Religious Ceremony – Sample

(This sample ceremony is long but will give you some ideas.
Many religious ceremonies are alot shorter)

 Sample wedding ceremonies on our site are custom ceremonies

Procession

Who brings this woman to this man?  If bride is escorted

Thank you, please take your seat.

Welcome

Dearly beloved:  We are assembled here in the presence of God to join Bride and Groom in holy matrimony, which is instituted by God, regulated by His commandments, blessed by Jesus Christ and to be held in honor among all people. God has instructed all who enter into this relationship to cherish a mutual esteem and love; to bear with each other's infirmities and weaknesses; to comfort each other in sickness, trouble and sorrow; to provide for each other, and for their household, in temporal things; to pray for and encourage each other in things which pertain to God; and to live together as the heirs of the grace of life.

The Lord God said, it is not good that the Man should be alone; I will make a helpmate for him. The holy estate of matrimony signifies to us the mystical union between Christ and his Church.

 Therefore, it is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the Love of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come to be joined.

I require and charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, that, having duly considered the holy covenant you are about to make, you do declare before this company your pledge of faith, each to the other. Be well assured that if these solemn vows are kept unaltered, as God's word demands, and if steadfastly you endeavor to do God's will, God will bless your marriage, will grant you fulfillment in it, and will establish your home in peace.

Insert reading, song, or prayer here (optional)

Opening

Groom and Bride, in the days ahead of you, there will be times of conflict and times of joy. Harmony will be your reward if you follow this advice.
Let your love be stronger than your anger.
Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break.
Look for the best in your beloved rather than the worst.
Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
Give your spouse the same courtesies and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.
Say, "I love you" every day.

And I ask you to remember what the Bible teaches us of love:
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love is never-ending.

Declaration of Intention

Groom and Bride, I remind you that marriage is a precious gift. A lifelong dedication to love and a daily challenge to love one another more fully and more freely. With this understanding,

Groom, I now ask you: Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?  Do you promise God, Bride, and all of us here that from this point forward, your arms may be her shelter and your heart may be her guide? Do you promise to support her and nourish her, to love, respect and honor her for the rest of your days on earth?  If so, please answer “I do.”

Bride, I now ask you: Do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?  Do you promise God, Groom and all of us here that from this point forward, your arms may be his shelter and your heart may be his guide? Do you promise to support him and nourish him, to love, respect and honor him for the rest of your days on earth?  If so, please answer “I do.”

Exchange of Vows (If Bride and Groom would like to say their own vows)
Minister: Groom and Bride will now express their sacred vows of love to each other.

Hand Ceremony (optional)

Best Man (or whoever you chose) Reads This:
Bride please face Groom, and hold his hands,
palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, feels his child stir within you.
These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.
These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your new family
These are that hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy
These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief wrack your mind.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

Maid of Honor (or whoever you chose) Reads This:
Groom, please hold Bride's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it is time to let go
These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
They are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope, each time she tells you that you are to have another child. that together you have created a new life.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized.

Minister:
God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for your perfection. May Groom and Bride see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen

Giving of Rings
As read from Song of Solomon 8:6-7

"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned." 

Do you have the rings?

Groom and Bride, you have chosen rings as an outward symbol of the commitment you make today.  From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending. It is a reminder of the eternal quality of God and of unending strength. We ask that God bless these rings and this union of souls.

Groom, take the ring which you have selected, place it on Bride's finger, and say to her these words:

Bride, I give to you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your husband.  With this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bride, take the ring which you have selected, place it on Groom's finger, and say to him these words.
Groom, I give to you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion to you. I pledge to you all that I am and all that I will ever be as your wife. With this ring, I thee wed. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen

Insert reading, song, or prayer here (optional)

Sand Ceremony optional (vases can be purchased at our store)

Bride and Groom, today you are making a life-long commitment to share the rest of your lives with each other. At the beginning of your ceremony, your parent’s poured sand into two separate vessels. These two separate containers of sand represent your separate families and lives to this moment.

One for you, Bride and all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and you, one for you, Groom and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. Both as individuals. I also hold a third vessel of sand which represents Christ and the Church. I now pour this to be the foundation of your marriage and the commitment you make today. (White sand)

Groom and Bride, as you each hold your sand the separate containers of sand represent your lives to this moment; individual and unique. As you now combine your sand together, your lives also join together as one.

You may now blend the sand together symbolizing the uniting of bride, groom, Christ and the Church into one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be.

Children Rose Ceremony optional (can also be change to family medallion ceremony)

Child-1 and Child-2, please come forward.

As we give thanks to God for the love that brings Bride and Groom together, so too we recognize the merging of families taking place and the additional love and responsibility that family and friends bring to this relationship.

As part of the family nature of God's creation we recognize Child-1 and Child-2 and the significant role they play in this marriage that we celebrate today.

Bride & Groom: Say what they want to the children as they give each child a rose.

Minister: (Addressing children), Child-1 and Child-2, Today Bride and Groom  promise to you their continuing love, even now, as they surround you with their arms of support and protection.  The four of you are now joined in one unbroken circle.

Charge to the Couple

Bride and Groom as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect.  

Insert reading, song, or prayer here (optional)

Pronouncement

Groom and Bride, inasmuch as you have consented together to enter into the holy bonds of marriage; and having pledged and sealed your vows by the giving and receiving of rings before God and this loving community of family and friends, it gives me great joy to pronounce by the authority vested in me, that you are now husband and wife.

You may seal your vows with a kiss.

It gives me great joy to present to you Mr. & Mrs. Grooms last name.

Jumping of the Broom Ceremony (optional - African American ceremony) (highlighted should be printed on program or read by someone in wedding party)

We end this ceremony with the African American tradition of jumping of the broom. Slaves in this country were not permitted to marry, so they jumped a broom as a way of ceremonially uniting. Today it represents great joy and at the same time serves as a reminder of the past and the pain of slavery.

As our bride and groom jump the broom, they physically and spiritually cross the threshold into the land of matrimony. It marks the beginning of making a home together. It symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of the new; the sweeping away all negative energy, making way for all things that are good to come into your lives. It is also a call of support for the marriage from the entire community of family and friends. The bride and groom will now begin their new life together with a clean sweep!

One of the attendants then hands the broom to the groom, who makes sweeping gestures to eliminate any negative energy. The groom then hands the broom to the bride, who places it on the ground in their path.

Everyone count 1, 2, 3... Jump! Together! 1, 2, 3... Jump!

The bride and groom jump over the broom, and then kiss. Immediately, the music begins and the couple recesses down the aisle to the cheers of family and friends!