We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life's greatest moments. We are here to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words that will unite GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE in holy matrimony.

 

Who gives this man/woman to be married (Optional)

 

GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE, marriage is the most important of all earthly relationships. It should be entered into reverently, thoughtfully and with full understanding of its sacred nature. Your marriage must stand by the strength of your love and the power of faith in each other and in God. Just as two threads woven in opposite directions form a beautiful tapestry, so to your two lives when merged together will make a beautiful marriage.

 

~~~1st Corinthians (Modern wording)~~~

Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it's own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them.

 

~~~1st Corinthians 13:4-8 (New International Version (NIV))~~~

13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  13:5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.   13:7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

 

~~~VOWS~~~

(face each other and hold hands)(repeat after me)

I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life 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 through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. 

Whatever may come I will always be there. 

As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.

So help me God.

 

~~~John 4:7-12~~~

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 

 

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.

  

~~~I Do’s~~~

GROOM/BRIDE, do you take GROOM/BRIDE to be your Husband/Wife? ("I do") Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore? ("I do") 

 

The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.

 

~~~Ring Exchange ~~~ (who has the rings) (repeat after me)

 I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee, GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live.

 

~~~Wedding Prayer~~~

Bless their marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together. We don't know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends. But help them to make the best of whatever comes their way. 

Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met. Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.

 Help them to respect each other's likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them. 

Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

 Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good. 

Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.  But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love' that they now share so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children's children forever. Amen

 

~~~Pronouncement~~~

By the power vested in me by the State of Florida, I now pronounce you HUSBAND and WIFE. . . . . . .

You may kiss your Groom/Bride.

I would like to introduce the happy couple MR. & MRS.