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YOUR CHURCH WEDDING
The Marriage Service
Pastoral
Introduction
This may be read
by those present before the service begins.
A wedding is one of life's great moments, a time of solemn commitment as well
as good wishes, feasting and joy. St John
tells us how Jesus shared in such an occasion at Cana,
and gave there a sign of new beginnings as he turned water into wine.
Marriage is intended by God to be a creative relationship, as his blessing
enables husband and wife to love and support each other in good times and in
bad, and to share in the care and upbringing of children. For Christians,
marriage is also an invitation to share life together in the spirit of Jesus
Christ. It is based upon a solemn, public and life-long covenant between a
man and a woman, declared and celebrated in the presence of God and before
witnesses.
On this their wedding day the bride and bridegroom face each other, make
their promises and receive God's blessing. You are witnesses of the marriage,
and express your support by your presence and your prayers. Your support does
not end today: the couple will value continued encouragement in the days and
years ahead of them.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or
rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or
resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the
truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things. 1 Corinthians 13.4-7
Traditional Wedding Service
Beginning the service
Traditionally, the bride and groom enter the church separately
- the groom first with the best man, and the bride at the time set for the
start of the service, on the arm of her father or another relative or friend
(it does not need to be a man). However, the bride may enter alone if she
wishes, or the couple may enter together.
The minister will welcome the congregation. Your family and friends have an
important role to play as witnesses and supporters of your marriage.
The minister will read an introduction explaining what Christians believe
about marriage. He or she will also ask, as the law requires, if anyone knows
any reason why the marriage may not lawfully take place.
Declarations
You will be asked to promise before God, your friends and your families,
that you will love, comfort, honour and protect your partner and be faithful
to them as long as you both shall live.
The minister will also ask the congregation to declare that they will support
and uphold your marriage.
Vows
Turning to each other, the bride and groom take each
other's right hand and make vows:
'to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part'
Rings
The couple then exchange a ring or rings as a 'sign of their marriage'
and a reminder of the vows:
'With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.'
Proclamation
The minister will then declare that you are now husband
and wife. The minister does not 'marry you'; you marry each other. The
minister just directs you in this and then tells everyone that you have done
it properly.
Prayers
In the prayers God's blessing and help is asked for you. There may be a
prayer for the gift of children, but every couple will have their own
feelings about this, so it's best to discuss the details with your minister.
You may wish to help choose the prayers or to write your own.
Readings
and talk or sermon
It is usual to have one or more readings (one of which should be from the
Bible) and the minister will generally give a talk or sermon.
Signing of the register
After you have exchanged your vows, the bride, groom and two witnesses
must sign the register. This is a legal requirement and the minister will
give you a copy of the marriage certificate
Example of the Order of Service for a Wedding
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