Rhiannon Hendricks
A wedding is a memorable occasion for all involved, but it can be a stressful time for the priest officiating the ceremony. There are many ways a priest can begin a wedding ceremony, from the traditional Friends, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of... to the more lighthearted The doors are locked, it's too late to run!. After the vows, the priest will acknowledge the couple's consent and pray for God's blessing on the newlyweds, declaring, What God has joined, let no one put asunder.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tone | Solemn |
| Content | Vows, prayers, blessings, consent |
| Structure | Greeting and prayer, opening prayer, exchange of vows, ring exchange, confirmation of vows, conclusion |
| Language | Formal, religious |
| Deviations | Humour, pop culture references, improvisation |
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What You'll Learn
The priest's blessing over the wedding rings
The blessing of the wedding rings is an important part of the wedding ceremony, and there are several ways a priest may choose to bless the rings.
Firstly, the priest will make the sign of the cross over the rings and say:
> "May the Lord bless these rings, which you will give to each other as a sign of your love and fidelity."
Then, the couple exchanges rings, promising love and fidelity in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Another version of the blessing of the rings is as follows:
> "Bless, O Lord! This ring, which we bless in Thy name, that she that shall wear it, keeping inviolable fidelity to her spouse, may ever remain in peace and in Thy will, and always live in mutual charity. Through Christ, our Lord."
The priest then sprinkles the ring with Holy Water, and the groom places it on the bride's finger, saying:
> "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
There is also an alternative way to place the ring on the bride's finger, with the groom first placing the ring on each finger, saying:
> "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Finally, a priest may also use a prayer book or adapt a prayer to bless the rings. For example:
> "We are gathered here now to celebrate the marriage of N. and M., to bless their new wedding ring, to bless their marriage of # years, and to bless all families represented here. Our help is in the name of the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer. The Lord be with you. Let us pray: Bless, O Lord, this Ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in your peace and continue in your favor unto their life's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
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The couple's consent
The priest will typically begin by addressing the congregation and invoking God's presence:
> Friends, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of [Name] and [Name]. Let us call upon God to be with us as we celebrate this sacred union. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.
Consent Questions:
The priest will then turn to the couple and ask a series of questions to establish their consent. These questions may vary but typically include:
> [Name], do you take this woman/man to be your wife/husband? Do you promise to be faithful to them in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love and honor them all the days of your life? Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to each other in marriage? Will you honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?
Declaration of Consent:
After the couple has responded affirmatively to the consent questions, the priest will declare:
> You have declared your consent before this community of family and friends.
Blessing and Ring Exchange:
The priest will then offer a blessing and pray for God's protection over the union:
> What God has joined, let no one put asunder. May these rings be a symbol of your covenant with each other and with God.
The couple then exchanges rings, sealing their commitment to one another.
Finally, the priest may conclude with a prayer of dedication:
> Father, grant that as they unite today, they may one day share the joy of your heavenly feast. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
These words spoken by the priest during the couple's consent are a solemn affirmation of their choice to join their lives together in marriage, witnessed by their community and blessed by God.
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The priest's prayer for God's blessing on the newlyweds
May God bless this couple, who have come together in holy matrimony, and keep them in good health and fortune.
Let us pray for the happiness of this couple, that they may be granted a long life together, filled with love and compassion. We ask that they be blessed with your divine presence, O Lord, and that they may find joy in your grace.
Dear Father, we ask that you watch over this couple and guide them on their journey as husband and wife. May they always find solace in one another and in your divine love. Grant them the strength to overcome any challenges they may face, and may their love be a testament to your divine union.
We pray that this couple will honour and cherish each other, in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, and that their bond will be a sacred one, blessed by you, O Lord. May their love be fruitful and may they be witnesses to your divine love in the world.
Finally, we ask for your blessing on their union, that what has been joined together today by you, O Lord, let no one put asunder. Amen.
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The priest's greeting and prayer
The priest plays a crucial role in a wedding, officiating the ceremony and guiding the couple through their vows. Here is a detailed look at how a priest typically greets the wedding party and offers prayers during a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony:
Greeting
The priest begins the ceremony by welcoming everyone and setting the tone for the celebration. A typical greeting is as follows:
> "Friends, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of [Name] and [Name]. Let us call upon God to be with us today as we celebrate this union of two into one. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Peace be with you. And also with you. Let us pray."
Opening Prayer
After the greeting, the priest leads the congregation in an opening prayer. There are often options for this prayer, and the couple may select one that resonates with them. An example of an opening prayer is:
> "Almighty God, hear our prayers for [Name] and [Name] who have come here today to be united in the sacrament of marriage. Increase their faith in you and in each other, and through them bless your church. Make their love fruitful so that they may be living witnesses to your divine love in the world."
Consent and Vows
The priest then guides the couple through their vows, which can be memorized or repeated after the priest. The vows typically include phrases such as "for better or for worse," "in sickness and in health," and "all the days of my life." After the couple has exchanged their vows, the priest confirms their consent:
> "You have declared your consent before the Church and this community of your family and friends."
Ring Exchange and Blessing
The priest then acknowledges the exchange of rings and offers a blessing:
> "What God has joined, let no one put asunder."
The priest then blesses the rings, and the couple exchanges them.
The ceremony concludes with a final blessing, often including the Lord's Prayer:
> "Let us pray together in the words Jesus gave us. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..."
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The couple's vows
Groom:
"I, [name], take thee, [partner's name], to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
Bride:
"I, [name], take thee, [partner's name], to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."
Alternatively, the couple may choose to say:
Both:
"I, [name], take you, [partner's name], to be my [wife/husband], to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy law. In the presence of God, I make this vow."
In some traditions, the groom may add:
"[Partner's name], take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity." With this ring, I thee wed, and with my body, I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
In Jewish ceremonies, the groom may say in Hebrew:
"Behold, thou art consecrated unto me with this ring according to the law of Moses and of Israel."
In Hindu weddings, couples recite the Saptapadi or the Seven Steps, a list of seven promises to honour Agni, the Hindu god of fire.
The couple may also include their own personal vows, often provided to the priest beforehand to ensure a seamless ceremony. These vows can be memorised or recited after the officiant, who may also recite them in the form of questions, prompting responses such as "I do" or "I will".
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Frequently asked questions
A priest typically says things like: "Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honour her all the days of your life?" and "What God has joined, let no one put asunder."
Some priests might make jokes, such as: "Yada-yada-yada, husband and wife. Where’s the reception at?" or "The doors are locked and it's too late to run."
The couple is expected to respond to three questions before they can take their vows: "Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to each other in marriage?"; "Will you honour each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?"; and "Do you take this person to be your lawful [husband/wife], to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?".
The priest officiates the wedding and leads the ceremony, which includes the exchange of vows and rings. They also give blessings and prayers.
The exchange of vows is probably the most important part of a Catholic wedding.
