Ceremonies

Elopement Ceremony

Welcome

We have gathered here [in the sight of God] today to witness the marriage vows of (Groom & Bride)________. Marriage grows out of yesterday, lives today, and covenants for all of our tomorrows. In this union we accept another human being in his or her entirety, as love, helpmate, and friend. And, we say to one another and to the world, whatever life may bring, we will live it together. On this day we rejoice in love and its possibilities.

Wedding Vows

I, (Groom/Bride)____________, do take you, (Bride/Groom)
to be the (wife/husband) of my days
the companion of my house
and the friend of my life.
Whatever trouble and sorrow life may bring
we will share together
holding truth above all.
Whatever good and joyful things life may bring us
we will treasure in our hearts.
With these words
and all the words of my heart
I marry you
and bind my life to yours.

Exchange of Rings

(Groom/Bride)___________, I give you this ring
as a sign of my marriage commitment
[in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit].

Wedding Prayer or Blessing

Eternal God, strengthen (Groom & Bride) with the gift of your Spirit, so that they might fulfill the vows they have taken in your presence. Keep them faithful to you and to each other. Fill them with love and joy and guide them by your word to serve you all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, all honor and glory, both now and forever. Amen.

May all that you are, always be in love; may all that is love, always be in you. May your love be as beautiful on each day you share as it is on this day of celebration. And may each day you share be as precious to you as the day when you first fell in love. May you always see and encourage the best in each other. May the challenges life brings your way make your marriage even stronger. And may you always be each other's best friend and greatest love.

Pronouncement

(Groom & Bride)___________, you have made vows and exchanged rings before those who have gathered. On behalf of the state of Oregon what you desire has come to pass.

The Kiss

Presentation

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs._______________.

Traditional Religious Ceremony

Welcome

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God, and the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony...

Prayer of Invocation

Our Heavenly Father, ...

Declaration of Intent

(Groom/Bride)________ Will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony?... I will.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man? Her mother and I.

Scripture

Wedding Meditation

Wedding Vows

I, (Groom/Bride), take thee, (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...

Exchange of Rings

This ring I give in token and pledge
as a sign of my love and devotion.
With this ring, I thee wed.

Special Music

Lighting of the Unity Candle

(Or other Optional Wedding Tradition)

Closing Prayer

Our Heavenly Father, ...

Pronouncement

(Groom & Bride)___________, I know pronounce you husband and wife in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit...

The Kiss

Presentation

I present to you (Mr. and Mrs.)__________________.

Contemporary Religious Ceremony

Welcome

Family and friends, we are here today because love has gathered us together. On this day (Groom & Bride)___________, will pledge their lives as one,...

Prayer of Invocation

God, most gracious and holy, make known to us your presence in this time and in this sacred space. We give thanks for the gift of life, especially we thank you for the lives of (Groom & Bride) ___________, and for the families, which love and nourish them...

Blessing of Family and Friends

To the parents of (Groom & Bride)____________ , congratulations on the part you have played in raising your...

Will you (Bride's parents)__________take this man, (Groom)________ as your son, take him into your hearts...

Will you (Groom's parents)__________take this woman, (Bride)________ as your daughter, take her into your hearts...

And now, do all those assembled affirm this marriage and give it your blessing? If so, with will you answer "We do"...

Meditation and Scripture

(Groom/Bride)__________, I thank God He has given us to each other
to share one life, one love, one heart.
With God's help...

Wedding Vows

(Bride/Groom)___________, I give you this ring
as a symbol of my love and faithfulness,
and as I place it on your finger...

Exchange of Rings

Special Music or Reading

Lighting of the Unity Candle

(Or other Optional Wedding Tradition)

Wedding Prayer

Dear Lord, we pray that you will bless this man and this woman as they begin their new journey together. In all the experiences of life, may they always stay close to You and to each ...

Pronouncement

Groom & Bride)________, we have witnessed today the joining of your two lives. You have exchanged your vows, and given and received these rings as a token of your love. I now ...

The Kiss

Presentation

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, (Mr. and Mrs.)__________________.

Non-Religious Ceremony

Welcome

Love is a miraculous gift, and a wedding is a celebration of that gift. We have come here today to celebrate this gift of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words that shall unite (Groom & Bride)________ ...

Consent

(Groom & Bride)____________, do you come here of your own free will, accompanied by your family's blessings, to be united as husband and wife...

Address and Readings

Today you are giving yourselves to one another to love and to live. Your lives are being woven together, and in time, they will intertwine in such a way that you truly will become one in heart,...

When a Man and a Woman are in Love — by Stephen T. Fader

(Or other selected poem or reading)

Wedding Vows

(Groom/Bride)____________, my promise to you is but a simple one. I will love you today and everyday that follows until the end of time. With the passing of every minute, my love grows...

Exchange of Rings

(Groom/Bride)___________, this ring is the token of my love.
I marry you with this ring,...

Special Music or Reading

Optional Wedding Tradition

Wedding Blessing

May you always have, Hope enough to keep sunshine in your love. Fear enough to keep you holding hands in the dark. Unity enough to keep your roots entwined. Separation enough to keep...

Pronouncement

(Groom & Bride)___________, now that you have shared with each other these words of love and commitment, and we have witnessed the expression of your love... I pronounce you husband and wife.

The Kiss

Presentation

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, (Mr. and Mrs.)__________________.

Blended Family Ceremony

Welcome

On behalf of (Groom & Bride)________, I would like to thank all of you for being here to share in this special day... Today, we are also witnessing the beginning of a new family which includes (Children)_________.

Opening Prayer/Blessing

Consent

So, (Groom, Bride, & Children)_______________ are you all ready to make a commitment to this marriage and to this new family that is beginning today?

Address and Readings

Today a new chapter is being written in your lives...

Happy Home Recipe — by Carol Sage

(Or other selected poem or reading)

Wedding Vows

I love you (Groom/Bride)____________, and I love (Children)_____________ [as my very own]. Today, as we become husband and wife, we also will become a family...

Exchange of Rings

(Groom/Bride)___________, as I place this ring on your finger,
may it always remind you of my never-ending love,...

Celebration of the New Family

(The children shall come forward and form a circle with the Bride and Groom while the Bride and Groom read vows to the children)...

Presentation of Gifts to the Children

Just as (Groom & Bride)____________ gave each other rings as symbols of their love and commitment to one another, they also would like to present (Children) with a gift...

Special Music or Reading

Wedding Prayer/Blessing

May God bless this marriage and family as you create a new home together. A family is a circle of strength and love...

Pronouncement

(Groom & Bride)___________, because you have committed yourselves to each other and to these children,... I now pronounce you husband and wife and family.

The Kiss

Presentation

It is my privilege to introduce to you to the ______________ family.

Commitment Ceremony

Welcome

We are here today to celebrate the miracle of love. (Groom & Bride)________ have found that miracle in each other,...

Consent

Are both of you willing to give your hand to the one whose heart you hold as committed partners for as long as you both...

Address and Readings

Today you are taking into your care and trust the happiness of the one person in this world whom you love with all your heart. And you are giving yourself, your life, and your love, into the hands of the one who love you with all their heart...

Love — by Ray Croft

(Or other selected poem or reading)

Wedding Vows

(Groom/Bride)____________, I take you to be my committed partner in life
I promise to walk by your side forever,
and to love, help, and encourage you
...

Exchange of Rings

(Groom/Bride)___________, I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end,
neither shall my love for you.
...

Special Music or Reading

Optional Wedding Tradition

Wedding Blessing

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, ...

Pronouncement

(Groom & Bride)___________, because you have committed yourselves to each other and demonstrated this by exchanging your vows and giving each other rings, what you desire has come to pass.

The Kiss

Presentation

I present to you this committed couple, (Groom & Bride)_______________.

Vow Renewal Ceremony

Welcome

Friends and family of (Couple's names)____________, today, we have come together to bear witness to the fact that real love, true love, is something so pure and so powerful that it can endure the challenges of life and withstand the tests of time...

Consent

(Couple's names)____________, is it your heart's desire to publicly recommit yourselves to each other in marriage and to renew your vows of faithfulness and love?
(Both answer): Yes...

Address and Readings

What is it about this institution of marriage that would make us want to do it all over again? It may be true that marriages are made in heaven, but man is responsible for the maintenance. You two have made your marriage the most important thing on earth, and you have made each other the most important person in your life. When you first were married, you thought you knew what love was. But as you look back on all your years together, you realize now that your love at its beginning, although real and true, was only a shallow imitation of the love you have for each other today...

Wedding Vows

(Your original vows may be used here or you may personalize your own reaffirmation vows.)

Exchange of Rings

May I have the token of Husband's/Wife's _________ love for Wife/Husband_________?
Husband/Wife___________ please repeat after me.
Bride/Groom___________, you are more precious to me today than yesterday.
and you will be more cherished tomorrow than you are today...

Optional Wedding Tradition

Lighting of the Unity Candle or other Family Tradition

Wedding Blessing

May all that you are, always be in love; and may all that is love, always be in you. May your love be as beautiful on each day your share as it is on this day of celebration. And may each day...

Pronouncement

Husband/Wife___________, as you stand before us after ___ years of marriage, we see a love that is pure, a love that is priceless, and a love that is permanent...

Kiss

Groom___________________, you may kiss your Bride.

Presentation

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to present to you for the second time, Mr. and Mrs. _________________________.