Our Wedding Ceremony
*Grandmothers, mothers, and bridal party enter to “Heavenly Day”
*Bride enters to “Hear You Me” (Mothers will light taper unity candles before bride processional)
Minister: It is with great pleasure that we gather today to witness the joining of two hands and two hearts in holy matrimony. These two people, Cortneyloo and R, have fallen in love so deeply, so completely, that today, they make a bond, a sacred covenant before God, whereby their hearts, their bodies, and their souls shall be united as one in marriage for the rest of their days.
Who blesses the marriage of this woman to this man?
Bride’s parents: We do.
Minister: And who blesses the marriage of this man to this woman?
Groom’s parents: We do.
(Bride will present her mother with rose at this time and parents will take their seats)
Minister: Cortneyloo and R, look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to each other – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same. For after today you shall say to the world –This is my husband. This is my wife.
The bible teaches us that love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast. It is not proud, it is not rude. It is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Please take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift they are to you.
(Pause for bride to hand bouquet to Maid of Honor and take Groom’s hands)
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 hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy.
These are the hands that will give you strength and support when you need it.
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.
At this time, the couple has chosen to recite their own vows.
R: Cortney, you are my best friend, my soul mate; the one I am meant to be with for the rest of my life. I have practically grown up with you, and now I want nothing more than to grow old with you. I feel so blessed that God has put you in my life, and standing up here with you today I feel an overwhelming sense of joy. I love everything about you, like the way you laugh so hard at things that you make no sound or how you beg me to bring home every stray animal you come across because you have such a big heart. I love you not only for the person you are, but for the person I am because of you. I promise here and now in the presence of God and the people we love to always be faithful to you, to be patient with you-even when you make me stay up until one in the morning to get the Christmas tree decorated “just right”, to be honest with you, and most of all I promise to always love you the only way that I know how; completely, sincerely, and more each day than the last.
Cortney: R, you are my best friend, my soul mate; the one I am meant to be with for the rest of my life. I have practically grown up with you, and now I want nothing more than to grow old with you. I feel so blessed that God has put you in my life, and standing up here with you today I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I love everything about you, especially how you have a special structured way of tucking me in at night or how you find crazy ways to show your love for me like singing “happy birthday” to me in a crowded grocery store over the loudspeaker. I love you not only for the person you are, but for the person I am because of you. I promise here and now in the presence of God and the people we love to always be faithful to you, to be honest with you-even if that means telling you how much I spent on getting ready today, to be patient with you, and most of all I promise to always love you the only way that I know how; completely, sincerely, and more each day than the last.
Minister: Cortneyloo, having heard these words of devotion that R has spoken to you, do you take him to be your husband, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and cherish him, for better or for worse as long as you both shall live?
Cortney: I do.
Minister: R, having heard these words of devotion that Cortneyloo has spoken to you, do you take her to be your wife, to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and cherish her, for better or for worse as long as you both shall live?
R: I do.
Minister: May we have the rings?
(Maid of honor and best man will hand over rings)
Cortney will you place the ring on R’s finger and repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed. And with all that I am and all that I have, I pledge my love to you now and forever.
R will you place the ring on Cortney’s finger and repeat after me: With this ring, I thee wed. And with all that I am and all that I have, I pledge my love to you now and forever.
(Minister will hold up engagement ring before reading next part and then hand it to groom.)
The engagement ring is a symbol of promise and intention. Now the intention is realized and the promise fulfilled. Please place the engagement ring on Cortney’s finger over the wedding band to symbolize that the love that brought you together will always protect and sustain your marriage.
Now the couple will commemorate their marriage by lighting a Unity Candle.
(Bride and groom will walk over to the candles)
Cortneyloo and R, the two distinct candle flames represent your lives before this day, individual, unique and special. Please take the candle symbolizing your life before today, and together light the center candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives. As this new flame burns undivided, so shall your lives now be one. From now on your thoughts will always be for each other rather than just your individual selves. Your plans and goals will be mutual, your joys and sorrows both will be shared alike.
Although you are now entering into marriage, that does not mean you lose your personal identity. Rather, you will both use your individuality to create and strengthen the relationship of marriage. Therefore all three candles remain glowing. The individual candles represent all that makes each of you the wonderful and unique person the other admires and respects. The Unity candle in the center symbolizes the union of your lives and your families as well as your shining commitment to each other, and to a lasting and loving marriage.
(Bride and groom will at this time walk back to minister)
Cortneyloo and R, you have affirmed your love and loyalty to each other through your vows and the giving and receiving of rings in front of your family, friends, and God himself. Because you have shown your willingness to share life together, it is my privilege to pronounce you man and wife. R, you may now kiss your bride.
*”Warning Sign” will begin playing
Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great joy and pleasure to present to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. E!
(Bride will present groom’s mother with rose before walking back up the aisle)
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