CIVIL CEREMONY #15
LIFE-LONG COMPANION
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Who gives this woman to be married to this man? / I do.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Friends and family, we have gathered here to solemnize the marriage union of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ . Marriage is the most important institution in our society and must never be taken lightly and thoughtlessly. Marriage was intended for men and women and families as the mainstay of our social structure.
TO THE COUPLE
Into this highly respected estate of marriage, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , you now desire to enter. Therefore, in accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario, I must ask you first, to declare that there is no legal impediment to prevent you from being married. If anyone knows just cause why these two may not be lawfully joined in marriage let him now declare it or else forever hold his peace.
COUNSEL TO THE COUPLE
Marriage is no marriage at all if it is conditional or partial. Success in marriage requires, from both of you, an uncalculating abandon and a trustworthy mutual outpouring of love and loyalty. It is not merely a standing side by side, but, ideally, a blending of all that is good in two that are devoted to each other. This type of union enables individuals to together become much more than we could ever be on our own. As this develops we are given the opportunity and benefit of all our perceptions being filtered through our “other self” thereby expanding who we are and benefiting by another dependable perspective that is based on assurance that the other person has only our best interests in mind in all that is said and done. This is an adventure that doubles our delights and divides our disappointments. Indeed, it is not good to be alone, for when one falls that other will lift him up.
OF LOVE
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love does not envy.
Love does not boast.
Love is not proud.
Love is not rude.
Love is not self-seeking.
Love is not easily angered.
Love keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Love always protects.
Love always trusts.
Love always hopes.
Love always perseveres.
Love never fails.
Marriage benefits both husband and wife, and the family with which they might be blessed, as well as strengthening human ties within society. So we celebrate these purposes today in this solemnization of these marriage vows.
Let us bless and strengthen, therefore, this marriage of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ with our support and encouragement that they might grow in honouring one another in all that they are and do. May they draw ever closer to each other with a deep inner spiritual tie that will enable them to love each other completely and faithfully throughout their life.
INTENTION PLEDGE
Do you, _(Groom)_ , take _(Bride)_ to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for the rest of your life, no matter what life may send your way. / I do.
Do you, _(Bride)_ , take _(Groom)_ to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for the rest of your life, no matter what life may send your way. / I do.
VOWS
_(Bride)_ , please pass your bouquet to your maid of honour? Face each other and join hands, please?
_(Groom)_ , please repeat after me your wedding vows to _(Bride)_ ?
I, _(Groom)_ ,
in happiness and in love,
do take you _(Bride)_ ,
to be my lawfully wedded wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better and for worse,
for richer and for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love, honor and cherish,
and, forsaking all others,
to be my lifelong companion.
_(Bride)_ , please repeat after me your wedding vows to _(Groom)_ ?
I, _(Bride)_ ,
in happiness and in love,
do take you _(Groom)_ ,
to be my lawfully wedded husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better and for worse,
for richer and for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love, honor and cherish,
and, forsaking all others,
to be my lifelong companion.
RINGS
Rings represent unity because they never end but flow in an unbroken line. So they are symbolic of the unending love bond that is the hallmark of marriage success. Worn on you hand, they symbolize the solemn marriage vows that you, as bride and groom, have just now exchanged.
May I have the rings please?
_(Groom)_ , as you place your ring on _(Bride)_ ‘s finger please repeat after me you pledge to your bride?
I, _(Groom)_ ,
give you this ring
as a token of my love,
and as a sign of
the vow I have made.
_(Bride)_ , as you place your ring on _(Groom)_ ‘s finger please repeat after me you pledge to your groom?
I, _(Bride)_ ,
give you this ring
as a token of my love,
and as a sign of
the vow I have made.
DECLARATION
In that you, _(Groom)_ and you, _(Bride)_ , have made these solemn vows to each other in the presence of these witness, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, I do hereby declare you to be husband and wife. Let no man or woman come between you.
You may kiss your bride.
DOCUMENTS
PRESENTATION OF THE NEWLY WEDS
It is my delight to introduce to you the newly married couple, Mr. And Mrs. ———-.
RECESSIONAL
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