Fall Wedding Ceremony Script

Bride and groom in zombie makeup holding jack-o-lanterns at Halloween wedding

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~12 Minute Ceremony

Couples may want to host a fall wedding ceremony not only because venues are cheaper during this season, but also because of the beautiful colors of the changing leaves making for a great wedding scene if hosted outside. The weather is mild and not super humid like in the summer and not very cold like during the winter.

Introduction/Welcome/Wedding Sermon

Officiant (to guests):

On this beautiful fall day, we welcome you all that are gathered here to celebrate the union of _______________ and _______________. Just as the color of the leaves is changing on the trees, so are the symbolic leaves of these two people’s lives changing before us today.

Officiant (to couple):

Before we unify you both in marriage, I’ll share a short reading about the unifying power of shared experience.

Reading

Officiant (to guests):

The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what, we must eat to live. The gifts of earth are brought and prepared, set on the table. So it has been since creation, and it will go on. We chase chickens or dogs away from it. Babies teeth at the corners. They scrape their knees under it. It is here that children are given instructions on what it means to be human. We make men at it, we make women.

At this table we gossip, recall enemies and the ghosts of lovers. Our dreams drink coffee with us as they put their arms around our children. They laugh with us at our poor falling-down selves and as we put ourselves back together once again at the table. This table has been a house in the rain, an umbrella in the sun.

Wars have begun and ended at this table. It is a place to hide in the shadow of terror. A place to celebrate the terrible victory. We have given birth on this table, and have prepared our parents for burial here. At this table, we sing with joy, with sorrow. We pray for suffering and remorse. We give thanks. Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table, while we are laughing and crying, eating the last sweet bite.

-Perhaps the World Ends Here by Joy Harjo

There is a new season coming for you both as you bond your lives into marriage. This is the start of your autumn as the leaves change color and will end as the leaves fall and death do you both apart.

Exchanging of Vows

Officiant (to couple):

Let’s begin your new season together and have you both exchange your vows to one another.

_______________, you may start with the vows exchange with yours, please.

Partner 1:

My love for you shines brighter than the colors of the fall leaves. I promise to stay true to you and show you the true colors of my loves always and forever from the beginning of our autumn until the leaves fall.

(Add or omit to fit desired vows.)

Officiant (to couple):

_______________, you can now share your vows.

Partner 2:

(Add or omit to fit desired vows.)

Exchanging of Rings

Officiant (to couple):

Next will be the exchanging of the rings.

Officiant (to Partner 1):

_______________, give your ring to _______________ on their ring finger and say these exact words. “I vow that with this ring I will stay true to you and our love for each other.”

Partner 1:

Officiant (to Partner 2):

_______________, give your ring to _______________ on their ring finger and say these exact words. “I vow that with this ring I will stay true to you and our love for each other.”

Partner 2:

“I vow that with this ring I will stay true to you and our love for each other.”

Declaration of Intent

Officiant (to couple):

Now you both may join hands.

_______________, do you take _______________ to be your lawfully wedded husband/wife/spouse?

Partner 1:

I take _____ to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife/spouse.

Officiant (to Partner 2):

_______________, do you take _______________ to be your lawfully wedded husband/wife/spouse?

Partner 2:

I take _______________ to be my lawfully wedded husband/wife/spouse.

Pronouncement

Officiant (to couple):

_______________ and _______________, on this fall day, you have shown the true colors of your love for one another and professed this passion in front of all who have gathered here today.

Due to the power that has been given to me by the Universal Life Church Ministries, I now pronounce you wed. You may now share a kiss if you choose to do so.