Opening Remarks
Dearly Beloved, we are
gathered together here in the presence of God and this
company to join (Groom ___________ and (Bride) ___________
in the holy bonds of matrimony. Marriage is an institution
ordained of God when man's estate was that of innocence
and supreme happiness. God prepared a perfect home for
Adam and placed him in the midst of a beautiful garden
rich in earth's choicest fruits. He gave him blessed
employment, free from anxiety and toil, in caring for the
garden. At first man was alone, having no human associate
and helper. Birds and beasts and all the living creatures
of earth could not bring him satisfaction. God is pictured
as noting man's incompleteness and lack of perfect
happiness apart from woman. Now follows the beautiful
story of the forming of woman from the side of man. Let us
not forget the great lessons God would teach by this
story. Let us look at the proper relation between husband
and wife, "that she was not made out of his head to rule
over him; nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him;
but out of his side to be equal with him; under his arm to
be protected; and near his heart to be beloved." When God
made woman He made her to be man's helper and companion.
"I will make for him a help, as his counter-part," said
God. What nobler mission could woman desire than this?
God's thought about marriage is the union of one man and
one woman in perpetual wedlock. We would naturally infer
from our Savior's presence and the part He played at the
marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, that he considered the
act of matrimony well worth His own recognition; but when
He selected the tie that binds husband an wife as a fit
emblem of His relationship to His own ransomed church He
broadened and deepened its significance until there is no
tie on earth so binding and none so sacred, as that which
binds men and women in the holy bonds of matrimony. Such a
relationship then, should not be entered into
thoughtlessly, insincerely or indiscreetly, but advisedly,
thoughtfully, and in fear of God.
Presentation
Will the parents of the
Bride and Groom please stand?
Pastor to Bride's Parents
-- Who is bringing (Bride) ___________ to be joined in
holy matrimony to (Groom) ___________ ?
Brides Parents -- We are.
Pastor to Groom's Parents
-- Who is bringing (Groom) ___________ to be joined in
holy matrimony to (Bride) ___________?
Groom's Parents -- We
are.
Pastor to Parents -- Are
you willing now and always to support and strengthen this
marriage by upholding both (Bride) ___________ (Groom)
___________ with your love, your concern, your counsel,
and your prayers?
Both Sets of Parents --
We are.
Pastor -- Thank you, you
may be seated.
Wedding Vows
If therefore, it be your
desire to be united in this holy bond, will you signify
that fact by joining your right hands.
Pastor to Groom -- Do you
___________, take this woman whose hand you now hold, to
be your true and wedded wife; and do you solemnly promise
before God and these witnesses to LOVE, CHERISH, HONOR AND
PROTECT HER: to forsake all others for her sake; to cleave
unto her, and her only, until death shall part you?
Groom -- I do.
Pastor to Bride -- Do you
___________, take this man who now holds your hand, to be
your true and wedded husband; and do you solemnly promise
before God and these witnesses to LOVE, CHERISH, HONOR AND
PROTECT HIM, to forsake all others for his sake; to cleave
unto him and him only, and him forever until death shall
part you?
Bride -- I do.
Pastor to Groom --
___________, REPEAT AFTER ME: I, ___________ , take thee,
(Bride) __________ be my wedded wife . . . to have and to
hold...from this day forward . . . for better or worse . .
. for richer, for poorer.. in sickness and in health . . .
'till death do us part . . . and thereto I plight my
troth. (or pledge my faithfulness)
Pastor to Bride --
___________ REPEAT AFTER ME: I, ___________, take thee,
(groom) __________ to be my wedded husband . . to have and
to hold.. from this day forward . . . for better, for
worse . . . or richer, for poorer . . . in sickness and in
health . . . 'till death do us part . . . and thereto I
plight you my troth. (or pledge my faithfulness)
Solo
Prayer
Dear ones, may I invite
you to kneel as you commit your lives to God in prayer.
(Bride and groom may pray)
Pastor Prays
Ring Vows
Pastor to Groom --
___________ what pledge do you give to (Bride) ___________
Groom -- A ring.
Pastor to Groom -- And
this Ring, do you give to (Bride) _______ as a sign and
seal of the endless affection with which you will cherish
her, and the unbroken fidelity with which you will perform
to her the vows of a husband? Do you?
Groom -- I do.
Pastor to Groom --
_____________, As you place this ring on (Bride's)
___________ please repeat after me. WITH THIS RING I THEE
WED; AND WITH ALL MY WORLDLY GOODS, I THEE ENDOW . . .
Pastor to Bride --
___________, what pledge to you give (Groom) ___________?
Bride -- A ring.
Pastor to Bride -- And
this ring, do you give to him as a sign and seal of the
endless affection with which you will cherish him, and the
unbroken fidelity with which you will perform to him the
vows of a wife? Do you?
Bride answers -- I do.
Pastor to Bride --
___________, as you place this ring on (Groom's) _________
finger, please repeat after me, WITH THIS RING I THEE WED:
AND WITH ALL MY WORLDLY GOODS, I THEE ENDOW . . .
Prayer sealing the
Rings
Pronouncement
In consideration of these
solemn and sacred pledges, I am authorized by the laws of
the state of __________ in your marriage license and by
the laws of God in His Holy Word, to pronounce you husband
and wife. As I do this, let me remind you that henceforth
you are one; one in interest, one in reputation and above
all else one in affection. What God HATH JOINED TOGETHER,
LET NO MAN PART ASUNDER.
Prayer (Kneeling)
Benediction
Embrace
Presentation
May I present to you, Mr.
and Mrs. ___________
Recessional
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