MARRIAGE CEREMONY
(with gospel invitation)

After the bride joins the groom at the front of the assembly of people,
DO NOT FORGET to tell the people to sit down.

PLEASE BE SEATED

We are assembled together in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to join in holy matrimony ______________ and ______________.

It is therefore fitting and necessary for me to remind you that marriage is a divine institution designed by God for the orderly function of the human race and the fulfillment of great human happiness.

It was established in the garden of Eden and honored by Christ in all His teachings. For the one who has trusted in Christ as his personal savior, marriage is symbolic of the union that exists between Christ and His church, and the bible declares that marriage is honorable for all.

Marriage should be viewed as a permanent relationship, and accordingly, it should be entered into by serious resolve and guidance from the Lord.

God has instructed that those who enter this relationship, should be ever alert to encourage each other as heirs together of the grace of life. This is possible only as the word of God and the will of God are put first in every area of life.

At this time therefore, our best wishes and our prayers are extended to

_________________ and ________________ as a new chapter in God's awesome plan for them unfolds.

The word of God has some very timely information concerning marriage.

Yahweh God said, it is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make for him a partner designed just for him.
So Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man and he slept.
Then God took out one of his ribs and sealed up the flesh.
And the rib which he had taken from the man, Yahweh God fashioned into a woman and brought her to the man. And the man said, this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ISHAH because she was taken out of ISH. For this cause, a man shall leave his father and mother and cling unto his wife and the two of them shall become a one flesh union.

Wives, be responsive to the authority of your own husbands, as to the Lord. Not with emphasis on external things, but emphasize the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible qualities of humility and contentment, which in the sight of God is of greatest value.

For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, He himself being the savior of the body.

A wife of integrity, who can find?
For her value is far above pearls.
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, a woman who trust in Yahweh,
she shall be praised.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. So husbands ought also to love their wife as their own body. He who loves his wife, nourishes and cherishes her, just as Christ does the church. So live with the wife according to the standard of knowledge, as with a weaker vessel, granting honor to the woman as joint heirs of the grace of life.

Today marks the time when, because of God's grace, the lives of these two become one life. And yet of even greater magnitude is the fact that __________ and ___________ each have a personal relationship with the God of the universe, Jesus Christ, and with that relationship, the confidence of everlasting life with Him.

And since marriage symbolizes the uniqueness of that relationship with God, it is only proper to extend that happiness in Christ to all who are assembled here today.

God's word teaches, and the reality of human life evidences a sinfulness and sorrow in all people that has as its ultimate and eternal penalty, separation from God. But God sent Jesus Christ into the world to take upon himself that penalty so that whoever trusts in Him will be delivered from that sinfulness and be given life with God for all eternity. To share in this life, all you need to do is trust that Jesus died for you and trust that by believing in Him, you receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

_________________ and ______________ want anyone who is not a believer in Jesus Christ, to trust in Him right now. In the privacy of your own soul, just recognize that you are in need of God's provision and accept Jesus as your savior; just trust in the fact that He died for you, and you shall be saved.

And now _______________ and ______________

You are being graced with another blessing from God - and it is well that you keep in mind the new responsibilities you both are embracing.

(Grooms name) , you are aware of the value of being the head of your home according to God's standards, and that marriage is not a master/slave relationship, but a partnership of mutual involvement, trust, benefit and happiness, as the practice of initiation and response is properly observed.

(Grooms name) , you are the protector and the stabilizer of ________________, your right woman - and she depends on your strength, stability and protection.

As you succeed (Grooms name) , she succeeds;
As you gain strength, she gains strength;
As you maintain stability and objectivity,
she will reflect peace and contentment.
But there is sorrow in life - disappointment, argument, heartache -
and she will respond to those things under the umbrella of your integrity.
How you handle these times will determine the stability of your marriage.

The plan of God guarantees that His grace is sufficient; that He works all things together for good; and that He will meet all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. Only God's moral and spiritual standards combined with a consistent spirit-filled life, will produce maximum stability and happiness for you both. Cultivate sensitivity, patience and kindness as a reflection of Christ's character, for this is true masculinity.

(Bride) , as the responder, your life is most simple and beautiful. I challenge you to arrange your life according to these priorities: put the word of God first in every situation; maintain that biblical respect and response to ___________________, your right man.

Manage your home under his direction, and rest under the umbrella of his integrity while practicing consistency in prayer.
(Bride) , make ______________ your hero, just as he is indeed your right man. Sink your interests, your dreams, your happiness into his at all times. Support him as his God-given helper and partner. You will be happiest when the two of you are united in one purpose. Cultivate that inner beauty, which is the reflection of the character of Christ, for this is the standard of true femininity.

Therefore _____________ and ___________, with humility and understanding, be careful to work toward building each other up and not tearing each other down. Use the standards of God's word to make your decisions in life, always putting Him first, and true happiness will be yours as God's plan for you continues.

If therefore, it is your desire to be united in this honorable bond, signify so by joining hands.

(groom) , will you take __________ whose hands you hold, to be your lawfully wedded wife. And will you promise in reverence before God and in the presence of these witnesses, to love, honor and protect her through sunshine and shadow alike, keeping yourself unto her alone?

(Response -- I will)

(bride) , will you take _______, whose hands you hold to be your lawfully wedded husband. Will you promise in reverence before God and in the presence of these witnesses, to love, honor and respect him in sunshine and shadow alike, keeping yourself unto him alone?

(Response -- I will)

(groom) , will you repeat after me these vows.

I ____________ take you _____________
to be my chosen wife,
to have and to hold from this day forward;
in joy and in sadness;
in prosperity and in adversity;
To love and to respect throughout all our life
according to God's holy will.
And thereto I entrust to you my faithfulness.

And (bride) , will you repeat after me these vows.

I ____________, take you ____________
to be my chosen husband.
To have and to hold from this day forward;
in joy and in sadness;
in prosperity and in adversity;
To love and respect throughout all our life
according to God's holy will.
And thereto I entrust to you my faithfulness.

What token is given in consideration of these vows?

(Two rings are handed to the minister)

There are two very important things symbolized by the placing of rings.

First, the rings are fashioned of a very precious metal, and to the believer, this speaks of the perfect character of Christ - that character which is the very foundation of a Christian marriage.

(groom) , will you place the ring on ____________ finger.

Also, the ring is endless in its circular structure and this represents the continuity of the marriage bond -- throughout all your life.

(bride) , will you place the ring on __________ finger.

Let us pray

PRAYER (either extemporaneous or constructed)

And now - -

In consideration of these solemn and sacred pledges,
and authorized by the state of ______________ in your license,
I now pronounce you husband and wife.

As I do this -
let me remind you that you are now ONE.
One in purpose, one in reputation, one in name.
What God has joined together, let no man part asunder.

You may kiss.

(They turn to face the guests)

Now I present to you, the family and friends,

Mr. and Mrs. _____________________________.

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İRon Wallace, http://www.biblefragrances.com. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it,
but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author's consent.

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