Ceremonies

Opening Remarks:
A wedding is that occasion when a man and woman publicly proclaim their love and declare their commitment to one another. By its very nature it is both a solemn and a happy event. For some of you gathered here, this ceremony will prompt a flood of personal memories, for others of you it will set in motion dreams and aspirations. For all of us it will be a sharing in a most intimate and love-filled moment in the lives of ____________.

Prayer

Giving of Bride
Who gives this bride to be married?

Intro Pledge
___________ and ___________, by your presence here you are already making public your intention to marry. So that your integrity of purpose may be made clear to those of us present, would you each respond to these questions:

____________, do you take____________, to be your wife/husband? Do you promise to love, honour comfort and cherish (her/him), in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy? Do you promise to create an abiding marriage through honesty, thoughtfulness, patience and forgiveness? And forsaking all others, do you promise to remain faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?

Scripture Reading
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love never fails. There are three things that will endure, faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13: 4-7, 13) A brief comment is made to the couple about love.

VOWS (Bride and Groom can choose the same or different vows)
I, _______, take you, _______, to be my wife/husband, You are my best friend, my partner in life and my one true love. I promise to love you and support you in good times and bad, in sickness and health. I will encourage you to achieve your goals, laugh with you and cry with you and grow with you in mind, heart and spirit. I want to grow old with you. To watch our lives unfold and our dreams come true. All I want is to love you forever.

Intro to Ring Exchange
Wedding rings are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual truths. Being one unbroken circle, they symbolize unending love, and as they are worn, they symbolize to others your union in marriage. May they always be a happy and blessed reminder of this sacred moment when you pledged yourselves to each other.

I entrust you with my love, my friendship, my loyalty and above all else my heart. I give you this ring as a symbol of my love.

Pronouncement
In that you __________and ____________have made these solemn promises of marriage before God and your family and friends, I now pronounce you husband and wife,

Kiss
You may now kiss the bride.

Signing of Register

**Poem- Blessing of the Hands (Or Another Reading)
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. *These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. *These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. *These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. *These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. *These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. *These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. *These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. *And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Presentation of the Bride and Groom
It is my privilege and pleasure to present to you Mr. & Mrs. ________ & _________ ____________.