Opening Remarks

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence of God and this company to join (Groom ___________ and (Bride) ___________ in the holy bonds of matrimony. Marriage is an institution ordained of God when man's estate was that of innocence and supreme happiness. God prepared a perfect home for Adam and placed him in the midst of a beautiful garden rich in earth's choicest fruits. He gave him blessed employment, free from anxiety and toil, in caring for the garden. At first man was alone, having no human associate and helper. Birds and beasts and all the living creatures of earth could not bring him satisfaction. God is pictured as noting man's incompleteness and lack of perfect happiness apart from woman. Now follows the beautiful story of the forming of woman from the side of man. Let us not forget the great lessons God would teach by this story. Let us look at the proper relation between husband and wife, "that she was not made out of his head to rule over him; nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him; but out of his side to be equal with him; under his arm to be protected; and near his heart to be beloved." When God made woman He made her to be man's helper and companion. "I will make for him a help, as his counter-part," said God. What nobler mission could woman desire than this? God's thought about marriage is the union of one man and one woman in perpetual wedlock. We would naturally infer from our Savior's presence and the part He played at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, that he considered the act of matrimony well worth His own recognition; but when He selected the tie that binds husband an wife as a fit emblem of His relationship to His own ransomed church He broadened and deepened its significance until there is no tie on earth so binding and none so sacred, as that which binds men and women in the holy bonds of matrimony. Such a relationship then, should not be entered into thoughtlessly, insincerely or indiscreetly, but advisedly, thoughtfully, and in fear of God.

Presentation

Will the parents of the Bride and Groom please stand?

Pastor to Bride's Parents -- Who is bringing (Bride) ___________ to be joined in holy matrimony to (Groom) ___________ ?

Brides Parents -- We are.

Pastor to Groom's Parents -- Who is bringing (Groom) ___________ to be joined in holy matrimony to (Bride) ___________?

Groom's Parents -- We are.

Pastor to Parents -- Are you willing now and always to support and strengthen this marriage by upholding both (Bride) ___________ (Groom) ___________ with your love, your concern, your counsel, and your prayers?

Both Sets of Parents -- We are.

Pastor -- Thank you, you may be seated.

Wedding Vows

If therefore, it be your desire to be united in this holy bond, will you signify that fact by joining your right hands.

Pastor to Groom -- Do you ___________, take this woman whose hand you now hold, to be your true and wedded wife; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to LOVE, CHERISH, HONOR AND PROTECT HER: to forsake all others for her sake; to cleave unto her, and her only, until death shall part you?

Groom -- I do.

Pastor to Bride -- Do you ___________, take this man who now holds your hand, to be your true and wedded husband; and do you solemnly promise before God and these witnesses to LOVE, CHERISH, HONOR AND PROTECT HIM, to forsake all others for his sake; to cleave unto him and him only, and him forever until death shall part you?

Bride -- I do.

Pastor to Groom -- ___________, REPEAT AFTER ME: I, ___________ , take thee, (Bride) __________ be my wedded wife . . . to have and to hold...from this day forward . . . for better or worse . . . for richer, for poorer.. in sickness and in health . . . 'till death do us part . . . and thereto I plight my troth. (or pledge my faithfulness)

Pastor to Bride -- ___________ REPEAT AFTER ME: I, ___________, take thee, (groom) __________ to be my wedded husband . . to have and to hold.. from this day forward . . . for better, for worse . . . or richer, for poorer . . . in sickness and in health . . . 'till death do us part . . . and thereto I plight you my troth. (or pledge my faithfulness)

Solo

Prayer

Dear ones, may I invite you to kneel as you commit your lives to God in prayer. (Bride and groom may pray)

Pastor Prays

Ring Vows

Pastor to Groom -- ___________ what pledge do you give to (Bride) ___________

Groom -- A ring.

Pastor to Groom -- And this Ring, do you give to (Bride) _______ as a sign and seal of the endless affection with which you will cherish her, and the unbroken fidelity with which you will perform to her the vows of a husband? Do you?

Groom -- I do.

Pastor to Groom -- _____________, As you place this ring on (Bride's) ___________ please repeat after me. WITH THIS RING I THEE WED; AND WITH ALL MY WORLDLY GOODS, I THEE ENDOW . . .

Pastor to Bride -- ___________, what pledge to you give (Groom) ___________?

Bride -- A ring.

Pastor to Bride -- And this ring, do you give to him as a sign and seal of the endless affection with which you will cherish him, and the unbroken fidelity with which you will perform to him the vows of a wife? Do you?

Bride answers -- I do.

Pastor to Bride -- ___________, as you place this ring on (Groom's) _________ finger, please repeat after me, WITH THIS RING I THEE WED: AND WITH ALL MY WORLDLY GOODS, I THEE ENDOW . . .

Prayer sealing the Rings

Pronouncement

In consideration of these solemn and sacred pledges, I am authorized by the laws of the state of __________ in your marriage license and by the laws of God in His Holy Word, to pronounce you husband and wife. As I do this, let me remind you that henceforth you are one; one in interest, one in reputation and above all else one in affection. What God HATH JOINED TOGETHER, LET NO MAN PART ASUNDER.

Prayer (Kneeling)

Benediction

Embrace

Presentation

May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. ___________

Recessional