It’s 2022, so it will come as no surprise that there is now a term for your second wedding. No, not to a new partner… rather the big party and celebration that comes after a smaller one. This is super common for folks who elope, and even more common in these strange times when you might have had a tiny wedding, a virtual wedding, or a courthouse wedding during pandemic times but are planning for a larger celebration for the other side. It’s called a ‘sequel wedding’ because it’s just that… the sequel to your first wedding. If you find yourself wondering about the sequel wedding ceremony script…then this post is for you.
Let me start by saying that you are absolutely not, under any circumstances, required to have a sequel wedding. Nope. I didn’t and I won’t. We had our little 26-person (including us) wedding that I wouldn’t change for the world. But do I totally get the desire to have a second, low-stress / all-fun event where you can invite everyone and dance the night away? I do. (See what I did there 😉)
But, like all things wedding… there are questions and logistics and details to figure out. Possibly the main one being: Do we do another ceremony? And if we do, is it all just weird and fake because we’re trying to recreate a really intimate moment in front of people, but we aren’t actors? Well, we’re here to help with this (very valid) conundrum. But again, I’ll pause here to say that if you don’t want to do anything different and would rather use the same ceremony script you did at your original wedding… by all means, do. And if you’d rather skip the ceremony part at the big party and just dance… do that. It’s your sequel wedding, after all.
When it comes to wedding ceremonies (OG or sequel), so much of it is personal preference, so just know that what we’re sharing here is a framework for you to build off and personalize to your heart’s content. We have also shared a number of wedding ceremony scripts that you are totally allowed to steal and have options for blended families and some really fantastic wedding poems that you could mix in. This sequel ceremony script follows the basic flow of any other wedding ceremony, but with some special elements that honor the occasion for exactly what it is.
Sequel Wedding Ceremony Script
Procession
This is, of course, optional. If you want to have a full processional with you, your partner, family members, and wedding party… do it. Why not? And if you don’t? You don’t have to. You could start at the front, or just process with your spouse… this sequel wedding is yours to create.
Opening / Welcome
Officiant: “Welcome family and friends. We are gathered here today to celebrate this very special occasion with _____________ and _____________. Today, we honor their love and marriage publicly.
_____________ and _____________ have spent years getting to know each other, and (a year ago), these two sweethearts joined in marriage in a beautiful private ceremony. And although most of us weren’t able to be with them that day, we held them in our hearts and rejoiced at the news. Now, we are here to bear witness to what their relationship has become. Today, they will affirm this bond formally and publicly.
_____________ and _____________ will mark their transition as a couple not only by celebrating the love between themselves, but by also celebrating the love between all of us—including the love of their parents, siblings, extended family, and best friends. Without that love, today would be far less joyous.
_____________ and _____________, over the past year, you’ve continued to grow together, learn new things about each other, and have made each other laugh constantly. You’ve learned more about what it means to love and be loved, and the promises you made to each other on that special day have deepened each day since. Today you are not only recommitting to the right person, but you are also recommitting to being the right partner, the one with whom the other can stand and face the world.
Today, we honor your commitment, and share in this tremendous joy with you.”
Re-DECLARATION OF INTENT
Officiant: “Do you _____________ still take _____________ to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?”
Partner A: “I still do.”
Officiant: “Do you _____________ still take _____________ to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and not so good times, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?”
Partner B: “I still do.”
Vow Exchange
(Note: If you didn’t write personalized vows for the first ceremony, this section can be an amended version of classic vows or any vows they feel good about reading in this public ceremony. Here are our tips on writing vows.)
Officiant: “To start, _____________ and _____________ have asked to share those first promises, those first wedding vows again here with their community. _____________, when you’re ready you may begin.”
Partner A: reads their vows.
Officiant: “_____________, when you’re ready you may begin.”
Partner B: reads their vows.
Ring Exchange / Flash Those Rings!
Officiant: “This is the part of the ceremony when we’d usually do a ring exchange, but _____________ and _____________ beat us to it…”
The Partners hold up their hands to show the guests their wedding bands.
(Or, if you’d prefer, re-do the ring exchange portion of your original ceremony. Why not?)
Other special inclusions
Just because this is a sequel wedding, doesn’t mean you should hold back at all. Add in any special elements that you wish you had at your first wedding, repeat any that you loved, and make it your own. A few ideas:
- Cultural elements—breaking of the glass, hand-fasting, jumping the broom, etc.
- Readings—ask family or friends to be involved in your sequel ceremony with a reading that feels special to the two of you.
- Music—live music played by a member of your community.
- Community vows—since this sequel wedding is all about community, ask your friends and family to join in the commitments with their own vows.
Pronouncement & (Second) Kiss
Officiant: “And now for the fun part. _____________ and _____________, on behalf of all those present here today, and by the strength of your own love, I pronounce you (very much, still) married.
You may once again seal your vows with a kiss.”
*This is where you kiss*
Recession (or not)
Because this is a second ceremony, there’s no marriage license to sign… so, head straight to the party. Exit your ceremony however you please… a recession, a dance party, a toast… whatever feels right.
Are you having a sequel wedding? Will you be having a ceremony? drop your questions or guidance for other folks with the same plans and conundrums in the comments.