This is a widely used Religious Wedding Ceremony.

We are gathered here in God’s presence to witness the marriage of ________________ and _______________ and to ask God to bless them.

Marriage, like our creation as men and women, owes it’s very existence to God. It is God’s will and intention that a husband and wife should love each other throughout their life; (and that the children born to them should enjoy the security of family and home).

Opening Prayer (please bow your heads)
O God, you are the creator of all things; you made us, and you sustain us; we depend on you.
For the gift of life, we praise you. For being able to think about it’s meaning and purpose, we thank you.
In the world without, and our lives within, there is much that is confusing and contradictory.
Many voices counsel us; many forces pressure us; many things tempt us.
We need your light to lead us, your hand to hold us, and your love to complete us.
In Jesus’ name we ask for your blessing now.
Amen.

________________ and ________________, I call to your attention the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. Be very clear that your marriage is dependent upon your willingness to be faithful to each other and faithful to your understanding of God’s will for your. Unfaithfulness in either is a betrayal of your covenant. Constant and continuous obedience to your vow will result in a marriage which will be blessed, a home which will be a place of peace, and a relationship in which you both grow in love.

________________, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?
Answer: I will.

_________________, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep you only to him, so long as you both shall live?
Answer: I will.

Exchange of Vows (would you please join hands)

I, ______________, take you______________, to be my wedded 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 to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith.

I ______________, take you______________, to be my wedded 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 to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge you my faith.

Blessing and Presentation of Rings

Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________________, please repeat after me:
In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (places ring on her finger)


__________________, please repeat after me:
In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (places ring on his finger)

 Forasmuch as ______________ and _______________
have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they and husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen.

Blessing
Go into the world and fulfill your lives. Hold fast to your ideals. Give to each other experiences of joy. Challenge each other that you may grow. May the love you hold for each other now sealed in marriage continue to mature, that your life together may be a source of strength and inspiration to others.

You may now kiss the bride.