Tradtional Ceremony and Vows from The Book of Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the use of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America; Together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David by Protestant Episcopal Church (1818)
PROCESSIONAL MUSIC BY HARPIST
MARRIAGE ADDRESS
“DEARELY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, in the time of man’s innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not to be enterprises, nor taken in handed unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, discretely, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
“Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt, thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health? And forsaking all other keep thee only to her, so long as you both shall live?”
Please answer, “I will.”
“Wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, To live together after god’s ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health? and forsaking all other keep thee only unto him, so long as you both shall live?”
Please answer, “I will.”
EXCHANGE OF VOWS
Groom Please Repeat after Me
“I [Groom], take thee [Bride], to my wedded wife, 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 depart, according to goddess holy ordinance: And thereto I plight thee my troth.”
Bride Please Repeat after Me
“I [Bride], take thee [Groom] to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us depart, according to god’s holy ordinance: And thereto I give thee my troth.”
HARPEST PLAYS IRISH FOLKSONG
EXCHANGE OF THE RINGS
Your wedding rings shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other.”
Let us pray: By these symbols, Gracious God, remind Jane and John of your encircling love and unending faithfulness that in all their life together they may know joy and peace in one another. Bless these rings that will bind them in marriage. May they live forever in your peace, and continue in your favor united as one. AMEN
Groom places ring halfway up the bride’s hand
“With this ring I thee wed: with my body I thee worship: and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy ghost. Amen.”
Groom places the rign all the way up the bride’s finger
As by these rings you symbolize your marriage bond, May their meaning sink deep into your hearts and bind your lives together by devotion and faithfulness to one another. In mutual self-consecration and in ever-deepening love for each other may you build a marriage filled with faith, truth, trust, love and goodness.
THE HAND-TYING CEREMONY
“These are the hands of your partner full of love, holding your hands as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will hold you and comfort you in grief and uncertainty. These are the hands that will hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength. And these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”
“With this cord I bind you to the vows that each of you make to the other. In the joining of hands and the fashion of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another. With the fashioning of this knot, this shall symbolize your commitment and forevermore bond you to each other.”
“As your hands are bound by this cord, so is your partnership held by the symbol of this knot. Two entwined in love, bound by your loving commitment one to the other; in sadness and joy, though challenges and victory, disagreement and reconciliation, all of which will bring strength and health to this union through the days and years to come. May this knot remain tied now and forever more.”
THE ROSE CEREMONY
“You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman – the title of “husband” and “wife.” The rose is considered a symbol of love and means “I love you.” So it is appropriate that for your first gift – as husband and wife – that gift would be roses to represent your promise and devotion to one another.”
“The Red rose symbolizes Sacrifice, Immortal love, and Passion.
The Pink rose symbolizes Gratitude, Sincerity, Admiration, and Joy.
The Yellow rose symbolizes Friendship, Care, and Mature love.”
“Bride and Groom, I would ask that wherever you make your home that you both pick one very special location for these roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may choose a rose and both recommitment to your marriage – and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.”
“In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult sometimes to say the words “I am sorry” or “I forgive you”; “I need you” or “I am hurting.” If this should happen, if you simply cannot find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected – for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words.”
“These roses say the words: “I still love you.” The other should accept that rose for the words which cannot be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.”
“Bride and Groom, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.”
PRAYER BY OFFICIANT
The Prayer by St. Francis of Assisi
“Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, Grant that we may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen”
“I wish to bestow this Traditional Irish Blessing in honor of this couple:
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
May God be with you and bless you
May you see your children’s children
May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in Blessings
May you know nothing but happiness
from this day forward
May green be the grass you walk on
May blue be the skies above you,
And from this day forward.
May the joys of today
Be those of tomorrow.”
“Those whom god hath joined together, let no man put asunder.”
PRONOUNCEMENT
“FOR AS MUCH as Bride and Groom have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and there to have given and pledged their troth either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands: I pronounce that they be man and wife together. In the name of the father, of the son, and of the holy ghost. Amen.”
“By the authority vested in me by the Commonwealth of Virginia, I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may kiss your Bride!”
RECESSIONAL SONG BY HARPIST
