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)
Welcome Family and Friends
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”)
Wedding Rings
Reading
Reading of your choice. (View our suggested readings.)
Prayer
(PRAYER if desired. Pray is your choice. Some couples will ask a family member to say a prayer.)
Unity Candles
(If unity candles are used – optional. View Unity Candle Ceremony. If the Rose Ceremony is used (view Rose Ceremony), 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)
Rose Ceremony
(You may add the Rose Ceremony at this point if you wish, view rose ceremony)
Presentation of the Couple
