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The wedding of "John" and "Leslie"
Introduction
Dearly beloved. We are gathered together here in the sight of God, to join together
this man John and this woman Leslie in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate,
instituted of God in the time of man’s innocence, signifying to us the mystical union
that is between Christ and His church.
Exhortation:
This holy estate of matrimony Christ adorned and beautified with His presence, and
first miracle that He performed in Cana of Galilee; and is commended in Holy Scripture
to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered upon, nor
taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly,
soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was
ordained. It was ordained for the hallowing of the union between man and woman; for
the procreation of children to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord; and
for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, in
both prosperity and adversity.
Scripture Reading:
Jesus answered and said unto them, have you not read, that He who made them at the
beginning made them male and female, and said, for this cause shall a man leave
father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined
together, let not man put asunder.
(Matthew 19:4-6 – New King James Version)
Prayer:
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, love has been Your richest and greatest gift to the
world. Love between a man and woman which matures into marriage is one of Your
most beautiful types of loves. Today we celebrate that love. May your blessing be on
this wedding service. Protect, guide, and bless John and Leslie in their marriage.
Surround them with Your love now and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Vows
To both: John and Leslie, I require and charge you both in the Name of God, from
whom no secrets are hid, that if either of you know any impediment, why you may not
be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it.
To groom: John, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together
according to God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you love her,
comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other,
keep yourself only for her, so long as you both shall live? (I do)
To bride: Leslie, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together
according to God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you love him,
comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other,
keep yourself only for him, so long as you both shall live? (I do)
Exchange of the Rings
The wedding ring is a symbol of marriage in at least two ways: the purity of gold
symbolises the purity of your love for each other, and the unending circle symbolises
the unending vows which you are taking, which may be broken honourably in the sight
of God only by death. As a token of your vows, you will give and receive the rings.
Please repeat after me. (To groom then bride)
Declaration
Now, because you John and Leslie have made this commitment before God and in the
presence of this community of family and friends, by the power vested in me as a
minister of the gospel and by the province of Ontario, I now pronounce you husband
and wife. You may now kiss for the first time as husband and wife.
Blessing:
May these two people now married keep this covenant which they have made. May
they be a blessing and comfort to each other, sharers of each other’s joys, consolers
of each other’s sorrows, and helpers to each other through all of the changes of life.
Pronouncement:
And now ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you for the first time Mr. And Mrs.
John and Leslie Matthews as husband and wife.
Introduction
Dearly beloved. We are gathered together here in the sight of God, to join together
this man John and this woman Leslie in holy matrimony; which is an honourable estate,
instituted of God in the time of man’s innocence, signifying to us the mystical union
that is between Christ and His church.
Exhortation:
This holy estate of matrimony Christ adorned and beautified with His presence, and
first miracle that He performed in Cana of Galilee; and is commended in Holy Scripture
to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered upon, nor
taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly,
soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was
ordained. It was ordained for the hallowing of the union between man and woman; for
the procreation of children to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord; and
for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, in
both prosperity and adversity.
Scripture Reading:
Jesus answered and said unto them, have you not read, that He who made them at the
beginning made them male and female, and said, for this cause shall a man leave
father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they two shall be one flesh?
Wherefore they are no more two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined
together, let not man put asunder.
(Matthew 19:4-6 – New King James Version)
Prayer:
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, love has been Your richest and greatest gift to the
world. Love between a man and woman which matures into marriage is one of Your
most beautiful types of loves. Today we celebrate that love. May your blessing be on
this wedding service. Protect, guide, and bless John and Leslie in their marriage.
Surround them with Your love now and always. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Vows
To both: John and Leslie, I require and charge you both in the Name of God, from
whom no secrets are hid, that if either of you know any impediment, why you may not
be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do now confess it.
To groom: John, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together
according to God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you love her,
comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other,
keep yourself only for her, so long as you both shall live? (I do)
To bride: Leslie, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together
according to God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Will you love him,
comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other,
keep yourself only for him, so long as you both shall live? (I do)
Exchange of the Rings
The wedding ring is a symbol of marriage in at least two ways: the purity of gold
symbolises the purity of your love for each other, and the unending circle symbolises
the unending vows which you are taking, which may be broken honourably in the sight
of God only by death. As a token of your vows, you will give and receive the rings.
Please repeat after me. (To groom then bride)
- With this ring
- I pledge my life and love to you
Declaration
Now, because you John and Leslie have made this commitment before God and in the
presence of this community of family and friends, by the power vested in me as a
minister of the gospel and by the province of Ontario, I now pronounce you husband
and wife. You may now kiss for the first time as husband and wife.
- Bride and Groom kiss
Blessing:
May these two people now married keep this covenant which they have made. May
they be a blessing and comfort to each other, sharers of each other’s joys, consolers
of each other’s sorrows, and helpers to each other through all of the changes of life.
Pronouncement:
And now ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you for the first time Mr. And Mrs.
John and Leslie Matthews as husband and wife.
The following is an example of a "city hall special" wedding I perform. Full church
weddings have more content. At the planning meeting I share what is required in the
ceremony as well as optional content and I give a number of options for you to
choose. Ultimately the decision of what takes place is yours.
weddings have more content. At the planning meeting I share what is required in the
ceremony as well as optional content and I give a number of options for you to
choose. Ultimately the decision of what takes place is yours.