Traditional Christian Wedding Ceremony


OPENING REMARKS
Minister: Dear Friends,  we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company to join together _______ and _______ in holy matrimony; which is commended by the holy Scriptures to be an honorable estate.  It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly;  but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.

_____ and _____, This rite of marriage in which you come now to be joined is the first and oldest rite in the world, celebrated in the world's beginning before God the Creator. Himself, sole Witness, Guest and Priest.  And what it was then, it now is; marriage has never fallen.  It is that of Paradise which continues still today.  Marriage can be to you,  your personal Paradise, your private Eden; and it will be just that, if you build your relationship upon the precepts of God's word, which I commend that you do in His Name. 

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Minister: Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Bride’s Father/Dad: Her mother and I.

THE DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT
Minister: _____, Do you take this woman, ______, to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live?     Answer: I do.
Minister: _____, do you take this man, _____, to be your wedded husband, to live together according to God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live?   Answer: I do.

THE VOWS
Minister:: _____, repeat after me: I, _____, take you, _____, 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, as long as we both shall live, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge to you my trust.
Minister: _____, repeat after me: I, _____, take you, _____, 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, as long as we both shall live, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my trust.

THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Minister: The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in holy matrimony, through the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Groom Repeats: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Sprit. Amen.
Bride Repeats: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Sprit. Amen.

THE SCRIPTURE READING – 1st Corinthians 13: 1-13
If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possesions to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I am nothing. 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, and always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. Now these three remain; faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.

THE UNITY CANDLE (Optional)

THE PRAYER:

THE DECLARATION:
Pastor: Forasmuch as _____ & _____ have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their trust each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no one come between. Amen.

THE BLESSING
Pastor: May God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord graciously with his favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and love that you may so live together in this life that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.

THE KISS
Pastor: _____, you may kiss your bride.

THE INTRODUCTION
It is with great honor and pleasure, that I introduce to you, Mr. & Mrs. _____ ______!

 

Modified Christian Ceremony
 
The Welcome:
Welcome family and friends.  We are gathered together to witness the marriage of B______

and G_____.  The uniting of two individuals from two separate families and backgrounds is

an important and memorable event.  We celebrate with them the love they 
have discovered in each other and we support their decision to commit 
themselves to each other for the rest of their lives.  Marriage is a commitment to take 
another person as a Friend, Companion, and Lover.  Marriage is an honorable estate not to 
be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and reverently.  I invite you to join me in 
prayer. 
The Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing upon B_____ and G_____ as they come 

to pledge their hearts and lives to one another.  Strengthen them so that they may 
forever be true and loving to each other.  Temper their hearts with understanding and 
forgiveness.  May their home be a place of love and kindness, where no one is a stranger.  
Protect them and keep them always in your care.  Amen.
Presentation of the Bride:
Minister: Who comes today to give this woman to be married to this man?
Father:  Her mother and I do.
 Reading:
 In a letter to the people of Corinth, Saint Paul describes how we should love one another.
 If I speak in the tongues of men and angels but have not love, I am only a resounding
gong or clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom the mysteries and
all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am
nothing.  If I give all my possessions to the poor and surrender by body to the flames, but
have not love, I am nothing.
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, and always perseveres.
Love never fails.
There will always be faith, hope, and love; But the greatest of these is love.
The Declaration of Consent:
Minister:
G_____ and B_____, the union of husband and wife is intended for your  mutual joy, for the
help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity.  These are solemn vows
and I charge you both, as you stand before your family and friends, that having duly
considered the covenant you are about to make, you do now declare your pledge of faith
to each other. 
 
G_____, do you come here today in the presence of these witnesses to declare your love for
B_____ and choose her as the one with whom you wish to spend your life?  Do you give
yourself to her and accept the gift of self which she gives to you?  Do you pledge to love
her, comfort her, honor and keep her, come what may; and, forsaking all others, be
faithful to her so long as you both shall live?
Groom: I do.
 B_____, do you come here today in the presence of these witnesses to declare your love for
G_____ and choose him as the one with whom you wish to spend your life?  Do you give
yourself to him and accept the gift of self which he gives to you?  Do you pledge to love
him, comfort him, honor and keep him, come what may; and, forsaking all 
others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?
 Bride: I do.
 The Vows:
 G_____, look into B's_____ eyes and repeat this vow after me:
 I, G_____, take you, B_____,
To be my wedded wife;
To love and cherish,
From this day forward;
In times of joy and of sorrow;
In times of plenty or of want;
In sickness and in health;
As long as we both shall live.
B_____, look into G’s_______ eyes and repeat this vow after me: 
I, B_____, take you, G_____,
To be my wedded husband;
To love and cherish,
From this day forward;
In times of joy and of sorrow;
In times of plenty or of want;
In sickness and in health;
As long as we both shall live.
The Exchange of Rings:
Wedding rings are the traditional symbols of vows taken in marriage--a circle--without
beginning or ending, and with no point of weakness. They are the outward sign of the
bond that unites two hearts.  The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left
hand because it was believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart--the
perfect place for a symbol representing eternal love and commitment.
G_____, take this ring and as you place it on B’s_____ hand, repeat after me:
In token and pledge of our love;
With this ring, I thee wed.
B_____, take this ring and as you place it on G’s_____ hand, repeat after me:
In token and pledge of our love;
With this ring I thee wed.
Unity Candle:  Optional
A Prayer and Blessing:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy Name.  We thank you today for B_____ and
G_____, for the love that they share and for the commitment that they have made before
you and before us to one another.  I pray your blessing upon this marriage.  May B_____
and G’s_____ love for one another continue to deepen and grow day by day throughout the
years ahead and may they always find in one another all the love, all  the comfort, all the
joy, all of the many good and wonderous things which you had in mind when you said in
your word that it is not good for man to live alone, but that he should cleave to his wife
and the two should become one flesh.  May they truly be one, not only according to the
laws of the state of ______, but also to the law of Heaven.
IWe pray these things.  Amen.
The Pronouncement:
G_____ and B_____, you came here today of your free will and in our presence, have
declared your love and commitment to each other.  You have given and received a ring as
a symbol of your promises. Therefore, by the power vested in me by the laws of the state
of ______, I take great pride and pleasure in pronouncing you husband and wife.
The Kiss:
G_____, you may kiss your bride.
The Introduction:
Ladies and gentlemen, I now present  to you Mr. and Mrs. ______________.
 

 

Traditional Civil Wedding Ceremony

The Welcome:

Welcome Family and Friends, we are gathered together to witness the marriage of ______ and ______.  The uniting of two individuals from two separate families and backgrounds is an important and memorable event.  We celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and we support their decision to commit themselves to each other for he rest of their lives.  Marriage is a commitment to take another person as a Friend, Companion and Lover.  Marriage is an honorable estate, not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and reverently.

Presentation of the Bride:  (Optional)

Officiant:  Who comes today to give this woman to be married to this man?

Father:  Her mother and I do.

Reading:  The couple may provide an optional reading here if they wish.

The Declaration of Consent:

G_____ and B_____, the union of husband and wife is intended for your mutual joy, for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity.  These are solemn vows and I charge you both, as you stand before your family and friends, that having duly considered the covenant you are about to make, you do now declare your pledge of faith to each other.

G_____, do you come here today in the presence of  these witnesses to declare your love for B_____ and choose her as the one with whom you wish to spend your life?  Do you give yourself to her and accept the gift of self which she gives to you?  Do you pledge to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, come what may; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall life.

Answer:  I do. 

B_____, do you come here today in the presence of  these witnesses to declare your love for G_____ and choose him as the one with whom you wish to spend your life?  Do you give yourself to him and accept the gift of self which he gives to you?  Do you pledge to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, come what may; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live.

Answer:  I do.

The Vows:

Officiant:  G_____, taking B_____ by the hand and looking to her repeat these vows after me:

I G_____, take you, B_____, to be my wedded wife;  To love and to cherish from this day forward;  In times of joy and of sorrow;  In times of plenty and of want;  In sickness and in health;  As long as we both shall live.

B_____, taking G_____ by the hand and looking to him repeat these vows after me:

I B_____, take you, G_____, to be my wedded husband;  To love and to cherish from this day forward;  In times of joy and of sorrow;  In times of plenty and of want;  In sickness and in health;  As long as we both shall live. 

The Rings:

Wedding rings are the traditional symbols of vows taken in marriage - a circle - without beginning or ending, and with no point of weakness.  They are the outward sign of the bond that unites two hearts.  The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart - the perfect place for a symbol representing eternal love and commitment.

Groom places Bride’s ring on her finger, and repeats after Officiant:

In token and pledge of our love;  with this ring, I thee wed.

Bride places Groom’s ring on his finger, and repeats after Officiant:

In token and pledge of our love; with this ring, I thee wed.

Unity Candle:  (Optional)

The Pronouncement:

______ and ______, you came here today of your own free will and in our presence, have declared your love and commitment to each other.  You have given and received a ring as a symbol of your promises.  Therefore, by the power vested in me by the laws of the state of ______, I take great pride and pleasure in pronounce you husband and wife.

The Kiss:

______, you may now kiss your bride.

The Introduction:

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. And Mrs. __________________________

 

 

Short & Sweet Civil Ceremony

Often Used for Elopements


With great joy, we come together to join this man, ___________, and this woman, ____________, in matrimony.

The uniting of two individuals from two seperate families and backgrounds is an important and memorable event.  Marriage is a commitment to take another person as a friend, companion and lover.  It is an honorable estate, not to be entered into lightly, but thoughtfully and reverently. 

M_____________, do you come here today to declare your love for W____________ and choose her as the one with whom you wish to spend your life?  Do you pledge to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, come what may; and forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live?

Answer: "I do."

W____________, do you come here today to declare your love for M____________ and choose him as the one with whom you wish to spend your life?  Do you give yourself to him and accept the gift of self which he gives to you?  Do you pledge to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, come what may; and forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live?

Answer:  "I do."

The wedding ring is an unending circle, and it is the traditional symbol of vows taken in marriage.  The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was believed that this finger is a direct connection to the heart.  M____________, placing the ring on W's____________  hand, repeat this vow to her:  "With this ring, I pledge my life and love to you"

W____________, now placing a ring on M's____________ hand, repeat the same vow to him:  "With this ring I pledge my life and love for you."

M____________ and W____________, you came here today of your own free will and in our presence have declared your love and commitment to each other.  You have given and received a ring as a symbol of your promises.  Therefore, by the power vested in me by the laws of the state of ____________, I pronounce you husband and wife.

M_____________, you may kiss your bride.