WeddingCeremony




The Wedding Ceremony
of
and
on
by

1. Randolph, facing the people and the persons to be wed, with Mary to the right and Bill to the left, addresses the congregation and says:
Family, firends and loved ones, we have come together in the presence of our Heavenly Father to witness and bless the joining together of Bill Long and Mary Long in Holy Matrimony. This bond and covenant was established by our Father in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.
The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by our Father for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore matrimony is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by our Father.
Into this holy union Bill Long and Mary Long now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be wed, speak now, or else for ever hold your peace.
2. Then Randolph says to Bill and Mary :
I require and charge you both, here in the presence of our Lord , that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in matrimony lawfully, and in accordance with His Word, you do now confess it.
3. The Declaration of Consent
Randolph says to Bill:
Bill , will you have Mary to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
Bill answers
I will.
Randolph says to Mary :
Mary , will you have Bill to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
Mary answers
I will.
Randolph then addresses the congregation: Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their union? iF SO, say 'We will'.
The People answer
We will.
4. Prayer
Let us pray. O gracious, Heavenly Father, you have created us male and female in your image: We thank you for Bill and Mary who have come through your blessing. Assist them with your grace that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make today through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

5. Vows
Bill, facing Mary and taking her right hand in his, says:
Bill please repeat after me:
I, Bill , take you, Mary , to be my 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
Then they loose their hands, and Mary, still facing Bill, takes his right hand in hers, and says:
Mary please repeat after me:
I, Mary , take you, Bill , to be my 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, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.
They loose their hands. Randolph asks:
What token of your love and devotion do you bring?
Bill :
Mary , I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of Jesus Christ.
Mary :
Bill , I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of Jesus Christ .
Then Randolph says to Bill and Mary:
Bill and Mary please join your right hands,
Now that Bill and Mary have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of Jesus Christ .
Those whom our Lord has joined together let no one put asunder.
6. Randolph says:
Let us all pray together in the words our Savior taught us:
Randolph leads congregation in the Lord's prayer
Heavenly Father, you are the creator and preserver of all life, the author of salvation, and the giver of all grace: We know that you look with favor upon the world you have made, and for which your Son gave his life. Now we look forward to seeing that favor manifest upon Bill and Mary whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Amen.
7. The Blessing of the Union
If the love that you are feeling on this very happy occasion is to last forever, then it must not be taken lightly. Rather it is a feeling to be cherished nurtured and cared for every day of your lives. Accordingly, we ask the the Lord to bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and fill you with his love and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen.
8.Introduction of couple
Bill , you may kiss Mary , your bride.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr and Mrs Bill Long .