REVERENCE AND LOVE
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Who gives this woman to be married to this man? / I do.
INTRODUCTION
Dearly Beloved: We are met together in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to join together _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ in the bonds of holy matrimony according to the ordinance of God, the custom of the Christian Church, and the laws of this province, and to implore on their behalf the blessing of God. Marriage is an honorable and holy estate instituted by God, sanctioned and honored by Christ’s presence at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, and liken by St. Paul to the mystical union which exists between Christ and His Church. It was ordained of God as the foundation and bond of family life, for the mutual help and comfort of husband and wife, and for the welfare of the state. Marriage is therefore not to be entered into by any lightly or thoughtlessly, but thoughtfully and in the reverential fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons now desire to enter; therefore, if anyone can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now declare it, or else forever hold his peace. Moreover I charge you both, before God, the Searcher of all hearts, that if either of you know of any impediment why you may not lawfully be united in marriage, you do now confess it. For be assured that so many as are joined together otherwise than God’s word does allow are not united by the Lord; neither is their marriage blessed by Him.
REMEMBRANCE
Today, as we celebrate this special day, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ would like to pause to reflect upon those who have shaped their character, moulded their spirits and touched their hearts. Although death has separated us physically, faith and love have bound us eternally. Though we cannot see them, we sense their presence. Though we cannot touch them, we feel the warmth of their smile, as we begin a new chapter in our lives. Let us not forget the ones that have departed from our world, but not before they graced us with special memories only they could create. May the influence of our loved ones that touched us deeply, but only stayed briefly in our lives, continue with us as we join our lives together as one.
PARENTS RECOGNITION
Will the parents of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ please stand.
Many years ago, though it may feel like only yesterday, two children were born into this world. When you first gazed at them, you marvelled at their perfection and you felt truly blessed. In your children you saw infinite potential and you placed great hope in them.
With you they uttered their first words. With you they took their first steps. You rejoiced in their victories; you cried at their sorrows. You guided them, nurtured them, educated them, loved them. You gave them all you had to give, so they would grow up strong and independent, capable of great love, capable of what they are doing here today. Without you, this marriage would not, could not be possible.
Now, today all the love and caring you gave to _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , they will give to each other. And it does not end here. For in turn, they will pass it along to their children. In this sense we are immortal as we see firsthand how this sublime torch, this lineage of love, gets passed along from generation to generation. We thank you and honour you.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
To all of you, who are gathered here, today will be especially important to this couple. You are loved ones and friends that fill their lives. You are the framework that supports their world. You represent, symbolically, all the people who will be touched in any way by the life of this couple. You represent their families and friends, past, present and future. Marriage is an intensely personal act, but, in order for the couple’s marriage to gain strength to last throughout the years, their marriage must be supported by their greater society of family and friends. Today, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ proclaim their love and commitment to each other, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now begin together.
SCRIPTURES
Hear now what the Scriptures, written for our help and guidance, teach as touching the duty of God’s children to Him and to one another.
Jesus said: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you: continue in my love. If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love. This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.”
St. John wrote: “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loves is born of God. He that loves not does not know God; for God is love.”
St. Paul advised: “Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.” “Let the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
“Love suffers long, and is kind; Love seeks not her own. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. And now abides faith, hope, love, these three: but the greatest of these is love.”
PRAYER
Most holy and most merciful Father, Creator, Preserver and Redeemer of mankind, whose presence can sweeten and strengthen every relationship of life, we give You thanks for all Your benefits and especially during this wedding celebration. We thank you, O God, that You led these, Your children, into mutual affection and confidence. Heavenly Father, assist them in the development of their mutual love, strengthened by Your loving kindness and tender mercy. And may it please You, without whose supportive influence nothing can prosper, to grant us now the joy and blessing of Your realized presence. Grant this, O Father God, with the forgiveness of our sins, through Jesus Christ Your Son. Amen.
PLEDGE
_(Groom)_ , will you have this woman/man to be you wedded wife/husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honour and keep her/him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her/him so long as you both shall live? / I will.
_(Bride)_ , will you have this woman/man to be you wedded wife/husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honour and keep her/him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her/him so long as you both shall live? / I will.
VOWS
_(Bride)_ , please give your bouquet to your Maid of Honour?
Face each other and join hands.
_(Groom)_ , please repeat after me your vows to your bride?
I, _(Groom)_ ,
do take you, _(Bride)_ ,
to be my lawful 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 us do part;
and thereto I promise you my faithfulness.
_(Bride)_ , please repeat after me your vows to your groom?
I, _(Bride)_ ,
do take you, _(Groom)_ ,
to be my lawful 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 and to cherish
till death us do part;
and thereto I promise you my faithfulness.
RINGS
May I have the rings please?
_(Groom)_ , do you give this ring in token that you will keep this covenant and perform these vows? / I do.
_(Bride)_ , do you give this ring in token that you will keep this covenant and perform these vows? / I do.
Let these rings continue to both of you a symbol of the value, purity and constancy of true wedded love and a seal of the vows you have now made.
DECLARATION
Forasmuch as you _(Groom)_ and you _(Bride)_ have consented together in wedlock and have pledged your faithfulness to each other in the sight of God and in the presence of this company; and have confirmed the same by the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of rings; now therefore, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario as a minister of the gospel, in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, I pronounce you husband and wife. Amen. Whom, therefore, God has joined together let no one put asunder.
KISS
PRAYER
O God, the Author and Giver of all good things, we bless You for the gifts of love and friendship, and for the joys that gladden our life. May Your blessing rest upon and abide with these Your children who have here promised their mutual love. Crown this day with Your perpetual favor and lead them in the way of love and peace, even unto eternal life through Jesus Christ Our Lord, who has taught us to pray, saying:
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”
BENEDICTION
The Lord bless you and keep you,
The Lord make His face to shine upon you.
And be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Amen.
SIGN DOCUMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENT
It gives me delight to introduce to you, Mr. And Mrs. ——- .
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