PROCLAIMING LOVE
INTRODUCTION
Friends and Family, we are gathered here today to join _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ in Holy matrimony.
_(Bride) and _(Groom)_ are very honored that each of you is here to witness the beginning of their new life together. Each of you has blessed their lives in a special way.
_(Bride) and _(Groom)_ The day goes by fast, let’s take a moment to breathe, remember to soak it all in… I invite you to turn around and look at all of the smiling faces here with you today.
Today, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ proclaim their love and commitment to each other. They give thanks for the past, which has brought them to this place, and look forward with hope for what the future will bring. They know each other deeply, intimately, and their love has grown each day. The time has now come to formalize what has been, and is, in their hearts.
REMEMBRANCE
Today, as we celebrate this special day, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_would like to pause to reflect upon those who have molded their spirits and touched their hearts. 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. Though we cannot see them, we sense their presence. Though we cannot touch them, we feel the warmth of their smile.
INVOCATION
Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of life, for family and for friends, and for the love that exists between _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ . Amen.
READING
Philippians 2:1-4 ESV
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus”.
DECLARATION OF NO IMPEDIMENT
If there is anyone present who knows just reason why this couple may not be legally married this day I ask you to declare it now or forever hold your peace.
TO THE COUPLE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_, there are no obligations on earth sweeter or more tender than those you are about to assume.
There are no vows more solemn than those you are about to make.
There is no human institution more sacred than that of the home you are about to form.
Marriage is a commitment in life, where two people can find and bring out the very best in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that has the promise of a lifetime.
May your lives be filled with wisdom, blessed with good health and abundant living.
May you always cherish the love that you have found in each other. Protect your love; hold it safe in your hearts, always.
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.
As you have declared your intention to marry, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ , I would have you remember:
To love is to come together from the pathways of our past and then move forward… Hand in hand, along the uncharted roads of our future, ready to risk, to dream, and to dare…. And always believe that all things are possible with faith and love in each other.
THE VOWS
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks — all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, ”You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, companion, partner, and best friend. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never be quite the same. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.
*(Bride) & (Groom), please hold hands*
(Bride) please share your vows with (Groom).
(Groom), these hands are my hands;
The hands of your best friend.
They may be young and inexperienced,
But they offer you loving touch
And gentle support that I alone can bring.
As I hold your hands in mine, on this day of our wedding,
I pledge to you all of my love,
today, tomorrow, and forever.
__________
(Groom) please share your vows with (Bride).
(Bride), with these hands I will work alongside you,
As we build our future together.
With these hands I will comfort you like no other.
With these hands I will protect you when fear or grief assails.
With these hands I will wipe the tears from your eyes;
Whether tears of sorrow, or, as today, tears of joy.
With these I will tenderly hold our children,
I will partner with you to build the family we are given.
With these hands I will be your strength.
Even when wrinkled with age,
I will, with these hands, still be reaching for yours,
Still giving you the same unspoken tenderness,
With a touch of my hand.
(WITH THESE HANDS ~ © Ray Cross)
THE EXCHANGE OF RINGS
May I have the rings please?
The wedding ring has been a traditional symbol of commitment and enduring love that, like a circle, has no end. Let these rings continue to both of you as a symbol of true wedded love and a seal of the vows you have now made.
_(Groom)_ , as you place your ring on _(Bride)_ ‘s finger, would you please repeat after me your commitment to your bride?
With this ring, I thee wed.
Let it ever be to us
a symbol of our love.
_(Bride)_ , as you place your ring on _(Groom)_ ‘s finger, would you please repeat after me your commitment to your groom.
With this ring, I thee wed.
Let it ever be to us
a symbol of our love.
DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ by stating your vows, you have publicly declared your commitment to each other.
By virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_,I hereby pronounce you husband and wife.
KISS
_(Groom)_, you may now kiss your bride
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
(Standing at head of aisle with officiant)
WALK IN LOVE
© Ray Cross
Now married-life adventure begins.
Don’t let courtship end here.
Keep your love alive and growing.
Make dating a habit, not a memory.
Build a shared future.
Express honour and delight,
Thoughtfulness, generosity,
Kindness, courtesy.
Create afterglow memories.
Listen with your heart.
Learn from each other.
Hold hands.
Cuddle, cherish,
Treasure each other.
Meander together toward the sunset,
Growing old together.
This is your route to happily ever after.
PRESENTATION OF BRIDE & GROOM
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. _________