videos. I couldn’t have done it without you.

[@Numerana777]

Hi Mark!! I want to thank you for your videos! I´ve been watching your content because I´m officiating my first wedding ceremony tomorrow and BOY have I learned! And BOY have I laughed!! You are very funny and have a lot of charisma! God bless you and your work! Thank you! Ana Dorotea

[@eddieshand3527]

Just discovered Mark. As a new Celebrant I find his videos excellent.

[@katyaflo1806]

Officiating my first wedding this Saturday! I've been watching your videos for the past month getting ready so this video had perfect timing :) Also...sweet Community clip

[@GingerFox1313]

Thank you all of your videos are so helpful.

[@michael7324]

I needed this video. Thank you.

[@Seremonii]

The the large print tip was the best. Thank you !

[@dannythewordmaster]

Great advice, Mark. Thank you!

[@leonardgore]

I thought I did a pretty decent job not having my eyes glued to my script, but I realize my strategy of writing it on index cards which I laminated and put on a binder ring may have been courting danger! I had 17 cards to flip (!), thankfully the DJ was already prepared and clipped me with a microphone on my jacket lapel. I definitely will take this advice to heart for my next wedding!

[@jayneclantz9961]

Very helpful tips!! Thank you!

[@craiglogan4108]

as always your videos are excellent, helpful tools! Thank you so much Mark

[@beltoftruth56]

Your content is just what we need , this is such a relief

[@johniii8400]

Well done Mark! I've officiated a few funerals and had to conduct every little part. This is going to be so much fun and I want to really enjoy every moment just as the bride and groom. Of course I'll be nervous but repetition is the law of memory. I've watched many of your videos over and over and can't wait. Thanks!

[@johnathonpatzwald8480]

Great idea about the thumb!!! Thank you for sharing your ideas and suggestions on video!

[@tntitanfan19]

Thank you for all of your tips. Over a year ago I officiated my first wedding, my oldest son, and it went great. I received many compliments and will be officiating my nephew’s wedding this Saturday. I couldn’t have done it without your help. Thanks so much.

[@healwithjaniele]

Thank you for empowering me to show up powerfully and masterfully facilitate an amazing wedding experience for my friends! These tips and best practices are beyond anything I’ve seen before. Thank you again!

[@lozziemacey7760]

Thanks Mark. You fill in so many little gaps in my knowledge. Learning so much every time I watch. Appreciate your work!

[@karloswithak6823]

Thank you sir, you are a Godsend 🙌 I may have watched all of your videos and some at least 3-5 times. Your approach at making it light-hearted and fun has helped immensely. I feel as prepared and confident as I can be for the big day this weekend.

[@systemsecurity7782]

I'm officiating at my first wedding next week. My son and his fiance. I'm as nervous as I am excited! I've been watching your video's, taking notes and picturing myself in front of family and guests. Your video's are giving me the confidence I need to to make the ceremony go smoothly and making a memorable one for my son and his fiance. Thank You!

[@naranathan]

Damn - All your advice is just so spot on. Truly, thank you for sharing.

[@shannonmccormick2110]

Hi Mark! Thank you for the videos. I have poured over your videos to prepare myself for my best friend’s wedding here in about 10 days. I was so excited when she asked me but then I started to panic. After watching your videos I am feeling a lot more confident. Thanks again from California.

[@judithrodriguez7360]

Thank u for all the information I officiant my cousin’s first weeding in August nervous about it

[@choosetoshine2610]

Excellent content and delivery! Thank you, Mark!!!

[@choosetoshine2610]

@@unboringwedding With your guidance and expertise prepping, I couldn't have done it without you, Mark! You're incredible! Superstar! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Super fan for life!!!!

[@jeffd1895]

Thanks Mark. Great ideas. I am not a natural public speaker, but I want to do a good job for my friends. You are appreciated!

[@jostott1730]

Another brilliant

[@patriciavoss6931]

Some great tips there Mark thankyou

[@unboringwedding]

I appreciate that, Patricia - thanks!

[@FearlessQuery21]

Thank you!

[@monicaolney767]

Love your detailed comments!

[@unboringwedding]

Glad it's helpful! Thanks so much! 🙏🏻

[@cynthiawalker1179]

Awesome! Great video and information! Thank you!🙏🙏🙏

[@unboringwedding]

You're so very welcome!

[@stevehernandez1637]

Thank you so much

[@stevenreid8332]

You help me so much. I really like your teaching videos.

[@unboringwedding]

I'm so glad to hear it, Steven! Thanks so much!

[@jardanirose9365]

Thank you for this! I am officiating my third wedding in one week and all your videos are very helpful. Thank you!

[@jardanirose9365]

@@unboringwedding wow, thank you so much for replying! I feel much more confident after watching your videos, as well as hearing your words of encouragement. Thank you again! 😁

[@darrenlind3088]

This was great!

[@unboringwedding]

Thanks so much - glad you enjoyed!

[@lightspotters3613]

omg I love your channel! funny content

[@edmcclements]

Thank you, Mark. Great input. Ed at Sonrise Church

[@ellenhagens2210]

Sooo helpful! Thank you! Wish me luck please 😊👍🏻🙏🏼

[@unboringwedding]

You’re welcome! And best of luck to you!!

[@lisapearson2322]

Great advice Mark. Aerial 14 font is also the most accessible font for visually impaired, did you know that? Good choice. Question for you regarding using the microphone, when the time comes for the couple to share their vows, do you have them use a mic so their guests can hear their vows? Or should vows be sacred between the couple? Thank-you.

[@sparklecreations]

Great advice!! No microphone but is it tacky to use a podium for your binder?? 🙂

[@dereksmith6097]

I love the breaking it up hint. I am also considering numbering so that I know I just finished section 3 and can now go to section 4. Your thoughts?

[@ontarioweddingofficiant9691]

you are so hilarious!!

[@ontarioweddingofficiant9691]

@@unboringwedding yes I have been since February, love it!!

[@ontarioweddingofficiant9691]

my mom has joined me as well and we are both licensed and work as a team

[@ParalyzedLiving]

Great tips Mark! So glad I clicked on this one in particular. I am officiating my niece's wedding in a couple weeks and your videos have been an excellent resource! Fist bump from one KZbinr to another! Now if I can just kick my habit of saying, "um.." lol I'm in a wheelchair so I have a slight concern I won't be easy for guests to see. I also don't want the bride and groom to feel they need to stand too far apart. Any thoughts for making it look as natural as possible?

[@jorgeclaverie6752]

Great video and VERY GOOD advice but, if I may ask, what is the purpose of the disturbing "background music"?

[@michael7324]

Mark, a new thing I started to do is make page tabs. I make a small tab from clear tape and place them on the edge of the pages. This allows me to easily grab the page and flip it when its time to turn the page. I use a sketch book that I get from Walmart for 4$ and tape the printed pages into the book. I'm not a fan of the plastic binders.

[@indygetmarried2151]

I have found it easy to handle a leather A5 binder and use page protectors. They are so easy to grab and flip when that time comes. All you have to do is print and put in their sleeves.

[@michael7324]

@@indygetmarried2151 I've tried the binder. I found it a bit big for me. But I agree the pages were easy to turn. I should tell, that I just had a page turning issue last month. I turned two pages. Cought myself quickly. I made a joke about the groom wanting to get it over with so he can get the party started. Everyone laughed. Moves on and got it done.

[@dansack7914]

Do you have a video on how to create and craft a well spoken wedding story?

[@chuklhed9092]

Would you happen to have stock scripts for vow renewals?

[@dantravers5380]

My daughter ask as me to perform her wedding & its my first time, I found your videos to be very helpful and insightful. How can I get your guide to officiate a wedding? Thank You!

[@beltoftruth56]

Me too , help!!

[@66dominoeffect99]

I’m looking up lapel mics … so many to chose from and I’m clueless about which one I should buy and what it needed to use with it .. any suggestions?

[@unboringwedding]

Hands down the Rode Wireless Go is the best lapel mic I’ve worked with.

[@ZomgXBanned2]

If you have a mic stand, where does it go?

[@unboringwedding]

I put it directly in front of me - ideally it’s a boom stand that can angle toward me over my binder and be close to my mouth. Sometimes that’s not possible and it just requires the mic to be turned up.

[@artieshell9205]

I noticed …. In your binder you had words on both sides of pages. Is that correct?

[@unboringwedding]

Yes that’s right! I do this to minimize the number of times I have to flip pages.

[@alicorndemon8679]

Really loved how helpful the video was but the perfectionist in me got a little annoyed when, in the script on screen, it says "we know that Christina and Ian and here today to get married", a second "and" instead of "are"

[@scunning100]

Incredible not using Trump while talking about a presidential speech 😂

[@eliasbracamonte4297]

You’re always politically correct. Why?

[@leonardgore]

I thought I did a pretty decent job not having my eyes glued to my script, but I realize my strategy of writing it on index cards which I laminated and put on a binder ring may have been courting danger! I had 17 cards to flip (!), thankfully the DJ was already prepared and clipped me with a microphone on my jacket lapel. I definitely will take this advice to heart for my next wedding!

[@marlofenderson3347]

Thank you so much

[@unboringwedding]

You’re so welcome, Marlo - thanks for the thanks! :-)