Reading: Sample Wedding Ceremony

SAMPLE WEDDING CEREMONY

PRELUDE

SEATING OF PARENTS/GRANDPARENTS

LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE

PROCESSIONAL  (BRIDESMAIDES AND GROOMSMEN COME INTO POSITION ONE. MANY TIMES THE WHITE CARPET IS ROLLED OUT PREPARING FOR THE BRIDE. THEN THE FOLLOW GIRL AND RING BEARER PROCESS INTO PLACE)

BRIDAL PROCESSIONAL

DECLARATION OF PURPOSE

Giving of the Bride (Bride and Groom follow the minister to position Two: The Bridesmaides and Groomsmen go to their position two or stay where they are at)

Invocation and purpose of marriage

Declaration of intent

EXCHANGE OF vows

EXCHANGE OF rings

Lighting of the Unity Candle

SCRIPTURE READING

MESSAGE -

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

PRESENTATION OF GROOM & BRIDE

RECESSIONAL

Declaration of Purpose

We have come together before the face of God to join       ____________________ and  _____________________ in marriage.     

We seek to honor the will of God for marriage, the concern of the Christian Church for its well-being, and the interest of the state in the orderly development of society.

Giving of the Bride

Who gives this woman to this man?   Answer:  “Her mother and I“  or “We do”  or “I do”

Invocation

God, our Father, we praise you for making and redeeming  us to live together in love.  We thank you for the love and trust which bring ____________________ and  _________________ to this their marriage day.  Favor them with the honor of your presence at their wedding.  Unite them by your Spirit so that together they may reflect the love of Christ for his church.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Institution and Meaning of Marriage

In marriage, as instituted by God, a man and a woman covenant to live together in a lifelong, exclusive partnership of love and fidelity.  (Genesis 2:18; Matt. 19:5-6)  The apostle Paul sees the union of husband and wife as a symbol of the union between Christ and his church (Eph. 5:31-32).  If marriage is to be pleasing in the sight of God,   those who enter into this covenant of life must share  a common commitment to the Lord of life.

In putting His blessing on a marriage, God intended that it would provide:

—a context within which husband and wife can help and comfort each other and find companionship;

—a setting within which we may give loving and tender expression to the desires God gave us;

—a secure environment within which children may be born and taught to know and serve the Lord; and

—a structure that enriches society and contributes to its orderly function.

When these purposes are prayerfully pursued in union with Christ, the kingdom of God is advanced and the blessedness of husband and wife assured.

In Ephesians 5 the apostle Paul admonishes all Christians to develop a mutual respect and love when he says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  When he applies this to the marriage relationship, he instructs the wife to be subject to her husband as the church is subject to Christ, its head.  He also instructs the husband to pattern his love for his wife after the example of Christ’s love for his body, the church.  Paul says, “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,” and “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”  In marriage this requires that the husband and wife serve each other by providing the love, nurture and faith which will enrich their lives together and build a Christ-centered home.

Our sinful and selfish tendency to break down what God has built threatens marriage with tensions, agony, and even with broken bonds.  People who marry in the Lord, however, may trust that he will lead them and graciously provide for their needs when they follow the biblical pattern for love.  “Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”  (Taken From CRC Psalter Hymnal)

Declaration of Intent:

Now that you have heard the will of God for marriage do you promise to abide by it?

Exchange of Vows

In the presence of God and before these people I now invite you to exchange your vows.

Groom/Man:  I take you,  _____________________________ to be my wife and I promise before God and all who are present here to be your loving and faithful husband, as long

as our lives shall last.  I will love you and give

myself up for you.

I will serve you

with tenderness

and respect, and

encourage you to develop

the gifts that God has given you.

Bride/woman:  I take you,  _____________________________ to be my husband and I promise before God and all who are present here to be your loving and faithful wife, as long

as our lives shall last.  I will love you and give

myself up for you.

I will serve you

with tenderness

and respect, and

encourage you to develop

the gifts that God has given you.

Rings:

Rings are a symbol of your covenant in Christ

Groom:  I give you this ring as a symbol of our Covenant in Christ

Bride:  I give you this ring as a symbol of our Covenant in Christ. 

Lighting of the Unity candle or Sand Ceremony

(Many times a song is sung when this happens)

Message

Declaration of Marriage

As a minister of the church of Christ and by the authority which the state has vested in me, I know pronounce you, _____________________________________ husband and wife, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

“Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”  (Matt. 19:6)

RECESSIONAL