Wedding Ceremony #1
WELCOME & INTRODUCTION
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. You may be seated.
As we begin, the bride and groom have requested that you silence your cell phones and set them aside. If you don’t mind, please leave the photography to the professional staff today and simply enjoy the ceremony fully present in the moment.
Again, welcome, and thank you for joining us as we’ve gathered to witness the sacred union of (grooms name) and (brides name) in marriage. As you know, marriage is so much more than just a legal contract it’s a divine covenant, first established by God at creation and later reaffirmed by Jesus in the New Testament. It is a sacred union between a man and a woman, designed by God to reflect His love, His faithfulness, and His divine purpose. In that sense, marriage is a gift one to be recognized, honored, and celebrated.
So as we begin, would you join me in prayer and lets ask God to bless both this wedding ceremony and the marriage that will follow.
OPENING PRAYER
Would you join me in prayer?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of marriage and for bringing (grooms name) and (brides name) together. This is a holy moment, and we welcome Your presence here. We ask that Your Spirit fill this place and guide them not just today, but every day of their life together. Let this be a moment they’ll always remember the start of a life filled with love, joy and the confidence that You are with them every step of the way. In Jesus name, Amen.
GIVING OF THE BRIDE
Let me begin by asking one of the most important questions of the day:
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?
(Response: Her mother and I.)CHARGE TO THE COUPLE
(Couple faces the officiant.)
(Grooms name) and (brides name), as you prepare to make your vows, I want to remind you love isn’t just a feeling. Its a decision. In fact, its a thousand daily decisions. Its choosing, again and again, to put each other first to act in ways that reflect patience, kindness, humility, and grace.
The Bible describes love this way:
“Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud or rude or self-seeking. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”
What you’re doing today is powerful but it’s just the beginning. Because a lasting marriage isn’t built in a moment; it’s built in the day-by-day choice to live out this promise of love.
Today, you’ll vow to give yourselves fully to one another not just in the easy moments, but also when things get hard. Whatever life brings, you’re choosing to stand together and stay together through every season, every joy, and every challenge for as long as you both shall live.
SCRIPTURE READING
Theres a beautiful passage of scripture that speaks to marriage. Its found in Colossians 3 and says:
“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14
WEDDING HOMILY
(Grooms name) and (brides name), what a joy and honor it is to stand with you today.
As you enter into this covenant of marriage, know that you are not just committing to love one another you are inviting God to weave your lives together in a way that reflects His grace and strength. Marriage is not just about shared romance or companionship it’s about building something that lasts. It’s about a sacred bond that grows stronger over time, shaped by sacrifice, commitment, and trust.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 offers this powerful truth:
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor… If either falls, the other can help them up… Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
This verse reminds us that while human love is meaningful, it becomes unbreakable when God is the third strand. When Christ is the foundation of your marriage, you have access to divine strength for the trials and triumphs that lie ahead.
There will be moments when life feels light and beautiful when dreams come true, and laughter fills your home. But there will also be days that test you. Disappointments will come. Tensions may rise. There will be decisions you don’t agree on, seasons that stretch your patience, and challenges that feel bigger than your resources. And in those moments, you will be tempted to pull away. But instead, lean into God. Lean into each other.
Because love, real love, is not about perfection. It’s about perseverance. It’s about choosing to serve when its hard, forgive when its undeserved, and speak words of life when silence would be easier. Its about remembering that the vows you are making today aren’t just pretty words they’re promises that will guide you through everything tomorrow holds.
So walk together in humility.
Serve each other with joy.
Forgive quickly.
Pray daily.
Encourage one another with truth and grace.
And never forget the greatest love you’ll ever know is the love Christ has shown you.
Let your marriage be a reflection of that love to each other and to the world.
DECLARATION OF INTENT
Let me ask you now:
(Grooms name), do you take (brides name) to be your wedded wife to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
(Groom): I do.(Brides name), do you take (grooms name) to be your wedded husband to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
(Bride): I do.
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
Please turn and face one another (join hands).
(Grooms name), look at (brides name) and repeat after me:
Today I give you my heart. I promise to love you faithfully,
To honor you deeply, and to laugh with you freely.
I will celebrate your joys and comfort you in sorrow.
I will pray with you, grow with you,
And pursue Christ with you.
Always putting Him at the center of our home.
(Brides name), look at (grooms name) and repeat after me:
Today I give you my heart. I promise to love you faithfully,
To honor you deeply, and to laugh with you freely.
I will celebrate your joys and comfort you in sorrow.
I will pray with you, grow with you,
And pursue Christ with you.
Always putting Him at the center of our home.
COMMUNION
As (grooms name) and (brides name) proclaim their love and commitment to one another, they have also chosen to proclaim their love and commitment to the Lord. As an act of faith, they’ve chosen to begin their life together by sharing in communion.
At this time, we invite you to give them a few moments to do this privately.
(Privately lead the couple in communion)
Communion is a reminder of Christs love and sacrifice. As you take this bread and this cup, you are remembering what Jesus has done and inviting Him to remain at the center of your life together.
The bread represents His body, broken for you. The cup represents His blood, poured out for your salvation. In the same way that Christ gave Himself fully for you, you now give yourselves fully to one another. Take, eat, and drink remembering His covenant with you and the covenant you make with each other. May your love always reflect His.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
Every covenant has a symbol something to remind you of the promises you’ve made.
(Grooms name) and (brides name) have chosen rings as that symbol.
May I have the rings, please?
These rings are a visible reminder not just to you, but to everyone that your hearts belong to each other, and your lives are now joined together.
(Grooms name), place this ring on the fourth finger of (brides name)s left hand and repeat after me:
I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. With all that I am, and all that I have, I promise to honor you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
(Brides name), place this ring on the fourth finger of (grooms name)s left hand and repeat after me:
I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. With all that I am, and all that I have, I promise to honor you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER
Would you join me again in prayer?
Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day and for the love You’ve given (grooms name) and (brides name). Thank You for bringing them together and for the sacred bond they now share.
May their love reflect Yours faithful, patient, and enduring. Bind their hearts together, and let their commitment deepen with each passing day. Bless their marriage, their home, and the journey ahead. May Your presence always remain at the center of their lives. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
PRONOUNCEMENT AND BLESSING
(Grooms name) and (brides name), having exchanged your vows and entered into the covenant of marriage by the authority vested in me as a minister of the gospel, and the State of South CarolinaI now pronounce you husband and wife!
What God has joined together, let no one separate.
(Grooms name), you may kiss your bride!
PRESENTATION OF THE COUPLE
It is my great honor to present to you for the very first time:
Mr. and Mrs. (grooms full name)!
*(Insert reception directions or closing announcements here as needed.)*