This is a general example of a civil wedding ceremony.
The layout here is very flexible and can be altered to suit your taste.
I have highlight the parts where there is music or song.
- Entrance procession (Music - This is the big entrance, common pieces include "Gabriel's Oboe" or something Irish like "Tabhair dom do Láimh". Or else a song can work nice here e.g. "She Moves Through the Fair")
- Opening Words by the celebrant. Can include the 'Giving in Marriage' speech here.
- Music (e.g. Inis Oirr or a song)
- First Reading
- Lighting of the Wedding Candles (Music - something short here. This is played as the bride and groom are lighting their individual candles. I usually like to play a slow Irish reel on flute e.g. Absent Friends)
- Definition of Marriage
- Wedding Vows
- Exchange of Rings
- Music e.g. Ag Criost an tSiol
- Lighting of Marriage Candle (Music - again this candle ceremony can be brief but it's nice to have some music playing as the bride and groom each take a light from their individual candles and light the marriage candle to symbolise their joining together. I like some Irish music here again e.g "Mo Ghile Mear")
- Sand Ceremony (Music - something soft behind the celebrant talking )
- Closing - poem or prayer
- Declaration of Marriage (Music - something short and fanfare-like to announce the new couple to the room while they kiss e.g. Sí Beag Sí Mór)
- Signing of the Register (Music - this is where everybody starts to get a bit rowdy as the bride and groom get to the business end of things and sign on the dotted line! Something loud and lively works here - I personally prefer some rousing jigs or reels)
- Introduction of Newly Weds
- Recessional/Dismissal (Music - the part where everybody waves the bride and groom out the door. Some options - a Song "Fields of Gold", or a lively Irish jig "Haste to the Wedding")
