Invocation

Let Us Pray

O Lord of life and love, of light and faith, be present here this day as these two come to be joined as wife and husband. Even as they have been drawn together in love for each other, now join them in a love born out of their desire to walk in your path. Amen

Reading of Scripture

I Corinthians 13

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, always perseveres. Love never fails.

The Service of Matrimony

Officiate: We are gathered here today as we celebrate the coming together in love of this woman and this man. We remember that marriage is a time when a growing love is made public, when two people share mutual promises before God and before us. We join in support of them as they offer themselves to each other. We celebrate their joy, their love and their expectations.

Declaration of Intent

To Groom: ____, will you have ____ to be your wife, to live with her, respect her and love her as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness, and helpfulness, as long as you both shall live?                Groom Responds: I will

To Bride: ____, will you have ____ to be your husband, to live with him, respect him, and love him as God intends with the promise of faithfulness, tenderness and helpfulness as long as you both shall live? Bride Responds: I will

The Vows

Officiate: says to the bride repeat after me

I, ______, take you, _____, to be my husband, to live with you and to love from this time forward until death separates us. I promise to be understanding, forgiving, and seeking of your happiness as we grow together in God’s grace.

Officiate: says to the groom repeat after me

I, ______, take you, _____, to be my wife, to live with you and to love from this time forward until death separates us. I promise to be understanding, forgiving, and seeking of your happiness as we grow together in God’s grace.

 

Presentation of the Rings

This (these) ring (s) is (are) a circle, a symbol of the never ending love that you have promised to each other.

Take it, place it on her (his) finger and repeat after me. (The ring vow spoken by each partner in turn)

“I give you this ring to wear as a sign of my promise to love and grow with you.”

Prayer of Blessing

Prayer: Eternal God, as the source of all life and peace, we pray that _______ & _________ may now be united in a relationship blessed by holy presence. When they make mistakes, help them to correct them with self giving love, when misunderstanding enters, help them to seek out your wisdom and be united in a trusting bond that will endure for all time, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Pronouncement

Since ___ and ____ have exchanged promises of mutual love and have professed before those of us gathered here that they will live together as understanding, mature persons in God’s sight, by the power vested into me by the state of South Carolina I now declare that they are husband and wife.

____ you may kiss the bride!

It is my pleasure to introduce to you Mr. & Mrs. ________ .