A Marriage Ceremony

Address

The marriage ceremony is a time when love is made public. It is with extreme thoughtfulness and reverence that __________ and __________ have come now to share mutual promises and declare their intent to live together for their mutual joy and for the help and comfort to be given to one another in prosperity and adversity.

Dedication

As their friends and relatives, we are gathered here today to celebrate with the couple. We are charged with the responsibility to publicly join together in support of __________ and __________ and their marriage. We celebrate their joy, their love, and their expectations.

Declaration of Consent

To Groom: __________, will you have __________ to be your wife; to live with her, be faithful to her, and love her for as long as you both shall live?

Groom response: I will.

To Bride: __________, will you have __________ to be your husband; to live with him, be faithful to him, and love him for as long as you both shall live?

Bride response: I will.

Marriage Vow

Bride hands bouquet to Maid-of-Honor.
Bride and Groom join hands

To Groom: Repeat after me:

I, __________, choose to take you, __________,
to be my wife.
I give you my love,
I share with you my hopes,
and I promise to be understanding,
forgiving, and supportive
as we grow together and as individuals.
I will honor, respect, and encourage you
in sickness and in health
through sorrow and joy
for all the days of my life.
This is my solemn vow.

To Bride: Repeat after me:

I, __________, choose to take you, __________,
to be my husband.
I give you my love,
I share with you my hopes,
and I promise to be understanding,
forgiving, and supportive
as we grow together and as individuals.
I will honor, respect, and encourage you
in sickness and in health
through sorrow and joy
for all the days of my life.
This is my solemn vow.

Presentation of Rings

Wedding rings are special because they say that even in your uniqueness, you have chosen to be bonded, to allow the presence of another human being to enhance who you are. They reflect not only the wearer but also the committment made with your vows.

Ring Exchange

To Best Man: What token does the Groom give that he will perform his vows?

Best Man response: This ring.

To Bride: __________, do you receive this ring with the full understanding of what it represents?

Bride response: I do.

--Groom places ring on Bride's finger

To Maid-of-Honor: What token does the Bride give that she will perform her vows?

Maid-of-Honor response: This ring.

To Groom: __________, do you receive this ring with the full understanding of what it represents?

Groom response: I do.

--Bride places ring on Groom's finger

Maid-of-Honor hands bouquet back to Bride.

Pronouncement

Since you, __________ and __________, have:

* exchanged promises of mutual love
* professed before those of us gathered here that you will live together in understanding and maturity
* given yourselves to each other by solemn vows and the giving and receiving of rings

I now declare by the authority vested in me as an ordained minister of the ____________________ and according to the laws of the State of ________ that you are husband and wife.
_________________

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