Traditional Religious Ceremony
Marriage of [Bride's Full Name] & [Groom's Full Name]
Date / Time
Location
Sample Processional:
Groom and groomsmen wait at front right
Ring bearer walks
Flower girl walks
Bridesmaids walk single file w/Matron or Maid of Honor coming last
Pause and Music changes
Bride walks, escorted by Dad
Giving of Bride:
Rev.: Who gives this woman in marriage this day?
Dad: I do (or "her mother and I")
1. Opening Words & Prayer of Invocation
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 [Bride] and [Groom] in marriage.
We are here, not only to witness your commitment to each other, but also to wish you both every happiness in your future life together. Within its framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through trust, patience and respect, the love and affection which you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.
We who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life, that your love, respect for each other, your trust, and understanding of each other will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.
Let us pray. We thank you, God, for being with us here today and ask for your blessing on this couple as they step forward and make this lifetime commitment to each other. Lend them your wisdom and help guide them on their path, we pray. Amen.
2. Wedding Address
Dear Friends,
Today we witness the entry into marriage of two beloved friends who are already one at heart.
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 it's 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."
The healthiest of relationships are built not only on love, but also on friendship, compatible values, and the freedom to be yourself while allowing and encouraging your partner to be the same. Love is then the tie that binds you together through good times and bad.
We have come here today to be with [Groom] and [Bride] as they take the next step in their journey together. In one sense they are not beginning a new life, they are continuing and strengthening the bond that is obviously already there. A piece of paper cannot make a marriage. For [Bride] and [Groom], the spirit of marriage is already alive in their hearts and minds. Therefore, the piece of paper that is generated from the ceremony today merely reflects the love and commitment they share.
3. At this time there will be a declaration of intent and exchange of vows.
As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love, now please join your hands and face each other.
[Groom], do you take [Bride] to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage. Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, so long as you both shall live?
I do.
[Bride], do you take [Groom] to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage. Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live?
I do.
4. Giving and Receiving of rings.
May we have the rings, please? The circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness and perfection and of peace. The ring is a symbol of unity, in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle.
[Groom] please place this ring on [Bride]'s finger and repeat after me.
I give you this ring to wear upon your hand
as a symbol of our love and unity.
With this ring I marry you.
[Bride], please place this ring on [groom]'s finger and would you also repeat after me?
I give you this ring to wear upon your hand
as a symbol of our love and unity.
With this ring I marry you.
5. Solo or Poetry or Other Reading.
[Selection to be inserted here.]
6. Lighting of Unity Candle.
From every person there arises a light, an individual spirit, whole and complete, to be honored and respected. And then when they form a bond with another whole, complete person, a single, brighter light emerges from their union.
At this time, I would ask that each of you light the two outside candles that stand for you as individuals persons. (Optional alternative: These candles can be lit during the processional by the bride's and groom's mothers or other important people.)
[Each lights a candle.]
These represent the light of your individual souls, and also your separate families and sets of friends that each of you bring to the marriage. With these flames I ask that in a moment you light a new and brighter light, which is your candle of unity. As you light the candle that represents the new life you will share, your own light will not be extinguished. Indeed your marriage will be made stronger by the richness you bring to it as individuals. Go ahead and light your unity candle.
[Together they light the candle of unity.]
The flames that are kindled here are precious, for they are symbols of the light that shines within you. As the years go by, you must tend all three flames to keep the light of your marriage strong and bright.
(Note: for couples with children, a candle may be lit for each child, and language added concerning unity of the family.)
7. Closing Prayer.
Oh Lord our hearts are filled with great happiness on this joyous occasion as [Groom] and [Bride] come before You, pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and lovoing, 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 and 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 [Bride] and [Groom] throughout all of the days of their lives together. Amen.
8. Pronouncement.
[Bride] and [Groom], now that you are crossing the threshold into married life, let the love and trust you have for one another continue to mature, that your life together may be a refuge and safe haven for yourselves, as well as an inspiration to all your family and friends.
If there is anything you recall after today of this marriage ceremony, please remember that love is what brought you here today, and it is through love by which your marriage shall endure.
And now by the power vested in me by the State of [Oregon/Washington], I pronounce you husband and wife. [Groom], please kiss your bride.
[Kiss.]
9. Introduction.
Ladies and Gentlemen: It is with great pleasure that I present to you [Groom] and [Bride] [Last Name], husband and wife, united in spirit and in marriage.
Recessional:
Bride and Groom walk out
Wedding party walks out in reverse order from processional
Immediately after the Ceremony: Signing of Marriage Certificate.
Groom and groomsmen wait at front right
Ring bearer walks
Flower girl walks
Bridesmaids walk single file w/Matron or Maid of Honor coming last
Pause and Music changes
Bride walks, escorted by Dad
Giving of Bride:
Rev.: Who gives this woman in marriage this day?
Dad: I do (or "her mother and I")
1. Opening Words & Prayer of Invocation
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 [Bride] and [Groom] in marriage.
We are here, not only to witness your commitment to each other, but also to wish you both every happiness in your future life together. Within its framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through trust, patience and respect, the love and affection which you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.
We who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life, that your love, respect for each other, your trust, and understanding of each other will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.
Let us pray. We thank you, God, for being with us here today and ask for your blessing on this couple as they step forward and make this lifetime commitment to each other. Lend them your wisdom and help guide them on their path, we pray. Amen.
2. Wedding Address
Dear Friends,
Today we witness the entry into marriage of two beloved friends who are already one at heart.
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 it's 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."
The healthiest of relationships are built not only on love, but also on friendship, compatible values, and the freedom to be yourself while allowing and encouraging your partner to be the same. Love is then the tie that binds you together through good times and bad.
We have come here today to be with [Groom] and [Bride] as they take the next step in their journey together. In one sense they are not beginning a new life, they are continuing and strengthening the bond that is obviously already there. A piece of paper cannot make a marriage. For [Bride] and [Groom], the spirit of marriage is already alive in their hearts and minds. Therefore, the piece of paper that is generated from the ceremony today merely reflects the love and commitment they share.
3. At this time there will be a declaration of intent and exchange of vows.
As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love, now please join your hands and face each other.
[Groom], do you take [Bride] to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage. Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, so long as you both shall live?
I do.
[Bride], do you take [Groom] to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage. Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live?
I do.
4. Giving and Receiving of rings.
May we have the rings, please? The circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of wholeness and perfection and of peace. The ring is a symbol of unity, in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle.
[Groom] please place this ring on [Bride]'s finger and repeat after me.
I give you this ring to wear upon your hand
as a symbol of our love and unity.
With this ring I marry you.
[Bride], please place this ring on [groom]'s finger and would you also repeat after me?
I give you this ring to wear upon your hand
as a symbol of our love and unity.
With this ring I marry you.
5. Solo or Poetry or Other Reading.
[Selection to be inserted here.]
6. Lighting of Unity Candle.
From every person there arises a light, an individual spirit, whole and complete, to be honored and respected. And then when they form a bond with another whole, complete person, a single, brighter light emerges from their union.
At this time, I would ask that each of you light the two outside candles that stand for you as individuals persons. (Optional alternative: These candles can be lit during the processional by the bride's and groom's mothers or other important people.)
[Each lights a candle.]
These represent the light of your individual souls, and also your separate families and sets of friends that each of you bring to the marriage. With these flames I ask that in a moment you light a new and brighter light, which is your candle of unity. As you light the candle that represents the new life you will share, your own light will not be extinguished. Indeed your marriage will be made stronger by the richness you bring to it as individuals. Go ahead and light your unity candle.
[Together they light the candle of unity.]
The flames that are kindled here are precious, for they are symbols of the light that shines within you. As the years go by, you must tend all three flames to keep the light of your marriage strong and bright.
(Note: for couples with children, a candle may be lit for each child, and language added concerning unity of the family.)
7. Closing Prayer.
Oh Lord our hearts are filled with great happiness on this joyous occasion as [Groom] and [Bride] come before You, pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and lovoing, 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 and 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 [Bride] and [Groom] throughout all of the days of their lives together. Amen.
8. Pronouncement.
[Bride] and [Groom], now that you are crossing the threshold into married life, let the love and trust you have for one another continue to mature, that your life together may be a refuge and safe haven for yourselves, as well as an inspiration to all your family and friends.
If there is anything you recall after today of this marriage ceremony, please remember that love is what brought you here today, and it is through love by which your marriage shall endure.
And now by the power vested in me by the State of [Oregon/Washington], I pronounce you husband and wife. [Groom], please kiss your bride.
[Kiss.]
9. Introduction.
Ladies and Gentlemen: It is with great pleasure that I present to you [Groom] and [Bride] [Last Name], husband and wife, united in spirit and in marriage.
Recessional:
Bride and Groom walk out
Wedding party walks out in reverse order from processional
Immediately after the Ceremony: Signing of Marriage Certificate.
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