Convocation
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, in the face of this congregation, and these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. We, their families and friends, form a community of love, that together we may support and encourage them with our abundance of prayers and blessings on this day and for all of their lives.
Invocation
“Please pray with me:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in May God’s love and light bless each of you, ____ & ____ and all of those that are presnet here today. Please God,watch over us this day and bless us with your wondrous love.
We ask you to shine your blessings upon _____ and _____ as they stand here before you with joined hands and open hearts, as they begin their new life together in marriage. Grant them your grace and love, oh Lord, that they may always find compassion, love, happiness and understanding for each other and that, God, is for us all, our source and sustenance. Amen.
Reading from the Book of Psalms
Blessed are the man and the woman
who have grown beyond themselves
and have seen through their separations.
They delight in the way things are
and keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither,
Everything they do will succeed
— The book of Psalms, adapted by Stephan Mitchell
Address
“____ & ____ , today you create the blessed continuation of a beautiful
love story and make firmer the foundation of your commitment to each
other. No matter what life may bring, whether it is the wonderful sounds
of laughter, or children, or the challenges of hardship, your loves
strength will allow you to walk this walk called life, hand in hand,
committed as husband and wife.
It is the beauty and power of Marriage. Let your arms be safe haven for
each of you to come home to every day. Provide a kind and open ear to
all that you both have to say. Use kind and gentle words when you
speak.
Be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Cherish each other, and life will
feel like a gift. Even in the bad times, especially then, for the storms of
life will come and go. It is then that these tools will be manifest for
solving these difficulties. And they will remain through all storms. But,
will also give way to blue skies and rainbows.
Put this marriage where you keep your most sacred things: in your heart.
And it will feed and sustain you. For beauty and youth will fade away;
money comes and goes; but your love is irreplaceable. When you are in
love, you inhabit the sacred world of the divine and eternal.
Declaration of Intent
“The covenant of marriage is sacred and is not to be entered into lightly,
but, reverently, advisedly and soberly. Into this holy estate ____ & ____
come to be joined. It is your desire now to continue in this union and do
you solemnly promise that the vows you are about to take reflect your
true, and inner feelings?
“Yes.”
Vows
“In the name of God, I, Do you _______ take _______ to be your
beloved wife, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to
be at your side in sorrow and in joy; to suffer with you and to be
delivered through whatever life offers you and to love and cherish you
always. Do you promise her your heart and your soul for all the days of
your lives?”
“I do.”
“In the name of God, I, Do you _______ take _______ to be your
beloved husband, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure
you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy; to suffer with you and to be
delivered through whatever life offers you and to love and cherish you
always. Do you promise him your heart and your soul for all the days of
your lives?”
“I do.”
Rings
“I bless these rings with this prayer; Lord consecrate ____ & ____ in
their love for each other and place your presence within these rings that
they are a reminder of their love, for each other and you, dear Lord.”
“These rings you are about to exchange are the permanent reminder and
sign of all that is created in this union today. Wear them as a continuous
symbol of your love. As you place the wedding ring on each others’
hands, may it not only remind you of the endless love you possess for
one another, but may it also be a reminder of the precious gift God has
given you to make you complete.”
Bride and groom exchange rings saying
“I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness, In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.'
Consecration
"God, I consecrate this union in your name and ask that your loving grace enfold these two with your blessings. May every desire they have for their love be fulfilled and may they be given the vision with which to clearly hold to one another and the endless generosity to nourish each of their souls."
Sign of Peace
"In the spirit of love and unity, the bride and groom have asked that we pass the sign of peace. Simply offer a handshake to your neighbor, with the words “Peace be with you.” If you feel so inspired, a hug would be appropriate as well.”
Pronouncement
"Almighty God, that has blessed these two, it is with your grace and tender love that this union is consecrated. With the power that is vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. And, as the kiss is the messenger of the soul, allow your souls to meet with this kiss."- Roman Catholic Nuptial Blessing:
Benediction:
May almighty God, with his word of blessing, unite your hearts in the
never-ending bond of pure love.
May your children bring you happiness, and may your generous love for
them be returned to you, many times over.
May the peace of God live always in your hearts and in your home.
May you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow.
May you be ready and willing to help and comfort
all who come to you in need.
And may the blessings promised to the compassionate be yours in
abundance.
May you find happiness and satisfaction in your work.
May daily problems never cause you undue anxiety, nor the desire for
earthly possessions dominate your lives.
But may your hearts' first desire be always the good things waiting for
you in the life of heaven.
May the Lord bless you with many happy years together, so that you may
enjoy the rewards of a good life.
And after you have served him loyally in his kingdom on earth, may he
welcome you to his eternal kingdom in heaven.
Amen.