Before You Say "I Do"
by Mary L. Gehr
Marriage begins long before the ceremony.
In Before You Say "I Do", wedding officiant and author Mary Gehr guides couples and officiants through meaningful conversations, thoughtful reflection, and practical structure, helping you create a ceremony that reflects your journey while laying a strong foundation for your future together.
Designed as a comprehensive write-in workbook, this guide offers clarity, confidence, and intentional preparation for one of life's most significant commitments.
Inside you'll find:
Guided reflection prompts
Ceremony structure templates
Vow-writing guidance
Faith-inclusive resources
Practical officiant support
Space to preserve your story
A Closer Look Inside the Workbook:
Chapter 1: Our Story & Vision. Revisit how you met, what you love about each other, and the life you're hoping to build. Includes a sealed letter to open together on your first anniversary.
Chapter 2: Pre-Marriage Conversations & Foundations. Honest conversations about communication, conflict, finances, family, and everyday love, the ones that actually shape a marriage.
Chapter 3: Your Ceremony: Vision & Style. Define the tone and feel of your ceremony, choose your wedding party, and gather your notes for your officiant, all in one place.
Chapter 4: Writing Your Ceremony Script. A full framework for writing your own vows, plus space to build your complete ceremony script from the prelude to the recessional.
Chapter 5: For Your Officiant. A behind the scenes guide for whoever is marrying you, walking through every part of the ceremony so nothing is left to guess.
Chapter 6: Our Beginning. Milestone check ins for your first year of marriage at three months, six months, and one year, plus space for photos, mementos, and letters to each other.
Plus a comprehensive appendix with additional resources to support you long after the wedding day.
Mary Gehr is a wedding officiant and author devoted to helping couples create ceremonies that are meaningful, inclusive, and lasting. Drawing from over 5,000 ceremonies and 25+ years of experience, she built this workbook from the conversations she wishes every couple had before their wedding day.
Premium Keepsake Edition
Beautiful luxury printing
Premium heavyweight paper
Coffee-table quality
Designed to become a lifelong keepsake
Perfect engagement gift
What readers are saying
“A thoughtful, beautifully designed workbook that helps couples have the conversations that matter most before they say, 'I do.' An invaluable resource for building a strong foundation for marriage.”
— Carol Kellogg
“I bought this as an engagement gift for a friend’s daughter, and she was so excited to receive it. The book is very nice and beautifully put together. It looks like a helpful guide for planning a wedding ceremony while also focusing on preparing for marriage. It made a great gift.”
— Brad M
“This truly is a guided keepsake for couples preparing for a lifetime together. I will be ordering this as gifts frequently. Thank you!”
— Kathleen Kemp
“I am excited to get this in the mail. We just got engaged and are planning our 2027 wedding now. ”
— Sherri and Tom
“I love all of the questions you ask us in this book. It really is bringing great conversations. We will be referring to this alot and definitely buying it for gifts!”
— Kevin Widen