You will find sample Wedding Ceremonies here with wedding vows that you can use as is or adapt to reflect the two of you and your commitment to each other. The Ceremony is always more meaningful when you each take the time to write a portion of your vows. It does not need to be lengthy, but should reflect your personality and commitment to each other.
WEDDING VOWS I Traditional
WELCOME We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted by God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that exists between Christ and His church. This holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His Presence and first miracle that He did in Cana of Galilee, and St. Paul commended as being honorable among all men. It is, therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the eyes of God.
PRAYER
Listen to these words of encouragement from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13. Sometimes when I read this passage, I think, “Nothing like stating the obvious, Paul. Of course, love is the most important thing.” Love is what bring you here today,______ and_______. We all know that.We know that faith is part of why you are here today as well. To have faith in something or someone is to trust. It is obvious that you both do trust each other. Your faith in one another has grown stronger as you have probably stood by each other through some rough times. We know that you have hope too. And as you make your promises today, behind all the words are all your hopes for the future: hopes about careers, hopes about where you will live, hopes about how your relationship will grow and flourish, maybe even hopes of a family someday. Those hopes are so important. They will help to keep you moving into the future, instead of getting stuck in the mistakes and disappointment so of the past. So, if faith, hope, and love are so obvious, why does Paul even mention them, and why do we mention them here? Two reasons. At the end of this ceremony, legally you will be husband and wife, but you still must decide each and every day that stretches before you, that you want to be married. Make such a decision and keep on making it.
CHARGE: Into this holy estate these persons now come to be married. ___________ and _____________I require and charge you both, that if either of you knows any reason why you should not be lawfully married, you confess it now.
WEDDING VOWS: To Groom, Will you have this woman to be your wife, to live together in God’s holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her, so long as you both shall live? Response: I will.
To Bride, Will you have this man to be your husband, to live together in God’s holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others keep yourself only for him, so long as you both shall live? Response: I will.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Groom: This ring I give you as a token of my love and a pledge of my constant fidelity. Bride: This ring I give you as a token of my love, and a pledge of my constant fidelity.
This ring by its shape, is a symbol of the undying love that exists between you. The substance of which it is composed is a symbol of purity, which shall ever characterize your mind and hearts in all your relationships together.
PRAYER
PRONOUNCEMENT: For as much as this man and this woman have consented to be married, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have declared the same by the joining of hands, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
MARRIAGE KISS
FINAL BLESSING: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face to shine upon, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.
INTRODUCTION OF BRIDE AND GROOM
WEDDING VOWS II Contemporary
WELCOME May speak about how you met.
The world we live in changes constantly; governments rise and fall; institutions expand and falter; the stock market goes up and down. Marriage remains one of the stabilizing foundations in the world. It delivers joy and excitement in a desperately lonely world. When Adam was alone in the ancient garden, God knew that man needed someone with whom to develop a relationship, so Eve became the companion for Adam. God took the initiative in the formation of marriage because of the need for a deep supportive relationship between a man and a woman. Since that first union of live, millions of people have sought love, acceptance, and companionship in the relationship we call marriage. Today we are witnesses to a very private moment in the lives of _______ and ________, as we celebrate publicly this union with thanksgiving. Who gives this woman to be married to this Man?
Father: Her mother and I.
HOMILY
WEDDING VOWS
Turn and looking into each other’s eyes, repeat after me:
Groom: _______________, I pledge to you my undying love and faith. I promise to respect you. I dedicate my time, talent, and treasure to you.I give myself fully as husband to discover joy and pleasure with you. God took special care crafting you for me, and I will treasure you for the rest of my life.
Bride: ______________, I pledge to you my undying love and faith. I promise to respect you. I dedicate my time, talent, and treasure to you. I give myself fully as husband to discover joy and pleasure with you. God took special care crafting you for me, and I will treasure you for the rest of my life.
PRAYER followed by Lord’s Prayer
EXCHANGE OF RINGS: Do you have the rings for a pledge or promise? Couple: We do.
To Groom: ________place you ring of promise on ______’s finger and look into her eyes as you repeat after me.
I,________________, take you___________ to be my life’s companion. This ring is my promise that you will always be in my heart, and I will cherish and honor you all the days of my life.
To Bride: ________place you ring of promise on ________’s finger and look into her eyes as you repeat after me.
I,___________, take you_____________ to be my life’s companion. This ring is my promise that you will always be in my heart, and I will cherish and honor you all the days of my life.
WEDDING VOWS III 2nd Marriage
WELCOME, INTRODUCTION- may speak of how you met.
My friends, we are gathered here for the purpose both solemn and beautiful, both spiritual and of the earth. We are going to witness the marriage of __________ and ____________, who have already promised themselves to each other in their hearts. It is a moment of enormous significance in their lives. The way they will see the world will be different. The way that they relate to others will be different. And the way they know and experience each other will be different. They are not beginners in life. Each has had a certain lifetime already, with experiences of pleasure and pain, of joy and agony, of discovery and growth. But their times for such experiences are not over. Their union, celebrated here today and forged by the days and years that lie ahead, will lead to new pleasures and pains, new times of discovery and growth. Therefore, this is a time of great spiritual possibility. And thus it is a time to be remembered and celebrated before God. Because it is a time of celebration, we will pause to pray.
PRAYER O God, who blesses all lives that come to You in faith and sincerity, and without Whom no life is ever blessed, we bow in Your presence at the outset of this sacred experience. Give us all a sense of reverence for what we are about to do, and not forget this special moment. What ________and__________ do here affects the lives of others almost as profoundly as it affects their own lives. They have families whose relationships will be enlarged and with whom they no embark on a new adventure. We want to include the families and friends as well in our prayers and concern. So let us now pray for them. O God, we pray for these two families being united today, that the ties of relationships being occasioned by this wedding will create a sense of genuine community among them. Let Your blessing rest especially on the children, for whom this may seem strange and not a little difficult. May they soon grow into a sense of love and security in their new relationship? Through Jesus Christ, Amen.
DECLARATION
To Groom: Before God and these witnesses, will you, _______, take_______ to be your wife? Will you love and comfort her; honor and keep her, and in joy and sorrow, preserve with her this bond, holy and unbroken, as long as you both shall live?
Groom: I will.
To Bride: Before God and these witnesses, will you, _______, take_______ to be your husband? Will you love and comfort him; honor and keep him, and in joy and sorrow, preserve with him this bond, holy and unbroken, as long as you both shall live?
Bride: I will.
Wedding Vows: The bride and groom turn and face each other, joining hands.
Groom: I, __________take you, __________, as my wife. I commit myself to you as your faithful husband, to honor you as a person, to love you as my companion, and to cherish you as my friend. I intend the love I have for you now to be only the beginning of the love I will come to have as the years go by. I look forward to sharing my life with you, whatever the future holds, and I will comfort you, confide in you, and journey with you from this day forward, whatever the conditions of our lives or of the world around us.
Bride: I, __________take you, __________, as my wife. I commit myself to you as your faithful husband, to honor you as a person, to love you as my companion, and to cherish you as my friend. I intend the love I have for you now to be only the beginning of the love I will come to have as the years go by. I look forward to sharing my life with you, whatever the future holds, and I will comfort you, confide in you, and journey with you from this day forward, whatever the conditions of our lives or of the world around us.
EXCHANGE OF THE RINGS: May we now have the rings?
These rings have no beginning and no end. They represent the love, trust, and commitment that________ and _________ promise to each other this day.
To Groom: _________, will you take this ring and place it upon ________’s finger, look into her eyes, and repeat to her, after me, these words:
_________, as you place your ring on _________’s finger and look into her eyes, please repeat after me the words of your sacred vow to her.
I give you this ring as a token of my love and commitment to live with and be faithful to you, from this day forward.
To Bride: _______, will you take this ring and place it upon _________’s finger, look into his eyes, and repeat after me the words of your sacred vow to him.
I give you this ring as a token of my love and commitment to live with and be faithful to you, from this day forward.(Can at this time have a ring given to child(ren) by new parent.)
PRAYER OF BLESSING: Let us pray: We praise Your loving mercy, O God, for the joy and excitement of this blessed occasion. It is You who has given us life and experience and You who has led us to this present moment. We acknowledge and give You thanks for Your everlasting care. We ask for Your protection on this couple. Make them trustworthy of each other and to all whose lives are affected by their marriage. Let each of their days on earth be long and filled to overflowing with love and excitement for one another. Give them the joy of simple moments spent together in music, over the kitchen table, walking on the beach, looking at old photographs, holding hands, and giving thanks for each other. Teach them each day to love more gently, care more deeply, and share more generously. Let the sun always rise on their good will and let it never set without it. Bless their children (future) and grandchildren that they may find happiness in the new relationships that have come to them In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Jewish-Christian Wedding Ceremony Vows
WELCOME, INTRODUCTION
We are gathered here today in the presence of God to give thanks for the gift of marriage, and to witness the joining together of ____________ and _____________. In the Jewish and Christian traditions, marriage is a sign of our Creator’s intention for wholeness in all creation. Out of the chaos, God brought order. That creative purpose is still at work. The joining together of two persons into one unique, intimate, and creative unity in marriage is therefore not only a symbol but also a demonstration of the well-being, the shalom, the purpose of human society. And so marriage is truly a celebration of God’s good work in creation.
The uniting in marriage of two individuals from two separate families and backgrounds to establish a new family is an important and memorable event. For us, attached as we are to _______________ and to ____________ by special bonds of love and affection, the uniting of these two people in heart and body and mind is an occasion of great significance which we can all celebrate.
Marriage is not a casual event, nor is it simply a private affair between two individuals. Marriage is to be entered into responsibly and prayerfully. This marriage brings together this day two individuals, two families, and two communities of faith. It is, then, in the midst of a troubled and broken society, a sign of hope. It deserves and needs the support of a wider community. Today is a time for family and friends to share in their commitment to each other by offering __________________ and ________________ our continued support, love and best wishes in their lives together.
Let us pray: 0 Lord our God, source of all blessing, in happiness and joy we thank you for the gift of marriage, which we celebrate today. May you give _____________ and _______________ the ability to rejoice always in their love. May you fulfill every worthy wish of their hearts. May you open their eyes to the beauty and the mystery of the love they hold for each other, every day as today. And may their | life together embrace and nurture the promise of this moment, so that all who know them will call them truly blessed. Amen.
RESPECTING TWO TRADITIONS
Out of two different and distinct traditions they have come together to learn the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences and confirming that being together is far better than being apart from each other. As we bless this marriage under the huppah, the Jewish symbol of the new home being consummated here, we will later light the unity candle, the Christian symbol of two people becoming one in marriage.
EXPLANATION OF THE CHUPPAH – optional
Long after tents vanished from the Jewish landscape, wedding ceremonies were held out of doors in the hope that the marriage would be blessed by as many children as “the stars of the heavens.” Some kind of covering was employed to create a more modest and sanctified space.
The bridal canopy, or huppah, is a multifaceted symbol. It symbolizes: modesty in the presence of God, the safety of your home, the protection of a garment, the intimacy of your bed covering.
It is open on all four sides—to respect Abraham, who had doors on all four sides of his home so that visitors would always know they were welcome.
The huppah does not promise that love or hope or pledges will keep out weather or catastrophe. But its few lines are a sketch for what might be. The flimsiness of the huppah is a reminder that the only thing that is real about a home is the people in it who love and choose to be together— to be a family. The only anchor that they will have will be holding onto each other’s hands. The huppah is the house of promises. It is the home of hope.
WINE BLESSING
The blessing over the wine, known as the kiddush, is a part of many Jewish celebrations and holidays. The word kiddush means sanctification, so as we recite this blessing, we symbolically sanctify this couple on their wedding day.
(Hebrew Chant – translated as Blessed are you, O God, Creator of the fruit of the vine.)
A marriage brings together two individuals, with separate lives, to perform the lifelong pledge of uniting as one. These candles before us symbolize the union of your marriage. The two outer candles represent the two of you as individuals. The center candle, which you will kindle together, represents the unity which will continue to develop as you are married. The external candles will remain lit, to show that, even in you unity, you may also remain as individuals. (Groom and Bride light candle).
WEDDING VOWS
_____________ and ________________ please state your intent to enter into this union by expressing your vows to one another.
(Repeated to each other individually by phrases) ______________ repeat after me: “I promise, before family and friends, to commit my love to you; to respect your individuality; to be with you through life’s changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us, as long as we both shall live.”
______________ repeat after me: “I promise, before family and friends, to commit my love to you; to respect your individuality; to be with you through life’s changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us, as long as we both shall live.”
Officiant to the congregation:
Will all of you witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold ______________ and _____________ in their marriage? Will you? (We will.)
RINGS
______________ , have you a token of your love for [Bride] ?
______________ , have you a token of your love for [Groom] ?
Traditionally, the marking of 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. Love freely given has no giver and no receiver – for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today.
Place this ring on her finger and repeat after me:
This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my desire that you be my wife from this day forward.
Place this ring on his finger and repeat after me:
This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my wish that you be my husband from this day forward.
Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever.
SHEVA BERACHOT – The Seven Benedictions that accrue to each bride and groom. These are sung by rabbi. The seven blessings are as follows: a blessing for joy, thanking God as the Creator of All; thanking God as the Creator of Humanity; Thanking God for creating us in the Divine Image; Thanking God for the gift of marriage; a prayer that this marriage should mirror the joy of the original humans in the Garden of Eden; A crescendo of joy expressing the desire that good marriages will heal the world and bring universal peace.
CLOSING
Eternal God, without your grace no promise is sure. Strengthen ____________ and _____________ with patience, kindness, gentleness, and all the other gifts you so abundantly impart, that they may fulfill the vows they have made this day. Keep them faithful to each other and to you. Fill them with such love and joy that they may build a home of peace and welcome. And guide them by your word to serve you all their days. Amen.
PRONOUNCEMENT
_____________ and _____________, having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here, and by the authority vested in me by the State of Florida, I announce with great joy that from this time on, you are husband and wife.
Stepping on this glass signifies remembering the past and moving to the future. You no longer belong to your parents’ houses, but to your own.
As _____________ breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout “Mazel Tov”, which means “Congratulations” and “Good Luck”.
KISS
As a sign of sealing your promises made to each here today, you may now kiss the bride.