Processional
Opening Words
Welcome! We have gathered together in the presence of God and these witnesses to join Groom's Full Name and Bride's Full Name in holy matrimony. Marriage is a gift from God, given to us so that we might experience the joys of unconditional love with a lifelong partner. God designed marriage to be an intimate relationship between two people - mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Our service today is based on the relationship which Bride and Groom share, and on their faith in God. It is a covenant. We affirm their love for each other as part of God's will for them.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray... Lord, our hearts are filled with joy on this wedding day as Bride and Groom come before you pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding. Rid them of all pretense and jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend, and guide, so together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love, peace, and harmony, where your spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray, and walk beside Groom and Bride throughout their lives together. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Sign Of Peace
In the spirit of love and unity, Bride & Groom have asked that we pass the sign of peace. For those of you not familiar with this ritual, simply offer a handshake to your neighbor, with the words "Peace be with you." If you'd like, a hug or a kiss would be most appropriate as well! And now, in the spirit of love that brings us here today, let us offer each other some sign of peace...
Reading
This is a reading from Corinthians, Chapter 1, verse 13.
If I have the gift of prophecy, and can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all that I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain 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 selfish. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love protects all things, has faith in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things. The gifts of prophecy will in time fail; and knowledge too will vanish away. But love does not come to an end. Know you, then, that there are three things that last: Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is Love.
Expression of Intent
{Now, Groom & Bride will make public their intention to marry.}
Christ calls you into union with Him and with one another. I ask you now in the presence of God and these witnesses to declare your intent...
Groom, will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
Groom: I will!
Bride, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
Bride: I will!
Vows
{Let us pray for this man and woman as they make their marriage vows...}
God, as Groom and Bride pledge themselves to each other, help them and bless them; that their love may be pure, and their vows may be true; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Groom, please repeat after me...
I Groom, take you Bride, to be my 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
Bride, please repeat after me...
I Bride, take you Groom, to be my 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
Blessing of the Rings
Lord, bless these rings that Groom and Bride give to each other today. May they be a symbol of true faith in each other, and always be a reminder of their love.
Exchange Of The Rings
{And now, Groom & Bride will exchange their wedding rings}
Groom, please repeat after me...
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you, my covenant with you, and my faithfulness to you.
Bride, please repeat after me...
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you, my covenant with you, and my faithfulness to you.
The Lord's Prayer
{And now, Groom & Bride ask you to join us in The Lord's Prayer}
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Bread & Wine Ritual
[Celebrant takes bread and wine and holds them aloft and says...]
Wine is the spirit and celebration of life; bread is the staff of life. Sharing wine and breaking bread together creates a community of caring and belonging. Bride and Groom now invite you to partake of this bread and wine in celebration of their union.
[Bread and wine are passed to the guests. They break pieces from the loaf, and dip them in the wine]
Pronouncement of Marriage
{At this time we come to the Pronouncement of Marriage. The Pronouncement is my public, and legal, proclamation that Bride and Groom are married. It is the exact moment of Marriage...}
Groom and Bride, we have witnessed today the joining of your two lives in the holy covenant of marriage. You have exchanged your vows, and given and received your wedding rings in token of your love and commitment to each other. And so, I now bestow upon you the most honorable titles that may exist between a man and a woman... I pronounce you husband and wife.
Permission to Kiss
Congratulations, you may kiss!
Benediction
Dear Lord, we pray that you will bless Bride and Groom as they begin their new journey together. In all the experiences of life, may they always stay close to You and to each other as they share the joys and blessings, as well as the trials and heartaches. Help them to honor and keep the promises made here today, and remind them daily of Your great love for them so they, in turn, may reach out in love to others. Give them such love and devotion that each may be to the other a strength in need, a comfort in sorrow, a counselor in difficulty, and a companion in joy. Amen.
Presentation of the New Couple
Ladies and gentlemen, It is my pleasure to present to you...
Mr. & Mrs. _________________________
Recessional
CHRISTIAN ELEMENTS: FROM AROUND THE WEB
