Marriage Covenant Ceremony

Introduction to ceremony:
We are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and soberly.  Into this holy estate this man and this woman come now to be joined. .

Minister’s charge to couple:
I charge you both, as you stand before God, to remember that love and loyalty to God and each other will serve as the foundation of a happy and successful home.  If you keep as sacred the solemn vows which you are about to make, and if you continually attempt to do the will of God your heavenly Father, your life as individuals and as a couple will be filled with joy and peace.  Your home will be blessed by God's presence and guidance.  If, however, you choose to ignore your vows either by thought or action, you will find no peace or harmony in anything you do.  No human connection can be more fulfilling than that of a man and a woman who share the comforts and endure the trials of a loving relationship.  No vows are more sacred nor more binding than those to which you will now make.  Marriage was honored by Jesus at the marriage at Canaan in Galilee and was declared by the apostle Paul to be honorable in all things.  So, God ordained that a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

Prayer:
Bible reading: Ephesians 5:22-29.                      

Vows:
If you, have freely and deliberately chosen each other and know of no just cause why you should not be married, please join hands.

Groom’s vow:
in taking the woman you hold by the right hand, to be your lawful and wedded wife, before God and the witnesses present, you must promise to love her, to honor her, to cherish her, and leaving all others, cleave only unto her, and be to her a true and faithful husband, so long as you both shall live.  Do you promise?  (I Do).

Repeat after minister:
 I take thee to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do we part.  I pledge you my faithfulness, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  

Bride’s vow:
In taking the man you hold by the right hand, to be your lawful and wedded husband, before God and the witnesses present, you must promise to love him, to honor him, Submit to him, to cherish him, and leaving all others, cleave only unto him, and be to him a true and faithful wife, so long as you both shall live.  Do you promise?  (I Do).

Repeat after minister:
I take thee to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death we part.  I pledge you my faithfulness, in the name of the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:
Joining together and blessing.

After prayer, couple now stands facing Minister.

Declaration of marriage:
For as much then, as you have joined together according to the teachings of the scripture and the laws of this state, I as the officiator and a minister of the gospel declare that they are husband and wife together Man and Woman.  “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder.”

You May Kiss Your Bride

Closing words:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit abide with you forever.