Wedding Ceremony Script

Processional

Directions: The wedding party makes their way to the stage and then the bride enters--everyone stands. After the bride is escorted up the aisle, the music fades out.

The Giving Away

On behalf of this beautiful couple and their families, we want to thank you all for celebrating this momentous occasion with us.

Today [GROOM NAME] and [BRIDE NAME] stand before God, as well as you all, to join themselves together in the covenant of marriage. This is not a simple or light commitment. What they carry out today is a deep promise of love, faithfulness, and enduring strength. We take joy in this commitment, and we stand beside this couple--not simply looking to them, but joining with them in this beautiful journey. A journey that reflects God's love and grace for all of us.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

(Father replies: "Her mother and I")

Father passes bride to groom, and they both step forward, facing the minister.

Let's take a moment to pray for [GROOM NAME] and [BRIDE NAME] as they begin their lives together.

Short Prayer

You may be seated.

Reading Of Scripture

Ephesians 5:22–33 (ESV)

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.

24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,

30 because we are members of his body.

31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Message

The Covenant of Marriage

Today, both of you are stepping into the covenant of marriage; one of the oldest most sacred institutions created and designed by God. In the passage I just read, Paul writes about how Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. In the same way, the covenant of marriage is apiculture of Christ's covenant with us. His love caused him to pursue, sacrifice, and restore us. In fact, he loved us so much that he gave his life for us.

Those who have placed their faith in Jesus are a part of the church: the Bible tells us God's church is his bride. And, as Paul writes here in Ephesians, just as Jesus pursued us, now you are called to pursue one another:

[GROOM NAME], in the same way Jesus pursued his bride, you are called to love [BRIDE NAME]. our re to selflessly give to her, to lay your life down for her, to honor and take care of her as if she were your own body--which spiritually she is.

[BRIDE NAME], you are called to pursue [GROOM NAME]. You too are to love him, to selflessly honor him, and sacrifice for him.

The love that is required is a selfless love that never gives up and that extends grace time and time again. A love that forgives and a love that pursues when times are good and when times are bad. This is the love Jesus has for us, and the love we must not only show each other, but model for the world to see.

Today, take a look back to remember the love that has been build up until this moment. In addition, look forward to the love that will make many more beautiful moments as you step into the covenant of marriage.

Vows

At this time, please turn and face each other.

[GROOM NAME], do you take [BRIDE NAME] to be your wife, to live with her in the covenant of marriage according to the Word of God? Do you promise to love her comfort her, honor her, cherish her, and guide her, forsaking all others, and be a husband to her alone, as long as you both shall live? If so, answer, "I do."

GROOM: "I do."

[GROOM NAME], repeat after me.

I, [GROOM NAME] take you, [BRIDE NAME] to be my wife, my partner in life. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow and forever.

I will trust you and honor you,

I will laugh with you and cry with you.

Through the best and the worst,

Through the difficult and the easy.

Whatever may come, I will always be there.

As I have given you my hand to hold

So I have you my life to keep.

[BRIDE NAME], do you take [GROOM NAME] to be your husband, to live with her in the covenant of marriage according to the Word of God? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor him, cherish him, and guide him, forsaking all others, and be a wife to him alone, as long as you both shall live? If so, answer, "I do."

BRIDE: "I do."

[BRIDE NAME], repeat after me.

I, [BRIDE NAME] take you, [GROOM NAME] to be my husband, my partner in life. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow and forever.

I will trust you and honor you,

I will laugh with you and cry with you.

Through the best and the worst,

Through the difficult and the easy.

Whatever may come, I will always be there.

As I have given you my hand to hold

So I have you my life to keep.

The Rings

May I have the rings?

Collect Rings

[GROOM NAME], If you will, take this ring, place it on [BRIDE'S NAME]'s finger and repeat after me:

[BRIDE'S NAME], this ring is a sign for my love and faithfulness. As I love the Lord, so do I love you. I receive you as God's gift to me. I will support and encourage you. Through my adversity, I will be a faithful husband to you. All that is mine is forever yours. For as long as we both shall live.

[BRIDE'S NAME], if you will, take this ring, place it on [GROOMS'S NAME]'s finger and repeat after me.

[GROOM'S NAME], this ring is a sign for my love and faithfulness. As I love the Lord, so do I love you. I receive you as God's gift to me. I will support and encourage you. Through my adversity, I will be a faithful wife to you. All that is mine is forever yours. For as long as we both shall live.

Unity Candle

Today, [GROOM'S NAME] and [BRIDE'S NAME] would like to express their covenant through a unity candle. Placed beside this unity candle are two smaller candles. Those represent [GROOM'S NAME] and [BRIDE'S NAME]'s individual lives. Now, as they join together in holy matrimony, they leave those individual lives behind and cling to each other as one.

[GROOM NAME] and [BRIDE NAME], you may now light this candle.

The couple lights the unity candle as a song plays in the background.

Communion: Optional

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Today, this couple has decided to take communion together to symbolically mark this occasion as both holy and as a reflection of Jesus's love and sacrifice for the world. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul offers an explanation of this ritual. For the Christian, we must always remember, share, and celebrate the story of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. One way to do this is through communion.

Instruct group on how communion will be take--whether as a whole or just with the bride and groom.

Pronouncement

[GROOM NAME] and [BRIDE NAME] my hope for you is that you never forget the weight and significance of the covenant you've made today.

With the blessings of all the family and friends whoa re here today, and in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I now pronounce you husband and wife.

[GROOM NAME], you may kiss your bride.

Announcement

Ladies and gentlemen, would you please rise as I present to you for the very first time:

Mr. & Mrs. [GROOM NAME] and [BRIDE NAME] [LAST NAME]

Recessional begins as bride and groom walk down the aisle. Wedding party follows.

Closing Instruction

Once again, on behalf of the bride and groom and their families, I would like to thank you for celebrating with us today.

Provide instructions for reception and dismiss attendees.