Civil09

CIVIL CEREMONY #9

DELIGHT

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
Who gives their blessing on this marriage?  / 
Father: I do. / Her mother and I do. OR Parents:  We do.

OPENING REMARKS TO GUESTS
We have come together to witness the marriage of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , and to rejoice with them.

Marriage is a gift by which man and woman become one flesh. Its purpose is that, as husband and wife give themselves to each other in love, they shall grow together and be united in that love.  Marriage is given that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in good times and bad; that they may know each other with delight and tenderness in acts of love; and that they may be blessed in the procreation, care and upbringing of children. In marriage, husband and wife belong to each other; they are linked to each other’s families and they begin a new life together in the community. It is a way that all should reverence, and none should lightly undertake._(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ now come to give their consent to each other; they will exchange solemn vows, and in token of this they will give and receive rings. On their wedding day, we join with them in hope that they will fulfill the purposes that they express today for the whole of their earthly life together.

DECLARATION
But first I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now. And if either of you knows a reason why you may no lawfully marry, you must declare it now.

STATEMENT OF INTENTION
_(Groom)_ , will you take _(Bride)_ to be your wife? Will you love her, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?  /  Groom: I will.

_(Bride)_ , will you take _(Groom)_ to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and protest him, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?  /  Bride:  I will.

_(Bride)_ , please pass you bouquet to your maid of honor? Face each other.

VOWS
_(Groom)_ , please take your bride’s right hand in yours and repeat after me to _(Bride)_ ?

I, _(Groom)_ ,
take you, _(Bride)_ ,
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,
til death us do part,
and this is my solemn vow.

_(Bride)_ , please take your grooms right hand in yours and repeat after me to _(Groom)_ ?

I, _(Bride)_ ,
take you, _(Groom)_,
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,
til death us do part,
and this is my solemn vow.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

May I have the rings please?

Wedding rings are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual truths. As they are worn, they symbolize to others your union in marriage. The rings in no way become the binding force that unites, for that is a matter between two hearts.

_(Groom)_ , as you place your ring on your bride’s finger, please repeat after me you commitment to _(Bride)_ ?

This ring I give you
represents the unending love
that I pledge to you.
It represents my intention
to honor you with my body
and to share all my worldly goods with you.
May it at all times visibly serve to remind you
of my solemn vows to you
on this day of our marriage.

_(Bride)_ , as you place your ring on your groom’s finger, please repeat after me you commitment to _(Groom)_ ?

(Bride’s choice…)

This ring I give you
is an expression of,
and a pledge of
my constant faith
and abiding love.

OR

This ring I give you
represents the unending love
that I pledge to you.
It represents my intention
to honor you with my body
and to share all my worldly goods with you.
May it at all times visibly serve to remind you
of my solemn vows to you
on this day of our marriage.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , before this gathering of friends and family you have given your consent and made your marriage vows to each other. You have declared your marriage by joining of hands and by giving and receiving a ring. Now, therefore, by the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, I declare you are husband and wife.

Let all others honour your decision and the threshold of your home.

You may KISS your bride.

BLESSING
May you find from this day forward
Every joy you’re dreaming of
As you share all things together-
As you grow in years and love…
May the depth of your love
Grant your every need
And bless your hearts with harmony
In thought and word and deed.

SIGNING OF THE REGISTER

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM
It is my privilege and pleasure to present to you the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. ———— .

 RECESSIONAL

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