*This Ceremony requires a Hindu Priest or a religious Hindu representative. That person is not included with this ceremony or any packages by A Wedding With Rev Schulte. The couple will need to contract with that person.
Introductory Remarks:
Rev Schulte to provide a brief welcoming remark introducing himself and Mr. ____________
Welcome to the Wedding ceremony of _____________________ and _____________________.
I am Rev. Steve Schulte. And I’m joined today with Mr. ____________. We are pleased to be here to conduct the _____________________’s and _____________________’s wedding ceremony!
We begin…..
Introductory Prayers:
Rev. Schulte:
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
P: The Lord be with you All: And also with you.
P: God our Father,
you have taught us through your Son
that love is the fulfilling of the law.
Grant to your servants
that, loving one another,
they may continue in your love
until their lives’ end;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Mr. ____________:
Hindu Prayer inserted here.
_____________________ and _____________________: Giving Away of the Bride
Rev. Schulte:
We have come together in the presence of God, to witness the marriage of _____________________ and _____________________, to ask his blessing on them, and to share in their joy.
The Scriptures teach us that marriage is a gift of God in creation and a means of his grace, a holy mystery, in which this man and this woman become one flesh. It is God’s purpose that, as a husband and a wife give themselves to each other in love throughout their lives, they shall be united in that love as Christ is united with the Church.
Marriage is given, that husband and wife may comfort and help each other, living faithfully together in need and in plenty, in sorrow and in joy. It is given, that with delight and tenderness you may know each other in love, and through the joy of their union may strengthen the union of their hearts and lives. It is given, that they may have children and be blessed in caring for them and bringing them up in accordance with God’s will, to his praise and glory.
In marriage husband and wife belong to one another, and begin a new life together in the community. It is a way of life that all should honour; and it must not be undertaken carelessly, lightly, or selfishly, but reverently, responsibly, and after serious thought.
Mr. ____________:
Tying the knot – introduces this Indian tradition (explains meaning behind tying the knot). Bride’s mother approaches and ties the string. Mother sits down.
Havan (Fire lighting): Priest lights fire. (_____________________, please explain the tradition of lighting the fire and walking around the fire).
Mangal Fera (Circles of the Holy Fire): The priest then lights the holy fire and the Bride and the Groom are explained the significance of this ceremony. They take a total of (4) four rounds around the holy fire. The bride leads the first three rounds whereas the groom then leads the 4th and final round.
Om Svaha! With the first turn, we pray for happiness in the union of the couple.
Om Svaha! With the second turn, we pray for the long life of the couple.
Om Svaha! With the third turn, we pray for the healthy life of the couple.
Om Svaha! With the fourth turn, we pray for the happiness and health of the couple.
Sapda Padi (Seven Steps): both the bride and the groom take (7) seven steps together in friendship. There are seven vows they take at every step; “together we shall” (_____________________, we would like it if you explained the meaning of the 7 steps)
Rev. Schulte:
This is the way of life, created and hallowed by God, that _____________________ and _____________________ are now to begin. They will each give their consents to the other; they will join hands and exchange solemn vows, and in token of this they will give and receive a ring.
Therefore, on this their wedding day we pray with them, that, strengthened and guided by God, they may fulfill his purpose for the whole of their earthly life together.
The Priest says to the gathered
I ask is there anyone present who knows a reason why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.
The Priest says to the couple
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the name of God, who is judge of all and who knows all the secrets of our hearts: therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, you must declare it now.
Congregation, please stand as you are able.
The Priest says to the bridegroom
_____________________, will you take _____________________to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her and forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
He answers: I will
The Priest says to the bride
_____________________, will you take _____________________ to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him and forsaking all other, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers: I will.
The couple face each other and join hands
The bride takes the bride’s right hand in his and says:
I, _____________________, take you _____________________
to be my wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,
according to God’s holy law;
and this is my solemn vow.
They loose hands.
The bride takes the bridegroom’s right hand in hers, and says:
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,
till death us do part,
according to God’s holy law;
and this is my solemn vow.
They loose hands
Ring Exchange:
Rev. Schulte:
The Priest receives the rings and says:
Heavenly Father, by your blessing, let these rings be to ______ and _______ a symbol of unending love and faithfulness, to remind them of the vow and covenant which they have made this day; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Ring Statement:
Mr. ____________ (or Rev. Schulte):
The wedding rings serve as symbols of the covenant you have just affirmed. They are the outward and visible signs of an inward and invisible love that binds your lives together. As they are of the finest of earth’s materials, so your love is of the richest of spiritual values. As rings are without seam, having no beginning and no end, they symbolize the perfection of a love that cannot end.
Blessing of the Rings:
Rev. Schulte
Bless these rings, O God, that they may be the visible sign of the vows here made, that each who gives and each who wears one, may ever be reminded of their promises, evermore living and growing in the spirit of your love. Amen.
The bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride’s left hand, and holding it there, says:
I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God.
The bride places the ring on the fourth finger of the bridegroom’s left hand, and holding it there, says:
I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God.
The Priest addresses the people:
In the presence of God, and before this congregation, and have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other. They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of a ring. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.
The Priest joins their left hands together and says:
That which God has joined together, let no one divide.
The congregation remain standing.
The couple kneel (if a kneeler is present), and the Priest blesses them.
God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Holy Spirit,
bless, preserve, and keep you;
the Lord mercifully grant you the
riches of his grace,
that you may please him both in body and soul,
and, living together in faith and love,
may receive the blessings of eternal life. Amen
Garland Exchange:
Mr. ____________
Exchange of the garland. Explain the meaning and proceed with the exchange. (_____________________, can you please explain the significance of the garland exchange?)
Closing prayer / remarks by Mr. ____________
Wedding Blessing:
Rev Schulte
Wedding Blessing:
Most gracious God
We give thanks for the marriage of _____________________ and _____________________
Defend them from every enemy
Lead them into all peace
Let their love be a seal upon their hearts,
A mantle about their shoulders and a crown upon their foreheads
Bless them in their work and in their companionship
In their sleeping and in their waking
In their joys and in their sorrows
In their life and their death.
May God the father, son and holy spirit bless, preserve and keep you
Fill you with his favor and grace that you may faithfully live together
In this life and in the age to come, have life everlasting AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer:
Rev Schulte
As our Savior taught us, so we pray.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name,
thy kingdom come,
they 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
The Final Blessing:
Rev Schulte
The Priest blesses the couple and the congregation, saying
God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love, defend you on every side, and guide you in truth and peace; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen
You may kiss the bride.
Rev. Schulte and Mr. ____________ say TOGETHER upon the start of the kiss…
“It is my privilege to introduce to you Mr. and Mrs. _____________________!”
Recessional
*This Ceremony requires a Hindu Priest or a religious Hindu representative. That person is not included with this ceremony or any packages by A Wedding With Rev Schulte. The couple will need to contract with that person.