If you’re a believer and thinking about eloping, you’re check out our ideas for creating your Christian Elopement Ceremony Script!
Christian Elopement Ceremony Script – Inspiration for your Wedding Day
Are Christian weddings and Christian Elopements the same? YES!
We have found that even though this should “go without saying” – sometimes people are still trapped in tradition. Not that we would throw away tradition entirely, but we believe that as believers, we have the freedom to follow where our faith calls us. God has given us liberty to pursue His will that He has placed on our hearts in our walk in faith. So don’t feel like you “have to get married” a certain way, or that your wedding day is any less special because you have decided on an elopement. We might argue – in fact – that your day is more special and unique, because you have chosen to celebrate it in your own way.
To read more about our position on Scripture and the topic of eloping – check out our blog post What Does the Bible Say about Eloping).
What do you want to highlight in your Christian Elopement Ceremony Script about your faith?
Each one of us has a unique walk of faith as we follow His will in our lives. As two becoming one, you both have that uniqueness you are bringing to your relationship.
Some leading questions to think about:
- What do you share in your walk of faith that you want to highlight in your ceremony?
- What parts of your weekly church experience and/or fellowship with other believers make you feel the closest to God?
- What makes you want to praise God more than anything else?
If these questions have brought some ideas into your mind about what you want to celebrate in your ceremony, write them down! They’ll be super useful when you finally get to the step of writing out your Christian elopement ceremony script.
Or if you might still be reaching for ideas, here some thoughts to help you get started!
- Do you value your worship experience with music and singing in church? Maybe music at your ceremony is what you are looking for.
- Is communion a centerpiece of your walk with Jesus? Then you might consider having your own breaking bread and wine experience for your ceremony.
- Do you place prayer as the most important aspect of your walk? Then sharing a prayer together – even privately – could be your way to express your deeply held faith.
To read more in-depth on ideas to incorporate into your elopement as a Christian, check out this blog post: Christian Elopement Ideas.
Decide what kind of Elopement Ceremony to have
Depending on your choice of ceremony, you may need to include certain legal language in your script. Or if you have guests present, there are certain things to include as well! Let’s cover the differences below. Traditional weddings tend to combine all of the aspects below, so it’s important to know the differences so you can make sure you have the kind of ceremony you want and that it makes your marriage legal too.
A ceremony to make it legal
This is where someone who is recognized by law (an officiant) says specific things to you as a couple & then the legal papers are signed. Every state is different in their requirements; some officiants can be “ordained” online while other states require that officiants belong to a recognized denomination or church. For the “things that are said” it usually comes down to two things: the Declaration of Intent & the Proclamation.
These sound very formal but in fact most of us have heard them before! If you remember hearing the following at a wedding:
“Do you Bride take Groom to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.”
“Do you Groom take Bride to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do.”
Then you have heard both the Declaration of Intent and Proclamation. It can sometimes be this simple, but it’s very important to check with the laws of your state (best done by a legally recognized Officiant) to make sure you are covering the bases.
A ceremony after you’ve made it legal
Here’s an idea that many couples might not think about initially – taking care of the legal paperwork first and then later, in the environment and situation of your choosing, having a ceremony together. Often, this is referred to as a “commitment ceremony.”
There are many different reasons to choose this option:
- Logistically, it’s easier for you to sign your wedding license paperwork locally to your home state vs. traveling elsewhere and dealing with it there.
- You don’t want to have anyone present on your elopement day – not even an officiant – and want the ultimate in privacy to say your vows to each other.
- Worrying about the paperwork is just not your thing, so why not take care of it before you travel on your adventure to your elopement!
A ceremony with your loved ones
Blending all of the above – or essentially a much smaller and more intimate version of a traditional wedding ceremony – is when you want to have your closest family / friends along. This is why we love calling this an “intimate wedding ceremony.”
You may choose to hire a professional officiant locally, bring your home pastor along, or perhaps have a family member get ordained online to officiate your ceremony.
This can be a great way to include your family in your wedding day and still have time on either end to spend time with each other and make it about you!
Important Elements for your Christian Elopement Ceremony Script
Just to say up front – eloping is about incorporating what you want. These are elements of a Christian Ceremony that you might consider including in your script – but we don’t want you to feel like any of these are must have’s. It’s all up to you!
Vows – Personalized or Traditional?
There is no right or wrong decision here, but honestly we do love when couples choose to write out their own vows to each other. You might find a good starting point to look at traditional Christian vows and then go from there! It’s always a sweet thing to hear when a bride and a groom have taken the time to really think about their relationship with each other.
If you decide to write your own vows to each other, here are some helpful tips to think about getting started:
- Think about memories from your past and recall them to each other in your vows.
- Write about how you think you will feel “in the moment” when you will be saying these vows to your love.
- Look towards the future and speak to the life you anticipate together
- Don’t be afraid to write down a funny story or a joke you have just between the two of you!
For your reference, here is an example of traditional Christian wedding vows below:
I, {groom}, take you, {bride}, to be my lawfully wedded Wife from this day forth. I promise to be by your side for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. My love and devotion are yours until the end of my days. This is my solemn vow.
I, {bride}, take you, {groom}, to be my lawfully wedded Husband from this day forth. I promise to be by your side for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. My love and devotion are yours until the end of my days. This is my solemn vow.
Incorporate Scripture Reading in your Christian Elopement Ceremony Script
Whether you both have a life verse, want to capture a part of scripture that reminds you of your marriage commitment to each other, or simply want to honor God with His word on your day, including scripture is usually a core part of a Christian Elopement Ceremony Script.
Always popular is 1 Corinthians 13 – a/k/a “the love chapter.” Yes, many couples choose this to be a part of their ceremony script; but you don’t have to feel like it’s overused. If it speaks to you then by all means include it!
If you have a Pastor or Officiant – Message / Mini-sermon
Especially if you are having your Pastor from your home church lead your ceremony, this is a great time to have them speak words of encouragement to you. If you can’t have your home Pastor join you but are hiring an officiant, they can also lead you in a message – just give them the opportunity to get to know you and what is important to you in life and your day!
One tip from us – almost everyone forgets what their Pastor or Officiant said on the day. You will be so full of nerves and excitement just looking at each other, it’s hard to remember anything! In the moment the words will of course mean so much, but at the very least ask for a copy of their message as a keepsake. Even better, choose to have videography of your wedding day so you can hear all the words in the moment.
Christian Elopement Ceremony Script – The Structure
Here are the major elements of a wedding script that you may choose to include in your ceremony. Just remember the legal parts (usually the Declaration of Intent & the Proclamation – but check with your jurisdiction and/or officiant) if you are also signing your marriage license too afterwards!
With an officiant and/or an intimate wedding with guests
- Welcome. Usually where the Pastor, Minister or Officiant says a few words introducing welcoming the guests & sharing a few words about you and the day.
- Family blessing. Traditionally, when the Father of the Bride walks down the aisle with her and “gives her away.” This is always a sweet and solemn moment too, sometimes we’ve seen Dad’s cry here.
- Scripture reading & Sermon. When your Pastor, Minister or Officiant shares from scripture and a short message.
- Vows. Your words of commitment to each other
- Declaration of Intent. This is where you say “I do” to each other!
- Ring Exchange. Rings as a symbol of lifelong commitment. Tip: sometimes they are hard to get on, so twist a little bit!
- Communion or other act to recognize your faith. Sometimes Christian couples choose to share communion and a prayer at this point. Or you might choose another way to honor God in your ceremony, such as singing a worship song. Up to you!
- Proclamation. This is when you are declared husband and wife!
- Kiss. You may now kiss your Bride!
- Presentation. When your officiant would say to everyone: “I now present to you, for the first time, Mr and Mrs…”
- Recessional. Typically part of a big wedding because there are so many involved and a long aisle to walk down. However we love to take advantage of this moment if you have a few guests for you to “walk down the aisle” together and have a photo with everyone around you! Or you may choose to stay where you are “at the front” and have everyone come to you. No matter what you choose, now is the time to celebrate!
When it’s just the two of you
If it’s just the two of you (make sure you’ve handled the legal side prior to your ceremony) it is much more open ended! Here are some of our suggestions following a similar structure as above:
- Welcome. It’s just the two of you, but decide on what you’ll use as a cue to start. Maybe you just hold each other’s hands and wait until you’re ready. It’s up to you when you are comfortable and ready to start.
- Scripture reading & Sermon. Here, you might choose to share you favorite scripture with each other.
- Vows. Take advantage of this private moment to truly share your thoughts in words.
- Ring Exchange. Don’t forget the rings!
- Communion or other act to recognize your faith. There are many ways to enjoy this part together. Maybe a prayer together, maybe one of you sings a song, or you share communion in privacy.
- Kiss. Need we say any more?
- Presentation. You’re alone, but we bet your photographer is watching. Don’t be afraid to join hands and raise them together – you did it! You’re MARRIED!
For more inspiration:
Check out this beautiful elopement for two in Charleston SC and watch their highlights video to hear their vows to each other.
Want to elope but not sure how to tell your family and manage expectations? Read our blog post How to tell your family you want to elope.
For more reading on handling family situations, check out How to elope and honor your family.
If you’re looking for the ultimate elopement experience and want to have a day that both focused on you and honors your faith – reach out to us today and let’s create the day that you’ve always wanted!
