A Template for the Exchanging of Vows
Preface
A Template for the Exchanging of Vows
The parts in brackets throughout may be used or not, at discretion.
The parts in italics throughout are instructions for the minister.
At the day and time appointed for the solemnization of matrimony, the persons to be married, who are qualified according to law, stand together with the man on the right hand and the woman on the left. The minister shall say, “Dearly beloved, We are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted by God in the time of man’s innocence, signifying to us the mystical union that exists between Christ and his church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended by the apostle Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.
“Into this holy estate, these two persons come now to be joined. Therefore, if anyone can show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his peace.”
[Speaking to the persons who are to be married, the minister shall say, “I require and charge you that if either of you knows any reason that you should not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, you must confess it now. Be assured that as many as are joined together otherwise than God’s Word allows are not joined together by God; neither is their marriage lawful.”]
If no such obstacle is alleged, then the minister shall say to the man, “______, will you have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance of holy matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, will you keep her as long as you both shall live?”
The man shall answer, “I will.”
Then the minister shall say to the woman, “______, will you have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance of holy matrimony? Will you love, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health? And forsaking all others, will you keep him as long as you both shall live?”
The woman shall answer, “I will.”
[Then the minister shall guide the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand and instruct him to say after him as follows:
“I ______, take you ______, 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 and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance: And thereto I pledge you my faith.”
Then the woman with her right hand will hold the man by his right hand and likewise say after the minister,
“I ______, take you ______, 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 and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance: And thereto I pledge you my faith.”]
Then shall the minister pray thus: “Oh, eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life, send your blessing upon your servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in your name. That as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so may this couple perform and keep the vow and covenant made between them, and may they ever remain in perfect love and peace together and live according to your laws through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
[If the parties desire, the man shall at this time hand a ring to the minister, who will return it to him and direct him to place it on the third finger of the woman’s left hand. And the man shall say to the woman, repeating after the minister,
“With this ring, I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods, I give you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”]
Then the minister shall join their right hands together and say, “Seeing that ______ and ______ have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining of hands, I pronounce that they are husband and wife in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen.”
And the minister shall add this blessing: “God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully look upon you with His favor and so fill you with all spiritual blessing and grace that you may so live together in this life that in the world to come you may have life everlasting. Amen.”
Then the minister shall offer the following prayer: “Oh God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, bless this man and this woman and sow the seeds of eternal life in their hearts that whatsoever they shall profitably learn in your Holy Word, they may indeed fulfill. Look mercifully, Lord, on them from heaven and bless them. As you sent your blessings upon Abraham and Sarah for their great comfort, so grant your blessings upon this man and this woman, that they, obeying your will and always being in safety under your protection, may abide in your love to the end of their lives through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“Almighty God, who at the beginning created our first parents, Adam and Eve, and sanctified and joined them together in marriage, pour the riches of your grace upon these two persons, sanctify and bless them, that they may please you in body and soul, and live together in holy love until the end of their lives. Amen.”
Here the minister may use extemporaneous prayer. Then the minister shall repeat the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father who art in heaven, holy is your name. Your kingdom come. Your 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 them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.”