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Religious Wedding Ceremony

 
Declaration of Consent (Optional)

Who gives their blessings to this union? (I do, her mother and I do or we do)

 

Greeting / Welcoming Words

Blessings and welcome, family and friends. We welcome you today to witness the marriage of GROOM and BRIDE. You have shared and contributed to their lives in the past, and by witnessing their marriage ceremony today, BRIDE and GROOM thank you and ask you to share in their future.

 

We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of these 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.


Marriage is a promise, made in the hearts of two people who love each other, which takes a lifetime to fulfill. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other’s lover, teacher, listener, critic, and best friend.

 

It is into this holy state that BRIDE and GROOM wish to enter.

 

Reading

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 it has been revealed to you, are you ready now to confirm your commitment to each other in 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)

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we call upon you in the midst of this celebration to be with this man and woman and walk with them during their days together as husband and wife. Grant that they both be filled with faith and trust. Give them grace to live with each other in peace and harmony.

 

May they always bear one another’s weakness and grow from each other’s strength. Help them to forgive one another’s failings and grant them patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well-being of one another ahead of one’s self. Amen

 

Wedding Vows

BRIDE and GROOM, as an expression that your hearts are joined together in love and you are ready to make your commitment to one another, please face each other and join your 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 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, thereto I pledge you my faith.

 

BRIDE, if it is your desire to become the wife of HUSBAND, then repeat after me:

 

I, BRIDE, take you, GROOM, 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, thereto I pledge you my faith.

 

Blessing and Exchange of Wedding Rings

May I have the rings, please?

 

The ring is a circle… an ancient symbol of eternity and completeness, so perfect, with no beginning and no end, for love that is given comes back around again.

 

As often as either of you looks at this symbol, I hope that you will be reminded of the commitment to love each other, which you have made today.

 

GROOM, place the ring on BRIDE’s left hand and repeat after me:

 

BRIDE, I give you this ring to wear as a symbol of my deepest love, my unending devotion, my eternal faith and my everlasting fidelity for all the days of my life.


BRIDE, place the ring on GROOM’s left hand and repeat after me:

 

GROOM, I give you this ring to wear as a symbol of my deepest love, my unending devotion, my eternal faith and my everlasting fidelity for all the days of my life.

 

Benediction / Closing Prayer

Let us pray… Dear God, bless this marriage 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. 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 Bride.

 

For the very first time, I would like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. GROOM and BRIDE

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