Marriage Cermony

PROCESSION

Dearly Beloved;

We are gathered here today in the presence of God;

And this company of love ones and friends;

To join together this man and this women in the bonds of holy matrimony.

Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted by God.

It is therefore not to be entered into lightly;

But rather, reverently, soberly and in the fear of God.

The vows you take this day are sacred above all words;

And your lives hereafter shall be bound together, unbreakable.

Marriage is a relationship that affords both privileges and obligations.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

REFLECTION

This is truly a time of celebration and reflection.

This ceremony today does not mark the beginning of this relationship;

Rather, it recognizes their desire to take this partnership to its full reward;

Of complete commitment, loyalty and dedication.

Marriage is not a “give and take”; rather, it is a “give/give”.

If both partners give, then neither has to take;

Because everything that they need will already be available to them.

Love must be a cornerstone of this union;

And

Jesus Christ being the Chief Cornerstone.

The Apostle Paul spoke of love in I Corinthians chapter 13 after this manner:

Love is patient; love is kind and is not jealous;

Love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly;

It does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, nor does it rejoice in unrighteousness, but love rejoices in truth;

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.

Love never fails;

It is important to understand that, “The little things are the big things.”

Consider the following:

Marriage, what is it?

It is never being too old to hold hands.

It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once every day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted;

It is the courtship not ending after the honeymoon.

It is standing together facing the world.

It is being a friend, who loveth at all times.

It is doing things for each other, because you want to.

It is speaking words in kindness and love.

It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.

It is establishing a relationship in which:

independence is equal, dependence mutual and obligation shared.

UNITING OF HANDS

Please join right hands.

These are the hands of your best friend.

These are the hands that will work along side yours.

These are the hands that will work long hours for you.

These are the hands that will work together to build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you.

These are the hands that will cherish you through the years.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe away tears from your eyes.

These are the hands that will comfort you through illness.

These are the hands that will hold you in times of fear and grief.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

INTENT

Do you _______________________________(groom);

Take this women to be your lawful wedded wife;

Will you cherish her friendship and love today, tomorrow and forever;

Will you laugh with her and cry with her;

Will you go where she goes; will you stay where she stays;

Will you love and respect her, honor and cherish her;

In sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer or poorer,

Leaving all others to keep yourself unto her, so long as you both shall live?

The groom answers (“I do or I will”).

Do you _______________________________(bride)

In like manner take this man to be your lawful wedded husband;

And will you cherish his friendship and love today, tomorrow and forever;

And will you laugh with him and cry with him;

And will you go where he goes; will you stay where he stays;

And will you love and respect him, honor and cherish him;

In sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer or poorer;

leaving all others to keep yourself unto him, so long as you both shall live?

The bride answers (“I do or I will”).

RINGS/VOWS

Do you have a ring? (The best-man will hand the ring to the minister.)

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign;

Of an inward and spiritual bond;

Which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.

It is a seal of the vows you have exchanged.

____________________________(groom) take this ring and place it on the finger of your bride, and as you do repeat after me.

In token and pledge / of the vow between us made / with this ring /I thee wed.