Example of a Basic Marriage Ceremony.

This is the most simple type of ceremony.

The ceremony is very short and is usually used for couples who basically just want to be pronounced as "Husband and Wife".

The law requires that a couple understand that they are being married and accept each other as husband and wife.

Remember

This is just an example and the wording can be changed to suit your personal wants and desires. After all, this is your wedding.

To get an idea of the different types of wordings please see Planning Your Wedding. Also remember that, if you don't see an example that meets your needs, you may compose your own wording

The Ceremony:

Where to stand

Minister's Opening emarks

The Minister says to the guests:

When Jesus was called to the marriage at Cana of Galilee, He gladly joined the happy company and there began His ministry and acts of power.

Since that day the entrance of Jesus into homes that bid Him welcome has been the occasion of rich blessing, of spiritual strength, and the increase of joy.

Desiring His companionship at the outset of their wedded life, this man and this woman have called us to be witnesses before our Lord of the pledges they are about to make to each other, and to set them forth in their new estate by our prayers and Christian greetings.

To the Groom and Bride the Minister says:

This rite of marriage in which you now come to be united is the first and oldest rite of mankind.

Marriage is our foretaste of Paradise, given in the wisdom of God to soothe the troubles and increase the joys of our earthly life.

This it will do for you, if you purpose in your hearts to beutify and sweeten it by your tender devotions, your mindfulness in little things, your patience and sacrifice of self to each other.

Coming in full love to the threshold of a new life together, I commend to you these spiritual ministries as the way to lasting happiness.

Question Of Intent

Minister says to Groom: "Do you, ________________, come here of your own free will to take _______________ as your wedded wife?"

Groom says: "I Do."

Minister says to Bride: "Do you, ________________, come here of your own free will to take _______________ as your wedded husband?"

Bride says: "I Do."

Minister says: "If either of you or anyone in this assembly knows any just cause why this marriage should not be performed, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace."

Vows

To the Groom the Minister says:

Will you ______________________, take this woman to be your wedded wife, promising to keep, cherish, and defend her and to be her faithful and true husband so long as ye both shall live?

The Groom says, "I will".

To the Bride the Minister says:

Will you ______________________, take this man to be your wedded husband, promising to adhere unalterably to him in all life's changes, and to be his loving and true wife till death divide you?

The Bride says:, "I will".

The Ring Ceremony.

The ring for the Bride is secured by the Minister.

The Minister says:

In the providence of God, and for the fullest happiness of the home, there are ways in which the husband is the head of the wife. He imparts unto her his name, and receives her into his care and protection. As a token of this he gives her this ring and pledge.

Thus you are to compass about her life with strength and protecting love.

Thus you are to wear this ring as the enclosing bond of reverence and dearest faith.

Both fulfilling the perfect circle of duty that makes you one.

The ring is given to the Groom, who places it on the Bride's finger, and repeats after the Minister:

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 until death us do part.

The ring for the Groom is secured by the Minister.

The Minister says:

Because the man becomes to the woman her companion in all life's experience, and is henceforth distinguished by his devotion to her, he wears this ring as the mark of his faithfulness.

The ring is given to the Bride, who places it on the Groom's finger, and repeats after the Minister:

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 until death us do part.

The Pronouncement

The Minister says: Forasmuch as this man and this woman have promised to be faithful and true to each other, and have witnessed the same before God and this company by spoken vows and by giving and receiving rings in pledge, they enter now into a new estate. As a minister of Jesus Christ, I now pronounce them husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

The Minister says: You may kiss your bride.

The Prayer

The Minister prays for the new family. Our Father in heaven, we pray that the joining of this couple into one which represents the will of God for man may be but a sign and a promise of their coming unto thee in all the experiences of life. May thy blessing be upon the union which is formed here this hour, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Amen.