Contemporary Christian Ceremony

Wedding Ceremony for

GroomFull & BrideFull

Place

Date

Opening Logistics

• Background music
• Music changes (this is the official start of the ceremony)
• Grandparents are ushered in by groomsmen, best man, or Groom
• Parents are ushered in by groomsmen, best man, or Groom
• Music changes
• Maid of honor and Bride's maids enter individually
• Ring bearer,  and flower children, and bell ringer enter individually
• Music changes to bridal march
• Bride is escorted in
• Music stops briefly then continues (low volume) throughout ceremony

Introduction

Paul: Dearly Beloved:

We are gathered here, in the presence of God and of this company, that [Groom] and [Bride] may be united in holy matrimony. We are here to celebrate and share in the glorious act that God is about to perform - the act by which He converts their love for one another into the holy and sacred estate of marriage.

This relationship is an honorable and sacred one, established by our Creator for the welfare and happiness of mankind, and approved by the Apostle Paul as honorable among all men. It is designed to unite two sympathies and hopes into one; and it rests upon the mutual confidence and devotion of husband and wife.

May it be in extreme thoughtfulness and reverence, and in dependence upon divine guidance, that you enter now into this holy relationship.

Who is it that brings this woman to this man?

Father or Sponsor: I do.

(Father or other kisses Bride , then sits)

Groom steps forward and takes the hand of Bride and stands before Paul

Paul: To this moment you bring the fullness
of your hearts as a treasure to share with one another.
You bring dreams which bind you together.
You bring your particular personalities and spirits
out of which will flow the reality of your lives together.
We rejoice with you now as you express the outward symbol
of your inward union of hearts.
It is a union that has already been created by friendship,
by respect and by love. 

Lighting of the Individual Candles for the Unity Candle 
  
Paul: The mothers of Bride and Groom will now light two individual candles,
symbolic of the individuality of the couple and their families here at the beginning of this ceremony.

Paul: A few words to thank the mother's for their gift of love to their children.

Mothers move forward, aided if required by a groomsman, and light the individual candles.
  
 
Declaration of Intention

The apostle Paul compared the relationship between husband and wife to that between Christ and the church. Marriage is a decision of two individuals to share the same type of pure, Christian love described by Paul."

1 Cor. 13:4-8, Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails....

"This kind of love enriches each part of life and marriage enriches love. Two lives, shared with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone."

[Groom] , are you ready to enter into this marriage with [Bride], believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?

[Groom]: I am. 

Paul: [Bride], are you ready to enter into this marriage with [Groom], believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?

[Bride]: I am.

Pledge Of Support 
  
Paul: Who presents Bride to Groom to be married? 
Bride ’s Parents: We do. 
  
Paul: Who presents Groom to Bride to be married? 
Groom ’s Parents: We do. 
 

Marriage Vows

[Groom], do you take [Bride] to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love her, to honor and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to her in all things a good and faithful husband as long as you both shall live?

[Groom]: I do.

Paul: [Bride], do you take [Groom] to be your wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love him, to honor and cherish him, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to him in all things a good and faithful wife as long as you both shall live?

[Bride]: I do.

Paul with [Groom] repeating: I, [Groom], take you, [Bride], 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 you my faith.

[Paul with Bride repeating]: I, [Bride] take you, [Groom], 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 thereto I pledge you my faith.

PRAYER

[Paul]: Father in heaven, You ordained marriage for your children, and You gave us love. We present to You [Groom] and [Bride], who come this day to be married. May the covenant of love they make be blessed with true devotion and spiritual commitment. We ask that You, God, will give them the ability to keep the covenant they have made. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation, give moral strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness; if suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love. Amen.

  
Exchange of Rings
  
Paul: It is a Christian custom to exchange rings as a symbol of love. As the rings have no end so your love should have no end. As the rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should your marriage have purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of this moment and the endless love you promised."

[Groom], what token do you give that you will perform your vows? (Groom or Best Man places ring in Minister’s Bible.)

[Bride], do you receive this ring in token of the same?

[Bride]: I do. (Groom takes ring from Bible and places ring on Bride's finger.)

Paul with [Groom] repeating: [Bride], this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love.

Paul: [Bride], what token do you give that you will perform your vows? (Bride or Maid of Honor places ring in Minister’s Bible.)

[Groom], do you receive this ring in token of the same?

[Groom]: I do. (Bride takes ring from Bible and places ring on Groom's finger.)

Paul with [Bride] repeating: [Groom] , this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love.

Prayer
 
Paul: Let us pray: O eternal God, who is our Father and our Friend, as you have heard these words of promise just spoken, may the Holy Spirit deepen in the mind of this man and this woman the sense of the sacred and binding power of their vows. And as in Your Name these words were spoken to make these lives one, may your rich blessing be added. Give them Your grace and guidance that they may loyally fulfill the vows they have taken. May Your joy abide with them always, that they may be a blessing to each other, and to those about them, finding in the blessedness of the home life on earth a sample of the happiness of Your eternal home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lighting of the Unity Candle 
  
Paul: At the beginning of this ceremony, the mothers of Bride and Groom lit two individual candles, symbolic of their individuality. Now Bride and Groom will light their unity candle, symbolic of the light of their love and unity to the world from this day forward. 

As couple return to their positions, Bride and Groom, moving together, visit first his parents then hers for hugs and kisses and handshakes.

Declaration Of Marriage 
  
Paul: What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as [Groom] and [Bride] have consented together in holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I, therefore, by the authority of the state of Texas, pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Congratulations, you may kiss Bride!

It is my pleasure and honor to present to you Mrs. Bride and Mr. GroomFull

Paul: Would everyone please stand as the couple departs! Please remain in your places until the parents have left the room.

Music begins, couple slowly walks out, flower girl and ring bearer depart, groomsmen and bridesmaids recess as pairs, Paul invites parents and grandparents to exit just in front of him.

Paul: (said as he departs last) Thank you all very much!