Pastor:
( addressing everyone ) - We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the presence of this company, to join together ("groom's name") and ("bride's name") in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted by 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 and with full commitment.
Into this holy estate these two present come, now to be joined together.
If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
( slight pause )
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
Father or other individual:
I do (or) Her mother and I do, etc.
( father places the bride's arm into the groom's arm )
Pastor:
( addressing those to be married ) - ("groom's name") and ("bride's name"), I require and charge you both that if either of you know any just reason why you may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, that you confess it now. Be assured that if any persons are joined together otherwise, than as God's word allows, their marriage is not lawful in His eyes.
( slight pause )
Pastor:
( addressing the groom ) - ("groom's name"), do you take ("bride's name") for your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you, love, honor, 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.
Pastor:
( addressing the bride ) - ("bride's name"), do you take ("groom's name") for your lawful wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you, love, honor, 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.
( pause for scripture reading or song - optional - multiple appropriate verses available )
( reader or singer performs )
Pastor:
( addressing everyone ) - Please join me in a prayer for this man and this woman as they make their marriage vows:
Dear heavenly Father, as ("groom's name") and ("bride's name") bond to each other, help them and bless them that their love may be pure, and that their vows may be true. Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray, Amen.
Pastor:
( addressing bride and groom ) - Please turn and face each other and join both your hands together.
Pastor:
( addressing groom ) - ("groom's name") please repeat these holy vows after me to ("bride's name")
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 for worse - For richer for poorer - In sickness and in health - To love, honor and cherish - Till death do we part - According to God's holy ordinance - And thereto I plight thee my troth.
Pastor:
( addressing bride ) - ("bride's name") please repeat these holy vows after me to ("groom's name")
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 for worse - For richer for poorer - In sickness and in health - To love, honor and cherish - Till death do we part - According to God's holy ordinance - And thereto I plight thee my troth.
Pastor:
( addressing everyone ) - Who bears the ring of eternal love for the bride?
Best Man:
I do. ( handing the ring to the pastor )
( ring is placed in the palm of groom's upturned left hand )
( bride places her left hand over the the ring and palm of the groom )
( pastor places his right hand over the left hand of the bride )
Pastor:
Let us pray. Dear heavenly Father, bless this eternal ring of love. Bless he who give it and also she who wears it that they may both abide in your peace, and continue in your favor and love until life's end, throught Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Pastor:
( addressing groom ) - ("groom's name") repeat after me while placing the ring on ("bride's name") ring finger. - ("bride's name"), with this ring I thee wed.
Groom:
("bride's name"), with this ring I thee wed.
Pastor:
( addressing everyone ) - Who bears the ring of eternal love for the groom?
Maid of Honor:
I do. ( handing the ring to the pastor )
( ring is placed in the palm of bride's upturned left hand )
( groom places his left hand over the the ring and palm of the bride )
( pastor places his right hand over the left hand of the groom )
Pastor:
Let us pray. Dear heavenly Father, bless this eternal ring of love. Bless she who give it and also he who wears it that they may both abide in your peace, and continue in your favor and love until life's end, throught Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Pastor:
( addressing bride ) - ("bride's name") repeat after me while placing the ring on ("groom's name") ring finger. - ("groom's name"), with this ring I thee wed.
Bride:
("groom's name"), with this ring I thee wed.
( pause for 2nd scripture reading or song - optional - multiple appropriate verses available )
( reader or singer performs )
Pastor:
( addressing bride and groom ) - Please turn towards me. Let us pray:
Dear heavenly Father, we pray for all those here today that are married, that they may continue to give, be able to forgive, experience more of life's blessings, and more of the joy of the Lord with each passing day. We pray especially for ("groom's name") and ("bride's name"), now beginning their married life together, that they may have divine assistance, the constant support of family and friends, and a long life with good health. May your fullest blessings come upon ("groom's name") and his wife ("bride's name"), from this day forward, for ever and ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Pastor:
( addressing bride and groom ) - ("groom's name") and ("bride's name"), may Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior always be at the center of the new lives you are now beginning 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 your heart with His joy.
Pastor:
( with right hand extended ) - Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder!
Pastor:
( addressing everyone ) - In so much as ("groom's name") and ("bride's name") have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, having given and pledged their troth each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of a ring, by the powers vested in me by this state and more importantly by our heavenly Father, I now pronounce that you are husband and wife.
You many now seal the promise that you have both made this day before our most heavenly Father and before those witnesses present here with your first kiss as husband and wife.
( pause for the kiss - have them turn toward the room )
Pastor:
Ladies and gentlemen, I Present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. ("surname")
If you should have any questions
please e-mail Pastor Russ at: chaplain@cheswoldvfc.com
Or call him at 302-670-5111
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