The details of wedding sermons depend a lot on the religious beliefs of the couple and that of the officiant. It is also a bit dependent on the type of wedding being held.
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Is it secular unconventional, non-denominational, religious or unreligious?
It is also possible that the couple and the officiant/minister discuss certain details about the wedding sermon beforehand. Either way, if you are designated to officiate a wedding and you need ideas for wedding sermons, so here are a few we have been able to dig up from wedding ceremony scripts for your reference.
Wedding Ceremony Sermons
Wedding ceremony sermons are usually handled by the minister/officiant of the wedding. This entails either a religious or perhaps even non-religious speech on marriage and an exhortation of the couple to take marriage seriously and love each other throughout their time together. While there is no strict rule on the structure of wedding ceremony sermons, they loosely follow the same similar outline.
- Welcome: The minister/officiant, welcomes the guests to the joining of the couple in not so many words.
- Giving of the Bride: The minister/officiant asks who gives the bride to be married to the groom, and the person filling this role, responds.
- Prayer: The minister/officiant says a prayer over the couple, everyone attending, and the marriage ceremony.
- Wedding Sermon: The main part, the sermon usually stems from religious verses related to marriage, and the minister/officiant says a few words on the marriage institution.
- Prayer: A concluding prayer is made.
- Exchange of Rings and Vows: The couple exchange rings and their vows.
- Pronouncement: The minister/officiant, pronounces the couple man and wife and re-introduces them to their guests.
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Wedding Sermons Outline
While there are different types of wedding sermons, a lot loosely follow a standard outline. Here we have one which you can adjust or edit to create your own.
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Types of Wedding Sermons
There are different types of wedding sermons, and when writing a wedding ceremony, it is usually guided by the type of wedding taking place. Some weddings are brief and informal, some others classic and elaborate, and some are even royal. Thus, below we have samples of different types of wedding ceremony sermons to help you with ideas.
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Short Wedding Sermons
Short wedding sermons are great for a couple who want everything brief and straight to the point. So, if you find yourself officiating such a wedding, here is a sample, which might be useful.
Opening
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, the joining of two hearts and to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite this couple in marriage.
Should there be anyone who has caused why this couple should not be united in marriage, Shush!!
Who gives this Woman/Man today to be married (optional)
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. A good marriage must be created. It is never too old to hold hands. It’s remembering to say I love you every day and it is not just marrying the right person it’s being the right partner.
Vows
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, 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 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 him/her? (“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/her? (“I do”)
Rings
Wedding rings are an unbroken circle of love, signifying to all the union of this couple in marriage.
GROOM/BRIDE, This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I thee wed.
GROOM/BRIDE, This ring is my sacred gift, with my promise that I will always love you, cherish you and honor you all the days of my life. And with this ring, I thee wed.
Closing
By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you …………
Kiss
You may kiss your GROOM/BRIDE.
I present to you our happy couple
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Funny Wedding Sermons
Some wedding sermons are incomplete without anecdotes or comic relief to lighten the mood. For the very chill and playful couple, this type of sermon would not be amiss, so this sample below might just do.
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.
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 will like to introduce the happy couple
Creative Wedding Sermons
If you’re trying to write a creative wedding sermon, then the standard sermon goes out the window. Your last thoughts would be order and what comes first at a wedding. Instead, you should think differently and find what fits with the couple in question. Below we have a sample for a medieval wedding sermon.
Opening
BISHOP (Officiant): Blessings and merry meet. Gentle lords and ladies, their bans having been published, we are here today to join the FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ and the Noble LORD/LADY ____________ together.
They have asked you here to share in their joy and to declare their love for one another before you as a community.
BISHOP: Lord, art thou here this day in pledged troth of thy own free will and choice?
LORD/LADY __________ : Aye, Father
BISHOP: Princess, art thou here this day in pledged troth of thy own free will and choice?
FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS _____________ : Aye, Father
BISHOP: In as much as this Noble Lord/Lady and Fair Prince/Princess have pledged their troth to be married this day, we call upon Heaven to bless this union. Therefore if anyone can show just cause, why they may not be joined together, by God’s Law, or the Laws of the Realm; let them now speak, or else hereafter keep silent for all time.
Lest it not be overlooked, however, there is rumor amongst the fair princess’ people that any such scurrilous objector shall be later beheaded today at the feast for the entertainment and amusement of the Lords and Ladies in attendance.
There being no objection to this marriage let us continue.
Sacred Blade
BISHOP: Swear you now, on this sacred blade, that there is no reason known to you that this union should not proceed.
LORD/LADY ___________ : I do so swear.
BISHOP: Is there any reason known to you why this partnership should not be made?
FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ : There is none.
BISHOP: Heavenly Father, creator of all things both in heaven and Earth, we humbly ask thee to bless this union, may these thy servants seek goodness all the days of their lives, may they be strong in defense of what is right, may they be united as one even as thou art with God.
May they be numbered amongst thy sheep. We humbly pray in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN
I Will’s
Do you LORD/LADY __________ take unto thyself as husband/wife the FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ____________ and pledge unto him/her before God and these witnesses to be his/her protector, defender and sure resort, to honor and sustain him/her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, with all thy worldly powers, to cherish and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him/her, so long as ye both shall live?
LORD/LADY __________ : I will.
BISHOP: Do you FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ____________ take unto thyself the Noble LORD/LADY ___________ to be thy rightful lord/lady Husband/Wife and pledge unto him/her before God and these witnesses to honor and cherish him/her, to cleave unto him/her, in sickness and in health, in fair and in foul, be his one true and lasting counselor and solace, and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him/her, so long as ye both shall live?
FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ : I will.
Ring Exchange
BISHOP: Heavenly Father, bless these rings which Noble LORD/LADY _________ and FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS __________ have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them.
LORD/LADY ___________: Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you.
FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________: Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you.
BISHOP: This circle will now seal the vows of this marriage and will symbolize the purity and endlessness of their love.
Hand Fasting / Hand Binding
We will now do the ancient Celtic hand fastening ritual where 3 cords will be placed over their joined hands.
Person 1 will now place the Burgundy cord to symbolize romance, partnership, and happiness
Person 2 will now place the Ivory cord which stands for peace, sincerity, and devotion.
Person 3 will now place the gold cord which represents unity, prosperity, and longevity.
Person 4 will now tie the cords together to signify the tying of the knot.
BISHOP: As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound. Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of thy friends and family, and of themselves, for a new life together.
With the fashioning of this knot, you tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last.
In the joining of hands and the fashioning of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another.
By this cord, you are thus now and forevermore bound to your vow.
May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last. May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger.
May the vows you have spoken never grow bitter in your mouths. As any child discovers when they are learning to tie their own shoes, the first move is to cross the ends.
The cross creates the (X), which is the symbol of partnership and union. As your hands are bound by this cord, so is your partnership held by the symbol of this knot.
Two entwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, through hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union.
Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows.
I shall now remove the cords.
Closing
Thou hast pledged troth of thy own free will and sworn upon the Sword, Thou hast exchanged rings and been bound together by the ritual of the cords.
May it be granted that what is done before the gods be not undone by man.
The Kiss
Before I proclaim you joined thou must kiss three times on cue.
Once for luck, Twice for Love and Thrice for Long life.
By the Power Vested in my by the Realm
I now pronounce you LORD/LADY ___________ and FAIR PRINCE/PRINCESS ___________ , Husband/Wife and Husband/Wife.
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Christian Wedding Sermons
A Christian wedding sermon follows a similar outline with most standard weddings, however, the wedding is usually held in a church with a Pastor or Priest officiating. Christian wedding sermons will also include readings from the Bible. Below we have a sample of such a sermon.
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 a 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.
VOWS (face each other and hold hands)(repeat after me)
I, GROOM/BRIDE take your 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 faithfullyThrough 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 GodI, GROOM/BRIDE take your 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 faithfullyThrough 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 GodBible 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 the 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 the 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 . . . . . . .
The Kiss
You may kiss your Groom/Bride.
I will like to introduce the happy couple
Non-Religious Samples
A non-religious wedding is usually exempt from religious wedding sermons or traditional wedding rituals. For this type of wedding, you will need a non-religious wedding sermon. Below we have a sample to give you an idea.
Welcome
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.
If there is anyone present who has just cause why this couple should not be united…..Sussh!
Who gives this man/woman to be married today (Optional)
Opening Comments
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.
A good marriage must be created.In marriage, the “little” things are the big things.
It is never 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 your 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.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 keepI, GROOM/BRIDE take your 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.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
Words of Wisdom
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 the 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/her forevermore? (“I do”)GROOM/BRIDE, do you take the 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/her forevermore? (“I do”)
Ring Exchange (who has the rings)(repeat after me)
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.
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.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 Groom/Bride.
I would like to introduce the happy couple
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Sample Wedding Sermons For Religious Couple
If in need of more sample wedding sermons, you can be sure that we have not run out. So here are samples for a Catholic wedding sermon and a Jewish wedding sermon.
Catholic
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.
If there is anyone present who has just cause why this couple should not be united let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
Who gives this man/woman to be married today (Optional)
You have come together today so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of God and this community. Christ abundantly blesses your love, he strengthens you so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity, and so… in the presence of this community.
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.
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 partnerBible Passage 1. 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.
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 faithfullyThrough 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 keepI, 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 faithfullyThrough 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
Words of Wisdom
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.
PRAYERS FOR THE FAITHFUL – Call and Response
Let us pray for peace, happiness, and joy in everyone’s life, both here at home, and around the world.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Let us pray for the new additions to our families, that God looks over them, and that they are always surrounded by love and caring.Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those in our lives who are sick and healing, may their road to recovery be blessed.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those who have traveled this road with us, but could not join us here today. We know that those people are close to us in spirit.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
Let us pause for a moment to add our own special intentions.
Response: Lord, hear our prayer.
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 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, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore? (“I do”)
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.
Ring Exchange (who has the rings)(repeat after me)
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.
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. Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit.
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. Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit.
Lord, bless and consecrate this groom and bride in their love for each other. May these rings be a symbol of their true faith in each other, and always remind them of their love through the Christ to God.
Wedding Prayer
Bless their marriage, Oh 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.
Closing Blessing
My dear friends, let us turn to the lord and pray that he will bless this couple and unite them in holy marriage today.
Father, you have made the union of husband and wife so holy as it symbolizes the marriage of two humans through Christ to God.Look with love upon this couple and fill them both with love for each other, both honoring and respecting each other and always
seeing their love as a gift to be treasured. May the commitment which they are making be sacred not only for today but for the rest of their lives.We ask this blessing for them in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit.
By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you . . . . . . .
The Kiss
You may kiss your Groom/Bride.
I would like to introduce the happy couple
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Jewish
Opening
Shalom!!
We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, The Joining of 2 hearts. In this ceremony today we will witness the joining GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE in marriage.
If there is anyone present who has just cause why this couple should not be united…..Sussh!
Who gives this man/woman to be married today (Optional)
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.
GROOM/BRIDE and GROOM/BRIDE, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family and friends – we learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life, and it is the shared goal of married life.
But we also must remember that it is not humankind which created love, but God who created love.
Blessed art thou, O Lord God, creator of all things.
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
Wine Blessing
In this glass are the fruits of God, Humankind and Mother Earth. The years of our lives are like a cup of wine that is poured out for the sake of labor, honor, and love. Many days you will sit at the same table and eat and drink together. Many are the experiences you will share. As with a glass of wine, one of you may find it sweet, the other perhaps dry or somehow different. Let the drink you share today serve as a reminder that although you may perceive things very differently, being right is never more important than being happy.
With this space that you give each other, always putting your commitment to love and honor one another first, your lives together will grow deeper, richer and greatly satisfying, like a rare and fine wine. Blessed art thou oh Lord our god-king of the universe who has created the fruit of the vine. You may now drink from this fountain of love.
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.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 keepI, 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.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
Words of Wisdom
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.
Benediction
May the groom/bride and groom/bride now receive the benediction –
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Creator of Man.
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has fashioned us in Thine own image and who established marriage for the fulfillment and perpetuation of life in accordance with Thy holy purpose. “Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Creator of man.
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Who art the source of all gladness and joy. Through Thy grace, we attain affection, companionship, love, and peace. Grant that the love which unites this man and woman my grow in abiding happiness. May their family be ennobled through their devotion to the faith of Israel. May there be peace in their home, quietness, and confidence in their hearts. May they be sustained by Thy comforting presence in the midst of our people and Thy promise of salvation of all mankind.
“Blessed art Thou O Lord God, Ruler of the Universe, Who dost unite this man and this woman in the holy joy of matrimony. Amen”
I Do’s
Do you GROOM/BRIDE take GROOM/BRIDE to be your husband/wife? (“I do”). Do you promise to love, cherish and protect him/her, whether in good fortune or in adversity and to seek with him/her a life hallowed by the faith of Israel? (“I do”)
Do you GROOM/BRIDE take GROOM/BRIDE to be your husband/wife? (“I do”). Do you promise to love, cherish and protect him/her, whether in good fortune or in adversity and to seek with him/her a life hallowed by the faith of Israel? (“I do”)
Ring Exchange (who has the rings)(repeat after me)
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.
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 according to the law of God / and the faith of Israel.”
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 according to the law of God / and the faith of Israel.”
7 Jewish blessings Sheva B’rachot
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of all things for Your glory.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of man and woman.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates us to share with You in life’s everlasting renewal.
We praise You, Adonai our God, who causes Zion to rejoice in her children’s happy return.
We praise You, Adonai our God, who causes loving companions to rejoice. May these loving companions rejoice as have Your creatures since the days of Creation.
We praise You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Creator of joy and gladness, friends and lovers, love and kinship, peace and friendship. O God, may there always be heard in the cities of Israel and in the streets of Jerusalem: the sounds of joy and happiness, the voice of loving couples, the shouts of young people celebrating, and the songs of children at play. We praise you, Adonai our God, who causes lovers to rejoice together.
Silent Prayer
I ask you and all your dear ones to bow your heads in reverence. Silently pray that God will bless the home of GROOM/BRIDE and
GROOM/BRIDE and that they each, and together, may achieve their highest hopes.
(After a short pause)“May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance unto to you, and give you peace. 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.
Crushing of the Glass
The final act of this ceremony is the shattering of the glass.
This old custom has many traditions, with many interpretations. At one time it was meant to scare off demons that frequent celebrations (or pesky wedding guests). Today, the fragility of the glass suggests the frailty of human relationships.
The groom/bride and groom/bride – and everyone –that they should consider these marriage vows as an IRREVOCABLE ACT. Just as permanent and final as the breaking of this glass is unchangeable. The glass is broken to protect this marriage with the implied prayer.
”May your bond of love be as difficult to break, as it would be to put back together these pieces of glass.”
Knowing that this marriage is permanent, the Groom/Bride and Groom/Bride should strive every day to show each other love and respect and happiness.
After GROOM/BRIDE breaks the glass, I invite everyone to shout the Hebrew words “Mazel Tov,” meaning “Good Luck” and “Congratulations.”
CRUSH TIMEBy the power vested in me, I now pronounce you . . . . . .
The Kiss
You may kiss your Groom/Bride.
I would like to introduce the happy couple
Wedding Sermons for Second Marriages
A second marriage is completely different from a first marriage, and most times even more serious and more meaningful. Before a second marriage, a lot of time has passed, a lot of water passed under the bridge. There are children, experiences, joys and sometimes even disappointments. However, the love is still present, and this is why a second marriage carries more meaning and so should the wedding sermon. Below is a sample sermon used for a couple who were going the second round.
We stand here, at the beginning of a new thing today, because of the ending of some other things: the ending of solitude and loneliness, the end of the crush of grief, the end of the fear of loving again. We stand here, today, on this glorious afternoon in this glorious spot of creation, because of second chances, because of this God we have who gives second chances to our beloveds.
The fact that you two stand up here this day says something about your confidence in second chances. With this second chance you kind of know what you’re in for, or what you may be in for – the good and the bad and the heartbreaking of it. But this love, this relationship, this commitment to each other is compelling, and here you are.
But maybe all of this isn’t really about second chances. Maybe it’s not about that at all. Maybe it really is about that stuff Paul described: faith and hope and love.
Faith in each other: the faith that this is a person I can trust; that this is a person who’s been through as much hell as I have and like I have come through to the land of the living; that this is a person I want to waltz with early and often.
Hope that something good was learned the first time around; hope that some of the things that happened before won’t happen this time; hope not that
I will change this person, but that I will be changed for the better because I am committed to this person.
And love, that four-letter word we toss about like a frisbee on a spring day. You two know what love is, what real love is. You know how love gets you through the grief and the loss and the disappointment. You know how loves makes a tarnished old piece of life look shiny and new. You have watched each other love your parents; you’ve watched each other love your brothers and sisters; you’ve watched each other love and raise your sons. And you admire how each other loves, and you’re inspired by that, and you want to be in the midst of all of that adorable radiance.
We may well be here because of second chances, but really, I don’t think there’s any chance to this at all. You have worked too hard to suggest that your marriage is the offspring of whimsy or serendipity or luck. You have been loved by people who didn’t want to see you alone; you’ve been encouraged by your family and your friends and some professionals; you’ve been held up by each other. You have been wise and patient. And now you get the joy, and the rest of your life, together, and the waltz. A future in 3/4 time: now that’s a second chance.
Writing wedding sermons and wedding sermons outlines may not be as difficult as first imagined. So take your time, follow the standard outline, or not; so keep in mind the beliefs of the couple, and write a sermon that works. Also, don’t forget to include traditional wedding vows for a traditional wedding and perhaps adjust them for a non-conformist wedding. We hope our ideas have helped.
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