Wedding - Formal

Prelude

Processional

Family members seated. Minister, groom, and groomsmen take positions. Maid of honor, bridesmaids, and flower girl take positions. Minister announces “All rise!” during Here Comes the Bride. Father and bride walk down the aisle, meeting groom and minister at front (floor level). The rest of the wedding party are on the stage.

Call to Worship

The Broadman Minister’s Manual Suggested Formal Ceremony

Dear friends [or dearly beloved, or beloved friends], we are here assembled in the presence of God to unite A___[groom’s name] and B___[bride’s name] in marriage.

The Bible teaches that marriage is to be a permanent relationship of one man and one woman freely and totally committed to each other as companions for life. Our Lord declared that man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh.

Who gives the bride to be married?

BRIDE’S FATHER: I do [or he may say, “Her mother and I”].

The Broadman Minister’s Manual Suggested Formal Ceremony

Dear friends [or dearly beloved, or beloved friends], we are here assembled in the presence of God to unite A___[groom’s name] and B___[bride’s name] in marriage.

The Bible teaches that marriage is to be a permanent relationship of one man and one woman freely and totally committed to each other as companions for life. Our Lord declared that man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh.

Who gives the bride to be married?

BRIDE’S FATHER: I do [or he may say, “Her mother and I”].

The Broadman Minister’s Manual Suggested Formal Ceremony

Dear friends [or dearly beloved, or beloved friends], we are here assembled in the presence of God to unite A___[groom’s name] and B___[bride’s name] in marriage.

The Bible teaches that marriage is to be a permanent relationship of one man and one woman freely and totally committed to each other as companions for life. Our Lord declared that man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh.

Who gives the bride to be married?

BRIDE’S FATHER: I do [or he may say, “Her mother and I”].

The Broadman Minister’s Manual Suggested Formal Ceremony

Dear friends [or dearly beloved, or beloved friends], we are here assembled in the presence of God to unite A___[groom’s name] and B___[bride’s name] in marriage.

The Bible teaches that marriage is to be a permanent relationship of one man and one woman freely and totally committed to each other as companions for life. Our Lord declared that man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh.

Who gives the bride to be married?

BRIDE’S FATHER: I do [or he may say, “Her mother and I”].

Dear friends, we are here assembled in the presence of God to unite Joshua Allen Calbough (“Call-baugh”) and Jasmine Marie Jones in marriage.

The Bible teaches that marriage is to be a permanent relationship of one man and one woman freely and totally committed to each other as companions for life. Our Lord declared that man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh.

Giving of the Bride

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Bride’s Father: I do [or he may say, “Her mother and I”].

Declaration of Intent

Bride and groom move from the floor to the platform, standing in front of minister.

[1] Franklin M. Segler, The Broadman Minister’s Manual (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1969), 30–31.

Minister to audience: “You may be seated.”

“You may be seated.”

Joshua, do you take Jasmine to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keeping yourself faithful only to her, so long as you both shall live? Please respond with, “I do.”

Groom says, “I do.”

Jasmine, do you take Joshua to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keeping yourself faithful only to him, so long as you both shall live? Please respond with, “I do.”

Bride says, “I do.”

Scripture Reading and Remarks

The home is built upon love, which virtue is best portrayed in the thirteenth chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. In our counseling together, both Joshua and Jasmine found these verses to be important to them in their spiritual journeys with the Lord, and for beginning the journey together as husband and wife.

1 Corinthians 13 says,

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 NKJV

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

1 Corinthians 13:4–13 NKJV

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Marriage has been designed by God as a picture, representing the love and relationship Jesus has for and with his church. states,

1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13 NKJV

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Marriage has been designed by God as a picture, representing the love and relationship Jesus has for and with his church. states,

Marriage has been designed by God as a picture, representing the love and relationship Jesus has for and with his church. states,

Ephesians 5:25–27 NKJV

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:22–30 NKJV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

Ephesians 5:22-

Marriage is a companionship which involves mutual commitment and responsibility. You will share alike in the responsibilities and the joys of life. You are exhorted to dedicate your home to your Creator. Take His Word, the Bible, for your guide. Do not simply read it, but be certain to put it into practice. Give loyal devotion to His church, committing yourselves together to attending and serving. In staying faithful to one another and staying faithful to God, you will ensure both temporal and eternal blessings upon yourselves, as promised by Him.

Marriage is a companionship which involves mutual commitment and responsibility. You will share alike in the responsibilities and the joys of life. When companions share a sorrow the sorrow is halved, and when they share a joy the joy is doubled.

You are exhorted to dedicate your home to your Creator. Take his Word, the Bible, for your guide. Give loyal devotion to his church, thus uniting the mutual strength of these two most important institutions, living your lives as his willing servants, and true happiness will be your temporal and eternal reward.

Vows

As thou hast brought them together by thy divine providence, sanctify them by thy Spirit, that they may give themselves fully one to the other and to thee. Give them strength and patience to live their lives in a manner that will mutually bless themselves and honor thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.[1]

Minister asks the bride and groom to face each other and groom to take the bride’s right hand. He then asks the groom to repeat after him:

I, Joshua Allen Calbough (“Call-baugh”), take thee Jasmine Marie Jones, to be my 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 us part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and there to, do I give thee my pledge.

Minister asks the bride to take the groom’s right hand. He then asks the bride to repeat after him:

[1] Franklin M. Segler, The Broadman Minister’s Manual (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1969), 31–32.

I, Jasmine Marie Jones, take thee Joshua Allen Calbough (“Call-baugh”), to be my 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 us part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and there to, do I give thee my pledge.

Exchanging of the Rings

Minister to Groom:

What token do you have as a symbol of your vows?

Groom responds with, “These rings.” Minister receives rings from ring bearer.

The wedding ring is a symbol of marriage in at least two ways: the purity of the metals symbolizes the purity of your love for each other, and the unending circle symbolizes the unending vows which you are taking. As a token of your vows, you will give and receive the rings.

Minister to Groom:

[1] Franklin M. Segler, The Broadman Minister’s Manual (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1969), 33.

Joshua, will you take the ring and Jasmine’s left hand and repeat after me: “Jasmine Marie Jones, with this ring, I pledge my life and love to you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Groom places ring on bride’s finger. Minister to Bride:

[1] Franklin M. Segler, The Broadman Minister’s Manual (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1969), 33.

Jasmine, will you take the ring and Joshua’s left hand and repeat after me: “Joshua Allen Calbough (“Call-baugh”), with this ring, I pledge my life and love to you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Bride places ring on groom’s finger.

Let us pray.

Bless, O Lord, these rings that as Joshua and Jasmine wear them they may abide in Your peace and continue in Your favor, unto their life’s end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Musical Selection & Lighting of Unity Candles

Prayer

Let us now offer a prayer on behalf of this couple. 

God, we ask for Your blessings upon this man and woman, as we celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives.

Grant them happiness and contentment as they establish their new home, create a new family and continue to grow in the depths of their love for one another and for You.

Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their lives.

Bless their home as a place of love and of peace.

And if times grow hard and tempers grow short, help them to look into their hearts, and remember the love that brought them here today, and the love you have for them.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Declaration of Marriage

Joshua and Jasmine, since you have made these commitments before God and this assembly, by the authority of God and the laws of this state, I now declare that you are husband and wife. So you are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate.

Matthew 19:6 NKJV

So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Joshua, you may kiss your bride.

[1] Franklin M. Segler, The Broadman Minister’s Manual (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1969), 34.

First Kiss

Presentation of Bride and Groom

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you for the first time, Joshua and Jasmine Calbough (“Call-baugh”).

Recessional

Announcement made after last member of family is escorted out.

On behalf of the bride and groom, I want to thank you for joining us today for their marriage ceremony. Each one of you are now invited to a reception, at the Center for Rural Development in the South Hall. Have a wonderful evening!