How to Start a Wedding Ceremony (What to Say and Do!)

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Unboring!Wedding - Mark Allan Groleau

6 жыл бұрын

So you're officiating a wedding ceremony, and you make the last check of the details, walk to the front of the room, turn, see 100+ people looking back at you, and take a breath to start the wedding ceremony.
What do you say? How do you kick it off?
One way is to say, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today….” Okay, let’s reserve judgment on your choice to start the ceremony that way. (For now.)
The question is: what do the guests know about how they are to behave and feel during this ceremony?
Answer: reserved. Quiet. Like an audience. And if that’s what you and/or your couple are going for, you don't have to watch this video because you’re gonna get exactly the result you want with that opening. A nice tame group of listeners. Cheers - see you next week!
Want an alternative? In this video, I'll show you what to say and do to start the wedding ceremony so guests feel excited, engaged, and like they're a crucial part of the ceremony, too!
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To dive deeper into this topic, head to the companion blogpost: www.unboringwedding.com/write...
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Пікірлер: 192

@PUAlum 3 жыл бұрын

I think "aren't you glad you're here today......"? is a good opener. then thank the bride and groom and/or parents for including "all of us" in these joyful moments.

@ReverendFuzzy 8 ай бұрын

I usually make an announcement first, about 10 minutes before the ceremony starts, to the effect of: "The ceremony will be starting shortly.... Please place your cell phones, and small children on vibrate". It gives everyone a giggle, and lightens the mood. 😎👍

@meatballs0790 3 жыл бұрын

I just officiated my first wedding with 200 guests and absolutely crushed it thanks to your advice on engaging the audience at the beginning. Great way to set the tone. Asked three questions and had them all cheering by the third question.

@Nodeagent 2 жыл бұрын

3? What were they?! That sounds killer

@deAndaJake Жыл бұрын

I’m officiating a wedding soon. What did you ask? Please help

@KingdomFTX Жыл бұрын

😎 What were the questions? ✌️

@FromPeloToYourHeart Жыл бұрын

What were the questions?

@carloelstak5964 5 жыл бұрын

Doing my first( and maybe last) wedding next week...this is very helpful!!

@paperandpenserviceswedding2968 5 жыл бұрын

Love your channel and tips . Keep em coming!

@jeanettepullen2280 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you, for this and your other videos. I appreciate your help. so much good advise.

@enamored1 5 жыл бұрын

Great tips! So excited for my first ceremony in a couple weeks, thank you for being my guide.

@jakecurry4270 2 жыл бұрын

You do a good job with these videos. Thanks a lot! They are very helpful!!!

@drmichaelethomasjr 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for a precise and relaxed intro. It is like getting on a bike after being off for months.

@ShyteiCorellianAuthor 3 жыл бұрын

Oh heck yea! Thanks for this - and every one of your videos!

@allanrobinson5211 5 жыл бұрын

Great! I have my first wedding coming up and greatly appreciate the tips.

@goodgrits403 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. My first wedding is in the works. Your video is very helpful.

@wayneeadon6907 2 жыл бұрын

Great alternative. I'm going through the course and love these ideas.

@lizsweddingofficiant1303 2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love this.

@marriagecelebrant7751 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! So helpful new to this wonderful 'job!'

@tadecredgeur 5 жыл бұрын

Mark! Oh my gosh, I do do this, but only in watching this do I now see how it has been impactful. Thank you!

@taiwoawolesi7830 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Absolutely helpful

@trinhngo4647 Жыл бұрын

Wow! Your advice is incredible! I’m so lucky to find you 😆 Thank you thank you so much!

@hanskohl3136 4 жыл бұрын

Love it. Thanks 🙏🏿

@mikemerlyn.1691 5 жыл бұрын

Wonderful ideas. Thanks.

@carmelsensual 5 жыл бұрын

Great advice! Thanks

@JenniferMoleski 5 жыл бұрын

I'm officiating a wedding in September and I excited and nervous. You're helpful--thank you!

@michelekennedy515 5 жыл бұрын

So happy I found your helpful videos. Your tips and suggestions will be put to good use come April... Officiating my sweet niece's wedding. ☺

@carolegold6220 5 жыл бұрын

Mark, Many thanks! I’m officiating at my first wedding in two weeks and both of your videos are extremely helpful with insights from your vast experience. Again, with much gratitude!

@grimeremover 5 жыл бұрын

Mark- All your videos have been such good, solid advice! Thank you for just enough information to put something together- you've been a big help! I'm marrying my son and his bride in a few weeks- 1st son to marry & 1st wedding to officiate! Your material along with other sources I have found have brought it all together. Thank you. Tim

@gianinamartinez-niquen2633 5 жыл бұрын

Thank I love all the tips🥰

@88broncoll 5 жыл бұрын

Grasias por esta info, muchas grasias.

@jicerylbongabong9026 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this sir.

@dlinsanity Ай бұрын

Just officiated my best friends wedding as both the best man and officiant and your guide helped me KILL it! Never would I have thought I could do that but countless people came up to me afterwards and asked how long I'd been officiated for and if I could do their weddings the following year.

@marciawilliams2649 3 жыл бұрын

Had my first 4-3-21 and it went great! Thanks to Marc!

@tejaswivaliveti7506 4 жыл бұрын

I love this channel!!!!

@michaeldupreez1181 8 ай бұрын

This has been very informative. Thank you.

@jeffblackburn7811 3 жыл бұрын

Just got my credentials and have yet to do a wedding, but your videos are great info for me. Thanks so much!

@carloelstak5964 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all your videos and tips. I had been asked by the son and fiancée of very good friends to officiate their wedding, and I did so earlier his month. It would be a purely symbolic wedding as they had already been married formally the week before, but I really wanted to do a good job. All your tips and videos were excellent and came in very handy. I used this video as a guide for my opening and it worked like a charm. Right from the start, the guests knew we were there to have some fun and get excited and they sure did! I also used your ten-step checklist, how to deal with the wedding planner and how to run a successful rehearsal. Heck…I used them all. Thanks for all your tips, I had an absolute blast and the couple and their guests LOVED the ceremony. I may have to get licensed and start doing it more often….it is a lot of fun!!!

@davidmackenzie7705 5 жыл бұрын

Mark, I officiated my first wedding yesterday for a very dear friends of mine. I received nothing but incredibly positive feedback for the job I did. I owe you so much credit for my performance as your videos and tips were so helpful. This video about how to start off the ceremony was most helpful of all. I started the ceremony as you suggested and it set the tone perfectly. I have to say, I was scared to death when my friends first asked me to do this but in the end, with the help of your videos, this ended up being a top 10 life experience for me. Keep up the great work and say hi to Toronto my hometown.

@dougbullington5749 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful! Thank you very much

@akeivaaa2513 5 жыл бұрын

"Friends don't let friends take pictures with iPads" Haha I need that to be said at my wedding! Great tips!

@davidnkya1740 4 жыл бұрын

Perfect for sure

@libbycornish5844 5 жыл бұрын

this was very helpful thank you!

@1207marino 5 жыл бұрын

You rock brother!

@psalm1dan 9 күн бұрын

Great advice! People cheer for a football game where the players dont really care about you.Why not cheer at a wedding where alot of people including bride and groom care.

@susanpoole3285 4 жыл бұрын

OMG! You are helping me so much with your videos. My niece asked me to officiate her ceremony and this will be my first one ever! Your tips have really helped me, along with the bride and groom's input, help us all have a fabulous, personal and meaningful ceremony. Thank you!

@barbaraengle3886 3 жыл бұрын

I am a new officiant who watches your videos. Used a variation of your Introduction in a wedding last night for 11 people. It was FANTASTIC! Loosened them up and me up too. Thank you so much. You rock.

@ryanpage5449 2 жыл бұрын

VERY HELPFUL! Thank you. I will be officiating my first wedding in American Sign Language on 8/21. This video is fundamental for me

@colby6131 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Great advice. I’m officiating my sister’s wedding in about 3 weeks and I’m pretty nervous. This is the first video of yours that I’ve watched and I’m hoping the others will help me out as well.

@stuartlawson8128 4 жыл бұрын

Really good advice and very well presented as you might expect but worth saying dont you think!

@jordanwright8192 Жыл бұрын

I love this video !! Great tips. Thank you !!

@unboringwedding Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Jordan! All the best!

@cirish3926 5 жыл бұрын

You're awesome!

@johnanand6245 Жыл бұрын

Superb.....easy and exciting 👍👍👍

@lightspotters3613 3 жыл бұрын

you are awesome!!!!

@MyBodyIsMyTemple 4 жыл бұрын

Same doing my first, maybe my last... actually I thought about doing this in my 50's but apparently it came sooner. Doing it for my sister. Your videos are MY ALL right now! thank you!!!

@kevinholata9673 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for the awesome advice

@unboringwedding 3 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

@JuanRamos-wg5ol 4 жыл бұрын

I'm officiating on August 22nd!!!!!!!!!! I'm so nervous! This is so helpful and making it fun and not stresful!

@aliensojourner 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@vjm007 4 жыл бұрын

My dude! this video helped me greatly recently. Thank you so much. I basically did about two minutes of a “warm-up” introducing myself asking people to silence their phones, made a joke about myself, and asked if everyone was ready, repeated with I can’t hear you is everyone ready and everyone was smiling and laughing and cheering and suddenly it felt like a weight was off my shoulders and then when the ceremony actually started it just flowed!

@Mike-yx1ee 2 жыл бұрын

I watched ALL your videos before officiating my friend's wedding...SO incredibly helpful and ALL thanks to you. One of the guests was a wedding coordinator and said that was one of the best officiated weddings she had ever been to and thought I was a paid professional. If I ever considered officiating and wanted to get coached, without a doubt I'd go with you. I'll never do it again though bc it's way too much pressure lol If anyone wants to see my officiant speech for ideas, just let me know. I did a spin on "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today" and everyone loved it. Thank you again Mark, couldn't have done it without your tips.

@deAndaJake Жыл бұрын

I would love to get a copy of your script! I’m officiating a wedding soon and am putting it together now.

@Mike-yx1ee Жыл бұрын

@@deAndaJake absolutely. You'll have to adjust the beginning since the first half is how I know them and knew their relationship was special. what's your email and I'll grant you "view" permissions on the google doc

@mikesentell942 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you , good information , I officiate my first on Oct 15

@OverpoweredByMonk 3 жыл бұрын

Officiating my bffs wedding tomorrow. So nervous. I think this video will make things a bit less scary for me. Wish me luck!

@thiagocelebrante 3 жыл бұрын

I am a Brazilian fan!

@novakabdoul2178 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely..kudos

@nathanviveiros3890 7 ай бұрын

Good stuff

@FearlessQuery21 3 жыл бұрын

thank you!

@Heat0ne Жыл бұрын

Yesterday I officiated my cousins wedding and I just want to say thank you for all of your videos!! There was about 100 people! I walked out like a boss from the back about two minutes before the groomsmen came in to warm up the crowd and make a few announcements. For the rest of the night I was a rockstar. The energy through the ceremony and even the rest of the night was electric! Everyone should absolutely take this advice and watch all of Mark's other videos!

@ricardovieyradjrichardav3314 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir

@cecenightngale2267 Жыл бұрын

Great vid. Greetings from Tampa FL! :)

@unboringwedding Жыл бұрын

Thank you from 🇨🇦! 🙏🏻

@deonlatchman3283 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@KBfromSA 2 жыл бұрын

Very helpful and you have a new subscriber from 🇿🇦

@MikeTXBerry 2 жыл бұрын

Aboot. Lol great video, thanks for the tips!

@chadbaxter5578 6 ай бұрын

Thank you again. I have followed your steps for the weddings that I have done. It’s been a little over a year and my cousin is flying my wife and I out to Long Beach to marry her and her fiancé on Saturday. And they asked me to officiate which I’m super happy about and I was just having a brain fart on the opening remark so your video helped me yet again. Thank you.

@OpeyemiIfafore 2 жыл бұрын

God bless you, Mark Allan Groleau! Your advice about how to start a wedding is literally the BEST advice! I officiated my first wedding this weekend, and it helped tremendously. The guests instantly loosened up because, as you mentioned, you are giving them permission to react and enjoy the wedding. They clapped, they cheered and literally EVERY guest came up to me after the wedding saying they enjoyed the ceremony, and it was the most fun ceremony they have ever been to. Thank you so much for all that you do, and the help you have provided to so many people. It is truly inspirational and I can't wait to learn more from you.

@moniquecarter3664 Жыл бұрын

@LenaBegemot 5 ай бұрын

@tina-junubia6678 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you. About to do my 1st ceremony, glad I found you💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

@tina-junubia6678 4 жыл бұрын

Mark Allan Groleau thank you. Will surely come back and give a feedback

@paulgroleau8081 6 жыл бұрын

This dude makes me wanna get married all over again - lol - love the comment "5 creepy seconds" - still laughing

@jameschanja8304 4 жыл бұрын

Appreciate you for the great tips through these tips i promse you that i am going to be the greatest mc

@9ZERO6 4 жыл бұрын

Newly ordained here. You. Have Saved. Me. ( and my bride and groom) Many thanks. Still nervous as heck...but this approach immediately connected with my personality. Whew.

@9ZERO6 4 жыл бұрын

@@unboringwedding your videos, and emails you sent me literally helped me officiate a fun and quick wedding ceremony. My first wedding went off without a hitch, and the bride and groom were impressed. I cannot thank you enough. Your videos cut through all the complications and anxiety and gets right to the point. Engage the crowd, have fun, and just get the job done. Quick, easy, and the Bride and groom were happy. Total ceremony from beginning to end, 20 minutes tops. Just THANK YOU.

@jrobbx 4 жыл бұрын

I am officiating my son’s wedding this week and this has been extremely valuable. He and his fiancé have written their vows and want to do a knot tying ceremony. Your 10 steps were priceless to me in being able to get the sequence and structure down. Thanks!!

@peterlesa7107 2 жыл бұрын

Am really encouraged by your words have learnt a lot

@unboringwedding 2 жыл бұрын

I’m thrilled to hear it, Peter! Thanks for letting me know! 👊🏻

@jacobtinker7976 2 жыл бұрын

My first ceremony this coming weekend, I have been asked by my son and his fiancée to perform their ceremony! Very honored and proud, but nervous as well LOL I found this video very helpful, thank you for putting it together!

@Mztazdabeast 3 жыл бұрын

Doing my first wedding soon..very nerves. Thx so much

@bellarviera13 5 жыл бұрын

Amazing ideas, thanks

@bellarviera13 5 жыл бұрын

@@unboringwedding I want to get married at Disney, how do I make that work without paying a lot of dollars?

@mandreyka 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mark for making these great videos, I’m about to officiate a wedding for my sons best friend ( first time) and your guidance is very helpful

@mandreyka 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark I have a ton of questions lol. It’s 3 weeks away and I’m just now getting around to getting serious about putting it all together, they want a short and sweet civil wedding so it should go smoothly I hope

@johnmbereko7443 7 ай бұрын

Thanks

@Oscarbuilds26 11 ай бұрын

Excellent stuff. The video help me with getting the ball rolling and the script started! I will come back after the wedding and comment to let you know how it went. Wish me luck!

@unboringwedding 11 ай бұрын

Awesome! So glad I could help. All the best!

@editingenglish4betterfluen838 4 жыл бұрын

Love your style and relaxed manner. Great video, awesome tips ...... you make me want to get married again ...... I'll have to talk to the wife ;-)

@roseannawelch8410 3 жыл бұрын

Your videos are so insightful! Thank you.. Question: Do you have to bring your own equipement such as a microphone?

@IAmFrankieA 3 жыл бұрын

Mark, thanks for all your awesome videos! How many weddings do you do each day? How do we price our services?

@thehealingschooladmin9641 Жыл бұрын

EXCELLENT YOUR A MARRIAGE OFFICIANT SAVER!!!! LOL

@unboringwedding Жыл бұрын

I do what I can. :-) Glad I could help! 👊🏻

@Sandmanthedrummer 8 ай бұрын

I just officiated my first wedding with 150 guests and it was amazing. Set the tone with a few laughs to get people relaxed. These videos were perfect! I owe you Mark.....Thank you soo much. Even had a few guest request my services for their wedding.

@unboringwedding 8 ай бұрын

'LOVE this! I'm thrilled for you - congrats! So glad I could help. Thanks for letting me know!

@andeokiror7656 9 ай бұрын

Nice video, thanks

@unboringwedding 9 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it - thanks for the comment!

@Dthomas_71 Жыл бұрын

I will be officiating my first wedding (License Signing Ceremony) next Friday. I am a little nervous, yet super excited. I'm so glad I came across your video and will be watching more of your videos throughout the weekend, to get more prepared. Such great advise and content. Thank you so much for sharing!

@unboringwedding Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, Dina! Hope Friday goes super well for you. Glad you enjoyed... and that I could help!

@sxf093020 Жыл бұрын

Love your videos, Mark! I'm officiating for the first time (family wedding) and will be doing it in English and Spanish. Do you have tips (or a video) on how to do a bilingual ceremony? I have ideas for punch lines and for making people laugh, but am worried about making smooth transitions so that everyone laughs equally. Am I overthinking it? Thank you!

@neshachristian-hendrickson5598 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Your page helped a ton. I performed my first wedding, I got lots of good feedback! I am so grateful I found your page. So many people were like if I ever get married you have to do mine. There was laughter, the almost 200 people were saying it was an amazing service. I was able to add t my Buddhist element, and I attribute much of my success to your channel.

@unboringwedding Жыл бұрын

Hey Nesha - I absolutely love hearing this! A million congrats to you. There’s nothing like showing everybody a good time right from the ceremony. I think this means words is spreading about you and you’re gonna be busy! :-)

@neshachristian-hendrickson5598 Жыл бұрын

@@unboringwedding I certainly hope so! From lawyer to Officiatant.

@Pstpriest 5 жыл бұрын

great, so educative. thanks a lot.am officiating a wedding this Saturday. what about if am saying the vows for them and have them do I do.what are the lines or choice of words do I use and how are my going to do it ?

@l.-._.-._.-._.-._.-.l Жыл бұрын

My brother asked me to do his wedding, I am unbelievably nervous about screwing up. I'm horrible at public speaking in front of strangers but i am usually the comic relief/life of the party with friends and family. I came to realize I will know half the guests since it's my bros wedding. Hopefully, I can channel that side of myself without seeming like I am only talking to one half of the room.

@randallbyron683 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Mark for this video that makes starting the Wedding Ceremony so much easier for those of us doing it for the first time! As with most events, the start determines how much those present will enjoy it! :-)

@fordeden638 2 жыл бұрын

I dont mean to be so offtopic but does someone know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account..? I was stupid lost the login password. I love any assistance you can offer me!

@laynelane9080 2 жыл бұрын

@Ford Eden instablaster :)

@fordeden638 2 жыл бұрын

@Layne Lane Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

@fordeden638 2 жыл бұрын

@Layne Lane it worked and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my account !

@laynelane9080 2 жыл бұрын

@Ford Eden you are welcome :)

@melissarode1742 2 жыл бұрын

Great advice! By chance do you asks guests to stand as the bride enters? Thank you!

@viberyt9752 11 ай бұрын

Very helpful

@unboringwedding 9 ай бұрын

Glad you think so - thanks for the comment!

@eva-mariacoughlin9456 4 жыл бұрын

I am officiating my grandson’s wedding in a few days. Did one wedding years ago but didn’t remember anything, as the bride had it all under control then. Now I am a bit nervous but listening to you makes it a lot easier. The bride wants a short ceremony, and that’s good with me. We will be in a traditional mode. Thanks so much! It’s a little more involved then I remember but all good!

@pedromachado4780 3 жыл бұрын

This was great, I been tryin to find out about "wedding speech sample" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Heyonnor Speechless Eradicator - (just google it ) ? Ive heard some great things about it and my neighbour got excellent success with it.

@mhouze3 10 ай бұрын

I just officiated my first wedding for my niece and killed it. Thank you so much for your videos. They were so helpful preparing for the big day!

@unboringwedding 10 ай бұрын

Love hearing that! Thanks for taking the time to come back and let me know. Thrilled for you! And after breaking the seal on that first one, your confidence will only skyrocket!

@mhouze3 10 ай бұрын

@@unboringwedding it has. Dude I was so nervous. I know my nephews will want me to officiate their weddings too. Thanks again and it’s so great that you responded!

@curtvlaandorp5558 3 жыл бұрын

Hi, Mark. I'm 16 years old and I'm officiating my cousin's wedding tomorrow. This video has really helped me out. Thank you. Do you perhaps have any more tips and advice?