Catholic Roman Rite 

[Just before the ceremony begins, the mothers light the two side candles for the Unity Candle lighting]

[Pastor & groom come to the front, followed by the Best Man and Maid/Matron of Honor, followed by the Ring Bearer and Flower Girl, then Bride is escorted down the aisle by her father.

The Welcome:
Welcome family and friends. May the peace of the Lord be with you. We are gathered together to witness and bless ______ and _______ as they exchange their mutual vows, which will unite them in Holy Matrimony. I invite you to join me in prayer.

The Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we ask your blessing upon ______ and ______ as they come before you now to pledge their hearts and lives to one another. Strengthen them with the gift of thy Holy Spirit, so they may forever be true and loving to each other. Temper their hearts with understanding and forgiveness. May their home be a place of love and kindness, where no one is a stranger. Protect them and keep them always in your care as you walk beside them throughout their lives together. Guide them by your word to serve you all the days of their lives. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Presentation:
Who comes today with ______ representing her family in blessing and support of this marriage?
Bride’s Father: Her mother and I do. [Bride’s father gives Groom Bride’s hand and takes his seat. This would be one place you could include a song]
The sacred bond of marriage is a Holy covenant with God through Christ. It reminds us of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The Reading #1: The Book of Ruth of the love between a husband and wife:
Entreat me not to leave thee,
Or to return from following after thee.
For whither thou goes, I will go,
And where thou lodges, I will lodge.
Thy people shall be my people,
And thy God, my God.
Where thou die, will I die,
And there will I be buried.
The Lord do so unto me and more,
If ought but death part thee and me.

Reading #2 – Excerpt from Corinthians
In a letter to the people of Corinth, Saint Paul describes Christ’s example of how we should love one another. He writes,
Love is patient, and love is kind.
Love does not waver, and does not stray.
Love's not proud,
Love does not insist on having it's own way.
Love is strong–it protects and it defends.
It turns away from evil, and rejoices in righteousness.
Love endures all things,
Love forgives all things.
Love is hope, and love is light.
Love never fails.

The Declaration of Consent:
______ and ______, the union of husband and wife is intended by God for your mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God. It is a Holy covenant that can be entered into only by persons who freely offer themselves to one another.

Groom, do you come here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to declare your love for Veronica and choose her as the one with whom you wish to spend your life? Do you give yourself to her and accept the gift of self which she gives to you? Do you pledge to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, come what may; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her so long as you both shall live? groom: I do.

Bride, do you come here today in the presence of God and these witnesses to declare your love for Bart and choose him as the one with whom you wish to spend your life? Do you give yourself to him and accept the gift of self which he gives to you? Do you pledge to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, come what may; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him so long as you both shall live? Bride: I do.

The Vow of Community Support:
To you who are present as family or friends, you are part of this covenant as well. For _____ and ______’s future together depends upon you as well as upon them. By your thoughts, your feelings, and your deeds toward them in the days to come, you can strengthen the vows and commitment they are about to make. Therefore, having heard their willingness to be partners in marriage, do you give them your blessing and accept responsibility for helping and encouraging them throughout their marriage? If so, please say “We do.”
Wedding Guests: We do.

The Vows:
Groom, as you look into Bride’s eyes, repeat after me:

I, ______, take you, ______,
To be my wedded wife;
In accordance with God’s Holy ordinance,
To love and cherish,
From this day forward;
In times of joy and sorrow;
In times of plenty or of want;
In sickness and in health
Till death do us part.

Bride, as you look into Groom’s eyes, repeat after me:

I, ______, take you, ______,
To be my wedded husband;
In accordance with God’s Holy ordinance,
To love and cherish,
From this day forward;
In times of joy and sorrow;
In times of plenty or of want;
In sickness and in health
Till death do us part.

The Rings:
Rings are the traditional symbols of vows taken in marriage–a circle–without beginning or ending, and with no point of weakness. They are the outward and visible sign of an inward spiritual bond that unites two hearts in endless love.
The Ring Blessing:
Heavenly Father, Bless these rings and grant that ______ and ______ may wear them with deep faith in their love for each other. May they both do your will and always live together in peace, love, and joy. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

The Ring Exchange:
Groom, take this ring, and as you place it on Bride’s hand, repeat after me:
With this ring I thee wed. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen!
Bride, take this ring, and as you place it on Groom’s hand, repeat after me:
With this ring I thee wed. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Amen!

The Unity Candle Service:
_______ and ______, these two lighted candles represent your individual lives before today. I invite you now to light the Unity candle symbolizing that your two lives are now forever joined into one light, together with the Holy Spirit. Amen
[This is a good place to include a song]

The Pronouncement and Blessing:
______ and ______, by our witness you have made your vow to each other. You have given and received rings as a seal upon your vow. May the Lord bless and keep you: May the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you Peace. May the Lord implant his spirit within you and grant you length of days, wellness of body, deep and abiding mutual understanding, companionship and love increasing with the passage of the years, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
According to God’s holy ordinance, I now pronounce you husband and wife. In Nomine Patris, et Filli, et Spiritus Sancti. Those whom God has joined together, let nothing come between. You may kiss.

The Lord’s Prayer:

Please join me in closing with 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.

The Introduction:
Ladies and Gentlemen, please join me in welcoming Mr. and Mrs. _____ ______as husband and wife.