The answer to how long does wedding ceremony last is half an hour. This should be enough to cover the usual parts of the ceremony, which we will discuss in more detail below.
If you’re also worried about the time during your wedding, we recommend that you learn how to run a wedding rehearsal. This way, you can practice how the ceremony should go with your wedding party before the wedding itself.
How Long Should A Wedding Ceremony Last?
A wedding ceremony typically lasts up to thirty minutes, and this should cover everything from the welcoming words to the final pronouncement or when the couple exits. However, weddings vary in the elements and components that the couple may want to include in their ceremony.
For example, you must consider the culture and religion of the couple. You can also ask the wedding officiant to estimate how long your wedding ceremony will last.
How long is an average wedding?
Some components that may be added to a wedding ceremony include performing a blessing, song, or reading a religious text. There may also be cultural practices or traditions such as tasting the elements, for example, in an African wedding.
Please expect that the more orthodox the wedding is, the longer it will be. On the other hand, couples with a secular ceremony tend to choose which elements to include, making their wedding shorter.
In general, you only need to agree to marry each other and get pronounced as married afterward. From here, you can lengthen or shorten the ceremony.
What Are The Elements Of A Wedding Ceremony?
To help you gauge how long is a typical wedding ceremony and how you can lengthen and shorten it, you should be familiar with the main component of a wedding ceremony. These are also the essential elements to be legally married.
The traditional wedding format will go as follows:
- Processional
- Readings
- Exchange of vows and rings
- Pronouncement of the marriage
- First kiss
- Recessional
Traditional wedding ceremony vs modern wedding ceremony
A traditional wedding ceremony usually takes place in the couple’s place of worship. The ceremony itself is led by a religious head and will include sacred text readings.
The couple’s marriage vows are also according to religion. But, on the other hand, modern weddings are much loose, and the couple can modify how the ceremony will flow, including their vows.
You can read about what is a spiritual wedding ceremony to know more about how modern ceremonies differ from orthodox or religious wedding ceremonies. It would also be helpful to know their differences as a wedding guest and know potential rules to remain respectful when you attend one.
What makes a wedding ceremony legal?
Because it’s possible to customize your wedding ceremony if you’re going for a modern one instead of a traditional one, you must know the critical components that will make it legal. You want the wedding officiant to write a legally binding script, for starters.
The wedding ceremony should also include an exchange of promises and, of course, a state-issued marriage license. Of course, there will be other rules you’ll have to research, especially if you’re doing your wedding in another state besides your hometown.
- Promise exchange: This is the part of the wedding ceremony where the couple declares their intent, desire, and willingness to marry each other. It is also where the “I dos” are mentioned, and the rings are exchanged.
- Marriage license: The marriage license is the most crucial element of the wedding as it’s what makes the binding legal. Your state may have its own requirements and rules regarding your license that you must follow, or else the marriage will be void, even if you’ll have a ceremony.
- Signing of license after the ceremony: After the wedding ceremony, the license should be signed, then the officiant will submit it to the state. This is also why your wedding officiant should be authorized, as they will be responsible for completing the license.
How Long Does Each Part Of A Wedding Ceremony Take?
The processional usually takes five minutes, but it can be shorter if only the bride walks down the aisle. Traditionally, it should be started by the bride’s mother, groom, best man, groomsmen, bridesmaids, maid of honor, flower girl, ring bearer, and finally, the bride and her father.
Then, the officiant will welcome the guests, including a prayer for three minutes. The vows and declarations will then be followed, usually taking five minutes and another ten minutes for the officiant’s readings and message.
Finally, the unity ceremony will depend on the chosen ritual of the couple for three minutes. And then, the tradition is finished with the declaration and recessional for five minutes.
Conclusion
And that’s it! We’ve just discussed how long does wedding ceremony last, which is usually 30 minutes long.
However, this will still depend on the type of wedding you’re having. If it’s more traditional, it can be longer, while modern weddings that are more modified will finish faster.
If you have any more questions, please leave us a question below. You can also browse our blog for more guides.