The Order for Marriage

The Minister shall take heed that the Rite of Marriage is performed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth.

It shall be the duty of the Minister to confer beforehand with the contracting parties, counselling them in the meaning of Christian 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 company, he shall say,

Dearly Beloved; We are assembled in the sight of God to join together this man and this woman in the bonds of Marriage, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God for the proper continuance and well-being of mankind, confirmed by the teaching of our blessed Savior, and compared by St. Paul to the mystical union between Christ and his Church. Into this holy estate these two persons have come to be joined. Therefore, if any man can show any just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

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

I charge you, each and both, before the great God the Searcher of all hearts, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be lawfully joined together in Marriage, confess it now: for be well assured that all those who are brought together contrary to the Word of God, are not joined together of God; neither is their Marriage lawful.

The Vows

Then the Minister shall say to the man,

N, Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife; and wilt thou love her, honor her, cherish and sustain her, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, and be faithful unto her, so long as you both shall live?

The man shall answer,

I will.

Then the Minister shall say to the woman,

N, Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband; and wilt thou love him, honor him, cherish and sustain him, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, and be faithful unto him, so long as you both shall live?

The woman shall answer,

I will.

Then the Minister shall say,

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

The one who giveth the woman shall answer,

I do.

Then they shall plight their troth to each other in this manner.

The Minister, receiving the woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand, and to say after him as follows:

I, N, take thee, N, to be my wedded 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 ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

Then they shall loose their hands; and the woman with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall likewise say after the Minister:

I, N, take thee, N, to be my wedded 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 ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth.

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. Then shall the man say after the Minister:

With this ring I thee wed: In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

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

With this ring I thee wed: In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Then the Minister shall say,

As a seal of these holy vows, join now your right hands.

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

Forasmuch as you, N and N have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, I 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.

Then the Minister shall say,

Let us pray.

Almighty and most merciful God, who hast now united this man and woman in the holy estate of marriage, grant them grace to live therein according to thy 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 thee, in communion with thy holy Church, and in loving service one of the other, that they may enjoy forever thy heavenly benediction; 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.