the short story styles
three choices, one perfect fit
If you’re going with The Short Story option for your ceremony, you have three different styles to choose from.
Delightfully Unserious, Ridiculously Short, or Comfortably Simple — each style has its own unique vibe, and one of them has your name on it.
All three options are still personalized — this just helps us start in the right place.
jump to your vibe:
the delightfully unserious one
the ridiculously short one
the comfortably simple one
how these work
Each style follows the same basic structure, so you always know what to expect. Some sections are required (they’re what make it legal!), and some are totally optional depending on what feels right for you.
The examples below show what your ceremony could actually look like for each style — think of them as the starting point that sets the tone for your ceremony, not a word-for-word script.
These examples were originally written with my onsite outdoor ceremonies in mind, but the same styles and structure work for offsite weddings too. I’ll adapt the ceremony to fit your setting, guest count, and plans for the day.
After you book, you’ll choose the style that fits you best. I’ll ask you a few easy questions to learn more about you as a couple, and then I’ll personalize your ceremony to fit your story and vibe.
Just because it’s not fully custom doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t feel like you.
the delightfully unserious one
for the couples who laugh through everything together — maybe even the things they shouldn't
a sample ceremony, personalized for remy & beau
WELCOME
Hi everyone — I’m Christina, and I’m so glad you’re here. This is a good place to be today. Quick thing before we start, I just want to say: whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whoever you love, you are so welcome here!
If you could please silence your phones — the only thing going off today should be Remy and Beau’s emotions. And possibly their dog, Nacho, if he’s even paying attention.
I’m your officiant for today, and I’ll be keeping this fun, legal, and mercifully short.
A MEMORIAL MOMENT (totally optional)
Before we get started, Remy and Beau wanted to take a quiet moment to honor those who are no longer with us but are very much still loved.
A LITTLE ABOUT THE COUPLE
So, a little about Remy and Beau. They met at PetSmart. Specifically, in the dog food aisle, when Beau’s very enthusiastic golden retriever knocked an entire bag of kibble off the shelf and directly onto Remy’s shoes. Beau was mortified. Remy laughed so hard they cried. And that basically tells you everything you need to know about how this relationship works.
They’ve been inseparable ever since — them, the dog, and approximately 47 dog toys that live on their couch. They got engaged at Costco, which sounds like a joke but was actually incredibly romantic, mostly because Remy cried in the parking lot next to a flatbed cart full of paper towels and has zero regrets about it.
I came across something recently that felt very, very them:
“We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love.”
— Robert Fulghum, from his book True Love
✳ I include a short vibe-appropriate quote or excerpt in every ceremony — I’ll find one that fits you. You’ll have the option to keep it, skip it, or include your own, totally your call.
A MOMENT TO TAKE IT IN (totally optional)
Before we get to the official stuff — take a second and look around at the people who showed up for you today. They could be anywhere right now, and they chose to be here. Let that sink in for just a second.
THE ‘I DO’ PART
Okay, you two. Face each other, hold hands, look deeply into each other’s eyes – yes, really, no laughing. This is the big ‘I DO’ part.
Remy, do you choose Beau as your person — for the epic adventures and the mundane Tuesdays, the bad days and the really good ones, and yes, for a lifetime of picking up after dogs — and promise to love, appreciate, and respect them from this day forward?
I do!
Beau, same question, same stakes. Do you choose Remy as your person — for all of it, the whole ridiculous beautiful thing — and promise to love, appreciate, and respect them from this day forward?
I do!
✱ You’ll let me know on your Ceremony Essentials form whether you’d like to repeat after me or simply say “I do.” Either way works!
THE PERSONAL VOWS (totally optional)
If you’ve written your own vows, now is absolutely your moment. No pressure — but also, we’re all here, and we want to hear them.
(Remy and Beau exchange the vows they’ve written.)
THE RINGS (also optional…not everyone wants to exchange rings)
Okay, let’s see those rings.
These rings are a symbol of your unbroken, eternal love and the promises you’ve just made — so try not to lose them. No pressure.
Remy, place the ring on Beau’s left ring finger and repeat after me: “With this ring — dibs. Forever dibs.”
Beau, place the ring on Remy’s left ring finger and repeat after me: “With this ring — dibs. Forever dibs.”
✱ No words required if that’s not your thing! You can repeat after me, exchange the rings in silence, or anything in between — just let me know on your Ceremony Essentials form and we’ll make it work.
A LITTLE REFLECTION
Here’s the thing about marriage: nobody really knows what they’re doing. Not at first. Not even after years of it.
But you two looked at everything life could throw at you— the weird, the hard, the wonderfully boring, the “what do you want for dinner” conversations that somehow last 45 minutes — and said, “Yeah, I want to do all of that with you.”
That’s not small. That’s actually kind of enormous. So whatever comes next — and something always comes next — just keep choosing each other and remembering to laugh, even when it would be easier not to.
That’s it. That’s the whole strategy.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Alright. Let’s make this official — and I say that with my whole, delighted heart.
By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the great state of Ohio, it is my absolute honor and joy to pronounce you married humans.
I’m sure you have kissed at least a thousand times before today, but this is the biggie — your first kiss as a married couple. Make it a good one! Are you ready?
Alright, now kiss your person!
THE SEND-OFF
Okay everyone — let’s make some noise for the newlyweds! Thanks for being here. Go find somewhere to have a drink. You’ve earned it.
equal parts meaning and mischief
the ridiculously short one
For the couples who said "can we just skip to the kiss?" at least once during planning.
a sample ceremony, personalized for monica & chandler
WELCOME
Hi everyone — I’m Christina, and I’m so glad you’re here. This is a good place to be today. Quick thing before we start, I just want to say: whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whoever you love, you are so welcome here!
A (VERY) LITTLE ABOUT THE COUPLE
This is where I would typically tell a little story about these two and read a sweet little excerpt about marriage, but since they chose The Ridiculously Short One for their ceremony, we’re going to get right to the good stuff!
Are you two ready to get married?
(hopefully they say yes!)
THE ‘I DO’ PART
Alright — this is the part where you let us know you actually want to do this.
Monica, do you want to marry Chandler today?
I do!
Chandler, do you want to marry Monica today?
I do!
✱ You’ll let me know on your Ceremony Essentials form whether you’d like to repeat after me or simply say “I do.” Either way works!
THE PERSONAL VOWS (totally optional)
If you’ve got something you want to say to each other, now’s the time…but make it quick!
(Monica and Chandler exchange the vows they’ve written. Monica’s are in a 3-ring binder, and Chandler gets a little emotional. Nobody is surprised.)
THE RINGS (also optional…not everyone wants to exchange rings)
Okay, let’s see those rings.
These are your daily reminder that out of everyone in this whole wide world, you chose each other.
Monica, place the ring on Chandler’s left ring finger and repeat after me: “With this ring, I happily choose you.”
Chandler, place the ring on Monica’s left ring finger and repeat after me: “With this ring, I happily choose you.”
✱ No words required if that’s not your thing! You can repeat after me, exchange the rings in silence, or anything in between — just let me know on your Ceremony Essentials form and we’ll make it work.
A (VERY) LITTLE REFLECTION
Even though this ceremony went pretty fast, don’t forget to slow down every once in a while and enjoy each other. You’ve got a really good thing here.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Alright, let’s make this official! By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the great state of Ohio, I am so happy to pronounce you married humans.
Now kiss your person!
THE SEND-OFF
Let’s hear it for the newlyweds! Thanks for being here — now go celebrate these two!
nothing extra, just the good parts
the comfortably simple one
For the couples who want the Goldilocks of ceremonies — not too short, not too long, just right.
a sample ceremony, personalized for alex & jordan
WELCOME
Hi everyone — I’m Christina, and I’m really glad to be here with you today. Before we get started, I just want to say: whoever you are, wherever you’re from, and whoever you love, you are so welcome here!
We’re here to get Alex and Jordan married, and we’re going to keep things simple and relaxed, just the way they want it.
A MEMORIAL MOMENT (totally optional)
Before we begin, Alex and Jordan wanted to take a moment to remember those who couldn’t be here today, especially Jordan’s grandma, Arlene. You are loved and you are missed.
A LITTLE ABOUT THE COUPLE
Alex and Jordan met the old-fashioned way — completely by accident. A mutual friend, a backyard cookout, and apparently one very memorable conversation about whether a hot dog is a sandwich. (For the record: they still disagree. And somehow that’s never been a dealbreaker.)
What started as a friendship grew into something neither of them was expecting — the kind of easy, steady, “I didn’t know it could feel like this” kind of love. And here they are.
I found something recently that made me think of them immediately, and I wanted to share it today:
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”
— A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
✳ I include a short vibe-appropriate quote or excerpt in every ceremony — I’ll find one that fits you. You’ll have the option to keep it, skip it, or include your own, totally your call.
A MOMENT TO TAKE IT IN (totally optional)
Before we jump in , take a look around at all the love and smiles from the people who are here to celebrate with you today. Let it sink in.
THE ‘I DO’ PART
Okay you two — face each other, hold hands, smile, and take a nice deep breath. It’s time to say ‘I do!’
Alex, do you take Jordan to be your partner in all of life’s adventures, good and bad, and promise to love, appreciate, and respect them from this day forward?
I do!
Jordan, do you take Alex to be your partner in all of life’s adventures, good and bad, and promise to love, appreciate, and respect them from this day forward?
I do!
✱ You’ll let me know on your Ceremony Essentials form whether you’d like to repeat after me or simply say “I do.” Either way works!
THE PERSONAL VOWS (totally optional)
(Alex and Jordan chose not to exchange written vows.)
THE RINGS (also optional…not everyone wants to exchange rings)
Go ahead and grab the rings.
These rings are a celebration of the promises you’ve made today — a tangible reminder that out of everyone in this whole wide world, you chose each other.
Alex, place the ring on Jordan’s left ring finger and repeat after me: “I give you this ring to wear with love and joy, and as a reminder that I choose you today and every day.”
Jordan, place the ring on Alex’s left ring finger and repeat after me: “I give you this ring to wear with love and joy, and as a reminder that I choose you today and every day.”
✱ No words required if that’s not your thing! You can repeat after me, exchange the rings in silence, or anything in between — just let me know on your Ceremony Essentials form and we’ll make it work.
A LITTLE REFLECTION
Here’s the thing about marriage: most of it isn’t the big stuff.
It’s the “did you eat?” texts. The grocery runs. The way one of you always knows where the other one left their keys. The thousand tiny moments nobody else sees that add up to a whole life together.
Marriage doesn’t need to be complicated to be real. It just needs two people who keep showing up — through the easy parts, the hard parts, and all the perfectly ordinary parts in between.
So whatever happens next, just keep doing what you’re already doing. Show up. Be kind. Laugh together as much as you can.
And remember that you picked each other on purpose.
MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Alright, you two — let’s do this. By the authority vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the great state of Ohio, I am so happy to pronounce you married humans.
Go ahead and kiss your person.
THE SEND-OFF
Alright everyone — let’s hear it for the newlyweds! Thanks so much for being here.
a little simple, a lot of heart
If you’re reading this thinking “we’d rather have something a little more us” — you’ll love The Whole Story option. That’s where we build your ceremony from scratch, together.
Your story, your words, your vibe.
ready to get married?
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