Order for Marriage *
Processional
The persons to be married having presented themselves at the entrance to the Chancel, or before the altar, the minister shall say:
Presenting of the Bride
The minister says to the familyL
Who gives their blessings for these two to be married?
The family responds:
We do.
Opening Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
P. Let us pray:
Eternal God, our creator and redeemer, as you gladdened the wedding at Cana in Galilee by the presence of your Son, so by his presence now bring your joy to this wedding. Look in favor upon ____________ and __________ and grant that they, rejoicing in all your gifts, may at length celebrate with Christ the marriage feast with has no end.
R/ Amen
Please be seated.
Opening Words
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the marriage of ________ and ________.
Forasmuch as marriage is a holy estate, ordained of God and to be held in honor by all, it behooves those who enter it to weigh, with reverent minds, what the Word of God teaches concerning it:
Readings (Other readings may be read.)
The Lord God said: It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper for him. Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
A Reading from St. John 15.12-13, 17-17
This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
It was not you who chose me, it was I who chose you to go forth and bear fruit. Your fruit must endure, so that all you ask the Father in my name he will give you. The command I give you is this, that you love one another.
The Gospel of our Lord,
Then shall the minister say:
Our gracious Father in heaven does not forsake his children in an estate so holy and acceptable to him as marriage, but is ever present with his abundant blessing.
Question of Intent
The minister says to person 1.
__________, will you have ______ to be your wedded _____, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, comfort, honor and keep _____ in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto __________, so long as you both shall live?
Person 1 says:
I will.
The minister says:
__________, will you have _________ to be your wedded ________, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love, comfort, honor and keep _________ in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto ____________, so long as you both shall live?
Person 2 says
I will.
Exchange of Vows
Person 1 says after the minister:
__________, I take you to be my _____
To love and to cherish
From this day forward.
For better, for worse
For richer, for poorer
In sickness and health
As long as we shall live.
Person 2 says after the minister
__________, I take you to be my _____
To love and to cherish
From this day forward.
For better, for worse
For richer, for poorer
In sickness and health
As long as we shall live.
Blessing of Rings.
When rings are exchanged, the minister takes the rings, blesses them,
Let us pray:
Bless O God these rings that each gives and receives and wears as a token of the covenant between them and God, and may they ever abide in your peace, living together in unity, in love, and in happiness, and with good purpose, doing your will. Amen.
Exchange of Rings
Repeat after the minister:
I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.
The Lord God, who created our first parents and sanctified their union in marriage: sanctify and bless you, that you may please God both in body and soul, and live together in holy love until your life’s end. Amen
The minister says to the gathered:
Closing prayers.
We will now have a prayer, followed by the Lord’s Prayer:
Let us pray:
Almighty and most merciful God, who has now united these two in the holy estate of matrimony: Grant them grace to live therein according to you holy Word; strengthen them in constant fidelity and true affection toward each other; sustain and defend them amidst all trials and temptations; and help them so to pass through this world in faith toward you, in communion with your Holy Church, and in loving service one of the other, that they may enjoy forever your heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ, you Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Then shall all say:
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
Pronouncement
Forasmuch as ________ and ________ have consented together in holy matrimony, and have declared the same before God and in the presence of this congregation, I pronounce them __________ and ________: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
What God has joined together, let no one put asunder.
Benediction.
Then shall the minister say the benediction:
The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you peace. Amen.
Kiss.
Then the minister says: You may kiss.
The couple will turn and face the congregation. Then the minister may say:
(They may be introduced) Introduction.
It is my privilege to introduce to you ______________________
The music begins immediately.
* (Taken from the Service Book and Hymnal of the Lutheran Church in America, 1958, slightly modified)