Christian Wedding Ceremony Script: A Complete Guide for Officiants

Choosing the right words for officiating a Christian wedding can be challenging. To help, we’ve compiled Christian wedding ceremony scripts with prayers, Bible readings, and traditional elements. Use these samples for inspiration to craft your perfect religious ceremony.

Brides Often Ask

Traditional Christian Wedding Ceremony Script Sample

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Below is a sample of a traditional wedding ceremony script, which can serve as a guide when writing your own.

Opening Prayer

We are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to unite _____ and _____ in holy matrimony. Marriage is an honorable estate, and is therefore not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, advisedly, soberly, and with God’s blessing. Today, they will receive God’s greatest gift; another person to share with, grow with, change with, be joyful with, and to stand with as one when trials and tribulations enter their lives. It is fitting, therefore, that we should on this occasion begin by asking for God’s blessing on this marriage. Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives with loving relationships such as _____ and _____’s, and we give thanks for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts. Renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit.

Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the relationships that we cherish. In your loving arms, we pray, Amen.
You may all be seated.

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Definition of Commitment

Marriage is a joyous occasion. It is connected in our thoughts with the charm of love, the warmth of home, and with all that is pleasant, as being one of the most important events of our lives. Its sacredness and unity is the most significant and binding covenant known in human relations.
______ and _____, let me charge you both to remember that your future happiness is to be in mutual consideration, patience, kindness, confidence, and affection. It is the duty of each of you to find your greatest joy in the company of the other; to remember that your love pledged today must remain undivided for a lifetime.

It is your duty, _____, to be to _____, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving husband: to support, guide and cherish her in prosperity and trouble; to thoughtfully and carefully enlarge the place she holds in your life; to constantly show to her the tokens of your affection, to shelter her from danger, and to love her with an unchangeable love.

It is your duty, _____, to be to _____, a considerate, tender, faithful, and loving wife; to comfort, guide and cherish him in prosperity and trouble; to give to him the unfailing pieces of evidence of your affection; and to continue making the place he holds in your heart, broader and deeper; to support him, value him and work with him to make your marriage the very best that it can be.

I call your attention to the seriousness of the decision which you have made and the covenant you are about to declare before God. The vows you are about to take care not to be taken without careful thought, for in them you are committing yourselves exclusively to one another for as long as you both shall live.

Traditional Christian Wedding Vows

If you are ready to assume the obligations and duties before God, as I have defined them, you will unite your hands and pledge your love and your lives to each other.

Groom, repeat after me.

I ____, take you, _____, to be my lawfully wedded 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 as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.

Now Bride, please repeat after me.

I _____, take you, _____, 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 as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow.

Exchange of Rings

You will now exchange rings as a symbol of the lifelong commitment and abiding love which you as husband and wife have promised to each other.

Groom, please place the ring on _____’s finger, and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.

And Bride, please place the ring on _____’s finger and repeat after me.
I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.
(Great Place for a Reading)

Closing Prayer

Eternal God, help _____ and _____ to fulfill the promises they have made here today and to reflect your steadfast love in their commitment to each other. Give them kindness and patience, affection and understanding, happiness, and contentment. May their family and friends continue to support them in difficult days, so that their love for each other may continue to grow as long as they both shall live.
Let us all pray.

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 who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
And the power, and the glory,
Forever and ever.
Amen.

Declaration of Marriage

_____ and _____, having witnessed your vows for marriage before God and all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!
It is my pleasure to introduce you to you for the first time…

Short Wedding Ceremony Script

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For couples who would prefer a short wedding ceremony to a lengthy one, this would be a perfect officiant script for wedding.

Invocation

Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the Holy Matrimony of … and… .

Bible Reading

Reading: Genesis 29:18-20 Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, ‘I work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel. Laban said, better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. This is not be taken lightly. This is a vow to love unconditionally as in one flesh. To lift each other up spiritually and not lead each other into temptation.

Declaration of Intent

Repeat after me: I, , take you, , to be my lawfully wedded wife, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Repeat after me: I, , take you, , to be my lawfully wedded husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

Vows & Rings Exchange

Now if you have any personal vows or words you would like to exchange, now would be the time. The rings – place the ring halfway on each finger then hold the hands of each other. The ring is a circle, that circle is a symbol of trust. That trust is not to be broken. For now, you enter a covenant between husband, wife and the Lord, Almighty. You may now take the time to place the rings all the way down the finger.

Pronouncement

By the power vested in me by the state of and American Marriage Ministries, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.

It is my pleasure to present Mr. and Mrs. .

Recessional

End of the Wedding Ceremony.

Simple Christian Wedding Ceremony Script

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This is a basic Christian script for officiating a wedding that can be personalized with readings, hymns, and additional elements as desired.

Opening

Officiant: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to join [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom] in holy matrimony. Marriage is a sacred covenant, a lifelong commitment of love and support. Let us begin this joyous celebration with a prayer.

Prayer

Officiant: Heavenly Father, we come before you on this special day, asking for your blessings upon [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom]. May their union be filled with love, grace, and divine guidance. Grant them strength and wisdom to build a strong foundation for their marriage. Amen.

Declaration of Intent

Officiant: [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom], please join hands and face each other as you make your vows before God and these witnesses.

Vows

Groom: I, [Groom’s Name], take you, [Bride’s Name], to be my wife, my partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to love and cherish you, to honor and support you, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, as long as we both shall live. With God as my witness, I give you my solemn vow.

Bride: I, [Bride’s Name], take you, [Groom’s Name], to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to love and cherish you, to honor and respect you, in sickness and in health, for better or worse, as long as we both shall live. With God as my witness, I give you my solemn vow.

Exchange of Rings

Officiant: May we have the rings, please? These rings are an outward symbol of the inward love and commitment you share. As you exchange these rings, remember that they are made of precious metal, just as your love is precious and enduring.

[Groom places the ring on Bride’s finger]

Groom: With this ring, I pledge my love and faithfulness to you.

[Bride places the ring on Groom’s finger]

Bride: With this ring, I pledge my love and faithfulness to you.

Unity Ceremony

Officiant: [Name of Bride] and [Name of Groom], you have chosen to perform a unity ceremony today to symbolize the merging of your lives into one. Through this act, you signify your commitment to support and uplift each other throughout your journey together.

[Perform the chosen unity ceremony, such as candle lighting or the mixing of colored sand.]

Blessing

Officiant: Let us bow our heads for a moment of prayer.

[Officiant offers a blessing over the couple and their marriage.]

Pronouncement

Officiant: By the power vested in me and in the presence of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no one separate. You may now seal your vows with a kiss.

[Kiss]

Presentation

Officiant: It is my honor to present to you for the very first time,
Mr. and Mrs. [Last Name]. May your love grow stronger each day as you walk together in the light of God’s love.

Closing

Officiant: Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, I present to you the newly wedded couple. May your love and commitment inspire us all. Let us rejoice and celebrate this blessed union!

Contemporary Christian Wedding Ceremony Script

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This sample is would be a great inspiration for a contemporary Christian wedding complete with wedding sermons and bible passages.

Opening

We are gathered here today in the sight of God, and the presence of friends and loved ones, to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments. We are here to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes and blessings to the words that will unite GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE in holy matrimony.

Who gives this man/woman to be married (Optional)

GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE, marriage is the most important of all earthly relationships. It should be entered into reverently, thoughtfully and with full understanding of its sacred nature. Your marriage must stand by the strength of your love and the power of faith in each other and in God. Just as two threads woven in opposite directions form a beautiful tapestry, so to your two lives when merged together will make a beautiful marriage.

Bible Passage 1

1st Corinthians

Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud. Love is never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it’s own way. Love is not irritable or touchy. Love does not hold grudges and will hardly notice when others do it wrong. Love is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone, you will be loyal to them no matter what the costs. You will always believe in them, always expect the best in them, and will always stand your ground in defending them.

Wedding Vows Script

(face each other and hold hands)(repeat after me)

I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our
friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you
And I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.

Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So help me God

I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.

I will trust you and honor you
And I will laugh with you and cry with you
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.

Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep
So help me God

Bible Passage 2

John 4:7-12

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God—for God is love.

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.

I Do’s

GROOM/BRIDE, do you take GROOM/BRIDE to be your Husband/Wife? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore? (“I do”)

GROOM/BRIDE, do you take GROOM/BRIDE to be your Husband/Wife? (“I do”) Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore? (“I do”)

The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken.

Ring Exchange

(who has the rings)(repeat after me)

I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee, GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live.

I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee GROOM/BRIDE, to be my Husband/Wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband/wife, for as long as we both shall live.

Wedding Prayer

Bless their marriage, O God, as they begin their journey down the road of life together. We don’t know what lies ahead for the road turns and bends. But help them to make the best of whatever comes their way.

Help them to continue to enjoy each other as they did when they first met. Help them to realize that nothing nor no one is perfect and to look for the good in all things and all people including themselves.

Help them to respect each other’s likes and dislikes, opinions and beliefs, hopes and dreams and fears even though they may not always understand them.

Help them to learn from each other and to help each other to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Help them to realize that no matter what happens to them they will hold on to each other and know that things have a way of working out for the good.

Help them to create for their children a peaceful, stable home of love as a foundation on which they can build their lives.
But most of all, dear God, help them to keep lit the torch of love’ that they now share so that by their loving example they may pass on the light of love to their children and to their children’s children forever. Amen

Closing Comments

To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.
It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other.
It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together.
It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.

And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.
By the power vested in me I now pronounce you . . . . . . .

Wedding Prayer

You may kiss your Groom/Bride.
I would Like to introduce the happy couple

Funny Christian Wedding Officiant Script

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Personally written wedding vows, prayers and bible readings can be included when using this slightly wedding officiant script funny.

Opening

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts. In this ceremony today we will witness the joining GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE in marriage.

Today we have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For them, out of the routine of ordinary life, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love and are finalizing it with their wedding today. Romance is fun, but true love is something far more and it is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today.

But today is also a celebration for the rest of us, for it is a pleasure for us to see love in bloom, and to participate in the union of two people so delightfully suited to one another. And to have a couple of cocktails in the process.
So let’s get on with it already!

Words of Wisdom

A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the “little” things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, ”I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is standing together and facing the world.
It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right person — it is being the right partner

Vows

(face each other and hold hands)(repeat after me)

I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my husband/wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep

I, GROOM/BRIDE take you GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish
our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever.
I will trust you and honor you
I will laugh with you and cry with you.
I will love you faithfully
Through the best and the worst,
Through the difficult and the easy.
Whatever may come I will always be there.
As I have given you my hand to hold
So I give you my life to keep

GROOM/BRIDE AND GROOM/BRIDE I would ask that you always treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together today.

Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage – as they do to every relationship at one time or another – focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong.
This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and happiness.

I Do’s

GROOM/BRIDE do you take GROOM/BRIDE to be your awful wedded Husband/Wife? (“I do”)
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, and be faithful to him/her?(“I do”)
Do you promise to take out the trash and pick up your clothes off the floor?(“I do”)
And Do you promise to love him/her even when he/she is cranky(“I do”)

GROOM/BRIDE do you take GROOM/BRIDE to be your awful wedded Husband/Wife? (“I do”)
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him/her, and be faithful to him/her? (“I do”)
Do you Promise not to whine at him/her when he/she forgets to take out the trash or pick up his clothes from the floor.(“I do”)
And do you promise to love him/her after he/she has been out all night with the boys/girls.(“I do”)

Ring Exchange

(who has the rings)(repeat after me)

There are 3 rings of marriage. The wedding ring, The Engagement ring and the suffering. We hope the latter can be held to a minimum.

I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee, GROOM/BRIDE to be my Husband/Wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live.

I GROOM/BRIDE, take thee GROOM/BRIDE, to be my Husband/Wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Husband/Wife, for as long as we both shall live.

Closing Comments

To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.
It will take trust, to know, that in your hearts, you truly want what is best for each other,
And It will take dedication, to stay open to one another – and to learn and grow together,
It will take faith, to go forward together, without knowing exactly what the future brings.
And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both have pledged to today.
By the power vested in me I now pronounce you . . . . . .

The Kiss

You may kiss your HUSBAND/WIFE.
I would Like to introduce the happy couple

Baptist Wedding Ceremony Script Sample

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Hardly different from other Christian wedding ceremony script, the Baptist marriage ceremony script only has a slight variation in the vows, as depicted below.

“With this ring I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, ’til death do us part.”

Christian Wedding Vows Examples

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Wedding ceremonies would be incomplete without wedding vows. Below are a few samples of wedding vows for a Christian wedding ceremony.

Basic Protestant Vows

“I, ___, take thee, ___, to be my wedded husband/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, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith [or] pledge myself to you.”

Catholic Wedding Vows

“I, ___, take you, ___, for my lawful wife/husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part.”

“I, ___, take you, ___, to be my husband/wife. And I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”

Eastern Orthodox Wedding Vows

Many branches of the Orthodox church use silent vows during the ceremony — an introspective prayer in which the couple promises to be loyal and loving to each other. In the Russian tradition, however, vows are spoken out loud:

“I, ___, take you, ___, as my wedded wife/husband and I promise you to love, honor and respect; to be faithful to you, and not to forsake you until death does us part. So help me God, one in the Holy Trinity and all the Saints.”

Presbyterian Vows

“______, wilt thou have this woman/man to be thy wife/husband and wilt thou pledge thy faith to him/her, in all love and honor, in all duty and service, in all faith and tenderness, to live with her/him, and cherish her/him, according to the ordinance of God, in the holy bond of marriage?”

“I, ______, take you, ______, to be my wedded wife/husband, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband/wife, in plenty and want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.”

Lutheran Vows

“I take you, ______, to be my wife/husband from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us.”
“I, ______, take you, ______, to be my wife/husband, and these things I promise you: I will be faithful to you and honest with you; And I will respect, trust, help, and care for you; I will share my life with you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will try with you better to understand ourselves, the world and God; through the best and worst of what is to come, and as long as we live.”

Biblical Wedding Ceremony Script

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Most traditional Christian wedding ceremony scripts come with Bible readings. Here is one of such with wedding readings from the book of Corinthians.

Processional

At the start of the wedding ceremony, the guests settle in their seats, and then the bridal party enters, before the wedding officiant speech can begin.

Invocation

Friends, we have gathered here today to share a very important moment in the lives of (bride) and (groom). Their love and understanding of each other have grown and matured in the time that they have been together, and now they have decided to take the next step and be joined in holy matrimony.

Reading from Corinthians 1; 13.

Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s faults, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope. It is always ready to endure whatever comes. True love does not come to an end.

Declaration of Intent

Officiant:

“(Groom), do you take(bride) as your lawful wedded wife, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you honor, love comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?”

Groom:

‘I do’

Officiant:

“(Bride), do you take(groom) as your lawful wedded husband, to live in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you honor, love, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?”

Bride:

‘I do’

Vows Exchange

The couple turns and faces each other.

Officiant: addresses the groom who then repeats the marriage vows.

“I take you (bride), to be my wedded 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, honour, and cherish, ’til death do us part.”

Officiant: addresses the bride who then repeats the marriage vows.

“I take you (groom), to be my wedded 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, honour, and cherish, ’til death do us part.”

Rings Exchange

Officiant:

“The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is the sign of a spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. It is a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united together in heart and soul.”

Officiant asks for the bride’s ring and gives it to the groom.

Groom recites as he places the ring on the bride’s finger.

“With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

Officiant asks for the groom’s ring and gives it to the bride.

Bride recites as she places the ring on the groom’s finger.

“With this ring I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

Pronouncement

Married life is a mutual enrichment, a mingling of two lives, which diminishes neither, but enhances both through a give and take between two personalities. As much as you have both consented to be together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith each to the other in the presence of God, your family, and friends, may you continue in this manner as long as you both shall live.

And by the authority vested in me by the State of (name of state), I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may kiss your Bride!

Recessional

End of the marriage ceremony, as the couple exit the building, followed by the bridal party.

Protestant Wedding Ceremony Script

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A protestant wedding is similar to most contemporary Christian weddings. Below is a sample Christian wedding ceremony script that can be used at a protestant wedding.

Processional

The bridal party makes their entrance, followed by the bride, after the prelude, where the guests settle into their seats.

Invocation

We have been invited here today in the sight of God and these witnesses to join (bride) and (groom), together in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, since the first man and the first woman ever walked on the earth. Therefore; this is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but with all reverence and good intent. Into this holy estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. And therefore, if anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.

Reading from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians

13: 4 – 7: 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. Let us pray for this man and woman as they make their marriage vows.

Sermon

The officiant gives a short sermon or admonition on marriage, using the Bible passage from the reading as a point of reference.

Declaration of Intent

(Bride) and (groom), you have come together this day, that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of this community of family and friends as well as I. And so, in the presence of this gathering, I ask you to state your intentions: Have you both come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in holy matrimony? If so, answer by saying ‘I have’

The couple together: ‘I have.’
Rings Exchange
Officiant to the groom:

“Please take the ring you have selected for (bride). As you place it on her finger, repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

Groom repeats after the minister as he places the ring on the bride’s finger.

Officiant to the bride:

“Please take the ring you have selected for (groom). As you place it on his finger, repeat after me: “With this ring, I thee wed. Wear it as a symbol of our love and commitment.”

Bride repeats after the minister as she places the ring on the groom’s finger.

Declaration of Intent

Prayer
Officiant:

May the Lord Jesus Christ, always be at the center of the new journey that you are now embarking on and the life you will build together, that you may build upon the foundation of his love. May the Lord bless you both all the days of your lives and fill you with His joy. Amen.

Pronouncement

Officiant (Joins both their hands together and says):

Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. In so much as (bride) and (groom) have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and these witnesses, having given and pledged their faith, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of rings, I pronounce that you are both husband and wife. You may now seal the promises you have made to each other this day with a kiss.

(The couple kisses.)

Officiant:

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. & Mrs…”

Recessional

The wedding ceremony ends as the couple exit the building followed by the bridal party.

Modern Christian Wedding Ceremony Script

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Modern-day weddings tend to be more minimalist and simpler in nature than before. So here is a simple modern wedding ceremony script that would be great for your wedding.

Prelude

Music or hymns play while the guests take their seats. This is usually followed by the procession of the bride and the bridal party.
Greeting
Officiant:

“We are gathered here today in the sight of God, to witness and bless the joining together of (bride) and (groom) in holy matrimony. They have come to give themselves to one another in this holy covenant.”

Declaration of Intention

Officiant to the couple:

“I ask you now, in the presence of God and these witnesses, to declare your intention to enter into holy matrimony with one another through the grace of Jesus Christ, who calls you into union with himself through salvation.”

Officiant to the bride:

“Will you have (groom) to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you, comfort, love him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in heath, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”

Bride: “I will.”

Officiant to the groom:

“Will you have (bride) to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony? Will you, comfort, love her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in heath, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”

Groom: “I will.”
Giving Away (or Family Blessings)
Officiant: “Who offers their blessing to this marriage?”

Father or Mother of the bride: “I do.”

Prayer

Officiant:

Let us pray. Father Lord, you are the light of the world. You show us the way, the truth, and the life. And you love us even when we are disobedient. You sustain us with your Holy Spirit. We praise you for your eternal presence with us, and even during this act of solemn covenant; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Message

Usually a sermon combining scripture with messages and readings on the union of marriage.

Exchange of Vows

The bride and groom turn to face each other and join hands.

Groom to Bride:

“In the name of God, I, (groom), take you, (bride), to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better, for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and to cherish, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”

Bride to Groom:

“In the name of God, I, (bride), take you, (groom), to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward. For better, for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and to cherish, until death do us part. This is my solemn vow.”

Exchange of Rings

Officiant:

”These rings are the physical sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying the union between Jesus Christ and his church. Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may live in your peace and continue in your favor all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Groom to bride:

”(Bride), I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you; In the name of the Father, And of the Son, And of the Holy Spirit.”

Bride to groom:

“(Groom), I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you; In the name of the Father, And of the Son, And of the Holy Spirit.”

Declaration of Marriage

Officiant:

As you have declared your consent and vows before God and these witnesses, may God confirm your covenant and fill you both with grace.

Officiant to guests:

“Now that (bride) and (groom) have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands, and with the giving and receiving of rings, I now declare them husband and wife; In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. They whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder.

Officiant to the groom: “You may now kiss the bride”.
Introduction of the Couple
Officiant: “I now introduce to you, for the very first time, Mr. & Mrs…..”

Recessional

The couple exit the building as husband and wife, followed by the bridal party for the commencement of the wedding reception.

Thus, Christian wedding ceremony script samples can be very helpful if you are feeling daunted finding the right script for your Christian wedding service. These can be used verbatim, or inspire you to write your own.

Finding the right officiant who understands the significance of your beliefs can make your ceremony truly special. Our wedding directory includes some experienced officiants who specialize in creating meaningful Christian wedding ceremonies.