seating of guests
seating of family
bridesmaid's processional
bride's processional
(INTRODUCTION/GIVING OF THE BRIDE)
Pastor: “We are here, in the presence of the Lord today, & in this company to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.
You see that I am including everyone this afternoon because you are more than an observer - you are a participant in the covenant.
When you walked in this morning you may have been asked whether you were friends of the bride or the groom........... there is a shift in focus of being friends of the bride and groom to a focus on the covenant - now we are all agreeing to be friends of the covenant.
Who gives this bride in marriage?”
_____________________________
As we’re standing together - Let us pray
PRAYER person: (Say the prayer.)
*** The Congregation may be seated***
(scripture reading by person/pastor)
(MESSAGE)
When God created everything He said it was good. When He created Adam; however, He said it was not good for him to be alone. Because of this, God set out to create Eve. The story of the 1st covenant relationship is when Adam declared, while referring to Eve, that she is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; in other words this vow acknowledged that Adam viewed Eve was the one and only perfect companion for him. In the same way, Xxxx stands before us today, acknowledging that (bride) is the one and only, perfect companion for him. In their receiving of one another, they declare that they complete each other as God originally intended man and woman to do.
(father gives us a blessing)
PROFESSION OF VOWS
These vows are like a contract that spell out the perimeters of the covenant - a clause if you will.
Who & What? The wedded wife and husband - When is the contract official? From this day forward - Are there any restrictions or limitations? NO, for better or worse - How long does the covenant last?
Til’ death do us part - The obligation involved? Forsake all others as long as I have breath - You are the rest of me.
I will say:
do you, (xxxx), take this woman to be your lawful, wedded wife, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, and forsaking all others to keep yourself to her only so long as you both shall live?
(xxxx says "i do")
do you, (xxxxx), take this man to be your lawful, wedded husband, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, and forsaking all others to keep yourself to him only so long as you both shall live?
( say "i do")
“Please turn to me and join hands and make this profession of your faith.” (Repeat after me….)
i (xxxx) take you (xxxxx), 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; and thereto i promise you my faithfulness.
i (xxxxx) take you (xxxx), 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; and thereto i promise you my faithfulness.
(you say, "i believe you have a ring?")
may this beautiful token and pledge symbolize the purity and endlessness of your love.
(xxxx places the ring on my finger)
(then says, "this ring i give to you, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love.")
(then xxxxx says, "this ring i give to you, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love.")
Prayer: Father God, thank you for Your presence and thank you for your grace upon this couple as they join in matrimony. May you be glorified by their witness today. Amen.
(LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE)
Pastor: The lighting of the Unity Candle symbolizes two distinct people came into this place, but God has joined them together in marriage as one.
PRONOUNCEMENT
Pastor: “Join right hands, please.” (Put hand on __________ and ___________hands.) “By the authority vested in me as a representative of Jesus Christ and as a minister of His gospel, and in the Name of the Father, of His Son Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, I now pronounce you united together as husband and wife. ‘What God has joined together, let no man separate!’ You may kiss the bride.”
(Music begins after kiss?)
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM
(m) _____ and (w) _____ - Face Congregation:
Pastor: “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. ________!”
RECESSIONAL
(music)
(Groom and Bride exit. Bridal party follows.)
(couple) would like to invite all of you to the reception.
Before you leave I’d like to share with you what is called the covenant of the sweet bread or cake. Historically the bride and groom exchange bites of the sweet bread or cake symbolizing the nature of their conversation will never be demeaning or belittling, but will only speak sweetness to one another.
Then everyone else eats some! Taking on that same covenant.
Remember that today as you take a bite of your piece.
May God bless all of you and please join (couple) at the reception.
(Pastor signs marriage license and returns vow cards.)
