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When God created man he saw that it was not good for him to live alone. So, he prepared a helpmate and companion to live with man and share his life. He took not the woman from man’s head, lest she should rule over him. Nor from his feet, lest he should trample upon her. But from his side that she should be his equal, and from close to his heart that he should love, cherish, and honor her.
Dear Family and Friends,
Love and relationships are what life is about. (Today or Tonight) we come joyfully to acknowledge the decisions of these two people (Groom) and (Bride) to share their love in the relationship of marriage.
Therefore...
Dearly Beloved,
We are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate instituted by love. It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly and in the eyes of God.
Into this holy estate these two persons come now to joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Optional: Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
(Groom) will you have (Bride) to be your lawful wedded wife to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her so long as you both shall live?
(Bride) will you have (Groom) to be your lawful wedded husband to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him so long as you both shall live?
Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's faults, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope. It is always ready to endure whatever comes. True love does not come to an end.
(Have couple face and look at each other and hold hands.)
(Groom) look into (Bride) eyes and into her heart and repeat after me.
The groom repeats after me:
I (Groom) take (Bride) to be my wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part.
(Bride) look into (Groom) eyes and into her heart and repeat after me.
The bride repeats after me:
I (Bride) take (Groom) to be my wedded husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part.
You have chosen these rings as the symbol of your marriage covenant. They are made of gold, a metal that does not tarnish and is enduring. These rings represent the ties that bind you together as husband and wife. They are an endless circle representing your marriage union which shall be eternal and pure as these rings.
(Ask the groom to place the ring on the bride’s left third finger.) The groom repeats after me:
With this ring, I wed you (Bride) for today, for tomorrow, and for all the years to come. Please wear it as a sign of my love and a notice to all the world that you have chosen me to be your loyal husband.
(Ask the bride to place the ring on the groom’s left third finger.) The bride repeats after me:
With this ring, I wed you (Groom) for today, for tomorrow, and for all the years to come. Please wear it as a sign of my love and a notice to all the world that you have chosen me to be your devoted wife.
For as much as (Groom) and (Bride) have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before this company and there to have pledged their faiths each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving or receiving rings; And now by the authority vested in me, but most of all by the power of your own love, I pronounce you are married. You may now call yourself those cherished names:
Husband and Wife.
You may seal your promise with a kiss. (alternate) You may now kiss your bride.
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