Ceremony, vows & readings: Working with your officiant

Agree the tone, length, readings and any legal wording, and make sure they file the license.

The key points

A planning meeting
Legal declaration wording
Pronunciations
License filing

Quick answers

How many vendors does a wedding need?

The Knot’s 2026 study found an average of 13. A small wedding might need four or five: venue, food, photographer, officiant and flowers.

Vendors & contractsAll questions

Who walks down the aisle first?

In many Western ceremonies: officiant and groom take their places, then grandparents and parents are seated, then attendants, the maid of honor, ring bearer and flower girl, and finally the bride. See the ceremony order guide.

The wedding partyAll questions

Why does the bride stand on the left?

In many Christian ceremonies the bride stands to the left (facing the officiant). A popular story says it left the groom’s sword hand free; whatever the origin, today it mostly helps photographers and families know where to sit.

Ceremony & traditionsAll questions

Who is invited to the rehearsal dinner?

The wedding party, immediate family, the officiant and anyone in the ceremony, plus partners.

Showers, parties & weekendAll questions

Ceremony, vows & readings: Working with your officiant

Quick answers

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