Rev. Paul K. Underhay

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 to day 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 some day. 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.

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

UNITY CANDLE

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

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Ceremony 2
Ceremony 3

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JUST MARRIED... NOW WHAT!?! SEMINAR

MARRIAGE LICENSE