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AMERICAN MARRIAGE MINISTRIES

Traditional Baptist Wedding Ceremony Script

PROCESSION : WEDDING PARTY ENTERS.

GUESTS ARE SEATED. GRANDPARENTS AND MOTHERS / PARENTS ENTER FIRST AND
ARE SEATED UP FRONT TO HONOR THEIR PRESENCE. NEXT, THE PASTOR OR
MINISTER (WHO WE HAVE DESIGNATED AS 'OFFICIANT') ENTERS AND STANDS
WAITING AT THE ALTAR.

THE WEDDING PARTY ENTERS: GROOM AND BEST MAN, FOLLOWED BY

BRIDESMAIDS AND GROOMSMEN / USHERS, MAID OF HONOR, THE FLOWER GIRL/S
AND RING BEARER, AND THE BRIDE WITH HER FATHER / ESCORT.)
GUESTS MAY STAND WHILE THE BRIDE MAKES HER WALK DOWN
THE AISLE.
INVOCATION & SERVICE OF WORSHIP: INTRODUCTION TO THE
CEREMONY & OPENING PRAYER
OFFICIANT TO THE CONGREGATION
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, family, and friends to
witness a joyous occasion - the union of and in Holy Matrimony.
The sacred covenant of marriage is a sanctuary and a home. It must not be entered into
lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and advisedly, with God's guidance and
blessing.
We rejoice today asandreceive one of God's greatest gifts — a
loving partner to grow with, to share life's joys and challenges with, to build a family with, and
grow old with, and to journey with in faith throughout all of their days.
So let us pray, asking for His blessing on this marriage.
Oh, Heavenly Father, bless this couple as they give themselves to one another in this holy bond
of marriage. Guide them with patience and love, lighting their path brightly as they walk
together in your Spirit. Bless this union with a love that is pristine and pure, and a desire to live
in faith that is strong as your own. Amen.
PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE: THE BRIDE'S FATHER OR CHOSEN
ELDER 'GIVES HER AWAY' CEREMONIALLY
OFFICIANT TO THE CONGREGATION
Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

BRIDE'S FATHER OR PARENT

I do.
THE BRIDE'S FATHER WILL PRESENT THE BRIDE'S HAND TO THE GROOM AND BE
SEATED. IF BOTH PARENTS WISH TO SHOW THE BRIDE THEIR SUPPORT, THEY MAY
ANSWER TOGETHER, "WE DO." THE OFFICIANT'S QUESTION CAN
ALSO BE SAID IN AN UPDATED WAY, FOR EXAMPLE, "WHO
SUPPORTS THIS BRIDE IN MARRIAGE?"
SCRIPTURE READING: OFFICIANT READS SELECTION FROM THE
HOLY BIBLE
OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE
andin John 15:9-12, it's written "As the Father has
loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will
abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have
said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. This
is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
This is the spirit of love you must carry in your hearts today — the promise to love one
another as Jesus Christ has loved each of us, honestly and completely.
HOMILY: OFFICIANT DELIVERS A SHORT SERMON ON MARRIAGE,
LOVE, AND FAMILY
WRITE A PERSONALIZED HOMILY OR SERMON THAT CONSIDERS
THE COUPLE'S
UNIQUE LOVE STORY. BEGIN WITH A MEANINGFUL BIBLE PASSAGE ON THE NATURE
OF LOVE OF COMMITMENT, AND THEN EXPAND USING YOUR OWN WISDOM AND
EXPERIENCES.

DISCUSS THE BLESSINGS OF MARRIAGE, THE IMPORTANCE OF

FAITHFULNESS AND HONESTY, HOW TO ENSURE A HAPPY AND
HARMONIOUS HOME LIFE, AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY SHOULD
HONOR EACH OTHER AS HUSBAND AND WIFE.
SHARE PASSAGES AND INSIGHT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY,
DEVOTION TO GOD, AND, IF THE COUPLE WISHES TO HAVE
CHILDREN, ON THE WAYS IN WHICH MARRIAGE CREATES A HOME
FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
REFLECT ON THE COUPLE'S INDIVIDUAL AND SHARED JOURNEYS IN FAITH, AND HOW
THEIR BELIEF IN GOD HAS STRENGTHENED THEIR RELATIONSHIP.
INCORPORATE WHO THEY ARE AS INDIVIDUALS, ANY SERVICE
THEY DO WITHIN THE CHURCH, WHO THEY HAVE BECOME IN
THEIR WALK WITH JESUS, HOW FAR THEY HAVE COME TOGETHER
AND THEIR GROWTH AS A COUPLE, AND ANY SPECIFIC READINGS
THE COUPLE ASKS YOU TO INCLUDE.
DECLARATION OF INTENT: VERBAL DECLARATION TO WED.
OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE
and , as you stand here before friends, family, and
God, I ask you to declare your intentions to join in the sacred covenant of marriage.

OFFICIANT TO THE BRIDE

Have you come here freely and without reservation to marry?
BRIDE ANSWERS "1 HAVE."

Do you take to be your husband, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep
him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to him, as long as you
both shall live?
BRIDE ANSWERS "1 DO."

OFFICIANT TO THE GROOM

Have you come here freely and without reservation to marry?
GROOM ANSWERS "1 HAVE."

Do you take to be your wife, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in
sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, be faithful to her, as long as you both shall
live?
GROOM ANSWERS "1 DO. "
EXCHANGE OF VOWS & RINGS: THE COUPLE EXCHANGE WRITTEN
VOWS (OPTIONAL) AND WEDDING RINGS
OFFICIANT TO THE CONGREGATION
 and will now exchange rings as a symbol of their
commitment and endless devotion.

, you may place the ring you've chosen on hand.

And , you may place the ring you've chosen onhand.
THE COUPLE EXCHANGES WEDDING RINGS.

AFTER EACH RING IS OFFERED, PARTNER A AND PARTNER B MAY

READ THE WRITTEN VOWS THEY'VE PREPARED (OPTIONAL).
OFFICIANT TO THE CONGREGATION
This marriage unites not just and , but all of the families sitting
here today. They ask now for your blessing. Do you promise to support and
in their marriage, to keep them in your prayers, to hold them up with love, and to rejoice in
companionship in Jesus as they walk this path together?

THE CONGREGATION ANSWERS, "WE DO."

UNITY CEREMONY: SPECIAL RITUAL TO SYMBOLIZE THE BOND OF
MARRIAGE
THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO INCLUDE A UNITY CEREMONY
IF THE COUPLE WISHES TO. FOR EXAMPLE, THE COUPLE MAY
CHOOSE A CANDLE LIGHTING
CEREMONY, SAND POURING CEREMONY, OR ANOTHER PERSONALIZED RITUAL.

CLOSING PRAYER: OFFICIANT DELIVERS A CLOSING PRAYER AND

BLESSINGS ON THE MARRIAGE
THE OFFICIANT TO THE CONGREGATION
Father, bless this marriage and bestow your spirit in the hearts of the and
Let the divine light illuminate their path as they build a joyous life built on
profound love, compassion, devotion, and your eternal wisdom. It is written in Genesis that "a
man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one
flesh." And so it is today, with these two.
Let [Bride] and [Groom] be a comfort to each other, and bless them with patience, so they may
always find strength and endurance to fulfill the promises they have made here before You and
us all. Amen.

ALL PRESENT PAUSE FOR A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER.

PRONOUNCEMENT: THE MARRIAGE IS DECLARED AS OFFICIAL.
THE OFFICIANT TO THE COUPLE
and , having witnessed your marriage vows in the eyes of God and
before all who are assembled here, by the authority invested in me by American Marriage
Ministries and the State of [Name of State], I pronounce you husband and wife.
You may kiss the bride!
THE COUPLE KISSES OR EMBRACES.

THE OFFICIANT TO THE CONGREGATION

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce you for the first time to Mr. & Mrs.
[COUPLE'S MARRIED NAME]!

RECESSIONAL : WEDDING PARTY EXITS & CEREMONY ENDS

NOTES:

CONTACT AMM:
ONLINE: theamm.org
EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE: 206-395-9164
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Ste 102 / Seattle, WA 98104
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