"There are three things that last: faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love."
-- I Corinthians 13:13
A Traditional Wedding Ceremony
Minister:
We are gathered here today in the presence of these family and friends, to join together (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) in matrimony; which is an honourable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Parents:
We do.
The bride is brought forward to the groom's side.
Minister (to Groom):
(Groom's Name), do you take (Bride's Name) to be your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?
Groom:
I do.
Minister (to Bride):
(Bride's Name), do you take (Groom's Name) for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?
Bride:
I do.
Traditionally, a reading from the Bible is read or a song performed now. Some suggestions include "Sonnet from the Portuguese" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "On Marriage" by Kahlil Gibran, and portions of "The Song of Solomon" from the Bible.
Minister (addressing the groom who repeats the marriage vows):
I (Groom's Name) take thee (Bride's Name) to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, 'til death do us part.
Minister (to the bride who repeats the marriage vows):
I (Bride's Name) take thee (Groom's Name) to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, 'til death do us part.
The Minister then asks for the rings from the best man.
Minister (holding bride's ring):
May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.
Groom (placing ring on bride's finger):
With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.
Minister (holding groom's ring):
May this ring be blessed so that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.
Bride (placing ring on groom's finger):
With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.
A hymn or second reading is included at this time. Some suggestions include "The Prayer" by St. Francis of Assisi, "Wedding Prayer" by Robert Louis Stevenson and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a in the Bible.
Minister:
May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive, and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) are now beginning their married life together. We hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife.
Minister (to the couple):
You may now seal the promises you have made to each other with a kiss.
Minister:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to be the first to present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Surname)
Recessional music is played, and the couple then sign the Register.
We are gathered here today in the presence of these family and friends, to join together (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) in matrimony; which is an honourable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any one can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Parents:
We do.
The bride is brought forward to the groom's side.
Minister (to Groom):
(Groom's Name), do you take (Bride's Name) to be your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?
Groom:
I do.
Minister (to Bride):
(Bride's Name), do you take (Groom's Name) for your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, honour, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?
Bride:
I do.
Traditionally, a reading from the Bible is read or a song performed now. Some suggestions include "Sonnet from the Portuguese" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, "On Marriage" by Kahlil Gibran, and portions of "The Song of Solomon" from the Bible.
Minister (addressing the groom who repeats the marriage vows):
I (Groom's Name) take thee (Bride's Name) to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, 'til death do us part.
Minister (to the bride who repeats the marriage vows):
I (Bride's Name) take thee (Groom's Name) to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, 'til death do us part.
The Minister then asks for the rings from the best man.
Minister (holding bride's ring):
May this ring be blessed so he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.
Groom (placing ring on bride's finger):
With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.
Minister (holding groom's ring):
May this ring be blessed so that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide in peace, and continue in love until life's end.
Bride (placing ring on groom's finger):
With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.
A hymn or second reading is included at this time. Some suggestions include "The Prayer" by St. Francis of Assisi, "Wedding Prayer" by Robert Louis Stevenson and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a in the Bible.
Minister:
May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive, and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) are now beginning their married life together. We hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife.
Minister (to the couple):
You may now seal the promises you have made to each other with a kiss.
Minister:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to be the first to present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Surname)
Recessional music is played, and the couple then sign the Register.
