A shortened version for schools

Traditionally, the bride processes down the aisle of the church on the arm of her father, accompanied by her retinue of bridesmaids, flower girls and page boys. The bridegroom and best man await her at the altar.

The priest may start the service with the sentence

God is love, and those who live in love live in God: and God lives in them.

Priest

The Lord be with you.

All

and also with you.

Priest

We have come together in the presence of God, to witness the marriage of N and N, to ask his blessing on them, and to join Him in sharing in their joy

Marriage is a gift from God, so that a husband and wife may comfort and help each other. In marriage, a husband and wife belong to each other, and they begin a new life together in the community.

N and N are now to begin this new life together. Before God, they will hold hands and make a special promise to each other.

To the rest

But first I must ask if anyone knows any reason why this couple may not marry, please tell us now.

To the couple

N and N if you know any reason why you should not be married, please tell us now.

To groom

N, will you take N to be your wife? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her and be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

Groom

I will

To bride

N, will you take N to be your husband? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him and be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

Bride

I will

The priest may receive the bride from the hands of her father. The couple face each other. The bridegroom then takes the bride's hand and after the priest repeats the words

I, N, take you, N

to be my wife,

til death parts us

This is my promise.

They loose hands. The bride takes the bridegroom's right hand in hers and repeats the words

I, N. take you, N

to be my wife,

til death parts us

This is my promise.

They loose hands. The priest receives the rings from the best man, He says,

Dear God, lets these rings be a sign between N and N of their unending love for each other and to remind them of the special promises they have made today.

The bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride's left hand and holding it there, says

I give you this ring

as a sign of our marriage

within the love of God

They loose hands and the bride places the ring on the fourth finger of the bridegroom's left hand and holding it there, says

I give you this ring

as a sign of our marriage

within the love of God

Priest

Before God and their family and friends, N and N have made promises to each other. I therefore declare that they are husband and wife.

The priest joins the hands of the couple together and says

What God has joined together, may no one divide.

The couple kneel for the priest's blessing

May God bless you and keep you

May He help you to live together in love.

May He give you children and help you to care for them

and may people come to know that you share your life with Him

Now and forever more.

All

Amen,

The wedding party retires to sign the marriage register.