An Alternate Order for Marriage

At the time appointed, the persons to be married shall present themselves before the Minister, standing together, the man on the right and the woman on the left.

The Exhortation

The Minister shall say,

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then, addressing the persons to be married, he shall say,

Dearly Beloved: You are here in the presence of God and of these witnesses, to be joined together as husband and wife.

Marriage is a divine institution, and honorable to all who therein maintain a true fidelity. It was hallowed and blessed by the gracious presence of Christ at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. Furthermore it is compared in the Scriptures to the blessed union between Christ and his Church. The marriage obligations, therefore, should not be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly and in the fear of God. Let the Word of God be as the daily light unto your path. Let daily prayer be as the wings upon which to rise into the presence of God, who is our refuge and strength. Moreover, let the House of God be your spiritual home, where you may find blessing and strength for the daily tasks and duties of life.

I entreat you, therefore, in entering upon and sustaining this holy union, to seek the favor and the blessing of God.

Let us pray.

O God, our Father, we beseech thee, come with thy blessing to this marriage. Graciously give to these thy servants grace to fulfill the obligations which they are about to assume. With true intent and in utter unreserve of love may they plight their troth, and henceforth remain faithful to each other, until death do them part; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Vows

Then the Minister shall say to the man,

I now ask you, N, do you take N here present, to be your wedded wife; and do you promise to love, honor, sustain and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and adversity, and to be faithful unto her as becometh a good husband, as long as you both shall live?

The man shall answer.

I do.

Then the Minister shall say to the woman,

I now ask you, N, do you take N here present, to be your wedded husband; and do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him, in joy and in sorrow, in health and in sickness, in prosperity and in adversity, and to be faithful to him as becometh a good wife, as long as you both shall live?

The woman shall answer,

I do.

If the wedding ring be used, the Minister shall now receive it and give it to the man to put on the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. If two rings be used, the Minister shall receive the second ring and give it to the woman to put on the fourth finger of the man's left hand.

The Minister shall say,

In token of these mutual vows you bestow and receive this ring. Let it continue to be to you both a symbol of the purity and the constancy of true wedded life, and a seal of those vows to which you now set your hands.

Join now your right hands.

Then the Minister shall lay his right hand upon their joined hands and say,

Forasmuch then as you, N and N have consented to live together in holy wedlock, and have plighted each to the other your sacred troth, as a Minister of our Lord Jesus Christ I do hereby pronounce you husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Whom God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

The Blessing

The Minister shall bless them, saying,

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.

Let us pray.

O most holy and merciful God, graciously ratify with thy favor and blessing the union into which these thy servants have entered. Sanctify their hearts by thy grace, and enable them to keep their mutual vows with loving and constant fidelity. Sustain and defend them amidst all trials and temptations and help them to live in fullness of faith toward thee, and in love, one toward another, all their days. Keep them in communion with thy holy Church so that they may at last enter thy blessed kingdom; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Benediction

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Amen.