Christian/Catholic Ceremony
Convocation:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, in the face of this congregation, and these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. We, their families and friends, form a community of love, that together we may support and encourage them with our abundance of prayers and blessings on this day and for all of their lives.
Invocation:
At this time I ask that you all join me in a prayer and blessing for Danielle and Steven as they begin the journey on their path of togetherness.
Dear Lord,
We ask you to shine your blessings upon Danielle and Steven as they stand here before you with joined hands and open hearts, to begin their life together in marriage. Grant them your grace and love, oh Lord, that they may always find compassion, love, happiness and understanding for each other and for all those in the world. May your blessing of love be the gift that lifts their union to a place of sacredness on this day and for all their days together.
Then: Optional?
We would also like to honor and remember all those that for whatever reason could not be here with us physically today…….
Moment of silence or memorial candle: (We can add names to these sections)
Although death has separated us physically, faith and love have bound us eternally. Though we cannot see you, we know you are here. Though we cannot touch you, we feel the warmth of your smile, as we begin a new chapter in our lives.
Today we pause to reflect upon those who have shaped our character, molded our spirits and touched our hearts, especially (here we can add names if you want). May this moment of silence or memorial candle be a reminder of the memories we have shared, a representation of the everlasting impact you have made upon our lives.
Or
We would also like to take a moment to honor those who could not be with us today for whatever reason, especially (here we can add names). We know that he would be happy and proud of you both on this auspicious day and we are certain that they are smiling down upon you and I know you can feel their loving presence in both of your hearts. We honor and acknowledge their loving memory. For all those not with us, we will have a moment of silence / memorial candle in loving tribute to them.
~ The Lord’s Prayer ~
Please join me in reciting the Lordsprayer :
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those that trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
“Amen.”
“May the peace of Christ be with you all”
All: “And also with you.”
Sign of Peace (optional)
“In the spirit of love and unity, our bride and groom have asked that we pass the sign of peace. Simply offer a handshake to your neighbor, with the words “Peace be with you.” If you feel so inspired, a hug would be appropriate as well.”
“Let us now offer each other a sign of Christ’s peace.”
Guests exchange a sign of peace
1st Reading:
Reading from the Book of Psalms
Blessed are the man and the woman
who have grown beyond themselves
and have seen through their separations.
They delight in the way things are
and keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither,
Everything they do will succeed
— The book of Psalms, adapted by Stephan Mitchell
Address:
“Today I marry my friend,
the one I laugh and cry with,
the one I have learned from and shared with.
This one I have chosen to support, encourage and give myself to, through all the days given us to share.Today I marry the one I love.”
Danielle and Steven have found the gift of love in each other, they have found in one another other that special person who provides them with peace, love and comfort and who will support each other and share all of life. They have created a love that is simple, effortless, and real, a love which allows them to truly be themselves; they accept all parts of each other with unconditional love and understanding.
(Here we can add your story of how you met, your proposal story and things that are important to you as a couple.)
Danielle and Steven have invited you here today because you are their dearest family and friends. All of you who Danielle and Jason call family, have contributed to who they are, and you will continue to have important place in their lives in the years to come. You have shared with them life most precious moments and again they ask you to share and bear witness to this next chapter of their lives. Danielle and Steve would like to send out their heartfelt thanks to you for your continued love, support, and encouragement throughout their lives.
Within their relationship Danielle and Steve have learned that communication, patience, understanding, passion, and laughter were vital to their relationship. But what holds all this together the core of their relationship is the strong love that they have for each other.
(Here we can also add the things you love about each other)
Throughout their relationship Danielle and Steven have grown together; they provided balance for each other, they have learned that communication, patience, understanding, passion, and laughter were vital to their relationship. But what holds all this together the core of their relationship is the strong love that they have for each other.
Together Danielle and Steven are best friends and they support and encourage each other every day. They have fun no matter what they are doing, as long as they are together they are happy and content. Together they share generous and caring spirits, common goals and values, a love of family and a mutual love of their life and an excitement to begin this new chapter of their lives! They are a great team, better together than they are apart!
Consecration:
Marriage is an honorable estate, instituted in antiquity and revered since all time as the noblest and most tender of human relationships. It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently and consciously. Into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined.
I ask you both, as you stand in the presence of your family and friends, to remember that love, loyalty and compassion alone will avail as the foundation of a happy and enduring home. No other human ties are more tender, no other vows more sacred than those that you will now assume. If these sacred vows are honored and kept close to your hearts, and you endeavor to always live according to the best that is within each of you, your life together will be full of joy, peace and love.
2nd Reading: (optional)
Unity Candle:
For centuries fire has symbolized life, spirit, strength, initiation, and rites of passage.
Today each of your candles represents your solitary journey, your individual spirits, and your individual lights in the world given to you by your parents.
As a symbol of you love for each other you now shed your solitary paths to one brighter, stronger path of love.
Together you shall light the center that represents your union, the coming together as one.
From every human being there rises a light
That reaches straight to heaven.
And when two souls that are destined to be together
Find each other, their streams of light flow together,
And a single brighter light goes forth from their united being.
Consent/Intent:
In the presence of God, family and friends, I ask you to state your intentions.
Danielle and Steven, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?
Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?
Danielle and Steven respond: I will.
Vows
Traditional Vows:
I, Steven, take you, Danielle
to be my lawfully wedded 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
Until death do we part
I, Danielle, take you, Steven
to be my lawfully wedded 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,
Until death do us part
Or
Contemporary vows:
I, Steven, take, you Danielle to be my wife, my partner, my love and my best friend. I promise this day to share your life with you, to respect you, honor you, support you and love you, through life’s challenges and celebrations, I will stand by your side from this day and for all the days of your life.
I, Danielle, take, you Steven to be my husband, my partner, my love and my best friend. I promise this day to share your life with you, to respect you, honor you, support you and love you, through life’s challenges and celebrations, I will stand by your side from this day and for all the days of your life
Blessing of the Rings:
I bless these rings with this prayer; Lord consecrate Steven and Danielle in their love for each other and place your presence within these rings that they are a reminder of their love, for each other and you, Dear Lord.
These rings you are about to exchange are the permanent reminder and sign of all that is created in this union today. Wear them as a continuous symbol of your love. As you place the wedding ring on each other’s’ hands, may it not only remind you of the endless love you possess for one another, but may it also be a reminder of the precious gift God has given you to make you complete.
Exchanging of Rings:
Steven: Danielle take this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness with all that I am and all that I will ever be.
Danielle: Steven take this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness with all that I am and all that I will ever be.
Or
Steven: Danielle with this ring I thee wed. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Danielle: Steven, with this ring I thee wed. In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Wedding Blessing:
Nuptial Closing Blessing:
May almighty God, with his word of blessing, unite your hearts in the never-ending bond of pure love.
May your children bring you happiness, and may your generous love for them be returned to you, many times over.
May the peace of God live always in your hearts and in your home.
May you have true friends to stand by you, both in joy and in sorrow.
May you be ready and willing to help and comfort all who come to you in need.
And may the blessings promised to the compassionate be yours in abundance.
May you find happiness and satisfaction in your work.
May daily problems never cause you undue anxiety, nor the desire for earthly possessions dominate your lives.
But may your hearts’ first desire be always the good things waiting for you in the life of heaven.
May the Lord bless you with many happy years together, so that you may enjoy the rewards of a good life.And after you have served him loyally in his kingdom on earth, may he welcome you to his eternal kingdom in heaven. Amen.
Pronouncement of Marriage:
Almighty God, that has blessed these two, it is with your grace and tender love that this union is consecrated. With the power that is vested in me, it gives me great honor and pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife.
The Kiss:
You may now kiss your beautiful bride.
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