Sample Ceremony 2

We are gathered here, not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is! We do not create this marriage, because we cannot. We can and do, however, celebrate with (GROOM) and (BRIDE) the joyful occurrence that has already taken place in their lives, and the commitment they make today.

God, for the joy of this occasion we thank you. For the significance of this wedding day we thank you. For this important moment in an ever growing relationship we thank you. For your presence here and now and for your presence at all times, we thank you. Amen.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8a - Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never ends.

Do you (GROOM), take (BRIDE) to be your wife, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part?    

Groom says, “I do.”

Do you (BRIDE), take (GROOM) to be your husband, to have and to hold, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part?

Bride says, “I do.”

Please repeat after me.

I, (GROOM), take you, (BRIDE), to be my lawfully wedded wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward.

Groom repeats

 I, (BRIDE), take you, (GROOM), to be my lawfully wedded husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward.

Bride repeats

As an expression that your hearts are joined together in love will you please face each other and hold hands, so you may feel the gift that you are to one another. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.  These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Our prayer for you today is that both of you will use these hands to build a marriage where all your dreams come true.

Please take your rings.

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you (GROOM), may place a ring on the finger of your bride and repeat after me.

(BRIDE), I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you.

Groom repeats

By the same token (BRIDE), you may place a ring on the finger of your groom and repeat after me.

(GROOM), I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you.

Bride repeats.

By the power vested in me by the State of Oklahoma, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

(GROOM), you may kiss your bride.

I present to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. (GROOM) _______________.