Traditional Wedding

Zach and Emily Moore Wedding

Traditional Wedding Ceremony

Welcome: Dear friends, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended by the apostle Paul to be honorable among all men; and, therefore, is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly, or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate, these two persons come now to be joined.

Declaration of Intent

Zachary Moore, will you have Emily Lovelady to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy covenant of marriage:will you love her, comfort her, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep yourself unto her, so long as you both shall live? Groom responds, “I do.”

Emily Lovelady, will you have Zachary Moore to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy covenant of marriage:will you love him, comfort him, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep yourself unto him, so long as you both shall live? Bride responds, “I do.”

Giving of the Bride: Who gives this woman to be married to this man? Father: “Here mother and I.”

Prayer: Father, we come before you today, to join Zack and Emily in holy matrimony. As we do, we pray, first and foremost, that you would be honored and glorified in this service. For to you alone belongs all the glory and honor. Second, we pray that you would bless this union. May your hand always be with Zach and Emily, drawing them close to you and always guiding them in Your Way. And may they always look to you, seeking your will and seeking to honor you with their lives. In Christ name, amen.

You May be Seated

Marriage is the first great institution established by God.

After creating Adam and Eve in His own image and likeness, God officiated the first wedding ceremony as He joined Adam and Eve in the Covenant of Marriage. So, God established the institution of marriage, saying,

Genesis 2:24 (ESV) — 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

The Marriage Ceremony Marks the Beginning of Three New Realities:

(This Ceremony Marks the Beginning of…)

I. A New Allegiance - you are to forsake all other relations and devote yourselves one to another.

II. A New Union - you came in today as two individuals. You had your individual lives; did individual things, made individual decisions. But today the two shall become one.

III. A New Mission: To Exemplify the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

A. Zach, as Eph 5:25-28 says, you are called to love Emily, even as Christ loved His Church and sacrificed Himself for her so that he might sanctify her and present her pure and holy before God. Zach, you are to put your own needs and wants aside in order to lead Emily in a relationship with the Christ and in God’s Will.

B. Emily, as Eph 5:22-24 says, you are called to submit to Zach’s loving leadership. As Zach steps up to be the leader of your household, you are to faithfully follow him, support him, and, as your family expands, help him lead your children in their relationships with Christ.

C. And because we are imperfect, you will also model the gospel as you exercise forgiveness in your marriage.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

But Christ died for all of our sins. He paid the penalty for all our sins so that we might receive forgiveness and be reconciled to God.

So it is in marriage. Christ died for all of your sins, past, present, and future. When one sins against another, those sins can be forgiven because Christ paid the penalty for them.

So, when conflicts arise, exemplify the gospel by exercising forgiveness and being reconciled one to another.

So, today you are joining together in a new allegiance, a new union, and a new mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the world.

(Now, face one another and join hands as you prepare to take your vows.)

Vows:

1stZach: “I, Zach, take you Emily / 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 thereto / I pledge to you.”

Now Emily: “I, Emily, take you Zach / 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, to cherish, and to obey / till death do us part / according to God’s holy ordinance / and thereto / I pledge to you.”

The Rings

Zach, is there a ring? – receive ring from best man and give to groom.

Zack place this on Emily’s finger and repeat after me,“With this ring I thee wed / and with all my worldly goods / I thee endow./ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Emily, is there a ring? – receive ring from maid of honor and give to bride.

Emily place this on Zach’s finger and repeat after me,“With this ring I thee wed / and with all my worldly goods / I thee endow./ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Pronouncement

By the authority invested in me by God, His Church, and the state of Louisiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Zach you may kiss your bride.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Dr. and Mrs. Zachery Moore.

After Full Processional:

Instruction: You are all invited to the reception at the Snyder Museum, 1620 E. Madison.

I’m going to bless the food now, and you are welcome to start eating once you arrive. The couple will join you directly.

Pray for Couple and Food.