Wed-cap: Ceremony Transcript

Before I recap the ceremony with pictures I wanted to include the full ceremony script. We were given a few ceremony examples to use as a guide from our Pastor. Those along with what I found on the Internet helped me to create our ceremony. We both agreed we wanted to use traditional vows rather than writing our own. There was something very sweet and romantic about saying the same vows that millions of other couples have said. I figure if it ain't broke why fix it.

When I initially sent it to Pastor Steve he thought it was a little too short (not that we wanted a long ceremony) so we decided at the last minute to throw in the 1 Corinthians 13 reading which has become pretty standard in most ceremonies. At first I didn't want to include it because it has become so common but frankly it's a great passage and very fitting for a wedding, plus it has other sentimentality to it for me.

Since the ceremony is a bit of a blur to me now, until I see the video I can't be sure he followed the script exactly but it was pretty darn close.

Greeting-

Dearly Beloved, We are gathered here today for one of the happiest occasions in all human life, to celebrate before God the marriage of a man and woman who love each other. Marriage is a most honorable estate, created and Instituted by God, signifying unto us the mystical union, which also exists between Christ and the Church; so too may this marriage be adorned by true and abiding love.

Shannon and Kristian, although life is a gift given to each of us as individuals, we also learn to live together in harmony. Love is a gift to us from our family and friends. Through these gifts of love we learn to ourselves to gift it back. Learning to love and live together is one of life's greatest challenges and is the shared goal of a married life.

Mankind did not create love; love is created by God. Therefore, a husband and wife should not confuse love of worldly things with that of Godly love of one another. For even if worldly success is found, only love for one another will maintain a marriage. The measure of true love is a love both freely given and freely accepted, just as God's love is unconditional and free.

Today is truly a glorious day which the Lord hath made - as today both of you are blessed with God's greatest of all gifts - the gift of abiding love and devotion between a man and a woman. All present here today - and those here in heart - wish both of you all the joy, happiness and success the world has to offer.


Declaration of Intent-

I require and charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, before whom the secrets of all hearts are disclosed, that, having duly considered the holy covenant you are about to make, you do now declare before this company your pledge of faith, each to the other. Be well assured that if these solemn vows are kept inviolate, as God’s Word demands, and if steadfastly you endeavor to do the will of your heavenly Father, God will bless your marriage, will you fulfillment in it and will establish you home in peace.

Shannon, do you take Kristian to be your husband, to live together in holy marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

I do. (actually I believe I said it more like I doooooo)

Kristian, do you take Shannon to be your wife, to live together in holy marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

I do.

Response of the Families

The marriage of Shannon and Kristian unites their families and creates a new one. They ask for your blessing. Will all of you, by God’s grace, do everything in your power to uphold and care for these two people in their marriage?

We Will.

Prayer

The Lord be with you.

And also with you

Let us pray. God of all people, you are the true light, shining on everyone. You show us the way, the truth, and the life. You love us even when we are disobedient. You sustain us with your Holy Spirit. We rejoice in your life every day of our lives. We praise you for your presence with us, and especially in this act of solemn covenant; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames. but have not love, I gain nothing.

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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Reading 1-
"I Love You",
by Roy Croft

I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you, for the part of me that you bring out. I love you, for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart, and passing over all the foolish, weak things that you can't help dimly seeing there, and for drawing out, into the light, all the beautiful belongings that no one else had looked quite far enough to find. I love you, because you are helping me to make of the lumber of my life, not a tavern, but a temple. Out of the works of my every day, not a reproach, but a song. I love you, because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate could have done to make me happy. You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it by being yourself. Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.

Intercessory Prayer-

Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all life, Author of salvation, Giver of all grace: Bless and sanctify with your Holy Spirit Shannon and Kristian, who come now to join in marriage. Grant that they may give their vows to each other in the strength of your steadfast love. Enable them to grow in love and peace with you and with each other every day, so they may reach out in concern and service to the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Exchange of Vows
In the name of God
I, Kristian Edward P....
Take you Shannon Elizabeth G....
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
Until we are parted by death
This is my solemn vow

In the name of God
I, Shannon Elizabeth G....
Take you Kristian Edward P....,
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
Until we are parted by death
This is my solemn vow

Blessing and Exchange of Rings

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to us the union of this man and woman in holy matrimony, through the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings so that they who wear them may abide in thy peace and continue in your favor; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Shannon:
In token and pledge
Of our constant faith
And abiding love,
With this ring
I thee wed,
In the name of the Father,
And of the son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Kristian:
In token and pledge
Of our constant faith
And abiding love,
With this ring
I thee wed,
In the name of the Father,
And of the son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Reading 2-
"Blessing of the Hands"

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Declaration of Marriage

For as much as Shannon and Kristian have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no one put asunder. Oyden Diaspasei Hmas (Nothing shall tear us apart). Amen.

The Kiss

Kristian, you may now kiss your bride

Presentation of the Couple

It’s my pleasure to introduce for the very first time Mr. and Mrs. Kristian and Shannon P....