The Minister's Opening Remarks

The Opening Remarks usually take the form of a greeting, or in some cases an opening prayer. Briefly, the minister gives a statement about why we are gathered together, or a short sermon. For this part, the minister, hopefully, has met the couple in advance and can make this more personal than ceremonial and keep the sermonizing to a minimum. This really is important, because in a religious ceremony the tone is set, prayers are directed to the bride and groom and the guests feel the beginning of sacred rites.

Example 1

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.

The Minister says to the Groom and Bride:

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.

Example 2

The Minister, speaking to everyone, says:

Dearly Beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of almighty God and this company of loved ones and friends, to join this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony.

The scriptures challeenge us with the sacredness of the Marriage relation and set forth the love of Christ for His Church as an example of deepest devotion.

The Master Himself shared the joys of the Marriage Feast in Galilee.

In I Corinthians 13:4-8 the Apostle Paul beutifully guides us in the underlying meaning of love.

Paul tells us that:
Love is patient and kind;
Love is not jealous or boastful;
Love is nor arrogant or rude;
Love does not insist on its own way;
Love does not rejoice in the wrong, but rejoices in the right.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.

A union setting forth such an ideal is not to be entered into hastily or without due consideration, but reverently, discretely, advisedly, and in the fear of our Heavenly Father.

Example 3

The Minister, speaking to everyone, says:

We are together in this holy and sacred hour to witness the uniting of these two devoted hearts in the enduring bonds of Christian Marriage.

This most blessed and lasting of human relationships was first celebrated in the quiet bowers of Eden, in the time of man's innocency.

"God saw that it was not good for man to live alone". And so He created woman and gave her to him to be his companion, his wife.

"And for this cause shall a man leave father and mother and shall cleave unto his wife. And they shall be one flesh."

Example 4

The Minister, speaking to everyone, says:

My dear friends, in the presence of Almighty God and before these witnesses, we come together to unite in Marriage _________________ and ______________.

Marriage is a divine institution, and we are taught in the Scriptures that it is to be honored among all men. Jesus Himself honored marriage by performing His first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, and God has always honored marriage.

The Minister says to the Groom and Bride:

I require and charge you both that the vows you take this day are sacred above words, and that your lives hereafter shall be bound together unbreakably.

But the security of your marriage will not rest in the rite or ritual of any Church, nor in the word of any priest or minister.

The security of your marriage will rest in the true purposes of your hearts, in your character, in the steadfastness of your devotion, and in the love of God.