MARRIAGE CEREMONY
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. We are gathered here with family and friends to witness the
exchanging of the marriage vows between _______________.
B. Is there anyone here present who knows any lawful reason why
_______________ cannot be joined in marriage? If so, please
speak now, or forever hold your peace.
C. Who gives this woman in marriage?
I. SERMON. (Let's consider a few things about marriage).
A. Marriage is a gift from God. Gen. 2:18, 21-24
1. It is the answer for loneliness and companionship. It is the
ideal state of a man and woman.
B. Marriage is a joyful privilege.
1. __________________, unselfishly help one another, and
your lives together will be full of meaning and happiness.
2. Apply the principles of Bible love to each other. 1 Cor.
13:4-8
a. Unconditionally apply these principles and things will be
wonderful in your marriage.
C. Marriage is a union.
1. It is the union of two lives, two hearts that beat as one,
so glued together that they share each other's burdens and
joys.
2. You will no longer laugh or cry alone. The splendors and
miseries, joys and sorrows, hopes and disappointments you
will now share together.
D. Marriage is a loving relationship.
1. The way to achieve true love in marriage is to carefully
follow the guidelines given by the Lord.
a. The wife is to be submissive to her own husband as the
church is to the Christ. Eph. 5:22-24
b. The husband is to love his wife as Christ loves the
church, and he is to love and cherish his wife as his own
body. Eph. 5:25-33
E. Marriage is a lasting commitment. Matt. 19:4-5
1. Thus, marriage is for life. It was so ordained by God.
2. Your marriage becomes more important than all other
earthly ties.
F. Marriage is an adventure. Eccl. 9:9
1. As you join your lives together, actively sacrifice to give
happiness to the other, and happiness will be rendered back
to you.
2. Be kind, tender, and gentle with each other as the life you
share unfolds.
G. Marriage is a sacred bond before God.
1. Honor God, and put Him first in all things, and God Himself
will richly bless your marriage in the years to come.
H. Someone has said that marriage is:
1. Never being too old to hold hands.
2. Remembering to say, "I love you" at least once a day.
3. Never going to sleep angry with one another.
4. Standing together facing the world.
5. Being able to forgive and forget.
6. Helping each other grow as individuals.
7. Expressing appreciation and gratitude.
8. Marrying the right person and being the right person.
9. Helping each other go to heaven.
II. MARRIAGE VOWS.
A. ___________________ will now enter the marriage covenant by
making life-long promises to each other.
B. ____________, do you take ____________ to be your lawful
wedded wife, promising before God and witnesses, that you will
love, honor, and cherish her, and remain with her in sickness
and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and forsaking all
others, you will keep yourself for her, and for her only, as
long as you both shall live?
C. _____________, do you take _____________ to be your lawful
wedded husband, promising before God and witnesses, that you
will love, honor, and cherish him, and remain with him in
sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, and
forsaking all others, you will keep yourself for him, and for
him only, as long as you both shall live?
III. EXCHANGE OF RINGS.
A. __________________ will have their promises sealed by the gift
of rings.
1. Exchanging of rings is an ancient practice. The rings are
made of precious materials indicating the preciousness of
the relationship. The rings are made of hard, permanent
materials representing the permanency of the marriage. The
rings are made of pure materials; e.g., of gold which has
been refined, which represents the pure love in hearts which
have been joined together in holy wedlock.
B. ______________, take the ring and place it on ____________
finger and repeat after me:
1. "With this ring I thee wed, - and all my love and affection,
- I bestow on you, - and I promise to cleave to you, - to
love and cherish you, - until death do us part."
C. _______________ take the ring and place it on _____________
finger and repeat after me:
1. "With this ring I thee wed, - and all my love and affection,
- I bestow on you, -and I promise to cleave to you, - to
love and cherish you, - until death do us part."
IV. PRAYER.
A. Let us bow in prayer.
B. Our Father in heaven, we ask you to richly bless the marriage
of _______________. May they ever perform and keep the promises
which they have made to each other today. May they ever remain
in love, peace, and happiness throughout their lives. And, may
they ever continue to live in harmony with your laws, aiding
and helping each other to gain eternal life. In the name of
Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.
V. PRONOUNCEMENT.
A. In as much as you have exchanged the marriage promises, and
have witnessed the same before God and man, by the authority
vested in me as a gospel preacher, and in accord with laws of
God, and of the State of ______________, I now pronounce you
husband and wife.
VI. KISS.
A. "You may kiss the bride."
VII. LIGHTING OF THE UNITY CANDLE.
A. The two candles now burning are symbolic of two lives apart.
The one _____________ are now lighting is symbolic of the one
life they will now have. As they extinguish the other candles,
it represents their intentions to put away all selfish acts and
thoughts, and be concerned with the welfare and happiness of
each other.
B. (Note: the bride and groom may want to play a selected song
instead of the above).
VIII. DEPARTURE.
A. Ladies and gentlemen: I present to you, Mr. and Mrs.
________________.