Rev.
Randy Williams
A short and sweet interview on
camera about the feelings and thoughts of the bride / groom right before the
ceremony (optional but recommended).
This is done separately and off the cuff from their hearts.
Dear Friends we have come together today to share in the
marriage celebration of the beginning of Bride and Groom’s marriage
together. This wedding is much more
than a ceremony of tradition, but rather it is the joining together of this man
and woman before God and you the witnesses in holy matrimony.
Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted before God and
signifying to us the mystical union between Jesus Christ and His church.
Who brings this woman to stand
beside this man?
[The father replies]
“Her mother and I do.” [He then
kisses her and sits down.]
What is LOVE?
Beyond the excitement and romance of love, real LOVE is:
¨
Caring as much about the welfare
and happiness of your marriage partner as you do for yourself.
¨
Not being possessive or jealous;
but it is liberating.
¨
Not being totally absorbed in
each other but rather looking outward in the same direction.
¨
Love makes burdens lighter,
because you divide them. It makes joy
more intense, because you share them.
You don't marry someone you can
live with - you marry the person who you cannot live without.
Love
Letters To Each Other (Read by Minister)
Letter from Groom to Bride
Letter from Bride to Groom
I Corinthians 13 (NIV)
4Love is patient,
love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres.
Groom / Bride, do you promise to live together as God has
ordained in holy matrimony? “I do.”
Do you promise to you love her/him, comfort her/him, honor and
keep her/him, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in want, in times of joy
and in times of sorrow, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her so
long as you live? “I do.”
Do promise to respect and honor
her/him, sharing your plans and interests, ideals and emotions, through all the
trials and tribulations of life, as well as the joyous times, caring for
her/him in lifelong commitment. “I do.”
Promise
to the Children (if applicable)
Do the two of you promise to
honor, respect, love, and provide for his/her children as your very own? “we
do”
Do the two of you promise to do
your part in making this home a haven for trust, laughter, safety and
security? “we do”
Do the two of you promise to
gladly accept all the obligations and responsibilities attached to this new
relationship with these children? “we
do”
Now face each other and hold hands.
Exchange
of Marriage Vows
Repeat after me: I, Groom/Bride - take you, Bride/Groom
- to be my wedded wife/husband - to have and to hold - from this day forward -
for better, for worse - for richer, for poorer - sickness and in health - to
love and to cherish - until death do us part.
“This ring I give you - in token and pledge - of my constant
faith - and abiding love. - on this day and forever - I gladly I choose you to
be my wife/husband – This ring has no end – nor does my love for you.
With these ring you shall not walk alone. May your hearts be your shelter and my arms
be your home. May God bless you
always. May you walk together through
all things. May you feel deeply loved,
for indeed you are. May you always see
the innocence in each others eyes. May
you feel this joy forever.
Hand Ceremony
Bride, please face the Groom and hold his hands, palm up so that you may see the gift that
they are to you.
·
These are the hands of your best
friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your
wedding day as he promise to love you all the days of his life.
·
These are the hands that will
work along side yours as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry,
as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
·
These are the hands that will
passionately love you and cherish you through the rest of your years.
·
These are the hands that will
wipe your tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
·
These are the hands that will
comfort you in illness and hold you when fear and grief wrack your mind.
·
These are the hands that will
tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheeks as they raise your face to look
into his eyes that are filled completely with overwhelming love and desire.
Groom please face the Bride and hold her hands, palm up so that you may see the gift that
they are to you.
·
These are the hands of your best
friend, smooth, young and carefree, on your wedding day.
·
These are the hands that will
hold you tight as your struggle through difficult times.
·
These are the hands that will
comfort you when you’re ill and console you when you are grieving.
·
These are the hands that will
passionately love you and cherish through the years for a lifetime of
happiness.
·
These are the hands that will
give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for
can be realized.
Candle / Sand Ceremony (optional)
- music
Groom, Bride you have desired to express the oneness of heart,
mind, and spirit of which the Lord speaks.
In a moment, you will light the center candle [or fill the
center vase with sand].
The two outside vases...
Let the center vase symbolize that your lives are united in
Christ, and that He will be the one that will guide and direct your life
together. Your thoughts will be for
each other, your plans will be mutual, and your joys and sorrows will be shared
alike.
We all have heard both of you promise to share your lives in
marriage. We recognize and respect the
covenant you have made here today. It
is not I standing here before you that makes this marriage real, but it is the
honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here before your friends,
family, and in the sight of God.
Groom, Bride nothing is easier than saying the words, “I love
you.” Nothing is harder than living
them out in your lives day by day. The
things you promise today must be renewed and re-decided tomorrow and every day
after.
On behalf of all those present
here who love you and support you, I pronounce you husband and wife.
Groom, you may kiss the bride.
Mr. & Mrs. Groom and Bride _____________________
Capture video of the bride and groom signing the wedding license
(with family and friends).