Basic Wedding Ceremony

WELCOMING/INTRODUCTION

Beloved family and friends, we are here to celebrate and bless the marriage of ___ & ___ as they begin their married life together. Their love for one another is not new, but today they have chosen to affirm their love in the commitment and promises of marriage, and that is new. Marriage has its ups and downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, ____ & ____ have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. By our presence here, we are encouraging them in their days ahead, as they grow together in love.

THE PROMISES

(Bride/Groom), do you take (Groom/Bride), to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you promise God, (Bride/Groom) and all of us here that from this point forward, your arms may be his shelter? Do you promise to support him and nourish him and to love and honor him? If so please answer “I do.”

BLESSING OF THE RINGS

Gracious God, who created each of us to love and to be loved by You and by others, we pray your blessings on these rings and on ____ & ____ who will wear them. May there be grace in times of conflict, an ability to communicate during misunderstandings and a deep sense of belonging to each other. May you protect them from all harm, provide for their needs, console them in their sorrows, lift them with joy.  We ask that these rings hold and carry these dreams, remind them of the endless circle of their union to each other, and be a beautiful reflection of their sacred vows to each other, now and always. Please bless them in the name of the Creator, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

RING CEREMONY

(Bride/Groom), as a token of your love and your desire to be united in heart and soul, you may place a ring on (Bride’s/Groom’s) finger and repeat after me:

____, with this ring, I take you for my wife/husband. Take this ring as a sign of my everlasting and unconditional love.

With all that I am and all that I have, from this day forward as your husband/wife.

ADDRESS TO THOSE ASSEMBLED

Will you who have witnessed these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? If so, answer “we will.”

People: We will!

FINAL BLESSINGS

Blessed are You, our God, Ruler of the universe, Who created joy and gladness, laughter, glad song, pleasure, delight, love, peace, and companionship. Let there soon be heard the sound of joy and the sound of gladness, and the voice of the loving couple as they rejoice.

May gracious God bless you and keep you, may God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you, may God’s  countenance be lifted unto you and give you peace. Amen.