The Modern Ceremony
Marriage Commissioner:
Dear friends, we have come
together to witness the marriage of John and Jane and to rejoice with them.
The union of man and woman in heart, body, and mind is intended for their
mutual comfort and help, that they may know each other with love, respect, and
tenderness.
In marriage, husband and
wife give themselves to each other to care for each other in good times and in
bad. They are linked to each other's families, and they begin a new life
together in the community.
It is a way of life that none should lightly undertake. If anyone present
knows a reason why John and Jane may not lawfully marry, you must declare it
now.
Repeat after me…(each of the participants in turn)
I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I,__________________ may not be joined in matrimony to ____________________.
The Wedding
John, will you give yourself
to Jane to be her husband: to love her, comfort her, honour and protect her;
and forsaking all others, to be faithful to her for as long as you both shall
live?
The groom shall answer: I will.
I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I, ____________, do
take you, _____________, to be my lawful wedded wife (or to be my lawful wedded
partner or to be my lawful wedded spouse),
Jane, will you give yourself
to John to be his wife: to love him, comfort him, honour and protect him; and
forsaking all others, to be faithful to him for as long as you both shall live?
The bride shall answer: I will.
I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I, ____________, do take you, _____________, to be my lawful wedded husband (or to be my lawful wedded partner or to be my lawful wedded spouse),
The Marriage Vows
(the couple face each other and join hands)
I John, take you Jane, to be
my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better for worse, for
richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish. This is
my solemn vow.
I Jane, take you John,
to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better for
worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to
cherish. This is my solemn vow.
The Exchanging of
the Rings
Marriage Commissioner:
The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity. In the
years to come these rings will remind you of the overwhelming joy of this
special occasion, when you were united in marriage.
SOLEMNIZER TO GROOM:
Place the ring on her
finger, hold it there and say these words to her.
With all my love I give you this ring, an everlasting
symbol of the vows we have made to each other, and as a token of my love for
you.
Marriage Commissioner:
Place the ring on his
finger, hold it there and say these words to him.
With all my love I give you this ring, an everlasting
symbol of the vows we have made to each other, and as a token of my love for
you.
The Declaration of Marriage: where the Marriage
Commissioner shall say…
I,
________________________, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage
Act, do hereby pronounce you __________________________ and
____________________ to be husband and wife (married).
You may now seal
these vows with a kiss.
Signing of Documents: License and Register
Introduction
of New Couple: Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you, Mr.
and Mrs. …
(the
newly married couple…)