Civil Ceremony

Civil Ceremony Processional
[Groom and best men standing at the front with me, while the bride, proceeded by her bridesmaids and maid of honor, walk to join us]
Opening Remarks
___________ & __________, today you celebrate one of life's greatest moments and give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, as you join together in vows of marriage.
Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be united inmarriage, they must speak now or forever hold their peace.
(If the bride is escorted forward)
Who is it that brings this woman to this man?
(The father, children, relative etc. may give the bride away. He /they answer "I do", This person then steps back and the groom takes the bride's hand.)
____________________ & _______________________ , I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty come into your marriage - as they do to every relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Declaration of consent
You may change the vows as you wish or write your own vows
(Groom ) ________________, do you take _______________ to be your Wife?
("I do")
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her from this point on? ("I do")
(Bride) ________________, do you take __________________ to be your Husband?
("I do")
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him from this point on?
"(I do")
Exchange of vows & ring exchange
(If rings are exchanged each does so before repeating the following vows - unless you wish other vows or do not wish to repeat vows.)
It is not required that a couple exchange rings. GROOM
I _____________, take you, ________________ to be my Wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow and I promise my love to you.
If Rings are exchanged :
"With this ring, I take you as my wife, for as long as we both shall live"
BRIDE
I _________________, take you ______________, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health , for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise My love to you.
If Rings are exchanged :
"With this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live."
(If there are children of either couple, sometimes couples will give a ring or small gift such as a necklace or ring to the child and say a short statement that they also are now part of the new family. I believe it very important to mention children's names in the ceremony, If you have minor children coming into the marriage, please provide their names so I will mention them as is appropriate.)
Final Words
____________________________ & ___________________________, 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 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 for each other.
Just as two threads woven in opposite directions will form a most beautiful tapestry, so too can your two lives merged together make a beautiful marriage.
To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today.
It will take trust , to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other.
It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together.
It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.
Declaration of marriage
________________________ and _________________________, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, I now declare you to be Husband and Wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.
Signing of the Register
[Signing of all government forms]
Recessional