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Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony Script

A complete secular wedding ceremony script with no religious references, plus non-religious readings, a unity ritual you can add, and how to keep a mixed-belief family comfortable.

7 min read

Quick answer

A non-religious ceremony keeps the familiar order (welcome, story, vows, rings, declaration) and simply leaves out prayers and religious readings. The full script below is ready to read, with optional secular readings and a unity ritual.

Want the whole ceremony written out? See the ready-to-read scripts in the workbook

A secular ceremony script, ready to read

This script contains no religious references. Fill in the brackets. Lines in italics are cues for the officiant.

Welcome

Welcome, everyone. Thank you for being here to celebrate [Partner A] and [Partner B].

A wedding is one of the oldest ceremonies people have. Across every culture and century, people have gathered like this, with the people they love, to say: this is the person I choose. Today we get to be part of that.

On marriage

Marriage is a promise two people make, and keep making. It is not a single day. It is every ordinary morning after this one: the dishes, the plans, the bad news and the good news, shared.

[Partner A] and [Partner B] are not here because they need permission to love each other. They are here because they want to make that promise out loud, in front of the people who matter to them, and ask all of you to help them keep it.

Their story

[Two to four sentences about how they met and what makes them good together.]

Reading (optional)

A guest reads one of the readings below, or one the couple chose.

Intent

[Partner A], do you choose [Partner B] to be your [wife / husband / spouse], to love and respect, in good times and in hard ones?

(Partner A: “I do.”)

[Partner B], do you choose [Partner A] to be your [wife / husband / spouse], to love and respect, in good times and in hard ones?

(Partner B: “I do.”)

Vows

[Partner A], please repeat after me: I, [Partner A], / choose you, [Partner B], / as my partner in life. / I promise to love you, / to be honest with you, / to grow with you, / and to stand by you, / for as long as we live.

Then the same for Partner B. Or each reads vows they wrote.

Rings

[Partner A], as you place the ring on [Partner B]‘s finger, please say: “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and my promise.”

[Partner B], as you place the ring on [Partner A]‘s finger, please say: “I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and my promise.”

Asking the guests

Will all of you, the family and friends of [Partner A] and [Partner B], support them and stand by them in their marriage? If so, please say, “We will.”

(Guests: “We will.”)

Declaration

[Partner A] and [Partner B], you have made your promises in front of the people you love. By the authority given to me [by the State of ______], I declare you married. You may kiss.

Presentation

Everyone, please celebrate with me: [names as the couple wants to be introduced]!

Yes. Civil and secular weddings are legal in every US state. The religious content of a ceremony has nothing to do with whether the marriage is valid. What matters is the marriage license and, in most states, an officiant your state recognizes.

Officiant and license rules vary by state

Who may officiate, whether witnesses are needed and how the license is returned depend on the state and county where you marry. This guide is not legal advice. Ask the county clerk’s office that issues your license; USA.gov lists local government offices by state.

Common officiants for a secular wedding are a judge or court official, a county or city official where that is allowed, or a friend who is ordained or registered where your state permits it. Note that some online ordinations are technically religious organizations, which surprises some secular couples. If that bothers you, ask the clerk about a civil officiant instead.

Non-religious readings

A short reading gives a guest a part in the ceremony. Choose one, and keep it under two minutes. Some secular options people often use:

  • A poem in the public domain. Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee?” (Sonnet 43) is an old favorite. Look for older poems whose copyright has expired if you plan to print the words in a program.
  • A passage from a novel or essay you both love. Read only a short passage aloud.
  • A letter. A parent, grandparent or friend writes a short letter to the couple and reads it.
  • Words you write yourselves. A few lines about what marriage means to the two of you, read by a friend.

Avoid readings that mention God, prayer or scripture if you want the ceremony fully secular. Some well-known “wedding readings” do, so read the whole text first.

Unity rituals without religion

A unity ritual is a small, visual moment after the rings. None of these is required. Pick one that fits you, or skip them.

  • Handfasting. The officiant or guests loosely wrap a cord or ribbon around your joined hands while saying a few words. It has old roots and works well outdoors.
  • Planting a tree or plant. Each of you adds soil to a pot with a young plant, to be planted at home.
  • Mixing sand. Each pours a different color of sand into one jar.
  • A ring warming. Before the ceremony, the rings are passed around the guests, who each hold them for a moment and make a silent wish. This works well with a small group.

A short line for the officiant: “This [cord / plant / jar] stands for the life you are building. Separate things, made into one.”

When your families have different beliefs

Secular does not have to mean cold, and it does not have to exclude anyone. A few ways to keep religious relatives comfortable without changing who you are:

  • Include a moment of reflection. “Let us take a moment of quiet, each in our own way, to wish these two well.” People who pray can pray.
  • Let a relative give a blessing at the reception. The ceremony stays secular; the dinner can open with a family grace.
  • Tell family in advance. A short conversation before the day avoids surprise on it.

For the full ceremony order and timing, see the short wedding ceremony script.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we have a legal wedding without any religious words?

Yes. Civil and secular weddings are legal in every state. Check your county clerk for the officiant and license rules that apply where you marry.

What do you say instead of "in the eyes of God"?

Lines like "in front of the people who love you" or "with all of us as witnesses" keep the weight of the moment without religious wording.

Who can officiate a non-religious wedding?

Depending on your state: a judge, an authorized public official, or a friend who is ordained or registered. Ask your county clerk which applies.

Is a humanist ceremony the same as a non-religious one?

A humanist ceremony is one kind of non-religious ceremony, usually led by a humanist celebrant. The script above is secular and can be used by any officiant.