CIVIL CEREMONY #12
ENRICHED BY LOVE
MULTICULTURAL INTRODUCTION
We have gathered this day to participate in a ceremony that brings together two people, two families and two traditions. This ceremony seeks to respect and present the upbringing and belief structure of both the bride and the groom and their respective families. May it, by its expression this day, build unity in the midst of diversity, a unity built on and energized by the love between this couple and the love that has always been so precious to all in their families. May we join in support of _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_’s commitment to each other to build a marriage, a home and a family that is characterized by love and respect for all that is good, and upright and honorable.
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
_(Bride)_ is about to pledge her faith, love and loyalty to _(Groom)_ . Is there one of her family who is prepared to present her to him?
Father replies: Her mother and I do.
COUNSEL TO WEDDING GUESTS
In recognition of the part that family and friends have had in their lives to this point, and in affirmation of their desire publicly to declare their mutual commitment to marriage, _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ have invited you to this ceremony. By our presence here we have committed ourselves to be more than just observers of the acts of people we know. We are in fact accepting responsibility for supporting, enriching and encouraging _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ in the new relationship into which they are about to enter.
Marriage as the foundation of a healthy society, and as a part of the society in which _(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ shall live, we are called upon to be thankful when they experience happiness, to be understanding when they err, to assist them in times of difficulties and to be prayerful at all times for their well-being. Let us not dismiss this marriage as just another happy occasion in which we have been privileged to share. Instead, let us resolve to make _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ very much a part of our every day lives.
DECLARATION
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ stand before you today to exchange their marriage vows. To the present, none has shown any just cause why they may not be married, nor have they themselves declared any impediment. If anyone here present, can show just cause why you may not lawfully be married, I charge you now to declare it. For the marriage covenant must be made in a spirit of honesty and openness.
REMARKS TO THE COUPLE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , on behalf of your family and friends here assembled, may I affirm our love for you and our pleasure over your intended marriage. Our minds are filled with memories of previous association with you and our hearts are already joyful over the prospect of you sharing life together. We are thankful for the gift of life and love granted to you and voice our confidence that you will be joined today in the fulfillment of your hopes and dreams for married life. As we assemble here together we are mindful of events that have brought us to this occasion, and mindful of the awesome intentions that will be declared this day to the enhancement of two lives through this their union.
PLEDGE
_(Bride)_ and _(Groom)_ , by your presence here you are already making public your intention to marry. So that your integrity of purpose may be made clear to those of us present, would you each respond to these questions?
_(Groom)_ , do you purpose in your heart and mind to live with _(Bride)_ in a fashion consistent with the commitment of marriage? Do you purpose to love her, honor her in times of personal need and personal blessing? Do you pledge to the best of your ability, to seek to establish and maintain honest, open and loving communication between yourself and _(Bride)_ ? Forsaking all others, do you promise to remain faithful to _(Bride)_ as long as you both live? / Answer: I do.
_(Bride)_ , do you purpose in your heart and mind to live with _(Groom)_ in a fashion consistent with the commitment of marriage? Do you purpose to love him, honor him in times of personal need and personal blessing? Do you pledge to the best of your ability, to seek to establish and maintain honest, open and loving communication between yourself and _(Groom)_ ? Forsaking all others, do you promise to remain faithful to _(Groom)_ as long as you both live? / Answer: I do.
Since love is so central to what you are doing this day, let us pause for a moment to consider its meaning:
LOVE DEFINED
This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience;
it looks for a way of being constructive.
It is not possessive;
it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance.
Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage.
It is not touchy.
It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people.
On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails.
Love knows no limit to its endurance,
no end to its trust,
no fading of its hope;
it can outlast anything.
It is in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.
(I Corinthians 13:4-7)
“for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
By the exchange of their vows in the few brief moments of this ceremony, _(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ intend publicly to commit their lives and their love to one another for a lifetime. We join in witness to this union, and offer our best wishes that in the years to come they would be strengthened in fulfilling the vows they are about to make.
_(Bride)_ , please give your bouquet to your Maid of Honour?
As an expression of your willingness to engage in these obligations and as a seal of the vows you are about to make, will you face one another and join your right hands.
VOWS
_(Groom)_ , please repeat your vows after me to _(Bride)_ ?
With joy and in love,
I take you _(Bride)_ to be my wife.
I promise to share with you
in whatever happiness or sadness,
abundance or want,
adversity or blessing
that may be a part of our lives.
I intend that my life
shall be entwined with yours
as long as we both shall live.
_(Bride)_ , please repeat your vows after me to _(Groom)_ ?
With joy and in love,
I take you _(Groom)_ to be my husband.
I promise to share with you
in whatever happiness or sadness,
abundance or want,
adversity or blessing
that may be a part of our lives.
I intend that my life
shall be entwined with yours
as long as we both shall live.
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)_ , please pronounce your commitment after me to your bride as you place your ring on _(Bride)_ ‘s ring finger?
This ring I give you
represents the unending love
which 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)_ , please pronounce your commitment after me to your groom as you place your ring on _(Groom)_ ‘s ring finger?
This ring I give you
represents the unending love
which 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
For as much as you _(Groom)_ and you _(Bride)_ have made this solemn covenant of marriage before this company of your family and friends, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Province of Ontario, I declare that you are now husband and wife.
Your may kiss your bride.
BLESSING
_(Groom)_ and _(Bride)_ have just committed themselves to undertake the most solemn and sacred obligation known to mankind. We who have witnessed and participated in this ceremony are conscious of their needs for our support and help as they seek honorably and lovingly to fulfill their commitments. We express our earnest hope that what they have mutually pledged may be so enriched by love that it may never falter or grow cold, no matter what their life experiences. May the wisdom and insight which is now their’s be enhanced through growth in their relationship so that they might clearly discern and choose the right path for living.
May the multiplied strength and endurance that comes from a loving union not only offer to them protection on their course of life, but also afford them the spiritual and physical resources they will require in their daily pursuit of life, happiness and fulfillment. As they progress together through the years may they learn to communicate understanding, forgiveness, trust and hope, kindness, mercy, honesty, openness and love in their relationship with each other and with all others. May the home they establish be blessed with peace, and the family that may be added to them know physical and spiritual well-being.
As you walk down life’s path together, may you huddle together in a love that is true, a faithfulness that is lasting, for it is only forces that come between that can push you apart, otherwise they push you together.
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
SPECIAL MUSIC
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM
It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the newly married couple, Mr. and Mrs. ———- .
RECESSIONAL
Return to Civil Ceremonies page
Copyright protected under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 2.5 Canada License.