02/19/2020
CHRISTIAN CEREMONY SCRIPT WITH A READING AND PRAYER
This wedding ceremony script includes both a bible reading from Corinthians and a prayer to bless the marriage.
PROCESSIONAL
Beginning of the Wedding Ceremony. Guests are seated followed by the entrance of the Bridal Party.
INVOCATION
We are gathered here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join together and in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, since the first man and the first woman walked on the earth. Therefore; it is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
READING
A reading from the Apostle Paul, The first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, verses 4 through 7: 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. Let us pray for this man and woman as they make their marriage vows.
Father, as and pledge themselves to each other, help them and bless them that their love may be pure, and their vows may be true. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
and , you have come together this day so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of this minister of His word and this community of family and friends and so, in the presence of this gathering, I ask you to state your intentions: Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? If so, answer by saying 'I have'
& : 'I have.'
RINGS EXCHANGE
please take the ring you have selected for . As you place it on her finger, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.
, please take the ring you have selected for . As you place it on his finger, repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed.
PRAYER
May Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior, always be at the center of the new lives you are now starting to build together, that you may know the ways of true love and kindness. May the Lord bless you both all the days of your lives and fill you with His joy. Amen.
PRONOUNCEMENT
(The minister now joins their right hands together and says): Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. In so much as ### and XXY have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, having given and pledged their faith, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that you are husband and wife. I ask you now to seal the promises you have made with each other this day with a kiss. (The couple kisses.) Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. & Mrs. !'
RECESSIONAL
End of the Wedding Ceremony. CELEBRATION OF COMMUNITY CEREMONY SCRIPT
INVOCATION
Ladies and Gentlemen, Family and Friends: Welcome!
There is a reason as to why all of you have been invited to witness this sacred union between , and today. Does anyone know why? It is because today marks the day that and finally make their union official. Each and every one of you have been a special part of their lives, and the couple want their friends and family to bear witness to their union, and that you take your beautiful memories of this day home with you. We are gathered here in celebration now to create the good times and memories that will be cherished by and and all of us here for years to come.
For both of you, you have had the chance to experience your lives together. With bumps along the way, you have learned what it means to love one another. Through good times and bad times, I have had the honor and privilege to witness how both of you have learned how to coexist as a couple. Getting married today is only one small quick step towards the meaning of true marriage.
Marriage is not just putting on a beautiful dress, or a nice suit. It isn't about having a big party, celebrating with friends and family, or partying to the late hours of the night - although we definitely are going to do just that! All those things are what a wedding is about, but marriage... marriage is about the continued learning of not just living together as a couple of two separate lives, but living your lives as one complete life. It means continually moving forward as a couple, and working towards the success of your family. Let nothing stand in the way of your marriage. The success of the longevity of your marriage rests upon you. To honor your spouse, to be a loving and supporting parent, to support your better half in their ambitions, and to be a nurturing, loving pillar of your family.
So and ...are you ready to do this?!
Friends and Family, are you all ready to witness this?!
LET'S DO THIS!
DECLARATION OF INTENT
:
Do you take to be your lawfully wedded wife (partner, spouse or other designation)? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her, forsaking all others and holding unto her in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer for as long as you both shall live?
:
Do you take to be your lawfully wedded husband (partner, spouse or other designation)? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer for as long as you both shall live?
SAND CEREMONY
and are now going to partake in a Sand Ceremony. In this ceremony both and will each take their different colored sand, and pour them into this single glass. This keepsake will be kept with them so that every day that they look upon this glass, they will be reminded of the union and promise that they make to each other today to live their lives together as one.
(During this time, Minister guides bride and groom to the table that holds three glasses. Ambient music is played until they have finished pouring the sand.)
RING EXCHANGE
Rings are made of precious metal, but that same metal is also made precious by wearing them. Your wedding rings are special because they enhance who you are. They mark the beginning of your long journey together. Your wedding ring is a circle, a symbol of love never ending. It is the seal of the vows you have just taken to love each other without end.
, please place the ring on 's left hand.
By placing this ring on his/her finger, you do this as a sign of your love that you have chosen her above all else.
, please place the ring on 's left hand.
By placing this ring on his/her finger, you do this as a sign of your love that you have chosen him above all else.
PRONOUNCEMENT
To make your relationship work will take love.
It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.
It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing what the future holds.
And it will take commitment, to remain true to the journey you both have pledged to begin today.
You both have stated your intent, you have declared commitment to one another, you performed the Unity Sand Ceremony, and have exchanged rings. There is now only one thing left to do...
By the power vested in me by the State of and the American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you officially husband and wife.
, you may now kiss your bride.
Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my honor and privilege to introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. !
RECESSIONAL
End of the Wedding Ceremony.
