Your wedding ceremony is probably the shortest, and least expensive, element of your day. So while it might be really important to you, for many couples, it ends up falling down the list of priorities after things like food, style or entertainment. We want to make it easier for you to give your ceremony the thought and attention it deserves! We've already put together a step-by-step guide to making a ceremony structure, and today, we've compiled an essential wedding ceremony checklist to make sure your vows are beautiful, memorable, and go off without a hitch!

Essential Wedding Ceremony Checklist

As with all of our wedding planning checklists, what you need for your wedding ceremony will differ depending on the kind of vows you have. A Catholic wedding, will differ from a humanist outdoor ceremony, and registry office 'I Dos' may require a lot less detail than a self-plan ceremony. Your celebrant, ceremony style and setting will help you work out what applies to you!

The Logistics

A ceremony venue

A celebrant

A marriage license (and a pen!)

A ceremony structure

An entrance order for the wedding party (don't leave this to chance!)

Ushers to help seat guests

Vows!

Wedding rings (and box or cushion)

Any cards or payments for celebrant and musicians

Transport for the wedding party

An exit plan (are you doing a receiving line, where will you have a confetti toss, etc)

A Plan B for an outdoor ceremony

The Venue

Parking

Chairs for guests

Chairs for the bride and groom

A table (or altar) for the celebrant

Space for an aisle (wide enough to fit two or three people, and a big dress, if required)

Electricity sources

Heating/fans/umbrellas as required

The Readings

Ceremony readings (normally two)

Church readings and prayers (a religious celebrant will be able to go over this with you)

People to read

A step for any child readers

A podium and/or microphone

The Music

Musicians

Microphones/amps/a PA system

Someone to play any pre-recorded music

A processional song for the wedding party (if required)

A processional song for the bride (if required)

A recessional song for the couple

Music for signing the registry

Additional music choices

The Decor & Details

Ceremony programs (and someone to distribute them)

Flowers - entrance flowers, altar flowers, pew ends

Ceremony backdrop

Welcome sign

Baskets, petals, or signs for flower girls and page boys

Tissues

Confetti (and someone to coordinate the toss)

Candles (including a unity candle, if required, and matches/a lighter)

Ceremony symbols (hand-fasting ribbon, sand, tree planting, gifts for a church ceremony etc)

Any drinks or snacks for post-ceremony celebrations!

Anything we missed, let us know!

Get more handy wedding planning checklists!

Listen to our podcast episode about how to make your ceremony unique

Feature image: This Modern Love via One Fab Day