Traditional Christian Wedding Ceremony
Sample 0
OPENING STATEMENT
MINISTER "Dearly Beloved: We are gathered here, in the presence of God
and of this company, that ______ and ______ may be united in holy
matrimony. We are here to celebrate and share in the glorious act that
God is about to perform - the act by which He converts their love for
one another into the holy and sacred estate of marriage.
This relationship is an honorable and sacred one, established by our
Creator for the welfare and happiness of mankind, and approved by the
Apostle Paul as honorable among all men. It is designed to unite two
sympathies and hopes into one; and it rests upon the mutual confidence
and devotion of husband and wife.
May it be in extreme thoughtfulness and reverence, and in dependence
upon divine guidance, that you enter now into this holy relationship."
GIVING OF THE BRIDE
MINISTER "Being assured that your love and your choice of each other as
lifelong companions are in God's will and that you have your families'
blessings. I now ask. Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
BRIDE'S FATHER "Her mother and I do."
(Bride's father places her hand in Groom's hand and is seated)
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
MINISTER "The apostle Paul compared the relationship between husband
and wife to that between Christ and the church. Marriage is a decision
of two individuals to share the same type of pure, Christian love
described by Paul."
1 Cor 13:4-8, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it
is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....
"This kind of love enriches each part of life and marriage enriches
love. Two lives, shared with this kind of love, can hold more
fulfillment and happiness than either life alone."
"_____ (GROOM). are you ready to enter into this marriage with _____
(BRIDE), believing the love you share and your faith in each other will
endure all things?"
GROOM "I am."
MINISTER "_____ (BRIDE), are you ready to enter into this marriage with
_____ (GROOM), believing the love you share and your faith in each
other will endure all things?"
BRIDE "I am."
MARRIAGE VOWS
MINISTER "_____ do you take _____ to be your wedded wife, to live
together after God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to
love her, to honor and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness
and in health, and to be to her in all things a good and faithful
husband as long as you both shall live?"
GROOM "I do."
MINISTER "_____, do you take _____ to be your wedded husband, to live
together after God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to
love him, to honor and cherish him, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness
and in health, and to be to him in all things a good and faithful wife
as long as you both shall live?"
BRIDE "I do."
MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING "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 to cherish, till death do us part. According to God's holy
ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith."
MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING "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
and to cherish, till death do us part. According to God's holy
ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith."
PRAYER
MINISTER "Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for your children,
and You gave us love. We present to You _____ and _____, who come this
day to be married. May the covenant of love they make be blessed with
true devotion and spiritual commitment. We ask that You, God, will give
them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. When selfishness
shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give
moral strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and
gentleness; if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a
strong faith and an abiding love. Amen."
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
MINISTER "It is a Christian custom to exchange rings as a symbol of
love. As the rings have no end so your love should have no end. As the
rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should your marriage have
purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of
this moment and the endless love you promised."
"____, what token to you give that you will perform your vows?" (Minister receives ring and says to bride.)
"_____, do you receive this ring in token of the same?"
BRIDE "I do." (Groom places ring on Bride's finger.)
MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING "_____, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love."
MINISTER "_____, what token to you give that you will perform your vows?" (Minister receives ring and says to groom.)
"_____, do you receive this ring in token of the same?"
GROOM "I do." (Bride places ring on Groom's finger.)
MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING "_____, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love."
Light Unity Candle (Optional)
Signing of Marriage License
MINISTER "The candle represents the joining together of two individuals
to live together as one in spirit. _________ and ________, the candle
yet to be lit, represents the new family which is being created today.
Anthony and Amanda are leaving their families to make a new life
together."
(Bride & Groom light candle)
(Bride, Groom, & Witnesses sign license)
PRAYER
MINISTER "Let us pray: O thou eternal God, who art our Father and our
Friend, as you have heard these words of promise just spoken, may the
Holy Spirit deepen in the mind of this man and this woman the sense of
the sacred and binding power of their vows. And as in Thy Name these
words were spoken to make these lives one, may your rich blessing be
added. Give them Your grace and guidance that they may loyally fulfill
the vows they have taken. May Your joy abide with them always, that
thus they may be a blessing to each other, and to those about them,
finding in the blessedness of the home life on earth a sample of the
happiness of Thine eternal home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
(Bride and Groom join right hands.)
DECLARATION OF THE MARRIAGE
MINISTER "What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put
asunder. Forasmuch as Anthony and Amanda have consented together in
holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company
and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have
declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I, therefore,
by the authority of the state, pronounce that they are husband and
wife, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."
"The Groom may now kiss the Bride."
PRESENTATION
MINISTER
RECESSIONAL
This ceremony provided by the Zion Bible Hour