Opening Statement
MINISTER:
“Dearly Beloved: We are gathered here, in the presence of God and of this company, that ______ and ______ may be united in holy matrimony. We are here to celebrate and share in the glorious act that God is about to perform – the act by which He converts their love for one another into the holy and sacred estate of marriage.
This relationship is an honorable and sacred one, established by our Creator for the welfare and happiness of mankind, and approved by the Apostle Paul as honorable among all men. It is designed to unite two sympathies and hopes into one; and it rests upon the mutual confidence and devotion of husband and wife.
May it be in extreme thoughtfulness and reverence, and in dependence upon divine guidance, that you enter now into this holy relationship.”
Giving of the Bride
MINISTER:
“Being assured that your love and your choice of each other as lifelong companions are in God’s will and that you have your families’ blessings. I now ask. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”
BRIRDE’S FATHER:
“Her mother and I do.”
(Bride’s father places her hand in Groom’s hand and is seated)
Declaration of Intention
MINISTER:
“The apostle Paul compared the relationship between husband and wife to that between Christ and the church. Marriage is a decision of two individuals to share the same type of pure, Christian love described by Paul.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…
“This kind of love enriches each part of life and marriage enriches love. Two lives, shared with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone.”
“___ (GROOM)___. are you ready to enter into this marriage with ___ (BRIDE)___, believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?”
GROOM:
“I am.”
MINISTER:
“___ (BRIDE)___, are you ready to enter into this marriage with ___ (GROOM)___, believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?”
BRIDE:
“I am.”
Marriage Vows
MINISTER:
“_____ do you take _____ to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love her, to honor and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to her in all things a good and faithful husband as long as you both shall live?”
GROOM:
“I do.”
MINISTER:
“_____, do you take _____ to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love him, to honor and cherish him, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to him in all things a good and faithful wife as long as you both shall live?”
BRIDE:
“I do.”
MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING:
“I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith.”
MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING:
“I, _____, take thee, _____, to be my wedded husband. to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith.”
Prayer
MINISTER:
“Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for your children, and You gave us love. We present to You _____ and _____, who come this day to be married. May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment. We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness; if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love. Amen.”
Exchange of Rings
MINISTER:
“It is a Christian custom to exchange rings as a symbol of love. As the rings have no end so your love should have no end. As the rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should your marriage have purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of this moment and the endless love you promised.”
“____, what token to you give that you will perform your vows?” (Minister receives ring and says to bride.)
“_____, do you receive this ring in token of the same?”
BRIDE:
“I do.” (Groom places ring on Bride’s finger.)
MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING:
“_____, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love.”
MINISTER:
“_____, what token to you give that you will perform your vows?” (Minister receives ring and says to groom.)
“_____, do you receive this ring in token of the same?”
GROOM:
“I do.” (Bride places ring on Groom’s finger.)
MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING:
“_____, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love.”
Light Unity Candle & Sign License
MINISTER:
“The candle represents the joining together of two individuals to live together as one in spirit.______and ________, the candle yet to be lit, represents the new family which is being created today. _____ and _____ are leaving their families to make a new life together.”
(Bride & Groom light candle)
(Bride, Groom, & Witnesses sign license)
Prayer
MINISTER:
“Let us pray: O thou eternal God, who art our Father and our Friend, as you have heard these words of promise just spoken, may the Holy Spirit deepen in the mind of this man and this woman the sense of the sacred and binding power of their vows. And as in Thy Name these words were spoken to make these lives one, may your rich blessing be added. Give them Your grace and guidance that they may loyally fulfill the vows they have taken. May Your joy abide with them always, that thus they may be a blessing to each other, and to those about them, finding in the blessedness of the home life on earth a sample of the happiness of Thine eternal home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
(Bride and Groom join right hands.)
Declaration of the Marriage
MINISTER:
“What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Anthony and Amanda have consented together in holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I, therefore, by the authority of the state, pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“The Groom may now kiss the Bride.”
Presentation
MINISTER:
“I now present to you Mr and Mrs _____ _____ _____.”
