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Standard Christian Wedding Ceremony

This non-denomination Christian ceremony takes about  17-20  minutes, depending upon whether you have unity candles, Rose ceremony etc.

You may make changes if you wish.

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite _______________________ and ______________________ in marriage.

Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united in marriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.

(If the bride is escorted forward)

Who is it that brings this woman to this man?

(The father, children, relative etc. may give the bride away. He /they answer  "I do", "I do on behalf of her family and friends" etc. , This person then steps back and the groom takes the bride's hand.)

____________________ and _______________________ , life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family or by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life.

VOWS

(Vows used unless other vows are wished. You may change the vows as you wish or write your own vows.)

(Groom ) ___________________, do you take ________________ to he your Wife? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?  ("I do")

(Bride) _____________________, do you take __________________ to be your Husband? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?  ("I do")

(If rings are exchanged each does so before repeating the following vows - unless you wish other vows or do not wish to repeat)

Repeated Vows & Wedding Rings

"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this man and this woman in marriage."

(Groom) I _____________, take thee , ________________ to be my Wife- 7o have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise my love to you forevermore.

(Bride)  I _________________ , take thee _______________, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, and I promise My love to you forevermore.

(If there are children of either couple, sometimes couples will give a ring or small gift such as a necklace or ring to the child and say a short statement that they also are now part of the new family. I believe it very important to mention children's names in the ceremony, If you have minor children coming into the marriage, please provide their names so I will mention them as is appropriate.)

____________________________ and ___________________________ as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.

Corinthians Reading

"A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments. But it also is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians. I believe it is a true model of love and it is a model of love I hope you pursue in your marriage:

"Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud.
Love is never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy.

Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong.
Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs.

You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them."

PRAYER

(PRAYER if desired. You may alter this or replace it with another. Some couples will ask a family member to say a prayer.)

Dear Heavenly Father, (or "Oh Lord") our hearts are filled with great happiness on________________ and ____________________'s wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy.  Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray and walk beside ____________ and ________________ throughout all of their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus name; Amen

UNITY CANDLES

(If unity candles are used - optional. If the Rose Ceremony is used, it is placed after the unity candle ceremony or in place of or later in the ceremony )

____________________ and _____________________, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles and that together you light the center candle.

The individual candles represent your lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your  two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.
(You can also involve children in the unity candle ceremony )

MUSIC

(For couples who are adding music to the ceremony, it is usually placed either here or after the vows are repeated earlier.)

ROSE CEREMONY

 You may add the Rose Ceremony at this point if you wish)

________________________  and _________________________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Holy Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.
Whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder.
"May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto to you, and give you peace."

Congratulations, you may kiss your bride!

It is my privilege to present to you Mr. & Mr.________________

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