CIVIL CEREMONY #14
ENCOURAGEMENT
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 presence of these witnesses to join together _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ in the bonds of matrimony according to the laws of this province, and to implore on their behalf the blessing of family and friends. Marriage is an honorable estate established 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 carefully. Into this very important 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, that if either of you or anyone present know of any impediment why you may not lawfully be united in marriage, you do now confess it.
READING
“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.”
PLEDGE
_(Groom)_ , will you have this woman to be you wedded wife, to live together in an environment of support and encouragement that you will create for each other. Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her whatever life might bring your way, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto her so long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Bride)_ , will you have this man to be you wedded husband, to live together in an environment of support and encouragement that you will create for each other. Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him whatever life might bring your way, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him so long as you both shall live? / Answer: “I will.”
_(Bride)_ , please pass your bouquet to your maid of honour. Face each other and join hands.
VOWS
_(Groom)_ , please repeat after me your wedding vows to _(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 wedding vows to _(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.
BLESSING
May your relationship of mutual affection and trust, declared publicly this day, so grow that it sweetens, strengthens and benefits every relationship of life.
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 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, I pronounce you husband and wife. May you so bond as to resist all threats to your union.
You may kiss your bride.
BLESSING
May you rejoice always in the gifts of love and friendship you presently enjoy. May you be led in the way of love and peace.
SIGN DOCUMENTS
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
It gives me delight to introduce to you the newly married couple, Mr. And Mrs. ———- .
RECESSIONAL
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