| Ceremony Scripts |
| Lori Erwin-Johnson Spiritual Awakenings Center Wedding Officiant ~ Celebrant |
| (253) 534-9695 |
Basic Civil-Type Vows (4-5min)
We are gathered here today to witness the union of (Bride & Groom) in marriage.
Those who enter into this relationship must honor their vows and be faithful to each other in
all circumstances: whether in sickness or health, sorrow or joy, in poverty and prosperity.
Will you (Bride), accept (groom) as your husband, joining with him today in Spirit; offering
your friendship and loving-kindness; honoring his growth and freedom as well as your own;
cherishing and respecting him, loving and embracing him in times of adversity as well as
times of joy?
If so answer, “I will.”
Will you (Groom), accept (bride) as your wife, joining with her today in Spirit; offering your
friendship and loving-kindness; honoring her growth and freedom as well as your own;
cherishing and respecting her, loving and embracing her in times of adversity as well as
times of joy?
If so answer, “I will.”
You may now exchange rings:
(Groom), as you place the ring on (bride)’s finger, repeat after me; “I, (Groom), take you
(Bride), to be my 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 and to cherish always.”
(Bride), as you place the ring on (Groom)’s finger, repeat after me; “I, (bride), take you
(Groom), to be my 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 and to cherish always.”
May the love and joy you both feel today continue forever.
And now, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss your bride.
Contemporary Wedding Ceremony
(This wedding ceremony has some original parts and some traditionally-worded parts)
OPENING STATEMENT
Dearly Beloved: We are gathered here together, in the presence of God and of this
company, so that (Groom) and (Bride) may be united in holy matrimony. We are here to
celebrate and share in the glorious act by which their love for one another is converted into
the holy and sacred bonds of marriage.
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
In First Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-8 the Bible describes love stating that “Love is
patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always
perseveres. Love never fails....”
This kind of love enriches each part of life, and marriage enriches love. Two lives, shared
with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone.
MARRIAGE VOWS
Face each other and hold hands.
(Groom), do you take (Bride) to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in marriage?
Do you promise to love, honor and cherish her, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in
sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to be faithful only to her as long as you both
shall live?
(Groom)
I do.
(Bride), do you take (Groom) to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in
marriage? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish him, for better or worse, for richer or
poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to be faithful only to him as long as
you both shall live?
(Bride)
I do.
(Groom), please repeat after me:
I, (Groom), take thee, (Bride),
to be my wife and my one true love
I will cherish our friendship
and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully.
What may come, I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep.
I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.
(Bride), please repeat after me:
I, (Bride), take thee, (Groom),
to be my husband and my one true love
I will cherish our friendship
and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully.
What may come, I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep.
I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.
PRAYER & BLESSING
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Spirit, we present to You (Groom) and (Bride), who come this day to be
married. May the promise of love they make be blessed with true love, devotion and
commitment. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation,
give them strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness; if
suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love. Give
them Your grace and guidance that they may loyally fulfill the vows they have taken. May
Your joy abide with them always, that they may be a blessing to each other, and to those
around them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
May I have the Rings?
It is customary to exchange rings as a symbol of love. The wedding ring is the outward and
visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It
is a seal of the vows these two have made to one another. As the rings have no end so
your love should have no end. As the rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should
your marriage have purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of this
moment and the endless love you promised.
(Groom), please place the ring on (Bride)’s hand and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows,
with all that I am
and all that I have,
I honor you.
With this ring I thee wed.
(Bride), please place the ring on (Groom)’s hand and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows,
with all that I am
and all that I have,
I honor you.
With this ring I thee wed.
DECLARATION OF THE MARRIAGE
As you have now both pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, I
now pronounce you husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one
put asunder.
(Groom), you may now kiss your bride.
Christian Religious Vows
We are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses to join (bride) & (groom) in
holy matrimony.
Let us pray --God, the source of all love, please be present today during this sacred
ceremony. We especially ask your blessing on this couple, who stands before us, and for
all of us who share their joy. May each one of us sense your love and may we be filled with
your love as we witness the vows of (bride) and (groom). Amen.
I would like to read a scripture from Ruth 1:16-17:
“Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I
will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my
God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more
also, if ought but death part the and me.”
We are here today because of a miracle, the miracle of the love between (bride) and
(groom). I know that your deep abiding love for each other comes from God, for God is
love and your love is to be nurtured, cherished, and expanded every day as you draw
closer to each other and closer to God. For marriage is not merely the act of the living
together and pleasing each other, but of living for and pleasing God.
May you be each other’s comfort and strength, as God guards and protects you all the
days of your life. Listen to each other, encourage each other, respect each other and
stand by each other’s side as you walk together as husband and wife. Put God first in your
marriage, always seeking God’s will, as you abide in love just as the love chapter describes:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not
rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always hopes, always
perseveres. Where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they
will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away, but love never fails.
And now these three remain; Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love."
My prayer for you, and I’m sure the prayers of your friends and family assembled here
today, is that your marriage will always be beautiful – Always new. May it be protected by
God’s love, and may no one ever disturb your holy union. God blesses you both.
Consecration and expression of intent
Let us pray—Our holy God, please sanctify the marriage vows to be spoken today by
(bride & groom). As their vows are spoken, may they not only dedicate themselves to each
other, but to you for the sacred purpose of serving you as a married couple. Amen.
(Bride) is it your intent to marry (groom) today? To bond to him as his wife?
Bride: “ Yes.”
(groom) is it your intent to marry (bride) today? To bond to her as her husband?
Groom: “Yes”
Vows, bride then groom
I, _____ , take thee, _____, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold from this
day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love
and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance.
Ring exchange
May I have the rings?
I will ask you now to seal the vows which you have just made by giving and receiving of
rings. Let us remember that the circle is the emblem of eternity and it is our prayer that
your love and happiness will be as unending as the rings which you exchange.
(groom then bride)
This ring I give the, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
(Walk together to light unity candle from lit outer candles)
“(Bride) and (groom), the two smaller candles symbolize your individual lives and families.
Each of you now take one of the lighted candles and light the unity candle, symbolizing that
your individual lives and families are joined as one.”
(Bride and groom each blow out their individual candles, return the candles back to the
holders, and return to their place in front of the Officiant)
May you keep this covenant you have made. May you bless each other in your marriage,
comforting each other when one needs comfort, sharing each other’s joys when one needs
someone to share it, and helping each other in all your endeavors throughout your married
lives together.
And now by the powers vested in me by God and the state of Washington, I pronounce you
husband and wife.
You may kiss your bride.
Blessing/Benediction
Dear God, bless (Bride & Groom) as they leave this place, and bless their family and
friends who have come here to share in this great day. May God be with you all. Amen.
Write your own
You also have the option of writing your own or bring in a ceremony you would prefer. We
have other ceremony scripts to choose from, so if you don't see what you want, please let
us know.
We are gathered here today to witness the union of (Bride & Groom) in marriage.
Those who enter into this relationship must honor their vows and be faithful to each other in
all circumstances: whether in sickness or health, sorrow or joy, in poverty and prosperity.
Will you (Bride), accept (groom) as your husband, joining with him today in Spirit; offering
your friendship and loving-kindness; honoring his growth and freedom as well as your own;
cherishing and respecting him, loving and embracing him in times of adversity as well as
times of joy?
If so answer, “I will.”
Will you (Groom), accept (bride) as your wife, joining with her today in Spirit; offering your
friendship and loving-kindness; honoring her growth and freedom as well as your own;
cherishing and respecting her, loving and embracing her in times of adversity as well as
times of joy?
If so answer, “I will.”
You may now exchange rings:
(Groom), as you place the ring on (bride)’s finger, repeat after me; “I, (Groom), take you
(Bride), to be my 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 and to cherish always.”
(Bride), as you place the ring on (Groom)’s finger, repeat after me; “I, (bride), take you
(Groom), to be my 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 and to cherish always.”
May the love and joy you both feel today continue forever.
And now, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss your bride.
Contemporary Wedding Ceremony
(This wedding ceremony has some original parts and some traditionally-worded parts)
OPENING STATEMENT
Dearly Beloved: We are gathered here together, in the presence of God and of this
company, so that (Groom) and (Bride) may be united in holy matrimony. We are here to
celebrate and share in the glorious act by which their love for one another is converted into
the holy and sacred bonds of marriage.
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
In First Corinthians, chapter 13, verses 4-8 the Bible describes love stating that “Love is
patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always
perseveres. Love never fails....”
This kind of love enriches each part of life, and marriage enriches love. Two lives, shared
with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone.
MARRIAGE VOWS
Face each other and hold hands.
(Groom), do you take (Bride) to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in marriage?
Do you promise to love, honor and cherish her, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in
sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to be faithful only to her as long as you both
shall live?
(Groom)
I do.
(Bride), do you take (Groom) to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in
marriage? Do you promise to love, honor and cherish him, for better or worse, for richer or
poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, to be faithful only to him as long as
you both shall live?
(Bride)
I do.
(Groom), please repeat after me:
I, (Groom), take thee, (Bride),
to be my wife and my one true love
I will cherish our friendship
and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully.
What may come, I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep.
I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.
(Bride), please repeat after me:
I, (Bride), take thee, (Groom),
to be my husband and my one true love
I will cherish our friendship
and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully.
What may come, I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep.
I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.
PRAYER & BLESSING
Let us pray:
Dear Heavenly Spirit, we present to You (Groom) and (Bride), who come this day to be
married. May the promise of love they make be blessed with true love, devotion and
commitment. When selfishness shows itself, grant generosity; when mistrust is a temptation,
give them strength; when there is misunderstanding, give patience and gentleness; if
suffering becomes a part of their lives, give them a strong faith and an abiding love. Give
them Your grace and guidance that they may loyally fulfill the vows they have taken. May
Your joy abide with them always, that they may be a blessing to each other, and to those
around them. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
May I have the Rings?
It is customary to exchange rings as a symbol of love. The wedding ring is the outward and
visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. It
is a seal of the vows these two have made to one another. As the rings have no end so
your love should have no end. As the rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should
your marriage have purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of this
moment and the endless love you promised.
(Groom), please place the ring on (Bride)’s hand and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows,
with all that I am
and all that I have,
I honor you.
With this ring I thee wed.
(Bride), please place the ring on (Groom)’s hand and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a symbol of our vows,
with all that I am
and all that I have,
I honor you.
With this ring I thee wed.
DECLARATION OF THE MARRIAGE
As you have now both pledged to the other your lifelong commitment, love and devotion, I
now pronounce you husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together, let no one
put asunder.
(Groom), you may now kiss your bride.
Christian Religious Vows
We are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses to join (bride) & (groom) in
holy matrimony.
Let us pray --God, the source of all love, please be present today during this sacred
ceremony. We especially ask your blessing on this couple, who stands before us, and for
all of us who share their joy. May each one of us sense your love and may we be filled with
your love as we witness the vows of (bride) and (groom). Amen.
I would like to read a scripture from Ruth 1:16-17:
“Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I
will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my
God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more
also, if ought but death part the and me.”
We are here today because of a miracle, the miracle of the love between (bride) and
(groom). I know that your deep abiding love for each other comes from God, for God is
love and your love is to be nurtured, cherished, and expanded every day as you draw
closer to each other and closer to God. For marriage is not merely the act of the living
together and pleasing each other, but of living for and pleasing God.
May you be each other’s comfort and strength, as God guards and protects you all the
days of your life. Listen to each other, encourage each other, respect each other and
stand by each other’s side as you walk together as husband and wife. Put God first in your
marriage, always seeking God’s will, as you abide in love just as the love chapter describes:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not
rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love
does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always hopes, always
perseveres. Where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they
will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away, but love never fails.
And now these three remain; Faith, Hope, and Love, but the greatest of these is Love."
My prayer for you, and I’m sure the prayers of your friends and family assembled here
today, is that your marriage will always be beautiful – Always new. May it be protected by
God’s love, and may no one ever disturb your holy union. God blesses you both.
Consecration and expression of intent
Let us pray—Our holy God, please sanctify the marriage vows to be spoken today by
(bride & groom). As their vows are spoken, may they not only dedicate themselves to each
other, but to you for the sacred purpose of serving you as a married couple. Amen.
(Bride) is it your intent to marry (groom) today? To bond to him as his wife?
Bride: “ Yes.”
(groom) is it your intent to marry (bride) today? To bond to her as her husband?
Groom: “Yes”
Vows, bride then groom
I, _____ , take thee, _____, to be my wedded husband/wife, to have and to hold from this
day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love
and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance.
Ring exchange
May I have the rings?
I will ask you now to seal the vows which you have just made by giving and receiving of
rings. Let us remember that the circle is the emblem of eternity and it is our prayer that
your love and happiness will be as unending as the rings which you exchange.
(groom then bride)
This ring I give the, in token and pledge, of our constant faith, and abiding love.
Lighting of the Unity Candle
(Walk together to light unity candle from lit outer candles)
“(Bride) and (groom), the two smaller candles symbolize your individual lives and families.
Each of you now take one of the lighted candles and light the unity candle, symbolizing that
your individual lives and families are joined as one.”
(Bride and groom each blow out their individual candles, return the candles back to the
holders, and return to their place in front of the Officiant)
May you keep this covenant you have made. May you bless each other in your marriage,
comforting each other when one needs comfort, sharing each other’s joys when one needs
someone to share it, and helping each other in all your endeavors throughout your married
lives together.
And now by the powers vested in me by God and the state of Washington, I pronounce you
husband and wife.
You may kiss your bride.
Blessing/Benediction
Dear God, bless (Bride & Groom) as they leave this place, and bless their family and
friends who have come here to share in this great day. May God be with you all. Amen.
Write your own
You also have the option of writing your own or bring in a ceremony you would prefer. We
have other ceremony scripts to choose from, so if you don't see what you want, please let
us know.
Ceremony Types
- Civil Ceremony
- Contemporary Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
- Write your own or pick another
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