Deacon: Who gives this woman to this man?

Father: Her mother and I.

Deacon: We have come together in the presence of God to celebrate the marriage of _____ and ______. In a short while ______ and _____ will be united in marriage. They will leave their individual lives behind and become one. Sorrow for one will be sorrow for the other. Joy for one will be joy for the other. Love for one will be love for the other. _______ and _______ your lives have about to become joined forever. You will not only be responsible for yourselves but for each other and your family. As your parents raised you and cared for you. You may be called upon the do the same for your children. So as we begin, let us pray to our heavenly Father, the one whose plan it was to bring ________ and ________ together.

Deacon: Our Father we thank you for the gift of marriage, for the beauty of intimate companionship, a companionship in which we can know and be known, in which we can share freely and be accepted completely. Thank you for this taste of Your great unconditional love for us. May this commitment be voiced by ________ and ______ today in this ceremony reflect uniquely to the world this great love and bring glory to Your name. And may it remind each of us of the purpose of our marriages and encourage us to fulfill the vows that we have made to one another. In Jesus name, Amen.

Reader: Read Old Testament Reading

Reader: Reads New Testament Reading

Deacon: A reading from the holy gospel according to _________.

Deacon: Reads Gospel

Decon: Homily

Deacon: My dear friends, you have come together before your family and friends so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. May this blessing strengthen you so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of this community, I ask you to state your intentions.

Deacon: _______ and _______ have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

Couple: We have.

Deacon: Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?

Couple: We will.

Deacon: Will you accept children lovingly from God, and bring them up according to the laws of Christ and his Church?

Couple: We will.

Deacon: Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands and declare your consent before God and this community.

Bride: Insert Vows

Groom: Insert Vows.

People: Amen

Deacon: May I have the rings please?

Deacon: Every covenant has a sign or symbol to remind each party of the responsibilities he or she brings to the relationship. These rings are a symbol of your love. They are a visible reminder to you and all others that what you have promised you will do. Wear them as a constant reminder that you are pledged together and committed to one another for life.

Deacon: May the Lord + bless these rings which you give to each other as a sign of your love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Groom: This ring I give to you as a reminder of my love. I pledge to you my loyalty and devotion, until we are separated by death. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Bride: This ring I give to you as a reminder of my love. I pledge to you my loyalty and devotion, until we are separated by death. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Deacon: Now that you have given yourself it is time to symbolize that Union by lighting the unity candle. Before this ceremony began your mother’s lit individual candles to symbolize your individual lives. You will now take these individual candles and light the unity candle to symbolize your new union. May your life be bright and may your life together be light, may this candle be a symbol of your love.

Deacon: + May God bless this union of _______ and ______ , may God guide them as they raise their family in accordance with the Will of Christ our Lord.

Deacon: You may kiss the bride.

Deacon: For the first time as husband and wife, I present, Mr. and Mrs. _________

Recessional