¶715 THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE
Provincial authorization for the registration of a marriage may be granted in one of two ways: by the procurement of a marriage license by the man and woman to be married, or by the publication of banns, if applicable in their province. Those officiating at weddings should take care to acquaint themselves with the marriage act of their province to determine the particular requirements. Banns should be published only after the officiating minister has confirmed from the marriage act of the province where the wedding is to be performed that the province permits it. The banns should be published according to the direction of the province’s marriage act.
SERVICE OF MARRIAGE
Dear friends in Christ, we are gathered together here in the sight of God and the presence of these witnesses to join together __________ and __________ in holy matrimony. Marriage is an honourable estate, instituted by God in the time of creation for the well being of humankind. It is safeguarded by the laws of Moses, affirmed by the words of the prophets, and hallowed by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ. Marriage is a union close and enduring; a relationship in which a man and a woman forsake all others to become one flesh. This abiding union illustrates the holy relationship between Christ and His church. Marriage is therefore not to be entered into by any lightly, but reverently, soberly, and in the fear of God.
[Addressing the man and woman, the minister shall say]
__________ and __________, I remind you both as you stand in the presence of God to remember that covenant love alone will avail as the foundation of a happy and enduring home. Let Christ, who was loyal to His own unto death, be your example. Let the Apostle Paul
be your teacher, who wrote “Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” If you keep this steadfast love ever before you and, remaining faithful to each other, resolutely endeavour to fulfill the vows you now will make, God’s blessing will be upon you, and the home you establish will endure through life’s every change.
[Then the minister shall say to the man, using his Christian name]
__________, will you have __________ to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for her, so long as you both shall live?
I will.
[Then the minister shall say to the woman, using her Christian name]
__________, will you have __________ to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only for him, so long as you both shall live?
I will.
[Then shall the minister say]
Who gives __________ to be married to __________?
[The father of the woman, or whoever gives her in marriage, shall answer]
I do.
[Then the man and woman shall face each other and join hands and say
after the minister]
I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death parts us, and thereto I promise you my faithfulness.
I, __________, take you, __________, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death parts us, and thereto I promise you my faithfulness.
[The minister may receive a ring which he/she in turn will give to the groom to place on the third finger of the woman’s left hand as he says after the minister]
This ring I give you in token and pledge of our constant faith and steadfast love.
[In case of a double ring ceremony, the minister will receive a ring which he /she in turn will give to the bride to place on the third finger of the man’s left hand as she says after the minister]
This ring I give you in token and pledge of our constant faith and steadfast love.
Let us pray.
O Eternal God, creator and preserver of all humankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life send Your blessing upon this man and this woman whom we bless in Your name that they, living faithfully together, may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to Your laws through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Then the minister shall say]
Forasmuch as __________ and __________ have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company and have pledged their faith each to the other and have declared the same by joining hands (and by giving and receiving a ring), therefore, by the authority granted to me as a minister of Jesus Christ, I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder. Amen.
[The minister shall pronounce over them the following benediction]
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace; now and in the world to come. Amen.
