A Traditional Ceremony
Let us Begin:
OPENING REMARKS
Dear family and friends -we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of ________ and ___________.
Since time immemorial, people have performed ceremonies to mark a transition, a change of status.
Today we gather for the happiest of ceremonies – the change of status from single individuals to a married couple. Traditionally, that change is indicated by passing the bride’s hand from her family to her husband-to-be.
Who brings this bride to be married today? (‘I do.”)
Today is the day that ____________ and _____________will formally and publicly make their promises to one another. Although this is indeed a high point, marriage is a journey not a destination. Marriage is more than any one single event or promise. It is a series of decisions that have been made, and will continue to be made over and over again, every day, that shows each of their care and concern for the one whom they each love most in the world. Marriage is a promise that is renewed daily through a couples actions and a responsibility taken on in the spirit of faith, and hope, and love, that brings comfort in times of sadness and heightens our greatest joy.
(DECLARATION OF INTENT)
________ and ___________.may the promises you make this day live always in your hearts and in your home so that all which you share now deepen and grow through the years, leading you through a lifetime of happiness.
A wedding is more than a celebration of the Love which lives in our Bride and Groom's hearts today. It reaches into the future and proclaims their intentions for that which tomorrow shall hold. A couple who wed are joined not only by the mutual affection and love they share, but also by their hopes, dreams and by their promises of what will be... The promises and vows they make this day shall guide them into their common future. I will ask you now if you are prepared to make these promises.
(Bride)
___________, have you come here today of your own free will to take ________ to be your husband, that you may live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?" (Answer): "I have."
Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him all the days of your life?" (Answer): "I will."
(Groom)
_________, have you come here today of your own free will to take ___________ to be your wife, that you may live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?" (Answer): "I have."
"Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her all the days of your life?" (Answer) "I will."
Today is the public affirmation and acknowledgment of all that you are to each other. Seemingly your relationship will be as it has always been, yet there is a power in the spoken word. May that power bring you all the warmth and closeness, security and comfort, joy and happiness that this world has to offer.
(EXCHANGE OF RINGS)
Traditionally, the passage to the status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver, for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.
May I have the rings please?
(Officiant is given the rings)
(Groom)
__________ do you take ___________ to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to love her and care for her for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept her, with all of her faults and strengths, and offer yourself to her with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?"
(Answer) : "I do."
Will you now place the ring on your beloved's finger and repeat after me?
I,_________take you, __________, to be my wife. I will love and honor you, respect and cherish you all the days of my life."
(Bride)
_________, do you take ___________ to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you vow to love him and care for him for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept him, with all of his faults and strengths, and offer yourself to him with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?" (Answer): "I do."
Will you now place the ring on your beloved's finger and repeat after me?
I, ________________, take you, ________, to be my husband. I will love and honor you, respect and cherish you all the days of my life.
(PROCLAMATION)
You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings.
By the authority vested in me by the State of Maryland, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife.
With abiding confidence and affection, we send you forth on your journey of life together. May you be filled with thanks and wonder, humor and fun, hope and perseverance so that you may grow in wisdom and grace.
(PRESENTATION)
Ladies and gentlemen, friends, family, loved ones; it is with great pleasure that I now introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs._______________!
You may now kiss the bride!
OPENING REMARKS
Dear family and friends -we are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of ________ and ___________.
Since time immemorial, people have performed ceremonies to mark a transition, a change of status.
Today we gather for the happiest of ceremonies – the change of status from single individuals to a married couple. Traditionally, that change is indicated by passing the bride’s hand from her family to her husband-to-be.
Who brings this bride to be married today? (‘I do.”)
Today is the day that ____________ and _____________will formally and publicly make their promises to one another. Although this is indeed a high point, marriage is a journey not a destination. Marriage is more than any one single event or promise. It is a series of decisions that have been made, and will continue to be made over and over again, every day, that shows each of their care and concern for the one whom they each love most in the world. Marriage is a promise that is renewed daily through a couples actions and a responsibility taken on in the spirit of faith, and hope, and love, that brings comfort in times of sadness and heightens our greatest joy.
(DECLARATION OF INTENT)
________ and ___________.may the promises you make this day live always in your hearts and in your home so that all which you share now deepen and grow through the years, leading you through a lifetime of happiness.
A wedding is more than a celebration of the Love which lives in our Bride and Groom's hearts today. It reaches into the future and proclaims their intentions for that which tomorrow shall hold. A couple who wed are joined not only by the mutual affection and love they share, but also by their hopes, dreams and by their promises of what will be... The promises and vows they make this day shall guide them into their common future. I will ask you now if you are prepared to make these promises.
(Bride)
___________, have you come here today of your own free will to take ________ to be your husband, that you may live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?" (Answer): "I have."
Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him all the days of your life?" (Answer): "I will."
(Groom)
_________, have you come here today of your own free will to take ___________ to be your wife, that you may live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?" (Answer): "I have."
"Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her all the days of your life?" (Answer) "I will."
Today is the public affirmation and acknowledgment of all that you are to each other. Seemingly your relationship will be as it has always been, yet there is a power in the spoken word. May that power bring you all the warmth and closeness, security and comfort, joy and happiness that this world has to offer.
(EXCHANGE OF RINGS)
Traditionally, the passage to the status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver, for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.
May I have the rings please?
(Officiant is given the rings)
(Groom)
__________ do you take ___________ to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to love her and care for her for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept her, with all of her faults and strengths, and offer yourself to her with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?"
(Answer) : "I do."
Will you now place the ring on your beloved's finger and repeat after me?
I,_________take you, __________, to be my wife. I will love and honor you, respect and cherish you all the days of my life."
(Bride)
_________, do you take ___________ to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you vow to love him and care for him for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept him, with all of his faults and strengths, and offer yourself to him with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?" (Answer): "I do."
Will you now place the ring on your beloved's finger and repeat after me?
I, ________________, take you, ________, to be my husband. I will love and honor you, respect and cherish you all the days of my life.
(PROCLAMATION)
You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings.
By the authority vested in me by the State of Maryland, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife.
With abiding confidence and affection, we send you forth on your journey of life together. May you be filled with thanks and wonder, humor and fun, hope and perseverance so that you may grow in wisdom and grace.
(PRESENTATION)
Ladies and gentlemen, friends, family, loved ones; it is with great pleasure that I now introduce to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs._______________!
You may now kiss the bride!