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| CHRISTIAN WEDDING CEREMONY |
| For those couple's who prefer a slightly more religious wedding ceremony, this one is may be perfect. Customize your ceremony by substituting other passages from scripture for the religious readings, incorporating a different blessing for the exchange of wedding rings or choosing a favorite wedding prayer prior to the pronouncement. |
CHRISTIAN WEDDING CEREMONY – TRADITIONAL Declaration of Consent Who gives this woman to be married to this man? (I do, or Her mother and I do, or We do) Greeting / Welcoming Words Blessings and welcome. Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to join together BRIDE and GROOM in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, since the first man and the first woman walked on the earth. Therefore; it is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man or woman can show just cause why this couple may not lawfully be joined together, let them now speak, or else, hereafter, forever hold their peace. BRIDE and GROOM, marriage is one of the most precious occasions in life when we are presented with a profound opportunity to enter the timeless dimension of love. It emphasizes and reminds us that our lives have meaning and purpose beyond the day to day affairs of worldly life and that love is the strongest bond, the greatest joy and the sweetest nourishment we can ever experience. A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments, but also is a declaration of love. The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians contains some of the most beautiful words ever written about love: If I have not love, then I am nothing... Love is patient and kind; never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty, or selfish, or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, or touchy. Love makes no record of wrongs and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. Love rejoices not with evil, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them, no matter the cost. You will always believe in them, always expect the best of them, and always stand your ground in defending them. Love's faith, hope, and patience never fail. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love is eternal. These three remain; faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love. The Charge / Question of Intent Believing that you understand something of the reason for marriage as God has revealed it, are you ready now to confirm your commitment to God and to each other in Christian marriage? (We are) Before we come to the exchange of vows, I will ask each of you your intent. GROOM, do you take BRIDE to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony. Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live? (I do) BRIDE, do you take GROOM to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony. Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live? (I do) Invocation / Prayer Now each your own way of recognizing the Divine, please join me in reflection: Heavenly Father we give thanks for the miracle of life that you bestow upon us this glorious day. We give thanks as you weave the spirit of love throughout every heart, body and mind within this gathering. May the blending of our hearts prepare us to remember the truth of Oneness as we bear witness to the sacred ceremony of marriage. May the radiance of joy on this special day, overflow with peace and harmony throughout the rest of GROOM and BRIDE's life together as husband and wife. And may this peace and harmony continue to expand, bringing joy to their families and friends and to all others who enter their home and circle of life. Amen. Wedding Vows BRIDE and GROOM, in honor of the solemn pledge you are about to make, and symbolizing its unbroken perpetuity, please face each other and join hands. GROOM, if it is your desire to become the husband of BRIDE, then repeat after me: I, GROOM take you BRIDE to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. BRIDE, if it is your desire to become the wife of HUSBAND, then repeat after me: I, BRIDE take you GROOM to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. Blessing and Exchange of Wedding Rings May I have the rings, please? As God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere, so let the seamless circle of these rings become a symbol of the timeless dimension of unconditional love. May the presence of these rings continue to remind you of the eternal love and devotion you are to share with one another from this moment onwards. May the beauty and perfection of these rings remind you of the beauty of your togetherness and the perfection of this union you are sanctifying in this perfect moment. GROOM, Please place the ring on BRIDE'S left hand and repeat after me: I GROOM, take thee, BRIDE to be my wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my wife, for as long as we both shall live. BRIDE, Please place the ring on GROOM'S left hand and repeat after me: I BRIDE, take thee GROOM, to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live. Benediction / Closing Prayer Let us pray... Bless this marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together. Send your blessing upon BRIDE and GROOM, who we bless in thy name. May they live faithfully together as husband and wife, and keep the solemn vows made between them, which are symbolized by the rings given and received. May this couple remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen Pronouncement as Husband and Wife BRIDE and GROOM, in as much as you have each pledged to each other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, by the authority vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. GROOM, you may kiss your beautiful Bride. After the kiss, GROOM and BRIDE turn to face their guests. For the very first time, I would like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. GROOM and BRIDE! |
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CHRISTIAN WEDDING CEREMONY – SIMPLE Declaration of Consent Who is it that brings this woman to this man?(I do, or Her mother and I do, or We do) Greeting / Welcoming Words Dearly Beloved, We are gathered here today in the sight of God, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments... the uniting of BRIDE and GROOM in the holy estate of marriage. Marriage is an honorable estate, created by God, and signifying unto us the mystical union between a man and a woman, which also exists between Christ and the Church. GROOM and BRIDE, only love will maintain a marriage. Mankind did not create love, love is created by God. Love is freely given and freely accepted, just as God's love of us is unconditional and free. As you travel through life together, I caution you to remember that the true measure of success, the true avenue to joy and peace, is to be found within the love you hold in your hearts. I would ask that you hold the key to your heart very tightly. A reading from John 15:9-12 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, and abide in his love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment: That ye love one another as I have loved you. The Charge / Question of Intent GROOM and BRIDE, as the two of you come into this marriage uniting as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. GROOM, do you take BRIDE to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only to her? (I do) BRIDE, do you take GROOM to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only to him? (I do) Wedding Vows BRIDE and GROOM, the vows you will now take are a solemn pledge of your love and a symbol of your commitment to each other. Please face each other and join your hands. GROOM, if it is your wish to become the husband of BRIDE, then please repeat after me: I, GROOM take you BRIDE to be my wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore. BRIDE, if it is your wish to become the wife of GROOM, then please repeat after me: I, BRIDE take you GROOM to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore. Blessing and Exchange of Wedding Rings The wedding ring is an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in marriage. GROOM, place the ring on BRIDE's left hand, and repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. BRIDE, place the ring on GROOM's left hand, and repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Benediction / Closing Prayer Now each your own way of recognizing the Divine, please join me in reflection: Dear heavenly Father, Our hearts are filled with great happiness on GROOM and BRIDE, wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Bless this union we pray, and walk beside GROOM and BRIDE, throughout all their lives together. Amen. Pronouncement as Husband and Wife GROOM and BRIDE, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in matrimony, and promised your love for each other by these vows, the giving of these rings and joining of your hands, with the authority vested in me by the State of California, I now declare you husband and wife. May the Lord bless you and keep you, giving you peace, joy and happiness throughout your lives. GROOM, you may kiss your bride. After the kiss, GROOM and BRIDE turn to face their guests. It is with the greatest pleasure that I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. GROOM AND BRIDE!
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