Wedding Planning Packet

Instructions: This packet will guide you through planning your wedding ceremony. Please complete all applicable sections and return to the pastor at least two weeks before your wedding date.

Section 1: Couple Information

Bride's Information

Groom's Information

New Residence After Wedding

Section 2: Wedding Details

Examples: Love, Commitment, Friendship, Christ-Centered, etc.

Section 3: Family Information

Bride's Parents

Groom's Parents

Section 4: Wedding Party

Bridesmaids:

Groomsmen:

Section 5: Ceremony Elements

Please indicate which special elements you would like to include in your ceremony:

5.1 "I Love You Because" Reading

A personal reading where the couple shares why they love each other.

5.2 Unity Candle

5.3 Communion

5.4 Parent Tributes

See Section 9 for sample tribute text

5.5 Roses to Mothers/Grandmothers

A rose can be presented to mothers or grandmothers after the ceremony or tribute.

5.6 Scripture Reader

5.7 Special Music

5.8 Other Special Elements

Section 6: Scripture Readings

Below is a list of suggested Bible passages for your wedding ceremony. Please select the passage(s) you would like included and note them in Section 5.6 above. Selected scriptures must be submitted to the pastor two weeks before the wedding date.

Suggested Passages

  • Genesis 2:18-24 - God's design for marriage from the beginning.
  • Ruth 1:16-17 - A vow of loyalty and devotion.
  • Psalm 127 - A reminder that the Lord must build the home.
  • Psalm 128 - Blessings for those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways.
  • Proverbs 3:3-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
  • Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds a good thing.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two are better than one; a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
  • Song of Songs 2:10-13 - Celebration of love and longing.
  • Isaiah 61:10 - Rejoicing in the Lord, clothed in salvation like a bridegroom and bride.
  • Matthew 19:4-6 - Jesus affirms God's design for marriage.
  • Mark 10:6-9 - What God has joined together, let no one separate.
  • John 15:9-12 - Remain in Christ's love and love one another.
  • Romans 12:9-13 - Love must be sincere-devoted, patient, and joyful in hope.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 - The enduring qualities of true, godly love.
  • Ephesians 4:1-3 - Walk in humility, gentleness, patience, and unity.
  • Ephesians 5:21-33 - Christ and the Church as the model for marriage.
  • Philippians 2:1-5 - Consider others above yourselves; the humility of Christ.
  • Colossians 3:12-17 - Clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
  • 1 Peter 3:1-9 - Instructions for wives and husbands to honor and bless one another.
  • Revelation 19:6-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb-our ultimate hope and union with Christ.

Section 7: Wedding Vows

You may write your own vows or select from one of the options below. Please indicate your choice:

I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wedded wife/husband. I promise and covenant before God, our family, and our friends, to be your loving and faithful wife/husband, to honor and respect you, to serve you and to cherish you, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.
I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wife/husband. Today, I promise before God and those we love, to love you and care for you, to be faithful to you, and to walk with you in all of life's seasons- in joy and in hardship, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.
I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wife/husband. Before God, I vow to love you with the love Christ has shown me- patient, forgiving, and full of grace. I promise to lead with humility, to serve with joy, to seek your good before my own, and to honor this covenant until the Lord calls one of us home. This is my solemn vow, by God's grace and for His glory.
I love you, __________. Today, I choose you to be my wife/husband. I promise before God and everyone here, to be your best friend, your encourager, your faithful partner in every season. I will speak with kindness, listen with patience, and forgive freely. I will grow with you, laugh with you, grieve with you, and follow Christ with you for the rest of our lives.
I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wife/husband and my greatest earthly gift. I promise before God and these witnesses to be faithful, loving, and true. I will walk with you, work with you, worship with you, and build a life with you. In laughter and in tears, in plenty and in need, I will stand beside you-all the days of our lives. By God's strength, this is my vow.

Section 8: Music

Organist/Pianist

Vocalists/Musicians

Prelude Music Selections

Processional

Recessional

Postlude

Section 9: Parent Tribute Text (Reference)

If you selected parent tributes in Section 5.4, you may use the sample text below or write your own. Custom tributes must be submitted to the pastor two weeks before the wedding.

Sample Tribute to Bride's Parents

To be read by the Bride:

Mom and Dad, I want to take a moment to honor you. Thank you for the countless sacrifices you have made for me throughout my life. You have shown me what love looks like through your example. You have taught me how to laugh, how to persevere, how to trust God, and how to love deeply. I am so thankful to have parents as loving and wonderful as you. You mean more to me each and every day. I love you so much and always will.

Sample Tribute to Groom's Parents

To be read by the Groom:

Today, I stand before you, awaiting to take [Bride's name]'s hand in marriage, but I do so with fond memories of my childhood...and I thank you. Thank you for all the holidays, camping trips, talks, support, and most importantly, filling my life with love. I thank you for all the little things that went unmentioned because I was too busy being a kid. I have learned a great deal from both of you. You have taught me how to love, to cry, to laugh, to share, to dream, to hope, and to strive to do my very best. You have given me so much and sacrificed so much to do so. You are wonderful parents and I love both of you very much.

Pastoral Commendation (Optional)

Pastor may include:

I would like to commend all the parents. You have given [Bride] and [Groom] a foundation of love, a legacy to pass on to their children. And through your continued love and encouragement, you will help them to build a love that will last a lifetime.

Section 10: Administrative Details

Marriage License

Officiant's Honorarium

The pastor's honorarium is traditionally the responsibility of the groom. This honorarium honors the pastor's time spent in premarital counseling, ceremony preparation, and performing the wedding ceremony.

Music Fees

Other Fees or Notes

Checklist & Important Reminders

Completion

May the Lord bless your marriage and establish your home on the foundation of His love and grace.