Basic Christian Ceremony
Wedding Ceremony for
Groom Full Name & Bride Full Name
Location
Date
Welcome
Paul: Welcome! What a joy it is to come together today to celebrate the love of [Bride] and [Groom], to share in this ceremony of their commitment to each other in marriage. They are grateful you could be here with them on this very special day.
Who gives this bride in marriage?
[Bride]'s Father or Sponsor: I do.
Prayer
Paul: Let us begin by acknowledging the presence of God and the love that draws us all together with a time of prayer.
Dear God, In stillness and in trust we recognize your presence. We know your love drew these two together, [Bride] and [Groom] that they may live the adventure of life as one. We also know that your love drew each of us together so that we might add our love and blessings to this marriage. We affirm that you are with us now as always guiding us, upholding us and blessing us with abundance of health, success and faith. In the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen
Thoughts on Marriage
Paul:
It is Divine love that has brought these two souls together in this adventure called life. [Bride] and [Groom] are entering into this commitment fully aware of the purpose of marriage.
May we each take this occasion to remember there are no categories of love. The love that is real is the love that lies at the heart of every relationship. This love does not change with form nor circumstance. This relationship between [Bride] and [Groom] creates the stage where love can be expressed.
And to you [Bride] and [Groom] you are reminded that the purpose of marriage reminds you to respond in love. To offer gentleness, to forgive, to nurture, and to support and encourage each other. The commitment of sharing love with each other is an invitation to knowing you are a friend to each other. Friends share their secret hopes, their dreams and aspirations. Friends encourage each other to explore and enjoy life.
Vows
Paul: [Bride] and [Groom] would like to publicly share a vow of commitment with each other in your presence.
(Bride and Groom present vows)
Paul: [Groom] do you choose [Bride] as your wife? Do you pledge to share your life with her openly, to tell the truth to her in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly care for her, to cherish and encourage her own fulfillment as an individual, and to love and respect her through all the changes of your lives?
Groom: I do.
Paul: [Bride], do you choose [Groom] as your husband? Do you pledge to share your life with him openly, to tell the truth to him in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly care for him, to cherish and encourage his own fulfillment as an individual, and to love and respect him through all the changes of your lives?
Bride: I do.
Blessing of the Rings
You have chosen to exchange rings as a symbol of your love. These rings come in the shape of a circle - reminding you love is a continuous journey: there is no beginning and no end to love. The substance from which these rings are made of symbolized purity - this is a new beginning with one another. Exchanging rings reminds you that you no longer live for your self-alone, but for each other as well.
Please repeat after me
I [Groom], join with you [Bride], in marriage, as my partner in life. I commit to be with you... as your support, and friend.. to love, respect and to cherish you throughout life's journey Wear this ring as a symbol of my love.
I [Bride], join with you [Groom], in marriage, as my partner in life. I commit to be with you... as your support, and friend.. to love, respect and to cherish you throughout life's journey Wear this ring as a symbol of my love.
Closing 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.
Pronouncement
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 for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. [GroomFull]!
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Alternative Ring Exchange
Paul: (first to groom, then to bride if double ring ceremony): Repeat after me: With this ring I thee wed, and with it I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands.