Greetings and Welcome

(Bride) and (Groom), I congratulate you on the journey of your lives and the travels taken that brought you to this day.

Today, for most people, will be just another Friday.

Most will not remember or have accomplished anything of significance, this particular Friday.

For you (Bride), and for you, (Groom), this particular Friday, is life altering, forever to be etched in your minds and treasured in your memories.

For today, this particular Friday, is the day you delcare your marriage.

Welcome

It has been said that coincidence is God’s annonimity.

It is not coincidence that we are gathered here today to celebrate the gift of love shared between (Bride) and (Groom), it is divine circumstance; Planned, Timed, and Orchestrated.

We were simply unaware of the guiding hand that has brought you together, in Love, and us together in celebration.

In this spirit, let us appreciate all that surrounds us. 

For here, where land meets the sea and sea touches the sky, we see the beauty and the grace in God’s creation. That same, who has brought (Bride) and(Groom) together this particular Friday.

Sanctification

This place we are standing, this chapel by the sea, is sacred.  It is sacred because of what is about to occur here.

The place, two people express God’s gift of love for each other through the Sanctity of Marriage.

It is here, (Bride) and (Groom) share their commitment, in vows, with witness, before God, that from this day forward, these two shall live as one.

Prayer

Father in Heaven,

We thank and praise you, Lord, for (Bride) and (Groom) and for the gift of love they share.

Bless this ceremony, Lord. In your grace, Sanctify this Marriage.

Give to (Bride) and (Groom) this day to claim as their own.  The day they begin their celebration of love in marriage.

Watch over them, Guide them, Nurture their love. 

May their marriage, their lives together, be an inspiration to all they meet; a witness of your blessing, a testament to the goodness of life.

In your name, Lord Jesus,

and in witness thereof.

Amen

Declaration of Marriage

A Declaration of Marriage is the statement of your desire to enter into a closer relationship that of Husband and Wife.

This ceremony provides the sanctification, God’s Blessing, on the union of two souls, already one in spirit.

It acknowledgements your bond, marks the beginning of your union, and embodies the promise of a lifetime celebration.

The bond you share is a gift.

We call this gift, Love.

Love makes burdens lighter, because you divide them.

It makes happiness more intense because you share it.

It makes you stronger, able to reach out in life in ways you dared not risk alone.

For the Strength of the the two of you together, in marriage.

The light that shines from the two of you together, in marriage.

Far outweighs the total of the individual light each of you bring to the marriage.

This is the miracle of Love.

Foundation of Marriage

The Foundation of Your Marriage, is based upon the love you share, and stated in the vows you will make.

A vow is a sacred promise, never to be broken, always to be honored.  It is the most important promise you will ever make.

In this, you are taking into your care and keeping the happiness, the joy, the life of the one with whom you love.

This is a privilege, and a responsibility.

You are adding to your life the love and affection your heart desires; The companionship of a lifetime together.

You are agreeing to carry a part of each other’s responsibilities

You are agreeing to stand for each other to be a light and a tower of strength for each other.

You are entering the sanctity of marriage on an act of pure faith, trusting without reservation. 

And upon this trust, based on love, You now declare the Vows of Your Marriage.

Vows

If, at this time, you wish to continue in marriage, please turn and face each other.

(Groom), please take (Bride)’s hands, holding them in such a fashion as to be able to see her palms.

As you look at her hands, know, these are the hands that will always love you. For (Bride) is God’s gift to you, but she is not a gift for you alone.

You are asked by God to so love this woman, that in your love she will find herself as God has created her

… so beautiful

… so strong

that those who know her and those who will someday meet her, are blessed by the presence of a woman with such radiance, confidence, charity and love.

 

(Groom), please repeat after me.

I, (Groom), Take You (Bride),

To be my Wife,

My Friend and Partner

My One True Love

To Have And To Hold

From This Day Forward,

Beside Me and Apart From Me,

In Laughter And In Tears,

In Conflict And Tranquility,

In Joy As Well As Sorrow.

I Promise To Love You Unconditionally,

To Honor And Respect You,

To Cherish You

From This Day Forward

In All The Ways Life May Find Us.

(Bride), please take (Groom)’s hands in yours.

As you look at his hands, know, these are the hands that will always love you.

For (Groom) is God’s gift to you, but he is not a gift for you alone.

It is God’s will, that in your love, this man will more closely understand who he is and achieve all he is meant to be.

See his goodness. 

Let your love sustain him and strengthen him.

 

(Bride), please repeat after me.

I, (Bride), Take You (Groom),

To be my Husband,

My Friend and Partner

My One True Love

To Have And To Hold

From This Day Forward,

Beside Me and Apart From Me,

In Laughter And In Tears,

In Conflict And Tranquility,

In Joy As Well As Sorrow.

I Promise To Love You Unconditionally,

To Honor And Respect You,

To Cherish You

From This Day Forward

In All The Ways Life May Find Us.

Blessing of the Rings

The unbroken circle of the wedding ring symbolizes the eternity of God’s gift of love in your marriage.

The perfection of the circle represents the Faith, Hope and Love that is yours in marriage.

As the circle has no point of weakness, it is symbolic of the strength of your marriage.

As you wear these rings, they will represent to those close to you,

Your faithfulness to each other

The companionship you share with each other

The love you have for each other

May the presence of these rings remind you of the vows that you have made to each other today.

Exchange of the Rings

(Groom), take this ring.

Placing it on the ring finger of (Bride)’s left hand

Holding it there, repeat after me.

I give you this ring,

in token and pledge,

of my love and faithfulness to you.

With this ring I give you my heart

I have no greater gift to give

With this ring, I marry you,

and join my life with yours.

I will always be grateful to God

For your presence in my life

(Bride), take this ring.

Placing it on the ring finger of (Groom)’s left hand

Holding it there, repeat after me.

I give you this ring,

in token and pledge,

of my love and faithfulness to you.

With this ring I give you my heart

I have no greater gift to give

With this ring, I marry you,

and join my life with yours.

I will always be grateful to God

For your presence in my life

Sand Ceremony

(Bride) and (Groom), you came here as individuals. Today, you have entered into marriage and have begun a new life together. 

In doing so, you have created something unique, Began something new, exclusive to you and you alone; You have created a family.

This is symbolized thru the pouring of the sand

The _______  sand represents you, (Bride). 

All that you were,

All that you are,

And all you will ever be.

The _______ sand represents you, (Groom).

All that you were,

All that you are, 

And all you will ever be.

As each color of sand is poured into the vase, the separate containers will no longer exist, and the sand will be joined as one.

Individual layers of Sand

Beginning with (Bride), you will each pour, one at a time, one after the other, a modest amount of sand in the vase, creating a layer of color. 

We will pour three or four times, reserving about Ľ of the sand in the original vase.

As these two are poured into the vase, the colors are still unique, separate from the other.  This is symbolic of the individule strength, the uniqueness you each bring to the marriage.

Blended Layer of Sand

(Bride) and (Groom), you will now, at the same time, pour the remaining sand into the vase, blending the colors.

The blending of the sand is to symbolize your union, “That these two shall now live together as one” in holy matrimony.

The position of the blended sand at the top of vase, represents the role of husband and wife in the conduct of life, leadership of the family, the priority in the marriage to nurture, to protect, to care for. 

To place above all other consideration, the union of your Marriage.

Just as these grains can never again be separated into their individual containers, so each of you will be inseparable as a family.

What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Ministers Blessing

(Bride) and (Groom), It is not coincidence that brought you together.

It is not of chance that your declaration of marriage has been proclaimed today,here on Wrighsville beach.

It is God’s design that you are together.

In this union you are stronger.

Claim then, today, Cherish your love, how real it is, how powerful it has become. 

For in your marriage you are no longer I but we.

What you alone want your marriage to be, it will not.

Where you alone want your marriage to go, it will not.

It will go were the two of you, together,decide to take it.

You do not know the road, but you know the way.

You could not have chosen a more appropriate place for your wedding.

The ocean is alive, it is beautiful. It is, at times, peaceful, and, at times, filled with turmoil.

Your marriage will provide for you;

Strength in times of challenge.

Joy in times of achievement. 

Faith to believe in each other and

grace to trust in the love the other reserves only for you.

Be willing to accept the blessings our Heavenly Father so wants you to have. Ask for them … often.

May you have

Enough happiness to keep you sweet,

Enough hope to keep you healthy,

Enough success to keep you eager,

Enough friends to give you support and

Enough determination to make each day better than the last.

May you nurture and support each other through all things, and to sweetly keep the vows that you have made to one another today.

Benediction

The Light of God Surround You

The Love of God Enfold You

The Power of God Protect You

The Presence of God watch over you

Wherever you are… God Is… And all is well

May God bless and watch over you all the days of your lives.

Pronouncement of Marriage

For as much as you have openly declared your desire to be united in marriage

In the presence of God and witness have pledged your union to each other

Confirmed the same by the giving and receiving of a ring

By the authority vested in me as an ordained minister of the Gospel and by the laws of the Sovereign State of North Carolina,

it is my privilege and honor to pronounce that you are now and forever will be husband and wife.

KISS

Sir, you may kiss your Bride.

Presentation of Family

it is my pleasure to present you,

for the first time in marriage,

Mr. nd Mrs.    ...