DEARLY beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this Man and this woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocence, 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 Caana of Galilee; and is commended to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
Into this holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.
[And also, speaking unto the persons that shall be married, he shall say,]
I REQUIRE and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, ye do now confess it. For be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's Word doth allow are not joined together by God; and neither is their Matrimony lawful.
[If no impediment be alledged then shall the Minister say unto the Man,] Mark, wilt thou have this Woman to thy wedded Wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?
[The Man shall answer,]
I will.
[Then shall the minister say unto the Woman,]
Sheril, wilt thou have this Man to thy wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?
[The Woman shall answer,]
I will.
[Then shall the Minister say,]
Who giveth this Woman to be married to this Man?
[And the person who gives the Woman shall answer, and shall place the Woman's right hand in the hand of the Minister, and then shall retire.]
[Then shall they give their vows to each other in this manner: The Minister, receiving the Woman at her father's or friend's hands, shall cause the Man with his right hand to take the Woman by her right hand]
I, Mark Stuart Cookman, take thee Sheril Lynn Starks to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, and cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance. This I do pledge unto thee.
[Then shall they loose their hands; and the Woman, with her right hand taking the Man by his right hand]
I, Sheril Lynn Starks take thee Mark Stuart Cookman to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, honour, cherish, and obey till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance. This I do pledge unto thee.
We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
[The bride and groom approach the unity candle and speak the following together while lighting the unity candle]
As we become one on this, our wedding day, we become part of each other: thy feelings become my feelings; thy joys become my joys; thy sorrows become my sorrows; and thy worries become my worries. I promise to be a true and faithful husband/wife, always there to comfort thee, rejoice with thee and endure all the complexities of life that we shall face together as one in the years to come. My love for thee is pure and unshakable and I hereby commit myself to thee from this day forth and forevermore.
[Then shall they again loose their hands; and the Ringbearer shall give unto the Minister the Rings, laying the same upon the Book. And the minister shall bless the Ring(s) in the following manner:]
Bless these Rings, O merciful Lord, that those who wear them, give them and recieve them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children's children. Amen.
[The Groom will take the Woman’s ring in his hand, saying:]
With this Ring I thee wed, (here placing it upon her thumb) and with my body I thee honor, (here placing it upon her index finger) and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; (here placing it upon her ring finger) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[The Bride will take the Man’s ring in her hand, saying:]
With this Ring I thee wed, (here placing it upon her thumb) and with my body I thee honor, (here placing it upon her index finger) and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; (here placing it upon her ring finger) In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Let us pray.
O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof these Rings given and received are a token and pledge, and may ever hereafter remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
[And here shall be said the "Our Father."]
[Then shall the Minister join their right hands together, and say,]
Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
[Then shall the Minister speak unto the people.]
Forasmuch as Mark and Sheril have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their vows each to the other, and have declared the same by the uniting of flame, by the giving and receiving of Rings, and by the joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they be Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
[And the Minister shall add this blessing.]
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.
[Minister shall turn the couple to the Company.]
You may kiss the bride.
[The best man turns to the crowd and says:]
Ladies and Gentleman, I say thee Mr. and Mrs. Mark Stuart Cookman.
[The groomsman thump their canes in applause.]
Well, that's it. Because Sheril and I scavanged some of this from other ceremonies, wrote some of it ourselves, and tried to give the whole thing an 18th century feeling, we would really be interested in your opinion of it. You can go back to the main page and send us an email. One of my groomsmen said that this was in reality 3 weddings and a revolution, but we ignored him because he's on medication ; )
Thomas and Heidi Kass' Wedding Ceremony
The Complete Book of Wedding Vows