A Bible For A Wedding: Exchange Of Holy Vows

The Bible is an important part of Christian weddings, with many couples choosing to incorporate verses into their vows and ceremonies. In some cultures, brides carry a white Bible instead of a bouquet, with some families passing down heirloom Bibles through generations. Couples can also choose to gift each other Bibles as wedding presents, with many personalised options available.

Bible verses for wedding vows

Many couples choose to incorporate Bible verses into their wedding vows and ceremony readings. Here are some suggestions for Bible verses that would be suitable for wedding vows:

Bible Verses on Love

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."
• Colossians 3:14: "...and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness."
• 1 John 4:18-19: "There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love, because he first loved us."
• 1 Corinthians 16:14: "Let all that ye do be done in love."
• 1 Corinthians 13:1: "If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."
• 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
• 1 John 4:8: "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
• Proverbs 10:12: "Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."

Bible Verses on Companionship

• Proverbs 18:22: "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD."
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has no another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they will keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Bible Verses for Marriage Vows

• Ruth 1:16-17: "But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God...Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.'"
• Song of Solomon 2:16: "My beloved is mine, and I am his."
• Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Bible verses for ceremony readings

The Bible is full of verses that are perfect for wedding ceremony readings. Here are some suggestions:

Bible Verses About Love

> “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

> “Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” — Song of Solomon 8:6-7

> “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

> “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honouring each other.” — New Living Translation, 1 Corinthians

Bible Verses About Marriage

> “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” — Matthew 19:6

> “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’ [...] Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” — Genesis 2:18, 24

> “Your love is better than wine [...] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her, and happy are those who hold her fast.” — Song of Songs 4:10, Proverbs 3:18

> “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.” — Ephesians 4:2-3

> “Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10

Bible Verses About Jesus' Life and Love

> “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” — Ephesians 5:1-2

> “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:12-13

> “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” — 1 John 4:7-8

The Bible and wedding gifts

The Bible is a common feature of weddings, with many couples choosing to incorporate Bible verses into their vows and ceremonies. For Christians, the Bible is often an outward representation of their faith, and it is not uncommon for brides to carry a Bible instead of a traditional wedding bouquet.

The Bible is also a popular wedding gift, with many couples receiving personalised or engraved Bibles from their families or wedding guests. Some couples may also choose to gift each other a Bible as a symbol of their shared faith.

In addition to being a physical presence at weddings, the Bible also provides guidance on the role of marriage. It is clear that marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman for life, and that the act of marriage consists of leaving, cleaving, and becoming one flesh. The Bible outlines the promises that are made between a man and a woman in their covenant, including the promise to love, live sacrificially, and lead each other spiritually.

The Bible is a rich source of wisdom and guidance for couples embarking on the journey of marriage, and its presence at weddings serves as a reminder of the sacred nature of the union.

The Bible and wedding bouquets

The White Bible Tradition

The white Bible is a wedding tradition that originated in Northern Ireland, where brides would carry a white Bible instead of a traditional wedding bouquet. This tradition has been practised by many, including Grace Kelly, who carried a small white Bible covered in flowers when she married the Prince of Monaco.

Bibles in Bouquets

Today, Christian brides may weave Bibles or small white prayer books into their bouquets, or embellish them with ribbons or cascading flowers. Some brides choose to weave paper strips imprinted with a favourite verse into their bouquets. Etsy offers a range of wedding Bibles, including white leather-bound Bibles, that can be incorporated into bouquets.

Bible Verses in Bouquets

Another option is to weave paper or fabric strips printed with Bible verses into a bouquet. Bible verses about love, companionship, and marriage vows are popular choices for weddings. For example, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 speaks of the nature of true love:

> "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."

The Bible and Marriage

The Bible is clear that marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman for life. It is meant to be a lifelong union, with God at the centre, and is described as a “threefold cord” that cannot be easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). The Bible also outlines the roles of husbands and wives in marriage, with the husband as the leader of the wife, who should submit to his leadership (Ephesians 5).

The Bible in Wedding Ceremonies

While the Bible does not prescribe a specific wedding ceremony, it does describe weddings as community and social events filled with festivities, beauty, gifts, and feasting (Psalm 45). Jesus's first miracle was performed at a wedding in Cana (John 2), and the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19 is a symbolic celebration of the marriage of Christ and the church.

The Bible and Wedding Vows

The Bible does not outline specific marriage vows, but it does contain verses that can be used as inspiration for writing vows. For example, Genesis 2:24, which states:

> "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Overall, the Bible plays a significant role in Christian weddings, from the ceremony and vows to the bouquet and decorations. Couples can draw on the many verses about love, companionship, and marriage to personalise their wedding and reflect their faith.

The Bible and wedding cards

The Bible is an integral part of Christian weddings, with many couples choosing to incorporate Bible verses on their wedding invitations, cards, and other stationery. These verses are a way to express the couple's faith and values, as well as set the tone for the wedding ceremony and celebration. Here is some information and suggestions for Bible verses that can be used on wedding cards and invitations.

Bible and Wedding Cards:

The Bible is a rich source of wisdom and guidance, especially on the subject of love and marriage. When choosing a Bible verse for a wedding card or invitation, it is essential to select a verse that is meaningful to the couple and reflects their relationship. Here are some examples of appropriate verses:

• "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, 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." - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
• "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:18-19
• "Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust. Love still stands when all else has fallen." - 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
• "I have found the one whom my soul loves." - Song of Solomon 3:4
• "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." - Ephesians 5:25
• "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." - John 15:12
• "God is love, and whoever dwells in love dwells in God." - 1 John 4:16
• "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance." - 1 Corinthians 13:7

Bible Verses for Wedding Invitations:

The wedding invitation is often the first impression guests will have of the upcoming nuptials. Including a Bible verse on the invitation can set the tone for the entire event and convey the couple's values and beliefs. Here are some suggestions for appropriate verses:

• "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4
• "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." - Psalm 126:3
• "God is love, and whoever dwells in love dwells in God." - 1 John 4:16
• "Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust. Love still stands when all else has fallen." - 1 Corinthians 13:7-8
• "Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away." - Song of Solomon 8:7

Bible Verses for Wedding Blessings:

Bestowing blessings on the newlywed couple is a meaningful way to express your happiness and wish them a joyous future together. These Bible verses are perfect for offering divine grace and joy:

• "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26
• "May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you." - Numbers 6:24-26
• "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." - Proverbs 18:22

Bible Verses for Wedding Ceremony:

The wedding ceremony program is another opportunity to reinforce the couple's loving message with a Bible verse. Adding a verse to the program ensures that guests can reflect on it throughout the celebration. Here are some appropriate suggestions:

• "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" - 1 Chronicles 16:34
• "For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations." - Psalms 100:5
• "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

White Bible Tradition:

In addition to including Bible verses, some couples may choose to incorporate a physical Bible into their wedding ceremony. One such tradition is the White Bible tradition, which originated in Northern Ireland. Brides would carry a white Bible instead of a traditional wedding bouquet, often using a family Bible passed down through generations as a way to honour their heritage. This tradition has been adopted by Christian brides worldwide as an outward representation of their faith.

Whether it is through the inclusion of Bible verses or the incorporation of a physical Bible, the Bible plays a significant role in Christian weddings, adding a deeper layer of meaning and significance to the celebration of love and commitment.

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