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To give you an idea of a formal Church Wedding, here is the Adjusted Traditional Form
of the Anglican Service as an example.
Introduction
The bride and escort (who may be the groom if you wish) proceed
to the place where the marriage will take place. They face each
other but at this stage don't usually hold hands, although these
days feel free to do what you like.
We have come together here in the sight of God, and in the presence
of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in
holy matrimony; which is an honorable state of life, instituted from
the beginning by God himself, signifying to us the spiritual union
that is possible between Christ and those who reach out to him.
Christ adorned and beautified matrimony with his presence and with
the first sign by which he revealed his glory, at the marriage in
Cana of Galilee; and holy scriptures commands that all should hold
it in honor. It is therefore not to be entered upon unadvisedly,
lightly or merely to satisfy physical desires; but prayerfully, with
careful thought, and with reverence for God, duly considering the
purposes for which it was ordained. It was ordained for the
procreation of children and that they might be brought up in the
nurture and instruction of the Lord, to the praise of his holy name.
It was ordained so that those to whom God has granted the gift of
marriage might live a chaste and holy life, as befits members of
God's beautiful creation. And it was ordained for the mutual
companionship, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the
other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into this holy manner of
life ___________ and ___________ come now to be joined. Therefore if anyone can show any
just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now
or hereafter remain silent.
The Charge
This is addressing a serious matter like bigamy. It is said quietly
to the bride and groom and should not be printed in a service sheet.
I charge you both, as you will answer before God, who is the judge
of all and from whom no secrets are hidden, that if either of you
know any reason why you may not lawfully be joined together in
matrimony, you now confess it. For be assured that those who marry
otherwise than God's word allows are not joined together by God,
neither is their matrimony lawful in his sight.
The consent
___________, will you have ___________ as your wife, to live together, as God has
ordained, in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, cherish
her, honor and protect her, in sickness and in health; and,
forsaking all others, be faithful to her, as long as you both shall
live? I will
___________, will you have ___________ as your husband, to live together, as God has
ordained, in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love him, cherish
him, honor and protect him, in sickness and in health; and,
forsaking all others, be faithful to him, as long as you both shall
live? I will
With the "giving away" the man may receive the woman's hand from
a member of the family or a friend and similarly, the woman may
receive the man's hand. Usually the father gives the bride away, but
both parents can perform this rite. You may wish to have no "giving
away". In this case the bride's escort sits down after the
processional.
Who brings this woman to be married to this man? I do (etc).
Family member may say these words.
The bride gives her flowers to her bridesmaid at this point in
the service Members of the family may add their blessing: e.g.
Members of the families of ___________ and ___________, do you give your blessing to
this marriage? We do.
The betrothal
Facing each other and usually repeating after the minister.
I ___________ take you ___________ to be my wife, according to God's holy ordinance: 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, until we are parted by death. And to this I pledge you my
word.
I ___________ take you ___________ to be my husband, according to God's holy ordinance:
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, until we are parted by death. And to this I pledge you my
word.
The exchange of rings
First the Groom give his token (ring) to the Bride, then the
Bride gives her token to the Groom.
With this ring I wed you, with my body I worship you; with all that
I am and all that I have I honor you: in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The wedding
Couple now faces the front, holding hands, with heads bowed.
Let us pray. Eternal God, preserver of all mankind, giver of all
spiritual grace and author of everlasting life: send you blessing
upon this man and this woman whom we bless in your name; that as
Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so ___________ and
___________ may surely
perform and keep the vow and covenant made between them, of which
this ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever
remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to
your laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Those whom God has joined together let not man put asunder.
The declaration
___________ and ___________ have now witnessed to their mutual consent before God and
this company; they have pledged their solemn word to each other; and
they have confirmed it by the giving and receiving of a ring and by
the joining of hands. I therefore declare them to be husband and
wife: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Spirit. 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 blessing and grace, that you may so live
together in this life, that in the world to come you may have life
everlasting. Amen.
The bride and groom kiss at this point. The bridesmaid gives back
the bride's flowers.
Interlude.
Song, Poem, Reading, Word of encouragement, etc. Optional
The Bible readings and address (5 minutes maximum)
Closing prayer
If you are printing a service sheet, always print the Lord's
Prayer in full. This part of the service can be as short or long as
you want. For example, the service could finish with just the Lord's
Prayer.
Almighty God, who by joining man and woman together taught us from
the beginning that we should not separate what you have joined as
one; we praise you that you have consecrated the state of matrimony
to such an excellent purpose that in it is signified the spiritual
marriage and unity between Christ and those who reach out to him.
Look mercifully on these your servants that this man may love his
wife, according to your word, as Christ loved broken humanity, and
gave himself up for us, cherishing us as himself; and also that this
woman may be loving and generous, responsive and faithful to her
husband. O Lord, bless them both, and grant them to inherit your
everlasting kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God the Father enrich you with his grace, God the Son make you holy
in his love, God the Holy Spirit strengthen you with his joy. The
Lord bless you and keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Signing of the register and musical interlude
The register may be signed in front of the guests or in a private
place. A soloist could perform at this point.
Recessional
The bride and the groom lead the wedding party , followed by the
parents.
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