Example of Wedding Ceremony

A wedding ceremony is a ritual solidifying a couple's life devotion to one another. The ceremony is normally performed by a priest, court official, or an ordained minister. The ceremony can take place at the local courthouse, a chapel, church, outdoors, and even your home. Where you decide to have your wedding is completely your choice. Please keep in mind wedding ceremonies differ according to cultural backgrounds and religion.

Friends and relatives, we have come here today at the invitation of (groom's name) and (bride's name) to share in the joy of their wedding. This outward celebration that we shall see and hear, I believe, is an expression of the inner love and devotion they have in their hearts toward one another. I believe marriage is of god and (bride's name) and (groom's name). Come today desiring to be united in this sacred relationship of marriage. Who is giving this woman to be married to this man? (Normally the bride's father does this.)

The ceremony of marriage in which you come to be united is one of the first and oldest ceremonies in the entire world, celebrated in the beginning in the presence of god himself. Marriage is a gift in that we give ourselves totally to one another. I believe that marriage is a gift given to comfort the sorrows of life and to magnify life's joys. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of two hearts, the union of two lives into one and your marriage must stand, not by the authority of the state, nor by the seal on your wedding certificate, but by the strength and power of the faith and love you have in one another.

Rings:

Having this kind of love in your hearts for one another, you have chosen to exchange rings as the sign and seal of the promises you are making to one another today. (Groom's name) will you please take this ring and place it upon the third finger of (bride's name) left hand, and holding her hand in yours, please repeat this promise to (bride's name), saying after me: With this ring, I seal my promise, to be your faithful and loving husband, as god is my witness. (Repeat with bride)

The minister will now recite a prayer. Poems and music are optional.

Closing:

(Bride's name) and (groom's name), you have come here today before us and before god and have expressed your desire to become husband and wife. You have shown your love and affection by joining hands, and have made promises of faith and devotion, each to the other, and have sealed these promises by the giving and the receiving of the rings. Therefore, it is my privilege as a minister and by the authority given to me by the state of (state name); I now pronounce that you are husband and wife. (Groom's name) you may kiss your wife. Ladies and gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the first time Mr. and Mrs. (groom's last name).