II · The Ceremony Runner

A small ceremony, timed to the minute.

Set the minutes for each part and a start time. The run sheet below adds up exactly, says who leads each part, and gives you an order of service to print for your guests.

The parts

Start time

Minutes for each part (0 leaves it out)
Part	Minutes
Walking inThe two of you
WelcomeYour host
Our story so farYour host or a friend
A readingA friend or family member
The vows, againThe two of you
Rings, given againThe two of you
A shared gestureThe two of you
Words for the two of youGuests or your host
The declarationYour host
Kiss and walk outThe two of you

0 minutes leaves a part out. Each part can run up to 30 minutes. Your own parts go just before the declaration.

Run sheet

4:00 PM to 4:22 PM · 22 minutes in all

4:00 PM
Walking in 3 min
The two of you. Music of your choice. You can walk in together, the way you go everywhere now.
4:03 PM
Welcome 3 min
Your host. Who you are, why everyone is here, and that this is a celebration.
4:06 PM
Our story so far 5 min
Your host or a friend. A few memories from the years since the wedding. Ask two guests for one each.
4:11 PM
The vows, again 5 min
The two of you. Each of you reads your vows. Sealed vows are opened here, if you kept them sealed.
4:16 PM
Rings, given again 3 min
The two of you. Give back the rings you have worn for years, or new bands.
4:19 PM
The declaration 1 min
Your host. "You have said it again." A celebration, not a legal pronouncement.
4:20 PM
Kiss and walk out 2 min
The two of you. Music up. Everyone follows you out.

Order of service

The renewal of vows

Walking in
Welcome
Our story so far
The vows, again
Rings, given again
The declaration
Kiss and walk out

To keep this plan, start a Renewal Book and save it there. A vow renewal is a celebration, not a legal ceremony: the "declaration" is a few warm words, not a pronouncement.