Minister Opening Remarks:

We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony.  The bond and covenant of marriage was established by the Lord during creation.
 
The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity.
 
Therefore, marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purpose for which it was instituted by the Lord.

Into this holy union, ___________ and __________ now come to be joined.
 
What is Marriage?
Marriage is giving... not giving up or giving in, but giving love and being loved.
Marriage is not the loss of identity, it is the birth of a more beautiful identity,
A special identity that only the two of you will really know.
Marriage is soft, not weak.  Strong, but not insensitive... brave, but not without wisdom.
Together, but not at the expense of one another.
Marriage knows not years as we count time... marriage is for the heart.
Marriage is love finding its home.
 
Prayer
Let us pray:  Dear Lord, at this turning place in our lives, we seek your blessing and guidance.  We thank you, Father, for being Love, and we thank you for creating us after your own image and likeness, of Love.  Richly bless these two lives now to be made one by this bond of love.  May they live their lives experiencing and expressing Love, Happiness, Prosperity, Health, and Joy.      Amen
 
The Promises
_____________, will you have this woman, to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage?  Will you love; honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live? (“I will”).
 
_____________, will you have this man, to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage?  Will you love; honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live? (“I will”).
 
Ever-living God, we would ask you to look lovingly upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make.  We ask that they may grow together to enjoy the love and friendship that they now feel for one another.
 
Exchange of Vows
Please hold hands.
____________ , please repeat after me:  “In the name of God, I ______________ take you _________________, to be my 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 cherish, until we are parted by death.  This is my solemn vow.”
 
______________ , please repeat after me:  “In the name of God, I ____________ take you _____________, to be my 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 cherish, until we are parted by death.  This is my solemn vow.”
 
Exchange Rings
________________ as you place the ring on __________________ finger, please repeat after me:  “ I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God.”
 
__________________ as you place the ring on ______________finger, please repeat after me:  “ I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of God.”
 
Pronouncement
Now that ________________, and ____________________have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands, and the giving and receiving of a ring, as an ordained minister, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife.
 
You may now share your first married kiss.