Example of
Formal Marriage Ceremony

Perfect for formal church weddings
or weddings that take place in a reception hall.

It is also suitable for home, garden, and park ceremonies where the couple wish a more religious and lengthy ceremony.

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 Formal Ceremony.

Where to Stand:
This chart shows where each person
in the wedding party should stand or sit.

Making the entrance (Formal Ceremony):

1. The Minister, Groom, and Best Man take their places in that order.
2. The Flower Girl and Ring Bearer march down the aisle. (If there are any)
3. The Brides Maids (if any) are escorted down the aisle by the Groom's Men (if any).
4. The Maid of Honor comes down the aisle alone.
5. The Bride makes her entrance last with her father or whoever is giving her away.
   (Note: If nobody is giving the Bride away then she should come down the aisle alone.)
   After arriving at the end of the aisle, the father of the bride should wait just behind the bride until the minister asks, "Who is giving the bride away?"

The Minister's Opening Remarks.

Minister says:

Dearly beloved we are gathered together here is the sight of God, and in the face of this company to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is commended of the apostle Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and soberly. Into this Holy Estate these two persons come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause why they may not be lawfully be joined together, let him now speak or forever hold his peace.

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."

Minister says: "Who then, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, doth give this woman to wed?"

Father of the Bride says: "I, her father do give this woman to wed." He shakes the hand of the groom, who then extends his arm to his bride.

Breaking Of Bread And Drinking Of Wine.

Minister: Holds the bread high.

Minister:The breaking of bread among family and friends is an ancient tradition. It symbolizes that we are all nourished and sustained by the very same love that brought our bride and groom together.

Minister: Breaks the bread and offers it to the bride and groom, and, perhaps, the bridal party.

Minister: Holds up the cup of wine.

Minister: This goblet represents the cup of life. As bread represents the sustenance of life, wine represents all that is good and sweet. (Groom)_____________ and (Bride)_____________, before you take your vows, we ask you to drink from the cup of mirth and abundance. As you share this cup of wine, you undertake to share all that the future may bring. As wine is sweet, so we pray that your future be sweet. Whatever bitterness life may bring will be less bitter because you share it.

Minister: Gives the cup to the bride and groom.

The Vows

Groom repeats these words after the minister:

I (Groom)____________ take thee (Bride's name) 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, til death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

Bride repeats these words after the minister:

I (Bride)____________ take thee (Groom's name) 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, til death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

The Ring Ceremony

Minister says, At this time I ask that you place the marriage rings in my hand.

May the Lord bless these rings which you give as your sign of love and devotion. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Minister says to Groom,

(Groom)____________ as you place (Bride's name) ring on her finger I ask that you repeat these words, "With this ring I thee wed".

Groom says, With this ring I thee wed.

Minister says to Bride,

(Bride)____________ as you place (Groom's name) ring on his finger I ask that you repeat these words, "With this ring I thee wed".

Bride says With this ring I thee wed.

Lighting Of Unity Camdle

Minister: We will now ask the bride and groom to light a candle symbolic of their relationship and their individual selves. (Groom)____________ and (Bride)____________, these two candles represent the light of your individual spirits. The center candle represents the light of your relationship. In allowing the flame of only the large candle to remain lit, you accept each other's individuality as a means to fulfilling your oneness. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you.

The Pronouncement

Minister: Joins the right hands of the couple together and says, "Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder".

Minister says,For as much as (Groom)____________ and (Bride)____________ have consented together in Holy Wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Minister prays for new family.

Minister says, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

O eternal God, creator and preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life; send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that as Isaac and Rebekah lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Benediction

Minister says, May the Lord bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have everlasting life. Amen. You may kiss the bride.

Minister will have the Bride and Groom face the guests and he says, "May I introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. (Groom's first and last name)", to which the guests should clap.

The Exit:

1. Bride and Groom exit down the aisle.
2. Best Man and Maid of Honor follow Bride and Groom.
3. Groom's Men and Bride's Maids follow Best Man and Maid of Honor.
4. Minister exits last.
5. The guests should wait until after the Minister has exited.