Sermon Tone Analysis

Marriage Ceremony

Introduction/Ministers Greeting

Welcome.

When Jesus and His disciples were called to the marriage, He gladly met the call, and there began His ministry and His acts of power.

We are here assembled, to be witnesses after Him of the pledges <Groom name> and <Bride name> are now to make to each other, and to set them forth in their new estate of wedlock by our prayers and Christian greetings.

Declaration of Intent

<Groom name>, understanding that God has created, ordered, and blessed the covenant of marriage, do you affirm your desire and intention to enter this covenant?

<Groom affirms “I Do”>

<Bride name>, understanding that God has created, ordered, and blessed the covenant of marriage, do you affirm your desire and intention to enter this covenant?

<Bride affirms “I Do”>

<To the father or escort of bride> Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

Vows

This rite of marriage in which you both come now to be united, as in bonds of Christianity, is the first and oldest rite of the world, celebrated in the world’s beginning before God, the Creator.

Himself sole witness, guest and minister.

And what it was then, it is now; Marriage has never fallen, but is that beauty of paradise which has lived on, continued still by God, to soothe the troubled and comfort the sorrows of man and woman.

This it will be to you, if you have it in your hearts to beautify and sweeten it by your care, your mindfulness in little things, your patience and sacrifice of self to each other.

All which I charge you here in God’s name to remember.

Join hands.

<To the man>

Will you, <Groom Name>, take this woman, whom you hold by the hands to be your wedded wife; promising to keep, cherish, and defend her, and to be her faithful and true husband so long as you both shall live?

<To the woman>

Will you, <Bride Name>, take this man whom you hold by the hands to be your wedded husband; promising to adhere unchangeably to him in all life’s changes and to be his loving and true wife till death divide you?

Ring Ceremony

Who holds the ring the Groom intends for his Bride?

<Best man responds>

Present it to me.

Now as the husband is the head of the wife, imparting unto her his name and receiving her unto his care and providence, I give you this ring <give ring> that you may place it on the finger of this woman as a token that in loyalty you so receive her.

Place the ring upon her finger.

As this ring encompasses her finger, thus you are to compass her life with strength and protecting love.

<To Bride>

You are to wear this ring as the enclosing bond of reverence and dearest faith, both fulfilling the perfect circle of duty that makes you one.

Who holds the ring the Bride intends for her Groom?

Present it to me.

<Bride name> place this ring upon his finger.

As this ring encompasses his finger, thus you are to compass his life with strength and protecting love.

<To Groom>

You are to wear this ring as the enclosing bond of reverence and dearest faith, both fulfilling the perfect circle of duty that makes you one.

Unity Candle

The two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate set of friends, in other words, they represent your lives before today.

Lighting the unity candle represents that your two lives are now being joined together as one.

Please pick up the lit candles and together light the center candle.

Prayer

Pronouncement

In the name of Jesus Christ and before God and these witnesses, I pronounce you husband and wife.

What God has joined together, let man put asunder.

Kiss

<Groom name>, you may kiss your bride!

Presentation

(Ask couple to face congregation)

I present to you Mr. and Mrs. <Groom’s full name>.