The Marriage Ceremony

 

As performed by

 

Pastor Philip Ayers

 

The Wedding Service of ___________ and _____________

 

 

The Organ Prelude

 

The Lightning of the Candles

 

(The Bride's side is on the left facing the alter and the Groom's side is on the right)

 

Seating of the Bride's Grandmother

 

Seating of the Groom's Grandmother

 

Seating of the Bride's Mother

 

Seating of the Groom's Mother

 

Processional

 

Opening Comments

Dearly Beloved, because the image of God indwells us, we are able to know and experience love.  It has been said, "He that abides in love abides in God." This realization is celebrated in worship. Where there is their presence of love, there should be worship, for God is the author of love and He is the holy one who we worship. Therefore it is the heartfelt desire of ___________ and ______________ to welcome you to share and celebrate their covenant and commitment of love during this time of worship.

 

Over time, ___ and ____ have grown to know and to love each other. Now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife in fulfillment of the Scripture, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife, and they shall be as one flesh. That which God has joined together let man put aside."

 

We have been invited to hear ____ and ____ as they promise to face the future together, accepting whatever may lie ahead. These surroundings were not chosen by chance, just as ____ and ____ believe they did not meet by chance. They believe that God directed them to be in the same place at the same time and that it was God's will that helped them find each other. For the beauty around us, for the strength it offers, and for the peace it brings, we are grateful.

 

____ and ____, nothing is easier than saying words, and nothing is harder than living them day by day. What you promise now must be renewed and rededicated tomorrow. At the end of this service, legally, you will be husband and wife, but you still decide, each day that stretches out before you; you want to be married.

 

Ephesians 5: 15-32 says, "Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the Days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of out Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Be subject one to another out of reverence for Christ.

 

Wives, be subject to your husband as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the church, the body of which He is the Savior. Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything to their husbands.

 

Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to Himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind- yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as thy love their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, because we are members of His body.

 

Each of you should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

 

Prayer

 

Giving Away of the Bride

 

Special Music

 

Transition to the upper level

 

Personal Vows

 

Philippians 4:4-9, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in all things by prayer and supplication, let your request be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".

 

 

____, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together. Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health.

 

I will.

 

Proverbs 31: 10-11, 26-27, "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her, so he will have no lack. She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over her household and does not eat the bread of idleness."

 

_____, will you have this man to be your wedded husband. Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health.

 

I will.

 

Giving Away of the Bride

 

Travel Music

(Vocal Selection)

 

Marriage Vows

I, _____ take thee _____, 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 us do part, according to God's Holy ordinances; I pledge thee my vow.

 

I, ____, take thee _____, 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 us do part, according to God's Holy ordinance, I pledge thee my vow.

 

Ring Service

In all ages and among all peoples, the ring has been a symbol of that which is measureless; and thus, in this holy hour, a symbol of your measureless, boundless devotion. It is a circle; it has neither beginning or ending, so throughout life you are to keep your vows to each other, and the sigh and seal of thereof will be these rings on the wedding finger of your hands.

 

_____, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

 

_____, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Sprit.

 

Unity Candle

These candles represent our separate lives which were given to us by our loving parents. They conceived us, begot us, nurtured us and raised us in the ways of our Lord Jesus Christ. In many ways they are responsible of our relationship to our Heavenly Father.

 

The time now comes for us to leave our parents and join each other in marriage as the Bible commands. "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall become one flesh." As we light our candle of unique personalities, are uniting ourselves together as one identity under the protection of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the "Light of the World".

 

As the Holy Sprit lights our way, it is our hope that He and our new family will shine bright in the lives of those we shall meet. This one candle symbolizes God's love for us, His love for each of you and our love for our parents, friends, each other and God's church.

 

Pronouncement of Marriage

For as much as _____ and _____ have consecrated together in holy wedlock, we have witnessed the same before God and this congregation, and have pledged their commitment to each other, by the authority given to me as a pastor, and by the Sate of Virginia, I pronounce you to be husband and wife, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 

Holy Kiss

 

Presentation of _____ and _____ _________.

 

Recessional

 

Prayer

 

Invitation to the Reception

 

Postlude