Traditional Wedding Vows
The art of a good Marriage
by Wilfred Arlan Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can
grow old. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.
DECLARATION OF INTENTION
(MINISTER) :Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…. “This kind of love enriches each part of life and marriage enriches love.
Two lives, shared with this kind of love, can hold more fulfillment and happiness than either life alone.”
(MINISTER) : “Nat are you ready to enter into this marriage with Laura, believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?”
(GROOM) : “I am.”
(MINISTER) : ” Laura , are you ready to enter into this marriage with Daniel, believing the love you share and your faith in each other will endure all things?”
(BRIDE) : “I am.”
MARRIAGE VOWS
(MINISTER) : ” Nat do you take Laura Wilson to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love her, to honor and cherish her, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to her in all things a good and faithful husband as long as you both shall live?”
(GROOM) : “I do.”
(MINISTER) : “Laura, do you take Nat Carter to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in holy matrimony? Do you promise to love him, to honor and cherish him, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, and to be to him in all things a good and faithful wife as long as you both shall live?”
(BRIDE) : “I do.”
(MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING) : “I, Nat, take thee, Laura, 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 do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith.”
(MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING) : “I, Laura, take thee, Nat, 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 do us part. According to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I pledge thee my faith.
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
(MINISTER) : “It is a Christian custom to exchange rings as a symbol of love. As the rings have no end so your love should have no end. As the rings are made of gold symbolizing purity, so should your marriage have purity. As often as either of you see them, you will be reminded of this moment and the endless love you promised.”
“Nat, what token do you give that you will perform your vows?” (Minister receives ring and says to bride.)
” Laura, do you receive this ring in token of the same?”
(BRIDE) : “I do.” (Groom places ring on Bride’s finger.)
(MINISTER WITH GROOM REPEATING) : ” Laura, this ring I give to you in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love.”
(MINISTER) : ” Laura, what token to you give that you will perform your vows?” (Minister receives ring and says to groom.)
” Nat, do you receive this ring in token of the same?”
(GROOM) : “I do.” (Bride places ring on Groom’s finger.)
(MINISTER WITH BRIDE REPEATING) : ” Nat, this ring I give to you in token and
pledge of my constant faith and abiding love.”
PRAYER
(MINISTER) : “Let us pray: O thou eternal God, who art our Father and our Friend, as you have heard these words of promise just spoken, may the Holy Spirit deepen in the mind of this man and this woman the sense of the sacred and binding power of their vows. And as in Thy Name these words were spoken to make these lives one, may your rich blessing be added. Give them Your grace and guidance that they may loyally fulfill the vows they have taken. May Your joy abide with them always, that thus they may be a blessing to each other, and to those about them, finding in the blessedness of the home life on earth a sample of the happiness of Thine eternal home. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Bride and Groom join right hands.)
DECLARATION OF THE MARRIAGE
(MINISTER) : “What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Nat and Laura have consented together in holy matrimony, and have witnessed the same before God and this company and have pledged their love and loyalty to each other, and have declared the same by the joining and the giving of rings, I, therefore, by the authority of the state, pronounce that they are husband and wife, .” “The Groom may now kiss the Bride.”