Christian Wedding Ceremony
Sample 14
Introduction
We have come together at the invitation of (bride) ___________ and
(groom) ___________ to celebrate the uniting in Christian love, their
hearts and lives. This is possible because of the love God has
created in them, through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life and that they might
have it more abundantly." This abundant life, for many people, is
an impossible dream, yet God wants us all to have this abundant life
and proved His love for us by giving His Son, that we might have this
life.
Another way that God provides for this "full" life is creating those
who will love us. (Groom) ___________ has found such a one in
(bride) ___________ hearts and spirits were drawn together before today
by the Lord of all creation. Two lives are not united by
ceremony, but only in the power, love, and grace of God.
(Groom) ___________ and (Bride) ___________ are here to publicly
declare that because of Jesus Christ's love, they too can truly love
one another. As God demonstrated His love in Jesus, our Lord,
(Groom) ___________ and (Bride) ___________ will demonstrate this God
given love by giving themselves to one another and one for the other.
They have not reached this place alone, each has been given life by
their parents. These, who gave to them life love, provision, are
and will be, a vital part in their continued lives. Their love
has borne fruit in (Groom) ___________ and
(Bride) . Love and respect for these will
continue as they grow in their own love made possible by their parents.
Giving Away of Bride
Who then has prepared this woman for marriage to this man?
Father replies -- "Her Mother and I."
(Bride, Groom, Best Man, Matron of Honor, Pastor, all move up the stairs, front of pulpit area.)
Wedding Vows
Pastor to Bride and Groom -- ___________ and ___________ , no
other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred than
these you are about to assume. You are entering into that holy
estate which is the deepest mystery of experience, and which is the
very sacrament of divine love.
Pastor to Groom: ___________, will you have ___________, to be
your wedded wife, to live together af-ter God's ordinance in the holy
estate of matrimony; will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep
her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself
only for her so long as you both shall live?
Groom -- "I will."
Pastor to Bride -- ___________ , will you have __________ to be
your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy
estate of matrimony; will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep
him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep
yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?
Bride -- "I will."
(Pastor can say a few words before vows.)
Pastor - (have Groom take Bride by her right hand)
Pastor asks groom to repeat his vows to his bride.
Pastor asks bride to repeat her vows to her husband.
Ring Vows
Pastor to Groom -- ___________, what symbol do you bring as a pledge of that sincerity of your vows?
Groom -- "A ring."
Pastor to Bride -- Please remember, a ring is more than a symbol
of your marriage. It is a seal of the vow you have made to one
another. The circle of the ring is, as far as human eye can see,
a perfect circle--with no be-ginning or end--so God too, has perfect
love for you and wants you to love one another in His
grace--never, never ending. This ring is made of precious
metal. You also are precious in God's sight and now in the life
of (Groom) ___________ . When you are absent one from another,
the presence of the ring reminds you to be faithful and to fulfill your
vows to (Groom) ___________.
Rings have historically been the sign of authority--used to seal
documents and proclamations, you now ac-cept this authority in your
life.
Pastor to Groom -- You may now place your ring on your Bride's finger.
Pastor to Bride -- _____________, what symbol do you bring as a pledge of that sincerity of your vows?
Bride -- "A ring."
Pastor to Groom -- ___________, this ring is a seal of
___________ vow to you. She presents this to you as a token of
her submission to you in Jesus Christ. This is a symbol of
leadership and privilege. God has placed you as head of the
family. You must lead in worship, works and fellowship. As
the weaker vessel she de-pends upon you for strength.
Pastor to Bride -- You may now place your ring on your Bride's finger.
Pronouncement
For as much as (Groom) ___________ and (Bride) ___________ have
consented in holy wedlock, and have thereto confirmed the same by
giving and receiving each one a ring; by the authority committed unto
me as a minister of the Church of Jesus Christ, I now declare you
husband and wife, according to the ordinance of God, and the laws of
the state of ___________; in the name of the Father, and the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Prayer
Solo
(Optional) Candle Lighting Ceremony
Groom helps Bride up and goes to top of alter
Pastor -- The two outside candles have been lighted by the parents to
represent (Groom's) ___________ and (Bride's) ___________ lives to this
moment. They are two distinct lights, each capable of going their
separate ways. To bring bliss and happiness to (Groom's)
___________ and (Bride's) ___________ home, there must be a merging of
these two lights into one light. This is what the Lord meant when
He said, "On this account, a man shall leave his father and mother and
be joined to his wife and the two shall be one flesh." From
now on their thoughts shall be for each other rather than for their
individual selves. Their plans shall be mutual, their joys and
sorrows shall be shared alike. As they take a candle and together
light the center one, they will extinguish their own candles,
thus letting the center candle represent the union of their lives into
one flesh. As this one light can-not be divided, neither shall
their lies be divided but a united testimony in a Christian home.
May ;the radiance of this one light be a testimony of their unity in
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pronouncement
Presentation
Embrace
Benediction
Introduction
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. & Mrs. ___________
Recessional