James and Olivia Burges Wedding

Wedding Outline

1. “Family and friends, we are gathered here today in the presence of God to celebrate the union of James and Olivia”

We come together in His presence to witness the joining of this man and this woman as one in Jesus Christ. Scripture reminds us that marriage is to be honored by all. It is a sacred covenant, entered into with reverence, prayer, and joy.

From the beginning, marriage was God’s design. In Genesis, God said, “It is not good for man to be alone,” and He created woman and brought her to man. From that first union, God established marriage as a holy and beautiful gift.

In the New Testament, Jesus honored marriage by performing His first miracle at a wedding. He was invited, and His presence brought blessing. In the same way, a strong and lasting marriage is one where Christ is welcomed and honored every day.

Marriage is more than a promise—it is a covenant before God. It reflects the love of Christ for His people: faithful, sacrificial, and full of grace.

The Bible teaches that all of us fall short of God’s perfect standard, yet God, in His love, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again, so that anyone who turns to Him in faith can be forgiven and made new. This is the foundation of true love—not that we are perfect, but that we are loved, forgiven, and sustained by His grace.

Dalton and Tessa have each personally invited Jesus into their lives and have committed themselves to His lordship. In the time I have spent with them, I have seen a genuine desire to walk with Jesus, to grow in their faith, and to build a relationship centered on Him.

Dalton and Tessa, you are called to love one another as Christ loves: with patience, kindness, forgiveness, and faithfulness. As Scripture says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Build your marriage on Jesus Christ. Let Him be your foundation, your strength, and your guide. When Christ is at the center, your love will grow, endure, and bring glory to God.

2. Prayer / Charge

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day and for the gift of marriage. We thank You for Dalton and Tessa and for the work You have done in their lives.

Lord, unite them in Christ. Help them to be one in Your eyes—sharing the same Heavenly Father, guided by the same Holy Spirit, and following the same Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Grant them wisdom, strength, and love as they enter into this covenant. Teach them to trust You, to lean on You, and to reflect Your love in their marriage each day.

We ask Your blessing over their life together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

3. Vows

Who gives this woman to be this man’s wife?

Dalton, do you take Tessa to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together according to God’s will, and to be united as one in Jesus Christ? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and cherish her in all circumstances, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her alone as long as you both shall live? ["I do"]

Tessa, do you take Dalton to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together according to God’s will, and to be united as one in Jesus Christ? Do you promise to love him, honor him, and care for him in all circumstances, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him alone as long as you both shall live? ["I do"]

Repeat after me:

I, Dalton Wayne Tarter, take you, Tessa Mary Sibley, to be my wedded wife, to love and embrace from this day forward. I promise, with God’s help, to love you as Christ loves the Church.

I, Tessa Mary Sibley, take you, Dalton Wayne Tarter, to be my wedded husband, to love and embrace from this day forward. I promise, with God’s help, to love you and honor you.

4. Please present Rings

Place the ring on your partner’s finger

These rings are a symbol of your love and devotion for each other. As each ring encircles the other’s finger, so their love surrounds one another. With these rings, they give themselves and all that they have to each other, fully and freely.

5. Pronouncement

For as much as Dalton and Tessa have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have declared it by the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings—

By the power vested in me as a minister of Jesus Christ, I now pronounce you husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Dalton, you may kiss your bride.

[Step back}

It is my great honor and privilege to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Dalton Tarter.