Opening Words

We are gathered here in the presence of God, family and friends to join in holy matrimony ________ and ________ and to bear witness to the love they have for one another. Marriage is an honorable estate, and therefore it is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and with God’s blessing. Today you will receive God’s greatest gift; another person to share life’s blessings with, care for, learn with, trust in, change with and to discover the greatness of God’s glory.

On behalf of this bride and groom, I would like to take a moment to thank all of the special people who have traveled from near and far to celebrate with ________ and ________ and to shower them with love and blessings.

Opening Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, God of Peace and Light, Father of Jesus Christ, who gives us the longing for love and the capability to love, we give you thanks for ________ and ________ for their open hearts and willing spirits, and for the example of love that they embody here in our presence. Be with them on this joyous occasion as they share their love and say their vows; and be with us their witnesses that we may support them always and be blessed by what is said and seen here today. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love, harmony and thanksgiving, where your Spirit is always present. We ask these things in Jesus name; Amen.

"Psalm 1"

- Blessed are the man and the woman,
Who have grown beyond themselves,
And have seen through their separations.
- They delight in the way things are,
And keep their hearts open, day and night.
- They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
Which bear fruit when they are ready.
- Their leaves will not fall or wither,
Everything they do will succeed!

Presentation of the Bride

Who gives/presents ________ to be united in holy matrimony to ________?

The Address

We are gathered here to celebrate a marriage, which is a spiritual union between two people. Your friends and family have all come to share their love and to bless you in your new union and the creation of a brand new family. As you enter into this union together it is important to reflect upon what has brought you to this point in your lives. A desire to elevate your relationship above just the ordinary and to transcend your own limitations as you build a life and a home that is filled with love, peace, happiness and joy with your spiritual mate.

Base your relationship on friendship, because when we are truly friends with someone we want to spend quality time with them. We care when they are sick, sad or in despair. We listen to their hopes, fears, and dreams as we seek a deeper understanding of their spirit. We show them sympathy when things go wrong. We share laughter and lighthearted moments together. We go out of our way to communicate with them so that we are “on the same page”, because being so is the only true way to experience happiness, unconditional love and joy in life. To achieve true friendship takes commitment, communication, and hard work, and through this process you will achieve peace in mind, body, and spirit.

Seek God’s love and blessings, praying together often. Love is God’s greatest gift to us and should not be taken for granted. Love is believing, sharing, caring and dreaming. Love is honesty, friendship, companionship and selflessness. Love is the desire to be intimate physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Love is devotion, celebration, understanding, forgiveness and sacrifice. Love is strong, yet can be fragile. Love is inspiration, support and the only true way to know God. John tells us that “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” God’s love is called agape love and the Apostle Paul describes this kind of true love in 1st Corinthians. This is the kind of love that God want’s between husband and wife.

Reading "1st Corinthians 13: 1-13"

If I speak in the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I am nothing. 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, and always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. Now these three remain; faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.

Expression of Intent

Minister to Groom -- Now that you have heard the high calling of marriage, do you ________ choose ________ to be your honored and cherished wife, to live with her in the consecrated state of marriage?

Groom -- I do choose to marry her.

Minister to Bride -- Now that you have heard the high calling of marriage, do you ________ choose ________ to be your honored and cherished husband, to live with him in the consecrated state of marriage?

Groom -- I do choose to marry him.

Vows

Groom -- In the name of God, I ________ take you ________, to be my wife,
To have and to hold from this day onward,
For better for worse, for richer for poorer,
In sickness and in health, To love and to cherish,
Until we are parted by death.

Bride -- In the name of God, I ________ take you ________, to be my husband,
To have and to hold from this day onward,
For better for worse, for richer for poorer,
In sickness and in health, To love and to cherish,
Until we are parted by death.

Ring Blessing

Dear God of Peace and Light, bless these rings to be a sign and a visual reminder of the vows by which ________ and ________ have bound themselves to one another. Let these rings represent an unbroken circle of love, which will withstand the tests of time. In thy name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, amen.

Exchanging of Rings

Repeated after Pastor

Groom -- This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. ________ with this ring, I thee wed.

Bride -- This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. ________ with this ring, I thee wed.

Congregation/Family Support Vow

Now that you have heard ________ and ________ recite their vows, do you, their family and friends, promise, from this day forward to give them your guidance, and to support them in being steadfast in the promises they have made? "We do!"

Lighting of Unity Candle (Optional)

These candles represent the light of your individual spirits, joining together with the Holy Spirit.

From this day forward, may your unified light burn bright and strong.

Pronouncement of Marriage

Because, ________ and ________ you have showered our hearts with expressions of your love, and consented together in holy wedlock, before God and this company, it gives me great honor and pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife.

Kiss

You may now kiss the bride.

Closing Prayer

Eternal God, without your grace no promise is sure. Strengthen this loving couple with the gift of the Holy Spirit, so they may fulfill the vows they have taken. Keep them faithful to each other, and fill them with love and joy that they may build a home where no one is a stranger. Guide them by your light to serve you all the days of their lives; through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Benediction

May God be gracious unto you and bless you, may his face shine upon you, may the Holy Spirit that lives in and around all of us fill your hearts and bless your lives with peace always.

Introduction

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. ________!