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.
      ________________.