Ceremony
The Service
The central part is the Exchange of vows/promises and ring(s), after which the Minister declares you to be husband and wife. Around that are hymns, readings from the Bible and prayers. At the end of the service the Bridal Party sign the Marriage Schedule, before processing out of church.
The Minister who is conducting the service has the final decision on its shape and content, but is happy to consider requests for particular hymns, readings or for a friend or relative to read.
Vows
A copy of the usual form of vows can be viewed on our website HERE. You will have the opportunity to pick which set of vows you wish to take.
Service Sheets
It is a matter of choice, and budget, whether you have a printed Order of Service. The Order of Service sheet should indicate the contents to your wedding ceremony (Hymns, Prayers, Readings, Vows, etc). The minister will be happy to outline this for you.
If you have a printed Order of Service it may be necessary for you to obtain permission from the Copyright-holder to reproduce the words of hymns. It is advisable to let the Minister see a copy of the draft Order of Service before going to print.
Order of Service
A sample Order of Service is set out below:
Bridal Entry Music - Highland Cathedral
Welcome & Call to Worship
1st Hymn - Love Divine, all loves excelling
The Marriage:
- Exchange of vows
- Giving and receiving of rings
- Declaration of marriage
- Marriage blessing & prayer
Bible Reading(s)
Message of Encouragement - Rev Scott Cameron
Presentation Gift of a Bible
2nd Hymn - Be thou my vision
Benediction
Signing of Register
Recessional - Wedding March
Music
Music Suggestions for your Wedding
Weddings are important events in our lives, and we celebrate them in a variety of ways. In many cultures weddings are at the heart of the life in the community, and the use of music to enhance the experience is almost universal.
There are pieces of music from the classical repertoire that have become so closely associated with the ceremony that just a few notes from the tunes will immediately make people think "wedding". Below are a few traditional suggestions which you may want to consider.
Firstly here are those traditional favourites:
- Bridal Chorus by Richard Wagner - often played as a processional as the bride enters.
- Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn - often played as a closing processional as the couple leave.
Other pieces from the classical repertoire:
- Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel
- Prelude No. 1 from Book 1 of the 48 by Johann Sebastian Bach
- Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven
- Symphony No. 7 in A, 2nd movement by Ludwig van Beethoven
- Prelude No. 6 by Frederic Chopin
- Prelude No. 7 by Frederic Chopin
- Arabeque No. 1 from Deux Arabesque by Claude Debussy
- Symphony 5, 4th movement extract by Gustav Mahler
- Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie
In addition to these pieces above, you will find a number of pieces from traditional Church music such as the following:
- Tallis' Canon by Thomas Tallis
- Third Mode Melody by Thomas Tallis
Or what about the traditional piece Greensleeves? This can be played on a variety of instruments.
From the Scottish music tradition, pieces like Highland Cathedral, Sands of Kuwait, Calum’s Road, Kate Martin’s Waltz and the Bays of Harris, have become very popular.
Please don’t get overwhelmed by the choice of music! Let your organist guide you to the pieces that will be right for you.
