Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Ceremony

Dr. Lewis Gregory

Prelude/Processional

*Music

*Minister & Groom walk in together

*Groomsmen make their entrance on side

*Grandparents Seated

*Parents seated

*Bridesmaids, then maid of honor

*Ring bearer & flower girl enter

Bride’s Entrance/Giving Away of the Bride

Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Groom and Bride, welcome to this momentous occasion. Well Groom and Bride, the big moment is finally here. Your lives are about to be joined together as one, in Holy Matrimony. Are you ready for this? Who gives this woman to be married to this man? Father

Welcome/Opening Remarks

(Interesting, humorous or informative stories about the couple, how they met etc.)

Groom and Bride, Marriage is sometimes referred to as Holy Matrimony, and for good reason. God, who is holy, established marriage, thus making it Holy Matrimony. This occurred in the very beginning. At each stage of creation God said, “It is good.” And after He created man He said, “It is very good!” But then God said, “It is not good.” Something was missing. Man was incomplete. And so in Genesis 2:18 God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make a help meet for him.” (a help meet, in other words, a suitable helper, a counterpart, a companion) So Bride, that means you complete Groom, and He completes you. With this in mind ____________________________, the good Lord made it possible for the two of you to be joined in marriage. And that is very good!

But now, it’s time to leave the past behind, and move forward together in the Lord. (Let’s pause for prayer.) Today, Groom and Bride by God’s mercy and grace, you are about to embark on an exciting new adventure together, as husband and wife.

Groom, let’s start with you. In the Bible in Ecclesiastes 9:9, God has this to say to you about marriage. “Live happily with the woman you love through the fleeting days of this life, for the wife God gives you is your best reward down here for all your earthly toil.” Bride the same can be said to the woman. So Bride, God’s word to you is, “Live happily with the man you love through the fleeting days of this life, for the husband God gives you is your best reward down here for all your earthly toil.” There may be days when you both have your doubts, but I assure you it is the truth! And I pray that both of you will always remember this.

However, in order to live happily together, you must relate to one another in a loving manner. This is only possible, as you allow God, who is love, to express His love through you. Since the fruit of God’s Spirit is love, God alone can enable you to relate to each other in a loving manner. As you give yourselves, and your marriage to the Lord, He will enable you to do just that. In fact, I urge everyone present to make sure that you have given yourself completely to the Lord. Therefore, let’s bow our heads right now for a prayer of commitment as we begin this wedding ceremony.

Prayer of Commitment

Groom and Bride, as you remain in an attitude of prayer, it is vitally important, for the sake of your marriage, that you take a moment right now, to give yourselves afresh, and anew to the Lord. Make this your silent prayer, “Dear Lord Jesus, before I enter into this marriage/ I give myself to you afresh and anew. I ask you to take complete control of my life/ and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I give this marriage to you/ and I trust you to make it the best that it can be. I acknowledge you as the Head of our house, and the Lord over our lives and marriage. Thank you for giving us one home under God, where your love reigns supreme! Amen.”

Yes Groom and Bride, God’s Love is Supreme!

The most beautiful illustration of God’s love is described in 1 Corinthians 13. Consider these words:

“If I speak with the eloquence of men and of angels, but have not love, then I am no more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned, but if I have not love, it does me no good. I have achieved nothing, and I am nothing. Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, and always remains hopeful. Love never fails!”