The Modern Ceremony
DOUG DAVIES -
COMMISSIONER:
Dear FAMILIES AND 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.
DOUG
Repeat after me…(each of the participants in turn)
I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I,___JOHN_ may not be joined in matrimony to __JANE_.
The Wedding
DOUG
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.
DOUG
JOHN
I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I, __JOHN_, do take
you, _JANE_, 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.
DOUG
I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I, __JANE_, do take you, _JOHN__, 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 for the rest of our lives. 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 for the rest of our lives. This is my solemn
vow.
The Exchanging of
the Rings:
DOUG
the perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity.
In the years to come your rings will remind you of the joy of this special
occasion when you were united in marriage.
DOUG 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.
DOUG TO BRIDE:
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:
DOUG
I, _DOUGLASS R. DAVIES__ by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage
Act, do hereby pronounce you
JOHN_ and JANE_ to be husband and
wife (married).
The Nuptial Kiss