Matrimony - Ceremony C1
(Groom at the Ministers left and Bride at the right)
Friends, we are gathered here today, in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to share with Bride and Bridegroom a very important moment in their lives. In the time they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife. Holy Matrimony is honorable and coveted, and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but in reverence. Into this holy estate these two persons now come to be joined.
I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that, love and loyalty alone will avail as the foundations of a happy home. If the solemn vows which you are about to make be kept - the promises made with true love in your hearts - your life will be full of joy and the home which you are establishing will abide in peace and harmony. No other human ties are more binding, no other vows more sacred, than those you are now about to make.
I charge you both as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that, love and loyalty alone will avail as the foundations of a happy home. If the solemn vows which you are about to make be kept - the promises made with true love in your hearts - your life will be full of joy and the home which you are establishing will abide in peace and harmony. No other human ties are more binding, no other vows more sacred, than those you are now about to make.
(Turning to the Groom and using his first name)
Groom, will you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in Holy Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her, so long as you both shall live?
(Groom answers - "I WILL")
(Turning to the Bride and using her first name)
Bride, will you take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in Holy Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor him, and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him, so long as you both shall live?
(Bride answers - "I WILL")
I now ask that Bride and Groom take each other’s right hand and Groom repeat after me:
I, Groom, take Bride, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, and here I do give my faith.
I now ask that Bride repeat after me:
I, Bride, take Groom, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, and here I do give my faith.
(Loosing hands the Groom gives the minister the Brides ring)
This wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which units two loyal hearts in endless love.
(The ring is then given to the Groom to place halfway on the Brides left ring finger)
Before placing the ring completely on Brides ring finger, repeat after me:
In token and pledge, of the vow made between us, with this ring, I thee wed.
(The Groom fully places the ring on the Brides ring finger)
(Loosing hands the Bride gives the minister the Grooms ring)
This wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love.
(The ring is then given to the Bride to place halfway on the Grooms left ring finger)
Before placing the ring completely on Grooms ring finger, repeat after me:
In token and pledge, of the vow made between us, with this ring, I thee wed.
(The Bride fully places the ring on the Grooms ring finger)
(With the Bride and Groom holding both hands facing each other)
God, look graciously upon this man and this woman, so that they may perform and keep this vow and covenant that they have made together. May they love, honor, and cherish one another, and so live together in faithfulness and patience, wisdom and true godliness, and that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace.
(With the Bride and Groom holding both hands facing each other)
Forasmuch as Bride and Groom have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and their family and friends, and have pledged their faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining hands, and by receiving a ring, by the powers vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife.I would like to present to you Mr. and Mrs. Grooms last name.
You may kiss the Bride
