Please see the script below, with the legal words that must be said in bold, and the optional words spoken by the couple in italics:

 

‘Good morning/afternoon everybody, and on behalf of ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­(Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name) I would like to extend a warm welcome to (name of the venue).

My name is (Registrar’s name); I will conduct the ceremony, and (Registrar’s name) will complete the schedule, which is the legal record of the marriage.

This place in which we are now met, has been duly sanctioned, according to law, for the celebration of marriages, and you are here today as guests to witness the joining in matrimony of (Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name), who would like to thank you all for coming to celebrate the beginning of their new life together as husband/wife and husband/wife.

It means a great deal to them that you can be here, to share in their happiness, and witness their marriage vows.

­­(Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name) the purpose of marriage is that you may always love, care for, and support each other, through the joys and sorrows of life.

Marriage means making a commitment to developing and maintaining co-operation, friendship and mutual respect.

It calls for trust, understanding and encouragement. But more than this, marriage is also intended to provide the love and friendship, help and comfort, which each ought to have for the other.

However, if there is any person here present who knows of any lawful impediment to this marriage, then they should declare it now.

[1ST READING (OPTIONAL)]

I am now going to ask each of you in turn to declare that you know of no legal reason you may not be married to each other. Please repeat after me:

I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (Partner 1’s name), may not be joined in marriage to (Partner 2’s name).

I declare that I know of no legal reason why I (Partner 2’s name), may not be joined in marriage to (Partner 1’s name).

[2ND READING (OPTIONAL)]

Now that you have both declared that you are free to marry, we have come to the part of the ceremony where you are about to make your marriage contract with each other. Please repeat after me:

 I, (Partner 1’s name), take you (Partner 2’s name), to be my wedded wife/husband. I promise to be loving, faithful and loyal to you for the rest of our lives together.

I, (Partner 2’s name) take you (Partner 1’s name), to be my wedded wife/husband. I promise to be loving, faithful and loyal to you for the rest of our lives together.

[PERSONAL VOWS (OPTIONAL)]

[RINGS (OPTIONAL)]

The wedding ring is an unbroken circle, it has no beginning and no end. It symbolises un-ending and everlasting love and is an outward sign of the lifelong promise you have made to each other.

Please repeat after me:

(Partner 2’s name), I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. May it remind you always of my vows to you today.

(Partner 1’s name), I offer you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. May it remind you always of my vows to you today.

[3RD READING (OPTIONAL)]

(Partner 1’s name) and (Partner 2’s name), you have now both made the declarations required by law and have made a solemn and binding contract with each other in the presence of your witnesses, guests and the registrar of marriages.

It therefore gives me great pleasure, to pronounce you are now husband/wife and wife/husband.

Congratulations! You may now kiss each other!’

[SIGNING OF THE SCHEDULE]

[COUPLE DECLARED AS THEY HAVE ASKED TO BE DECLARED ON THE PRE-CEREMONY ORGANISER]