"You May Now Kiss the Bride..."

Traditional Wedding Ceremonies around the World

             Below, are the wedding vows we typically here when  we attend weddings.  But have we ever thought about if there are other types of vows, or other traditions then our own.  What do people wear in other countries?  Is the music the same?  Do we wear the same things?  hen we hear or think of the wedding, we think of the bride wearing a white wedding dress and the groom to be wearing a black suit.  Have we ever thought that this isn't the only way to celebrate weddings.  Uganda, Japan, and Scotland are just some of the few countries that could or could not celebrate weddings the same way we do.  We're going to take a trip around the word visiting these countries and exploring how they celebrate their weddings...Looking at our differences and similarities...
  Dearly beloved,

We are gathered here today, in the presence of God

and in the face of family and friends, to join together  this man And this woman in

Holy Matrimony, which is an honorable estate

instituted of God, since the first man and the first woman

walked on the earth.  Therefore, it is not to be entered into

unadvisedly, or lightly, but reverently and soberly.

Into this Holy Estate there two persons present

now come to be joined.

 

If any of you can show just cause why they may not be Married, speak now, or else for ever hold your peace.

 

Who gives this woman to be married today?
 (I do..Then the bride walks forward)

 

I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God,

That if you know any reason why you may not be united in Marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God’s Word,

You do now confess it.

 

LET US PRAY:

Dear Lord, we ask your blessing for our bride and groom
on this day of matrimony.

We pray that the sacred commitments of this day will
sustain them throughout their lives.

May the love that binds them, be strong and lasting, and
may their hearts be filled patience and understanding
for one another.

May they be blessed with health, courage, and good fortune,
as their love and friendship deepens through the
months and years of their lives.

We pray that they find peace together.

**PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS:

LIST NAMES HERE....

And all of your friends that have gone to their reward,
although not here with us, their spirit smiles down on this
happy couple as they prepare to marry.

**

As ___________and ___________ stand before us, willing
and able to commit to each other for a lifetime. we realize that
marriage symbolizes the love and harmony that transcends
everything in the universe.

May we be encourages, to find the spiritual qualities that
bring us all closer to one another, so the we may learn to
truly love and respect each other, all the days of our lives. AMEN

 

This is the day you have chosen to become husband and wife.

We are here,
not only to witness your commitment to each other,

but also to wish you every happiness in your future life together.

 

Within its framework of commitment,
and loyalty,

marriage enables the establishment of a home,

where through trust, ----- patience and respect,

the love and affection, which you have for each other

may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.

 

We, who are witnessing your marriage,

 hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life,

your Love, Respect for each other, and

your trust and understanding of each other will increase

your contentment, and heighten your joy in living.

 

DECLARATION OF CONSENT

(Addressing the groom):

 

_______, do you take _________

for your lawful wedded wife,

to live together  after God’s ordinance,

in the Holy estate of matrimony?

Will you love,   honor,    comfort,

And cherish her,

From this day forward,

Forsaking all others,

Keeping only unto her,  for as

Long as you both shall live?

GROOM: I DO.

 

(Addressing the bride):

______, do you take  _______,

For your lawful wedded husband,

To live together after God’s ordinance,

In the holy estate of matrimony?

Will you love,    honor,    comfort,

And cherish him,

From this day forward,

Forsaking all others,

Keeping only unto him,

For as long as you both shall live?

BRIDE: I DO.

 

Now let us pray as Jesus has taught us:

Our Father.....

 

 

Your response should be   WE WILL

 

Will all of you witnessing these promises do

All in your power to uphold these two persons

In their marriage ?

(People…We Will.)

 

THE LORD BE WITH YOU (and also with you)

Let Us Pray.

O gracious and ever-loving God,  you have created male

And female in your image:    Look mercifully upon this

Man and this woman who come to you seeking your

Blessing,  and assist them with your grace,  that with

True fidelity, and steadfast love, they may honor and keep

The promises and vows they make:     Thru Jesus Christ our

Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the

Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.   AMEN.

 

 

 

3 READINGS (by friends, family or minister):

What is love?
What is the key to love?


The Art of Marriage

 

Let us pray for this man and woman as they make
their marriage vows.

Father, as _________ and ________ have chosen each other,

help them and bless them, that their love may be pure,

and their vows may be true, thru Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

 

VOWS

***Take each others hands.***

Repeat after me….

(Addressing the groom who repeats the marriage vows):

I _______

Take thee ________

To be my wedded wife.

To have and to hold,

From this day forward,

For better or  for worse,

For richer or for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

To love, honor, and cherish,

'Till death do us part,

I DO

 

(Then to the bride):

I _______

Take thee_______

To be my wedded husband,

To have and to hold,

From this day forward,

For better or for worse,

For richer or for poorer,

In sickness and in health,

To love, honor, and cherish,

'Til death do us part,

I DO

 

 

GET BRIDES RING FROM THE BEST MAN

MINISTER (Praying over brides ring):

LORD, bless this ring,

That HE who gives it,

and SHE who wears it,

may abide in your peace,

and continue in your favor,

until life’s end,

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

AMEN.

 

GROOM (Placing ring on bride's finger): Repeat after me…

With this ring  -  I thee wed.

Wear it as a symbol,

Of our love  -  and commitment.

 

 

Lord, Bless this ring,

That SHE who gives it,

And HE who wears it,

May abide in your peace,

And continue in your favor,

Until life’s end,

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.     AMEN.

 

BRIDE (Placing ring on groom's finger):

With this ring,

I thee wed.

Wear it as a symbol,

Of our love.

And commitment.

 

 

****Play The Wedding Song****

***Unity Candle*** Or Wine or Sand Ceremony

 

LET US PRAY:

 

Father, we pray for all married persons,

that they may continue to give, be able to forgive,

and experience more and more, the joy of the Lord with

each passing day. And, especially for __________&_________

now beginning their married life together. May they have

divine assistance, the constant support of family and friends,

and I good life with good health.

May your fullest blessing come upon _________ and her

husband__________, forward, for ever and ever. AMEN

 

BLESSING OF THE HANDS
(Bride and groom join 4 hands)


LET US PRAY:

God, bless these hands that you see before you on this day.

May they always be held by one another.

Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress, and

the dark of disillusionment.

Keep then tender, and gentle, as they nurture each other

in their wondrous love.

Help these hands to continue building a relationship,

founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in

reaching for your perfection.

May ________&_________ see their fore hands, as healer,

protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name. Amen

Those whom God as joined together, leo NO man put asunder.

 

 

LET US PRAY:

Mau Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, always be at the center

of the new lives you are now starting to build. That you may

know the ways of true love and kindness.  May the Lord bless

you both, all the days of your lives, and fill you with his joy.

 

 

Father, Grant that all married persons who have witnessed these

Vows, may find their lives strengthened and their loyalties

Confirmed.

Most gracious God, we give you thanks for your tender

Love, in sending Jesus Christ to come among us,

To be born of a human mother, and to make the way of

The cross to be the way of life.    We thank you, also, for

Consecrating the union of man and woman in His name.

By the power of the Holy Spirit, pour out the abundance

Of your blessing upon this man and this woman.

Defend them from every enemy.  Lead them into all peace.

Let their love for each other be a seal upon their hearts,

A mantle about their shoulders, and a crown upon their

Foreheads.  Bless them in their work and in their

Companionship:  in their sleeping and in their walking.

And in their joy and in their sorrows:

In their life and in their death.

 

 

Finally, in your mercy,  bring them to that table where your

Saints feast for ever in your heavenly home:

Thru Jesus Christ our Lord,

Who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,

One God, for ever and ever.  AMEN

 

God the Father,  God the Son, God the Holy Spirit,

Bless, Preserve, and keep you:  The Lord mercifully

With His favor look upon you,  and fill you with all

Spiritual benediction and grace:  that you may faithfully

Live together in this life, and in the age to come have

Life everlasting.   AMEN

 

Now that _____________ and ____________

Have given themselves to each other by solemn vows,

And the joining of hands, and the giving and receiving

Of rings, I pronounce they are husband and wife,

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of

The Holy Spirit.

AMEN

 

May I present to you Mr. & Mrs.___________________.(1)