A Sample Marriage Ceremony

Good Morning/ Afternoon everyone and welcome to Oldway Mansion, on this very special day for Groom and Bride

This place in which we are now met has been duly sanctioned according to law for the celebration of marriage and we are here today to witness the joining in matrimony of groom and bride

Groom and bride are here today to make a commitment to each other, in marriage before you their family and friends.  I know that it means a great deal to them to have you all here today to witness their marriage and share this happy occasion.  They would like to welcome you all particularly those who have travelled far to be here with them on their special day.  Their thoughts are also with those who have not been able to attend

Before you are joined in matrimony, I have to remind you of the solemn and binding character of the vows you are about to make.  Marriage, according to the law of this country, is the union of one man with one woman voluntarily entered into for life to the exclusion of all others.

(Groom)
Groom will you take Bride here present, to be your lawful wedded wife? Will you love and respect her through the days of your life together? I will

(Bride)
Bride will you take Groom here present, to be your lawful wedded husband? Will you love and respect him through the days of your life together? I will

Ladies and Gentlemen, our bride and groom will now exchange their vows.

I shall now ask each of you in turn, to repeat two sets of words.  These will be your marriage vows.  I will ask you to state that there is no lawful reason why you should not be married to each other and then you will call upon your guests to witness the fact that you take each other as husband and wife.

(Groom to repeat)
I do solemnly declare
That I know not
Of any lawful impediment
Why I Groom (name in full )
May not be joined in matrimony to Bride (name in full)

(Bride to repeat)
I do solemnly declare
That I know not
Of any lawful impediment
Why I bride (name in full)
May not be joined in matrimony to groom (name in full)

(Groom to repeat)
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I groom (name in full) do take thee bride (name in full) to be my lawful wedded wife

(Bride to repeat)
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I bride (name in full) do take thee, groom (name in full) to be my lawful wedded husband

We have now reached the point in the ceremony where you will exchange wedding rings.  With this ring, a symbol of your love, you are choosing one another as the person with whom you will spend the rest of your life. May these rings remind you of the vows you are making to each other.

(Groom to repeat)
I, groom
Receive you bride to be my wife
All that I am, I give to you
And all that I have I share with you
Whatever the future holds
I will love and care for you

(Bride to repeat)
I, bride
Receive you groom to be my husband
All that I am, I give to you
And all that I have I share with you
Whatever the future holds
I will love and care for you

In the presence of family and friends groom and bride have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other.  They have declared their love by the joining of hands and by the giving and receiving of a ring.  

I therefore declare that we see them now as husband and wife.