Jessica and Brad's Christian Ceremony Script - The Indiana State House

I perform many elopement ceremonies in the Indiana State House. It's always a treat to be invited to marry a couple in a formal ceremony.   On Jessica and Brad's wedding day the building was empty except for the wedding.  Susie Arrington from Kessler Springs provided the perfect viola music to really set the tone of the ceremony in such a majestic building.

Jessica and Brad had just found a new church but weren't ready to have the pastor there marry them.  So, like many couples, they went looking for a professional wedding officiant that could perform the ceremony the way they wanted it.  For them, it was this short, sweet, meaningful Christian Ceremony - They wrote it!  I've included links for each part of the ceremony to help you write your own ceremony too!  


Jessica  and Brad’s Christian Ceremony at the Indiana State House

ANNOUNCEMENT OF UNPLUGGED CEREMONY
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Family and Friends, Welcome to Bradley and Jessica’s Wedding! I ask that you
silence your phones and refrain from taking pictures during the wedding.
There are professional photographers here to catch all the important
moments. They will be happy to share those pictures with you when they are done. Thank you! Let’s begin

PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE
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I’ve never met a father who was willing to give up his daughter, so instead I ask, do I have your blessing for this marriage?
Dad answers:  Her mother and I do, or I do.  

WELCOMING 
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We would like to welcome all of you, friends and family, and thank you
for being with us today. We are gathered here today in the presence of God to celebrate one of life's greatest moments. We are here to give recognition to the beauty of love that is shared between Bradley and Jessica as they complete their family in holy matrimony. Marriage is a contract not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously and with a deep realization of the obligations and responsibilities. Marriage is the moment where your hearts and souls are joined together for eternity.

OPENING PRAYER
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Let us pray, Heavenly Father, we humbly bow before you today and we ask for your blessings upon Bradley and Jessica, as we celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives. Grant them happiness and contentment, as their two lives become one, as they create a new family and explore the depths of their love for one another. Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their lives. Bless their home as a place of love and of peace. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen. 

WORDS ABOUT LOVE AND MARRIAGE
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True marriage is more than the joining of two persons in the bonds of matrimony. In its right relationship, it is the uniting of two souls already attuned to each other. When such a true bond already exists between a man and a woman, it is proper that an outer acknowledgment be made. This acknowledgment is the prime objective of the ceremony today.

The joining of two hearts as husband and wife is a commitment like no other. It offers opportunities for sharing and for personal growth that no other human relationship can equal. A husband and wife are each other's best friends, confidants, lovers, teachers, listeners, and critics. The bond between a husband and wife deepens and enriches every fact of life. Happiness is fuller, and commitments are stronger. Marriage also encourages new life and new experiences and finds new ways of expressing love through the ups and downs of life. Bradley and Jessica, as your journey begins as husband and wife, I would ask you both remember to always treat each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you here today.

SCRIPTURE READING
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As the Book of Ecclesiastes notes:  “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken:


VOWS
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Bradley and Jessica, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

We will

Will you honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?

We will

Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?

We will

Bradley, Please repeat after me:  
I, Bradley, take you, Jessica, to be my wife. I promise to be true to
you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and
honor you all the days of my life.

Jessica, please repeat after me:
I, Jessica, take you, Brad, to be my husband. I promise to be true to
you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and
honor you all the days of my life.


THE MEANING OF THE RINGS
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May these rings symbolize your inherent wholeness and unity with one
another, giving you the strength to happily honor your commitments to each other. May they remind you that marriage is not a destination but a journey, with no beginning and no end, just a moment to moment opportunity to love and be loved to the best of your ability.

RING EXCHANGE
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And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be
forever united in heart and soul, you Bradley, may place a ring on the
finger of your bride.

Please repeat after me: 
Jessica, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness
to you.

Officiant: By the same token Jessica, you may place a ring on the
finger of your groom.

Please repeat after me: 
Bradley, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness
to you

MARRIAGE BLESSING
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God, we ask for your blessings upon this man and woman, as we celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives. Grant them happiness and contentment as they establish their new home, create a new family and explore the depths of their love for one another and for you. Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their
Lives. Bless their home as a place of love and of peace. And if times grow hard and tempers grow short, help them to look into their hearts and remember the love that brought them here today. Amen.


MARRIAGE PRONOUNCEMENT
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Bradley and Jessica, you have heard the words about love and
marriage, have exchanged your vows and made your promises, and
celebrate your union with the giving and receiving of rings.
Therefore what God has joined together, let no man separate. It is my pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife!

You may kiss the bride!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you for the first time as husband and wife Mr. & Mrs….