Christian Wedding Ceremony
Sample 4
Introductory remarks
Friends, we come together in this holy place to share with ___________
and ___________ a most impor-tant moment in their lives. Marriage was
instituted by God in the Garden of Eden when He saw that it was not
good for man to be alone. Christ beautified marriage with His presence
in Cana of Galilee when He wrought His first miracle. It is commended
by the Apostle Paul who likened it to the holy union which exists
between Christ and His Church, in which our Lord Jesus is called the
Bridegroom and His Church, the Bride.
Prayer
Opening Remarks
We have been invited to hear ___________ and ___________ promise to
face the future together as hus-band and wife. __________ and
_________, you must recognize that this covenant is more than a legal
contract. This is a bond of union made in heaven. It is to be entered
into with reverence. You are about to assume mutual relationships and
responsibilities and to promise undying devotions. Nothing is easier
than saying words, nothing harder than living them day by day.
Love between a Christian man and wife means caring as much about the
welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about yourself. You
will be looking in the same direction together. Burdens will be lighter
be-cause you divide them. Joys will be more intense because you share
them. No other human tie is more tender, no other vows more sacred than
these you are about to assume. Now as you stand in the presence of God,
you must remember the responsibilities of a Christian man and wife.
Wedding Vows
Pastor to Groom -- ___________, you are to love ___________ as Christ
loved the Church. You are to be the head of your wife. You are to
respect and comfort her. Will you take ______ for your wife?
Groom -- I will.
Pastor to Bride -- ___________, your duty as a Christian wife is to
submit to ___________. You are to be his helpmate. You are to
obey, serve, and honor him. Will you this day take ___________ as your
husband?
Bride -- I will.
Prayer
Giving away of Bride
Pastor -- Who is bringing ___________ to be united to ___________?
Father of the Bride -- Her mother and I.
Pastor to Bride's Parents -- Mr. and Mrs. ___________ are you
willing now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by
upholding ___________ and ___________ with your concern?
Bride's Parents: We are.
Pastor to Groom's Parents: Mr. and Mrs. ___________ are you willing now
and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding
___________ and ___________ with your concern?
Groom's Parents: We are.
Ring Vows
Pastor -- ___________ and ___________, do you have tokens of the sincerity of these vows?
Bride and Groom -- We do.
Pastor to Groom -- What token do you give of the vows you have made?
Groom -- This ring.
Pastor -- Bless this ring, O Lord, that he who gives it and she
who wears it may abide in Thy peace, and continue in Thy favor, unto
their life's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Groom to Bride -- ___________ I give you this ring as a pledge of the
sincerity of my vows. (Groom places ring on bride's finger.)
Pastor to Bride -- ___________, what token do you give of the vows you have made?
Bride -- This ring.
Pastor -- Bless this ring, O Lord, that she who gives it and he
who wears it may abide in your peace, and continue in your favor, until
their life's end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bride to Groom -- ___________ I give you this ring as a pledge of
the sincerity of my vows. (Bride places ring on groom's finger.)
Pastor -- You, ___________ and ___________ have pledged your devotion
to each other. It is not these words that have made your marriage real,
but the God of love, who has welded your hearts together as one. He has
said, "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall
be joined unto his wife and the two shall become one flesh."
Prayer
Solo
Pronouncement
Ministering in the name of the Lord Jesus, I now pronounce you husband
and wife. May Christ be the Head of your home. May He be the unseen
Guest at every meal, the Listener to every conversation. May Christ's
love rule your hearts and lives.
Benediction
Embrace
Introduction
Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you: Mr. and Mrs. ___________
Recessional