Wedding Vows
John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee,
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in the bonds of Holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate instituted by God, signifying the mystical union between Christ and His Church. Christ approved marriage by His first miracle at the marriage of Cana.
The Apostle Paul commended marriage to be honorable among all. Marriage is to be entered into reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly and in the presence of God. Into this Holy Estate these two present come now to be joined.
If any man can show cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or else hereafter hold his peace.
VOWS:
If you, _ __, and you, __ __, have freely and deliberately chosen each others as partners for life, would you please join your right hands.
_ _, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife; will you love her, honor and keep her in sickness as in health, in poverty as in wealth, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her so long as you both shall live?
_ _, will you have this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? Will you love him, honor and keep him in sickness as in health, for richer, for poorer, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him so long as you both shall live?
, please repeat after me, I, _ _.... take thee, _ ___.... 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 cherish... ’til death do us part.
_ __, please repeat after me, I, _ _.... take thee, __.... 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, cherish, and obey... "till death do us part.
EXCHANGING OF RINGS
May I have the rings, please? A ring has been for centuries the token of love and the symbol of marital union. This is because a ring has no end and true love has no end. The Scripture tells us that Redemption, by Christ’s death and resurrection, has brought the saved person into a marital relation with Jesus Christ. They are His Bride and His love for them never ends and nothing can ever come between them.
_, as you give this ring to _ you are saying, "_ __, I love you with a love that has no end like this ring and with a love so strong that I would die for you as Christ did for His Bride." To symbolize that love would you take this beautiful ring and place it upon the third finger of the left hand? As you do, you will give it to her because you love her, and she will wear it to show the world her love for you as her life shows her love for Christ.
Now, _ _, you are saying, "_ _, I , too want to show my love, and I show you that love by placing this ring upon your finger. I give my life, my love, and my heart and as in love I submit unto the Lord, my Savior, I submit in love unto you, my husband." In so doing would you please place the ring upon the third finger of his left hand? You will give it to him because you love him, and _ ___, you will wear it as your commitment to and your willingness to sacrifice all for her, as Christ bears the marks of His commitment and sacrifice for His Bride.
PRONOUNCING OF HUSBAND AND WIFE
For as much then as you, _ _, and you, _, have offered yourselves each to the other, witnessed by the giving and receiving of these rings, and believing that it is God’s will that you become one flesh, and believing that God has led you to this place, as an officer of the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the presence of your family, these friends, and our Heavenly Father, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife.
CLOSING PRAYER
