WEDDING VOWS

(Groom)________________________, do you take ____________________to be your wife?
("I DO".)
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, & protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her?
("I DO".)
(Bride)_________________________, do you take _______________ ________to be your husband? ("I DO".) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, & protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him?
("I DO".)
(If rings are to be exchanged each does so before repeating the following vows.)
Wedding Rings
"Wedding rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual grace and the unbroken circle of love, signifying to all this union of this man and woman in marriage."
(Groom) I __________________, take thee _______________, to be my wedded wife. To have & to hold, in sickness & in health, for richer or poorer, and I promise to love you forever.
(Bride) I __________________, take thee _______________, to be my wedded husband. To have & to hold, in sickness & in health, for richer or poorer, and I promise to love you forever.

If there are children of either, many couples at this point give a small ring or token to each child and state; "That each child is now a part of this new family and this token is a symbol of the new family's love for each child". Each child's name should be mentioned. Please also give the names of each child to me so that I might call them up for this part of the ceremony.

"A marriage ceremony represents one of life's greatest commitments. But mainly it is a declaration of love. I wish to read to you what Paul wrote of love in a letter to the Corinthians. I believe it is a true model of love for you to pursue in your marriage.
"Love is very patient & kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud.
Love is never haughty, or selfish, or rude.
Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong.
Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices when truth wins out.
If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best from them, and will always stand your ground in defending them."

Let Us Pray
Dear Lord, Our hearts are filled with happiness on _____________&____________ 's wedding day as they both come before Thee confessing and promising their love and faith for one another. Grant they may ever be loving and truthful to each, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into this Holy Union. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding for each. Help them to remember that they are each other’s sweetheart, helpmate, guide, and best friend, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always welcome. Bless this marriage we pray and ask that You walk besides ________________&______________ throughout all of their lives together. We ask these things in Jesus name; AMEN.

Unity Candles

Unity candles & The Rose Ceremony are optional. You decide which if you want one or both.
______________&_______________, the two separate candles symbolize your separate lives, separate families, and separate sets of friends. I ask that each of you take one of the lit candles, and that together you light the center candle. After the center candle is lit, you each extinguish the individual candle.
The individual’s candles represented your lives today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light and one life as one, it also represents the joining together of two sets of families and two sets of friends.

If a song is to be sung, a poem, special reading, or special music played it shall go here, prior to the rose exchange.

Rose Ceremony
I announce the exchange of Roses. At this point the Maid of Honor hands a Rose to the Bride ( and children ), and the Best Man hands a Rose to the Groom.
In olden times a flower was considered to be a gift of greatness. The red Rose always having been considered the flower signifying "love". As you stand here holding a single flower, you may not think much of this. But the tradition is one of greatness, special meaning, and of love for all involved.
At this point I will announce, to pass the roses. The Bride & Groom exchange roses with each other, and the children hand roses to each other. If only one child he hands it to the bride and she hands him the rose passed from the groom.
This exchange of Roses finalizes this ceremony. I would suggest you put these roses in a special place. And that on each of your anniversary dates that you again give each other a Rose to signify your continuing love and faith in this marriage and family.

Finale & Pronouncement
__________________&___________________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in holy matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of hands, and the giving of rings. I now declare you to be Husband & Wife. Whom God has joined together , let no one put asunder.
I will now Bless you as a married couple.
"May the Lord bless you & keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up His countenance unto you, and give you peace, now & forever. AMEN.
Congratulations, You may kiss your bride !
I am proud to announce Mr. & Mrs. ____________ ______________.
After the exit procession I will thank all for coming, and make any announcements as to the reception.