Standard Christian Wedding Ceremony
(This
non-denomination Christian ceremony takes about 9-17 minutes, depending upon
whether you have unity candles, Rose ceremony etc. You may make changes if you
wish.)
We are
gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give
recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the
words which shall unite _______________________ and ______________________ in
marriage.
Should
there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage,
they must speak now or forever hold their peace.
(If the bride is
escorted forward)
Who is it that brings this woman to this man?
(The father, children, relative etc. may give the bride away. He/they answer "I do", "I do on behalf of her family and friends" etc., This person then steps back and the groom takes the bride's hand.)
____________________and _______________________ , life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life.
(Vows used unless other vows are wished. See Alternative Vows. You may change the vows as you wish or write your own vows.)
(Groom) ___________________, do you take ________________ to be your Wife? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her? ("I do")
(Bride_____________________, do you take __________________ to be your Husband? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him? ("I do")
(If rings are exchanged each does so before repeating the following vows - unless you wish other vows or do not wish to repeat)
Repeated Vows & Wedding Rings
"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage."
(Groom) I, _____________, take thee , ________________ to be my Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore.
(Bride) I, _________________ , take thee _______________, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore.
(If there are
children of either couple, sometimes couples will give a ring or small gift such
as a necklace or ring to the child and say a short statement that they also are
now part of the new family. I believe it very important to mention children's
names in the ceremony, If you have minor children coming into the marriage,
please provide their names so I will mention them as is appropriate.)
____________________________ and ___________________________ as the two of you
come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day
affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember
to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the
thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold
grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day
forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage
strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
Corinthians
"A
marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments. But it also is
a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter
to the Corinthians. I believe it is a true model of love and it is a model of
love I hope you pursue in your marriage:
"Love is very patient and kind,
never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud.
Love is never haughty or
selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own
way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly
notice when others do it wrong.
Love is never glad about
injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone, you will
be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them,
always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending
them."
(For more OLD& NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE VERSES RELATED TO WEDDINGS - click here)
PRAYER
(PRAYER if
desired. You may alter this or replace it with another. Some couples will ask a
family member to say a prayer.)
Dear
Heavenly Father, (or "Oh Lord") our hearts are filled with great happiness
on________________ and ____________________'s wedding day, as they come before
You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be
true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or
heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and
understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be
each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they
may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of
time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship.
May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where
Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray and walk beside
____________ and ________________ throughout all of their lives together. We ask
these things in Jesus name; Amen
(If unity candles are used - optional. If the Rose Ceremony is used, it is placed after the unity candle ceremony or in place of it.)
____________________ and _____________________, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle.
The
individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle
represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the
joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.
(You can also involve children in the unity candle ceremony)
MUSIC
(For couples who
are adding music to the ceremony, it is usually placed either here or after the
vows are repeated earlier.)
ROSE CEREMONY: You may add the Rose Ceremony at this point if you wish)
________________________ and
_________________________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live
together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these
vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you
to be Husband and Wife.
Whom God hath joined together, let
no one put asunder.
(Some
couples add the benediction: "May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord
make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his
countenance unto to you, and give you peace.")
Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.
It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mr. __________________________
(If a large
gathering, after the wedding party has exited, I will thank all for coming on
your behalf and make any reception announcements that you wish.)