There is something elegantly classic...
  something comfortingly traditional...
     something timelessly meaningful...
       about getting married in a church.

CEREMONY ONE

CEREMONY TWO
Revised from The Book of Common
Prayer, The Episcopal Church (USA).

CEREMONY THREE
Excerpted from The New Wedding

OPENING REMARKS

Here are two introductions:

We come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining of (Groom) and (Bride).

OR

Marriage is a natural form of relationship. The concept of marriage was established by God in creation. and our Lord commanded this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy, and for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity.

Marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly. It is meant to begin as you are doing now; with preparation. thoughtfulness and reverence. all in accord with the purposes for which it was instituted

Marriage is a reflection of how God wants us to join ourselves to Him. Marriage is at its best when we love and marry our best friend; when motivated by love, we seek the truth in each event and act on that truth; when we grow in understanding and acceptance of ourselves and our partner; and when God is included as a Companion in our relationship.

OPENING REMARKS

Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to Witness and bless the joining together of (Groom) and (Bride) in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery at the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commands it to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. Into this holy union(Groom) and (Bride) now come to be joined.

OPENING REMARKS

(Groom) and (Bride). Today you are surrounded by your friends and family, all of them gathered to witness your marriage and to share in the joy of this occasion, a day which will be one of the most memorable days of your life.

The commitment which you are about to make is an important one. The essence of this commitment is the taking of another person as lover, companion, and friend. It is therefore a decision which is not to be entered into lightly, but rather undertaken with great consideration and respect for both the other person and oneself.

Love is one of the highest experiences that we human beings can have, and it can add deep meaning to our lives. The sensual part of love is one of life’s greatest joys. When combined with friendship, both are infinitely enhanced.

These sentiments are echoed in a book by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. She writes, "For marriage, which is often spoken of as a bond, becomes actually many bonds, many strands, of different textures and strengths, making up a web that is taut and firm. The web is fashioned by many kinds of love; romantic love at first, then a slow-growing devotion and, playing through these, a constantly rippling companionship. It is made of loyalties, and inter-dependencies and shared experiences. It is woven of memories of meeting and conflicts; of triumphs and disappointments. It is a web of communication, a common language, and the acceptance of lack of language, too; a knowledge of likes and dislikes, of habits and reactions, both physical and mental. It is a web of instincts, and intuitions, and known and unknown exchanges. The web of marriage is made of nearness, in the day-to-day living side by side, looking….in the same direction. It is woven in space and time of the substance of life itself.

THE READINGS

The Scripture declares: Love is patient and kind; it is not selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way, it is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges. Love is never glad about injustices; it delights when truth wins out. Therefore, let love be your first and greatest aim in life.

(Groom) and (Bride), may these values and this form of love be yours the rest of your lives

THE READINGS

The Scripture declares: True love and friendship is slow to lose patience: it looks for a way of being constructive. Love is thoughtful and does not always insist on its own way. It does not keep account of mistakes or gloat over the weaknesses of others. Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end of its trust; it can outlast anything. It still stands when all else has fallen.

A PRAYER

Eternal Father, Divine Mother, Beloved Friend, we ask for your blessing on the marriage of (Bride) and (Groom) who come to You seeking Your blessing. Make them rich with your peace whereby they may enjoy the comforts, and share in the experiences, insights and lessons of life. May they grow individually and as a supportive and loving couple. May they experience your presence, love and guidance every day. Amen.

A PRAYER

Let us pray. O gracious and everlasting God, Who created us male and female in Your image: Look mercifully upon (Groom), and (Bride). who come to You seeking Your blessing, and assist them with Your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A PRAYER

Eternal Father, Divine Mother, Beloved Friend, we ask for your blessing on the marriage of (Bride) and (Groom). Make them rich with your peace whereby they may enjoy the comforts, and share the experiences, insights and lessons of life. May they grow individually and as a supportive and loving couple. May they experience your presence, love and guidance every day. Amen

Do you (Father & Mother) give your blessing to your daughter in her marriage to (Groom) and do you now welcome him into your family?

Do you (Father & Mother), give your blessing to your son in his marriage to (Bride) and do you now welcome her into your family?

Who presents (Bride), to be married to (Groom)?

OR

Do you N and N give your blessing to your daughter in her marriage to (Groom) and do you now welcome him into your family?

Do you N and N give your blessing to your son in his marriage to (Bride) and do you now welcome her into your family?

With the family standing…..

(Groom) and (Bride) wish to acknowledge the significance of your life-giving relationship to them. Although they have a life of their own, they are inseparably bound to other lives; especially to yours.

Will you, family of (Groom) and (Bride), grant them your blessing and pledge them your love and acceptance?

Do you (Names) give your blessing to your father/mother in his/her marriage to(Name), and do you now welcome him/her into your family?

Do you (Names) give your blessing to your father/mother in his/her marriage to(Name), and do you now welcome him/her into your family?

During the wedding ceremony it appears that one individual is marrying another individual. And there is, of course, a way in which that is so. However, the truth is that we marry into one another’s families and into each other’s extended families. We need people with us not only on days like this when a once-in-a-lifetime celebration is taking place but also when tragedy and difficulty arise. We need friends who will not abandon us under any circumstances or in any way. You are those friends for (Bride & Groom). Therefore, will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?

(Groom), at this time do you commit yourself to (Bride). and, before God and these friends, declare your intention to be her husband, to share your life openly with her, to speak the truth to her in love. to treat her with respect and encourage her own fulfillment through all the circumstances that life may bring?

(Bride), at this time do you commit yourself to (Groom), and, before God and these friends. declare your intention to be his wife, to share your life openly with him, to speak the truth to him in love. to treat him with respect and encourage his own fulfillment, through all circumstances that life may bring?

THE DECLARATION OF CONSENT

(Bride). will you have (Groom), to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him. honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?

(Groom), will you have (Bride), to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

We are here then, to celebrate the love (Groom) and (Bride) have for each other and to give recognition to their decision to accept one another totally and permanently. Into this state of marriage these two persons come now to be united.

(Bride), I promise, with God's help, to be your faithful husband, to act with love and honor toward you, and do all I can to help you.

(Groom) I promise, with God's help, to be your faithful wife. to act with love and honor toward you, and do all I can to help you.

In the Name of God, I, (Groom), take you. (Bride), to be my 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

In the Name of God, I, (Bride), take you, (Groom), to be my 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.

I, (Bride), take you, (Groom) to be my husband in equal love as a mirror of my true self; as a partner on my path, to honor and cherish, in sorrow and in joy, forever.

I, (Groom), take you, (Bride) to be my wife in equal love as a mirror of my true self; as a partner on my path, to honor and cherish, in sorrow and in joy, forever.

THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS

The circle is a symbol of God, for neither comes to an end. The circle also symbolizes God's love for you which. like Himself, will never end.

Your rings also serve as reminders. Throughout your lifetime as you look at these rings, they will remind you of this moment. of the vow you have just made, of God's unending love, and of your love for one another. Over the years your rings will gain in value for they are the constant symbol at your lifetime together.

(Bride/Groom) I give you this ring as a symbol of my promise.

THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Bless, 0 Lord, these rings to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

(Groom)/(Bride) I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am and all that I have, I commit myself to you, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

OR

The wedding is nearly over, but the marriage is just begun. Not once and forever, but again and again shall the mystery of two people, together and in love, move one another and touch the world. For marriage is not something said and done, but a promise whose fulfillment is acted out in time. Truth remains elusive, death a secret, love a challenge; life goes on neither more nor less incidentally than before, but one’s hand is strengthened, one’s way brightened and one’s load, if not lightened, is made easier to bear. So for (Bride and Groom) we simply pray that the promises have a long and excellent fulfillment, that the company is good and the season joyous all along the way.

THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS

(Groom) and (Bride) will exchange rings as a symbol of their vows. The ring is an ancient symbol of such vows, as the circle is considered to be the most perfect form of all forms in nature. As the years pass your rings will gain in value for they are the constant symbol of your lifetime together.

(Groom), as you place this ring, symbol of your commitment in marriage on (Bride)’s finger, please repeat after me, "with this ring I wed you and pledge my faithful love."

(Bride), as you place this ring, symbol of your commitment in marriage on (Groom)’s finger, please repeat after me, "with this ring I wed you and pledge my faithful love."

OR

With this ring I give to you my promise that from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home. May God bless you always. May we walk together through all things. May you feel deeply loved, for indeed you are. With this ring I give you my heart for I have no greater gift to give. I feel honored to call you husband/wife. I thank God for you. Amen.

Eternal God: we ask your blessing on (Groom) and (Bride). Strengthen them with the experience of your love and guidance. Help them to fulfil the vows they have now taken. Guide them in the manner and way you choose so that they may love you and one another all the days of their lives. Enable them to help, encourage, comfort and support one another from now on. In the name of our Lord we pray for them. Amen.

Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life and giver of all grace: Today we ask your blessings upon (Groom) and (Bride), whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony.

Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow and a companion in joy.

Grant that their wills may be so knitted together in your will, and their spirits in Your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with You and one another all the days of their lives.

Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault and to seek each other’s forgiveness and Your’s.

Make their lives together a sign of Christ’s love to this broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair.

Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern to others.

Grant that all persons who have witnessed these vows may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties confirmed.

Grant that the bond of our common humanity, by which all your children are united to one another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Together, let us all pray in the words our Lord taught us. "Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy 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 lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever. Amen."

Eternal God: we ask your blessing on (Groom) and (Bride). Strengthen them with the experience of your love and guidance. Help them to fulfil the vows they have now taken. Guide them in the manner and way you choose so that they may love you and one another all the days of their lives. Enable them to help, encourage, comfort and support one another from now on. In the name of our Lord, we pray for them. Amen

OR

Lord God, our heavenly Father, we give thanks for the moment that brings (Groom) and (Bride) together in marriage. We recognize with thanksgiving the journeys that have brought them to this time, and we celebrate with them the hopes they hold for their life together. We ask your blessing upon them to sustain them through the difficult and uncertain times that come to every relationship. We pray that they may continue to find in each other the resources that will nurture their marriage. May they continue to grow together and may their love for each other deepen with the passing years.

We give thanks for the nurture and support of family and friends. Let us, who share the circle of celebration today, be renewed in our commitments to one another, that we may participate in a kinder and ever improving society.

All this we ask in the spirit of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Groom) and (Bride), for in as much as you have pledged yourself to one another in this affirmation of love and commitment, you are now husband and wife.

Now that (Groom) and (Bride) have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

(Groom) and (Bride), for in as much as you have pledged yourself to one another in this affirmation of love and commitment you are now husband and wife.

(Groom) and (Bride), now that you are married, keep this covenant that you have made. Be a blessing and a comfort to each other, share each other’s joys and be consolers in each other’s sorrows. Encourage each other in whatever you set out to achieve. May you not only accept and give affection between yourselves, but also together, have affection and consideration for others. From this moment on, go your separate ways together, remembering always to be each other’s best friend.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace, both today and forever. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace, both today and forever. Amen

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace, both today and forever. Amen

When this ceremony began you, (Groom), were a groom, and you, (Bride) were a bride. Now. (Groom), you are a husband and you, (Bride), are a wife. (Groom), you may kiss your wife.

When this ceremony began you, (Groom), were a groom, and you, (Bride) were a bride. Now. (Groom), you are a husband and you, (Bride), are a wife. (Groom), you may kiss your wife.

When this ceremony began you, (Groom), were a groom, and you, (Bride) were a bride. Now. (Groom), you are a husband and you, (Bride), are a wife. (Groom), you may kiss your wife.

A BENEDICTION

Go into the world and fulfill your lives. Hold fast to your ideals. Give one another new experiences of joy. Challenge one another so that you may grow.

May the love you hold for one another, now sealed in marriage, continue to mature, so your life together may be a source of strength and inspiration to the community of your family and the the wider circle of the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. (Name).

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. (Name).

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. (Name).