Lyla Dejesus
A wedding ceremony is a sacred occasion, and the preacher's role is to guide the couple through their vows, blessing their union, and offering wisdom for their future life together. The preacher's words should be carefully chosen, with the aim of providing lasting value and incredible help to the couple as they embark on their married life. The preacher might begin by welcoming the guests and setting the tone, often with a prayer or scripture reading, before moving on to the vows, which are the heart of the ceremony.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Welcoming guests | "Welcome Friends, Family, and loved ones! We are gathered together today in the sight of God and of each other as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of _______ and _______. We hold _______ and _______ up to each other as a family, and a community of loved ones, to christen this step on their journey toward what we pray will be a long, happy, and healthy life together!" |
| Speaking about the nature of marriage | "The ceremony of marriage in which you come to be united is one of the first and oldest ceremonies in the entire world, celebrated in the beginning in the presence of God himself. Marriage is a gift in that we give ourselves totally to one another. I believe that marriage is a gift given to comfort the sorrows of life and to magnify life’s joys. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives into one, and your marriage must stand, not by the authority of the State, nor by the seal on your wedding certificate, but by the strength and power of the faith and love you have in one another." |
| Speaking about the nature of 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." |
| Speaking about the couple's relationship | "You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment." "From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way." |
| Asking the couple to make their vows | "_______, do you take _______ to be your lawfully wedded husband/wife/partner from this day forward - to have and to hold, in good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health; will you love, honor, and cherish him/her/them for as long as you both shall live?" |
| Asking the couple to exchange rings | "Bless, O Lord The Giving of these rings that they who wear them, may live in your peace and your favor all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." |
| Concluding the ceremony | "_______, _______, having proclaimed your love for, and commitment to one another in the sight of Almighty God and these witnesses, it is now my duty and delight to declare you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no one put asunder." |
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What You'll Learn
Welcoming family and friends
A wedding is a joyous occasion, bringing together two people in love, who have chosen to unite in marriage. It is also a time to bring together their families and friends, to bear witness to this sacred union.
The preacher or officiant should begin by welcoming everyone and thanking them for their presence. This can be a simple greeting, such as:
> "Welcome, friends, family, and loved ones! We are gathered here today in the sight of God and of each other as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of [name of the couple]. We hold [name of the bride] and [name of the groom] up as a family and a community of loved ones, as they take this step towards a journey of a long, happy, and healthy life together."
This greeting sets the tone for the ceremony and acknowledges the importance of the occasion. It is a time-honoured tradition, a sacred ritual, and a celebration of love and commitment. By addressing the gathering, the preacher includes everyone present in this momentous event, creating a sense of community and shared joy.
The preacher may then invite the guests to bow their heads and ask for God's blessing. This can be done through a prayer or a moment of silent reflection. This act of invocation brings a spiritual dimension to the ceremony, acknowledging the divine presence and seeking guidance and blessings for the couple.
The preacher might also share a few words about the nature of love and marriage. This could include a reading from the Bible or other sacred texts, such as 1 Corinthians 13:4, which speaks of the nature of 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."
These words remind the couple and the guests of the beauty and strength of love, which is at the heart of the wedding ceremony. It is a powerful message that sets the tone for the vows that are about to be exchanged.
Through these initial greetings and reflections, the preacher sets the stage for the wedding vows, honouring the couple, their families, and friends, and creating a meaningful and memorable experience for all in attendance.
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A prayer for God's blessing
A wedding ceremony is a sacred occasion, and preachers often begin the wedding vows by reminding the couple and the congregation of the sanctity of the occasion.
"Welcome friends, family, and loved ones. We are gathered here today in the sight of God and of each other as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of [groom] and [bride]. We hold them up as a family and a community of loved ones, to begin this step towards what we pray will be a long, happy, and healthy life together. Before we proceed, let us bow our heads and ask for God's blessing.
Heavenly Father, we come to you today in celebration of the union of [groom] and [bride]. We thank you for bringing them together and ask for your blessing upon their marriage. Bless them abundantly as they embark on this new chapter of their lives. May their love for each other be a reflection of your perfect love, and may their home be a place of peace, joy, and unity. Guide them in their journey as husband and wife, and may their lives together glorify you. In your name, we pray, Amen."
The prayer sets the tone for the ceremony, acknowledging the importance of God's presence and guidance in the couple's lives and marriage. It is a way to invoke God's presence and seek divine favour and protection for the couple.
The preacher might also include scriptures in the ceremony, such as 1 Corinthians 13:4, which speaks of the nature of love: "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..."
Additionally, the preacher might remind the couple that marriage is a sacred covenant, not only between them but also with God. This covenant is a promise to choose each other every day and to honour their vows. The preacher might also emphasise that marriage is a gift from God, meant to bring comfort and joy and that it is a union not just of two individuals but also of their lives and their faith.
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The couple's declaration of intent
Officiant: We are gathered here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to join [Bride/Wife] and [Groom/Husband] in marriage. This ceremony is one of the oldest in the world, celebrated initially in the presence of God himself. Marriage is a gift—we give ourselves totally to one another. It is a gift that comforts the sorrows of life and magnifies life's joys. It is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives into one.
[Bride/Wife] and [Groom/Husband], if you wish to be joined in marriage, please face each other and join hands.
Bride: I, [Bride], take you, [Groom], to be my husband and my lifelong partner. I vow to offer you unconditional love and support, regardless of what challenges life throws our way. I will remain ever yours, through the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, in poverty or wealth. I vow that your positive influence will never be taken for granted, and I promise to work each day to grow our relationship even stronger than it already is.
Groom: I, [Groom], take you, [Bride], to be my wife and my lifelong partner. I vow to offer you unconditional love and support, regardless of what challenges life throws our way. I will remain ever yours, through the good times and the bad, in sickness and in health, in poverty or wealth. I vow that your positive influence will never be taken for granted, and I promise to work each day to grow our relationship even stronger than it is today.
Officiant: [Bride] and [Groom], you have declared your intent to be joined in marriage before God and these witnesses. May you always live in peace and favour all the days of your life.
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Exchange of vows
A wedding ceremony is a sacred and holy occasion, and the preacher or pastor has an important role to play in guiding the couple through their vows. Here is a suggested script for the exchange of vows:
"Welcome friends, family, and loved ones. We are gathered here today in the sight of God and each other as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of [Groom] and [Bride]. We hold them up as a family and a community of loved ones, as they take this step towards a long, happy, and healthy life together. Before the exchange of vows, let us ask for God's blessing."
Prayer:
"Oh, eternal God, Creator and preserver, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that they, living faithfully together, may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them as symbolized by these rings as a token and pledge, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together and live according to thy laws. Amen."
The preacher may now invite the couple to face each other and join hands, and then guide them through their vows. The vows can be personalized, but traditionally, the groom speaks first:
Groom: "I, [Groom], take you, [Bride], to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and cherish you and be faithful to you always."
Bride: "I, [Bride], take you, [Groom], to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. I promise to love and cherish you and be faithful to you always."
Ring Exchange:
The preacher may then bless the rings: "Bless, O Lord, these rings that they who wear them may abide in your peace and favor all the days of their lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
The couple then exchanges rings, with the preacher prompting: "With this ring, I thee wed."
The preacher may conclude with a scripture reading, such as 1 Corinthians 13:4, and a final blessing. It is also common to include a declaration of intent, where the officiant asks each person if they take the other as their lawfully wedded spouse.
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A covenant prayer
"Eternal God, creator and preserver of all people, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life, we thank you for bringing [Bride] and [Groom] together in Your divine light. Bless this union and let it be a symbol of Your eternal love. Guide them as they embark on this sacred journey, so they may always find solace in one another and live according to Your divine laws.
We pray that their love will be a reflection of Your unconditional love for us, O Lord. May their devotion to each other be a reminder of Your promise to never leave nor forsake us. Bless them with the strength to honour their vows and the wisdom to choose each other every day.
As they come together in holy matrimony, we ask that You, O God, grant them peace and favour all the days of their lives. May their love persevere through life's challenges, and may their covenant be a testament to Your enduring grace. Amen."
This prayer emphasizes the couple's commitment to each other and their faith, seeking God's blessing and guidance as they embark on their married life together. It reflects the idea that marriage is a sacred covenant, not only between the couple but also with God, echoing the words of Jesus: "What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate" (Matthew 19:6).
The prayer also highlights the importance of choosing each other daily, even after the wedding day, as Pastor Joe McKeever suggests: "Marriage is about choosing each other every day of our lives." By including this covenant prayer in the wedding ceremony, the couple invites God's presence into their union and seeks His blessing to strengthen their commitment.
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Frequently asked questions
A preacher can start a wedding ceremony by welcoming the guests and introducing the couple. For example, "Welcome Friends, Family, and loved ones! We are gathered together today in the sight of God and of each other as witnesses to celebrate the marriage of [couple's names]."
The preacher can speak about the couple's relationship and their journey to this moment. For example, "You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment." "From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way."
The preacher can explain the significance of marriage and its meaning. For example, "Marriage is a gift in that we give ourselves totally to one another. I believe that marriage is a gift given to comfort the sorrows of life and to magnify life’s joys. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives into one."
The preacher can explain the importance of the vows and the commitment being made. For example, "The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, 'You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word.' Look at one another and remember this moment in time."
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