Wedding Ceremony

GREETINGS

Psalm 118:24 (NKJV)

This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Ladies and Gentleman, this is indeed a joyful time.  We are gathered here in the presence of God and of this company to join in holy marriage (B)_______________ & (G)________________  and to bear witness to the transforming power of love.

Statement of Purpose

(B)_______________ & (G)________________, marriage is of God. It is ordained in heaven. It is the  first and holiest institution among men. God Himself gave the first bride  away.  

God Himself performed the first wedding ceremony. In the Garden of Eden, God Himself hallowed and sanctified the first home. And so, as we gather here today, we recognize that marriage is an act of God and not of man.   

Therefore, this covenant is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly, in the fear of God. Into this  covenant  You come now to be joined.

In acknowledgment of this holy purpose and of the power of this occasion, let us pray.

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done

On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,

As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

All Mighty God, as we enter into this moment, we most particularly give you thanks for the holy union of marriage, the most sacred of all human relationships.

We pray for your presence here today and your blessings upon (B)_______________ & (G)________________ as they enter their new life together.  Above all else, we thank you for Jesus, who gives meaning, direction, and hope to all human relationships. We pray in his name. Amen.

The Giving Away of the Bride

Minister: Who presents this woman to marry this man?

Father of Bride: Her mother and I do.

Declaration of Consent

To Groom:______________ , will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live? If so, answer, “I will.”

To Bride: ___________________, will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in the holy covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him as your husband in sickness and in health and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live? If so, answer, “I will.”

The Address

(B)_______________ & (G)________________,

Marriage is a covenant of love and love is a major key in a lasting and joyous relationship. The apostle St. Paul explained what true love is in 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13 (NIV84)

31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts. ..

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

13      If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away…

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

True love is more than a feeling, it is an act of the will.

-it’s being patient to one another,

it’s being kind to one another,

it’s being humble to one another,

is to encourage one another,

respect one another and

it’s being the best version of yourselves to everyone, but especially to your spouse.

 (Stephen Crotts)  “A good marriage is not finding the right person so much as it is being the right person“.  

The key to a healthy marriage is for each of us to focus on becoming the person God created us to become.  

Be the husband that God wants you to be for her.

Bible says: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, (Eph.5.25)

Col.3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

John 13:34  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another

B__________,  Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. –  

How can a wife be a wise woman?  God can teach you how to be a wise woman.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Ask for it and it shall be given to you. 

Remember, the key to a healthy marriage is for each of us to focus on becoming the person God created us to become.  

The Vows  (B&G Join hands and face each other)

“I DO VOWS”

Groom: _______________, do you take B_____________________, to be your 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 and to cherish, till death do you apart?  

Bride____________, do you take G__________________, to be your 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 and to cherish, till death do you apart?  

Ring Ceremony

You’ve chosen to further seal these vows by giving and receiving the wedding rings… (may I have the rings…) 

Though small in size, these rings are very large in significance. Made of precious metal, they remind us that love is not cheap nor common; indeed, love may cost us dearly.

Made in a circle, their design tells us that love must never come to an end; we must keep it continuous.

As you wear these rings, whether together or apart for a moment, may they be constant reminders of these glad promises that you are making today.

Ring Vows

Groom: ____________  will you now take this ring and repeat after me as you place it on your bride’s finger:

"I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. I ask you to wear this ring as a reminder of the vows we have spoken today, our wedding day."

(Bride’s Response:) "I will forever wear this ring as a sign of my commitment and the desire of my heart."

Bride: _____

"This ring I give to you as a token of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. With this ring, I gladly marry you and join my life to yours."

(Groom’s Response:) "I will forever wear this ring as a sign of my commitment and the desire of my heart."

Prayer of Benediction for the Bride and Groom

Let’s ask the Almighty God to bless the new couple.

Almighty God, we humbly ask that your blessings rest upon these people who are now lawfully joined in marriage; Merciful Father, sanctify them and sanctify their conversation, their family, their property, and their business and their finances for your glory. Teach them to love you and each other, and treat each other with gentleness, patience, and understanding as they journey through life together.

May this marriage be full of affection, adventures and devotion, as well as comfort and support. May they discover the true depth of love through loving one another as we have heard from your Word.

May they not live for the flesh, but for the Spirit, and may they reap the fruit of eternal life from the Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. B & G, may the Lord make the love you have for one another and for everyone grow and overflow.

Thank you, All Mighty God, for your presence here with us and for your blessing upon this marriage.   

B____________ and G___________, may ‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

ln Jesus' name Amen.

Pronouncement of Marriage

(B)_______________ & (G)________________ You have come before us and before God and have expressed your desire to be husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, have made promises of faith and devotion to each other, and have sealed these promises by the giving and receiving of rings.

I, therefore, pronounce that you are husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man separate.

(G)_________________, you may kiss your bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, It is my privilege to present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Mr. & Mrs. Pasternack_______!

Congratulations! Let’s Celebrate!