RELIGIOUS WEDDING

CHRISTIAN
TRADITIONAL



<--GROOM TO LEFT OF YOU



BRIDE TO RIGHT OF YOU-->





OR BRIDE TO SIDE WIND DOESN’T BLOW VEIL/HAIR IN FACE

(STOP MUSIC)

(Welcome) 

_Bride_ and _Groom_ have invited you here today to share with them this joyous celebration of their love and desire to join their lives together in marriage.  We are here to rejoice and remember that it is love that leads us to our true destinations and to celebrate with _Bride_ and _Groom_ on their arrival in love and respect at this altar. 

We’re here to listen, to love, to celebrate, and to send them into their future with our outrageous, loving support. 

So sit back now, open your hearts, and let the wedding begin! 


Who gives this woman to this man?


(Blessing)

May we all bow our heads?
These are the things we pray for _Bride_ and _Groom_.

First, we pray for you a love that continues to give you joy and peace that provides you with energy to face the responsibilities of life.

We pray for you a home of serenity. Not just a place of private joy and retreat, but a temple wherein the values of God and family are generated and upheld.

Finally, we pray for you as you grow old together, you are able to look back at your lives together, and say these two things to each other: Because you loved me, you have given me faith in myself. And because I have seen the good in you, my faith has been made stronger.

We ask these things in Jesus holy name,

Amen

(EPHESIAN 4: 1-3)


I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

(EPHESIAN 4: 32)

Be kind to each other, tender hearted, forgiving one another, just as God, through Christ who has forgiven you.


Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships. 

No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that, through love, patience, and lots of laughter: by learning to forgive and make the important things matter, letting go of the rest.

On this day of your wedding you stand somewhat apart from other people.  You stand within the light of your love; and this is as it should be.  You will experience a lot together, some wonderful, some difficult.  But even when it is difficult you must manage to call upon the strength of the love you have for each other to see you through.
  
As you exchange your vows remember that the sensual part of love is great, but when this is combined with real friendship both are infinitely enhanced.

Before you say your vows, I ask you to remember that love—which is rooted in faith, trust and acceptance—will be the foundation of your relationship. If you keep the vows you take here today, not because of any religious or civic law, but out of a desire to love and be loved by another person fully, without limitation, then your life will be filled with joy. 

--Bride’s Vows if she wrote them—

--Groom’s Vows if he wrote them—

(Declaration of intent)

SPEAKING TO BRIDE

_Bride_, Do you promise _Groom_, that from this day onward you will stand with him in sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, and do you pledge to him your respect and your love?
(I do)

SPEAKING TO GROOM

_Groom_, Do you promise _Bride_, that from this day onward you will stand with her in sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, and do you pledge to her your respect and your love? 
(I do)

(Ask for the rings)

Rings are made precious by our wearing them.

The rings you exchange at your wedding are the most special because they say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to share your lives, to allow the presence of another human being to enhance who you are.  

As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are, but also what you have created together. 
_____________________________________________________________________________
(Give _Groom_the ring).

_Groom_, repeat after me.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my love…
(stop)

as a constant reminder I have chosen you above all others…
(stop)

to be the one to share my life.

(PUT RING ON FINGER)

<---REPEAT FOR BRIDE--->
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work? If one falls down, his friend can help him up. 

But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. 

But how can one keep warm alone? 

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

PROVERBS 3:3-4

Let love and faithfulness never leave you: Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
EXTRA CEREMONY GOES HERE IF REQUESTED.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

(Pronouncement of marriage)

_Bride_ and _Groom_,

On behalf of all those present, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the strength of your own love, I pronounce you married, and may the blessing of God be with you. 

May you be supported every step of your path. May you endlessly delight one another.

May you rest in the comfort of knowing that you have chosen through one another to serve the highest purposes of love.  
Depart in peace, remembering, who God has joined, let no man put asunder.

 
You may kiss the bride 

<<< PAUSE FOR KISS >>>

I introduce to you, for the first time, _Bride_ and _Groom_ _Last Name_, married. 









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