Opening Words - Religious

#1 Christian – Catholic Style
Dearly Beloved, friends, relatives, and honored guests; It is out of our affection for this Bride and Groom that we have gathered together to witness and bless their mutual vows which will unite them in Holy Matrimony. To this moment they bring their open hearts, willing spirits, the dreams which bind them together, and their own personalities and spirit. We are here to thank God for bestowing upon them life’s greatest gift; another person to share with, care for, grow with, change with, be joyful with and to stand firm as one when trials and tribulations enter their lives.

To you who are present as friends and families… this is your service as well and you are here to bestow your blessings and love upon this couple as they seek to unite as one with the Holy Spirit. By your thoughts, your feelings and your deeds toward them, on this day and in the days to come, you can help strengthen the vows they are here to make.

#2 Christian – Contemporary #1
We are gathered here in the presence of God, family and friends to join in holy matrimony _________ and _________ and to bear witness to the love they have for one another. Marriage is an honorable estate, and therefore it is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and with God’s blessing. Today you will receive God’s greatest gift; another person to share life’s blessings with, care for, learn with, trust in, change with and to discover the greatness of God’s glory.

On behalf of this bride and groom, I would like to take a moment to thank all of the special people who have traveled from near and far to celebrate with _________ and _________ and to shower them with love and blessings.

#3 Jewish Ceremony #1
Welcome family and friends. Bride and Groom are happy that so many of you who mean so much to them are here to share and celebrate this, their wedding day. I welcome you and bless you with these words:

Blessed be you who have come here in dedication to all that is loving, good and sacred.
May the Source of all life, sustain you in life. May all that is noble and true in the universe inspire your lives together and bring peace to all humankind. Blessed are you, O God, for giving life, sustaining us and bringing us to this joyous time.

I would like to take this moment to mention that there are those close to Bride & Groom, who could not travel to be here today, but whose thoughts and blessings are with them. There are also loved ones who are no longer here in body, but who are here in spirit. Let us remember them now in a moment of silence.

(Include for Inter Faith marriages) Out of two different and distinct traditions Bride and Groom have come together to learn the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences, and confirming that being together is far better than being apart from each other.

(Insert if a wedding canopy is being used) We bless this marriage under this chuppa, wedding canopy, the Jewish symbol of a new home being consummated here. Blessed are you who come here in the name of God. Serve God with joy; come into God’s presence with song.

#4 Christian - Methodist
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, an in the presence of these witnesses, to join together _______and ________ in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, and signifying unto us the mystical union which exists between Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence in Cana of Galilee. It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined.

#5 Christian - Baptist
Dearly beloved: We have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man, ____________, and this woman, ____________, in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people.

The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. 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.

#6 Christian - Medieval
At the day and time appointed for solemnization of Matrimony, the persons to be married shall come into the porch of the Church with their friends and neighbors; and there standing together, the Man on the right hand, and the woman on the left, with that person who shall give the Woman betwixt them, the Priest shall say:

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

#7 Christian - Episcopalian
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church: which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

#8 Christian - Presbyterian
Marriage is a natural form of relationship. The concept of marriage was established by God in creation. and our Lord commanded this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding. The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy, and for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity.

Marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly. It is meant to begin as you are doing now; with preparation. thoughtfulness and reverence. all in accord with the purposes for which it was instituted.

Marriage is a reflection of how God wants us to join ourselves to Him. Marriage is at its best when we love and marry our best friend; when motivated by love, we seek the truth in each event and act on that truth; when we grow in understanding and acceptance of ourselves and our partner; and when God is included as a Companion in our relationship.

#9 Christian/Jewish Interfaith Ceremony
Welcome family and friends. ______ and ______ are happy that so many of you who mean so much to them are here to share and celebrate this, their wedding day. I welcome you and bless you with these words: Blessed be you who have come here in dedication to all that is loving, good and sacred. We bless you and welcome you in joy.

May the Source of life sustain you in life. May all that is noble and true in the universe inspire your lives together and bring peace to all humankind.
Shehecheyanu: Blessed are you, O God, for giving life, sustaining us and bringing us to this joyous time.

Remembering Loved Ones Who Have Died

I would like to take this moment to mention that here are those close to ______ and ______ who could not travel to be here today, but whose thoughts and blessings are with them; and there are loved ones who are no longer here in body, but who are here in spirit. Let us remember them now in a moment of silence.

Acknowledging the Bride and Groom's Traditions
Out of two different and distinct traditions, they have come together to learn the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences, and confirming that being together is far better than being apart from each other. As we bless this marriage under a chuppah (wedding canopy), the Jewish symbol of the new home being consummated here, we will later light the unity candle, a Christian symbol of two people becoming one in marriage.

#10 Celtic
Good evening family, friends and loved ones and welcome all. This nondenominational wedding ceremony may look slightly different than most other weddings you have attended but it is exactly the same in concept, purpose and legality as any other.

You will recognize much of it, and we ask that you participate with an open mind and an open heart. Lend your energy and support to this couple, that both your lives and theirs may be enriched by our presence here today.

Before the creation of the world, God knew the needs of creation. He created all that is in the world and saw that it was good. Why? To be an expression of Himself in His totality. Man and woman were created in the image of God to be an expression of Himself to God Himself.

Marriage is a sacred covenant of physical, emotional, intellectual, material and spiritual joining. It is the sharing of a couple’s feelings of love and commitment with friends, family and loved ones. We have all come together at this time and to this place, to witness, acknowledge and support their commitment to share their lives together. ________ and ________ have chosen this day to begin their new life together as this day is the day of the new moon symbolizing new beginnings.

They will make special promises and vows to one another today in your presence. Listen carefully, lest you be called upon in the future to bear witness to these vows and promises.

#11 Christian Contemporary #2
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in the holiness of marriage.

They have desired our presence on this momentous day of their lives, as witness to the happiness which they have found together, and to the pledge which they will now make to each other. We rejoice with them that out of all the world they have found each other, and that they will henceforth find the deeper meaning and richness of life through sharing it with each other.

To be true, this outward ceremony is but a symbol of that which is inner and real; a union of hearts, which the Church may bless and the state make legal, but which neither can create.

Marriage partakes of the mystery of all creation. It grows through the joy of life fully shared and grows again through pain given and returned and forgiven. While it can be the fount of greatest happiness, it is not meant for happiness alone, but also for the growth of new qualities of life - two separated and partial beings becoming one, and each in his or her separate way, becoming more complete because of the other. To this end, there must be a consecration of each to the other, and of both to the noblest purpose of life.

They recognized that there will be difficult times ahead of them as well as good times. But their trust and faith in one another is based upon the belief that the other wants more than all else to overcome the trials of life through honest communication, nurturance, and hard work.

Between a man and a woman it may not be enough to love one another and simply live together. Only the strongest of us can cope with the mortality of love. For most of us, the act of marriage is a way of rising above this mortality because it is a way of making a commitment to another person to give our whole self to the endeavor of overcoming the passing of romantic love. To _____ and ______, their joining here today in matrimony comes from the desire to commit themselves, before the eyes of God and the people they most truly love, to a life together.