This page is to help you with the decisions you need to make about your big day. It is offered simply as a resource which we hope will make those decisions easier.
The services usually contain music, hymns and readings. Please follow the links to help you see some of the available choices.
The vicar offers either a traditional or a contemporary marriage service. To help with your decision both texts are given.

A Traditional Language Marriage Service

Entrance of the bride

Welcome

A Hymn may be sung

The minister says: DEARLY beloved, we are gathered 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 himself, 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 Coma of Galilee, and is commended in 
Holy Writ to be honourable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be 
enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly; but reverently, 
discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which 
Matrimony was ordained.

First, It was ordained for the increase of mankind according to the will of God, 
and that children might be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, 
and to the praise of his holy Name.

Secondly, It was ordained in order that the natural instincts and affections, 
implanted by God, should be hallowed and directed aright; that those who are 
called of God to this holy estate, should continue therein in pureness of living.
Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one 
ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate 
these two persons present come now to be joined.

Therefore if any man can shew any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined 
together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

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; neither is their 
Matrimony lawful.

If any impediment is properly alleged and declared the marriage must be 
deferred until such time as the truth be tried.

THE MARRIAGE

The minister says to the man: N. WILT thou have this woman to thy wedded wife,
to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of Matrimony? 
Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health? 
and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

The man answers: I will.

Then the minister says to the woman: N WILT thou have this man to thy wedded husband, 
to live together according to God's law in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, 
comfort him, 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 answers: I will.

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

The minister recieves the right hand of the woman from her father or friend and 
causes the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand. 
The man and the woman make the following promises, repeating each phrase after the minister:

I N. take thee N.
to my wedded wife,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, for worse:
for richer, for poorer;
In sickness and in health;
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law';
and thereto
I give thee my troth.


I N. take thee N.
to my wedded husband,
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better, for worse:
for richer, for poorer;
in sickness and in health;
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part,
according to God's holy law;
and thereto
I give thee my troth.

Exchange of rings.


The best man places the ring(s) on the ministers book and the man takes the ring
and places it upon the woman's finger. He repeats the following after the minister:

With this ring I thee wed;
with my body I thee honour;
and all my worldly goods with thee I share:
In the Name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen.

If the man is to receive a ring from the woman the above is repeated.

The couple kneel, and the minister says:

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, living faithfully together, 
they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, 
whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge; 
and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, 
and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

People. Amen.

Then the minister joining their right hands together, says,

Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.

The minister, speaking to those present, says,

Forasmuch as N. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, 
and have witnessed the same before God and this company, 
and thereto have given and pledged their troth either to other, 
and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, 
and by joining of hands; I pronounce that they be man and wife together, 
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Then the minister blesses the man and the woman.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, 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.

A Hymn may be sung

Bible Reading

Address

Prayers, which may include the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, which art in heaven, 
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us this day our daily bread. 
And forgive us our trespasses, 
As we forgive them that trespassagainst us. 
And lead us not into temptation; 
But deliver us from evil: 
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, 
For ever and ever. Amen

A Hymn may be sung

Signing of the registers

Exit of the couple

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A Contemporary Language Marriage Service

Entrance of the bride

Welcome

A Hymn may be sung

The minister says:
In the presence of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, 
we have come together to witness the marriage of N and N, 
to pray for God's blessing on them, to share their joy and to celebrate their love. 
Marriage is a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God.
It is given that as man and woman grow together in love and trust, 
they shall be united with one another in heart, body and mind, 
as Christ is united with his bride, the Church. 
The gift of marriage brings husband and wife together in the delight and tenderness of sexual union 
and joyful commitment to the end of their lives.
It is given as the foundation of family life in which children are nurtured 
and in which each member of the family, in good times and in bad, 
may find strength, companionship and comfort, and grow to maturity in love. 
Marriage is a way of life made holy by God,
and blessed by the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ 
with those celebrating a wedding at Cana in Galilee.
Marriage is a sign of unity and loyalty which all should uphold and honour. 
It enriches society and strengthens community. 
No one should enter into it lightly or selfishly 
but reverently and responsibly in the sight of almighty God. 
N and N are now to enter this way of life. 
They will each give their consent to the other and make solemn vows, 
and in token of this they will [each] give and receive a ring.
We pray with them that the Holy Spirit will guide and strengthen them, 
that they may fulfil God's purposes for the whole of their earthly life together.

The minister says to the congregation
First, I am required to ask anyone present who knows a reason 
why these persons may not lawfully marry, to declare it now.

The minister says to the couple
The vows you are about to take are to be made in the presence of God, 
who is judge of all and knows all the secrets of our hearts; 
therefore if either of you knows a reason why you may not lawfully marry, 
you must declare it now.

The minister says to the bridegroom
N, will you take N to be your wife?
Will you love her, comfort her, honour and protect her, 
and, forsaking all others,
be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?
He answers I will.

The minister says to the bride
N, will you take N to be your husband?
Will you love him, comfort him, honour and protect him, 
and, forsaking all others,
be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?
She answers I will.

Who gives this woman to be married to this man?

The minister receives the right hand of the woman from her father or friend

N and N, I now invite you to join hands and make your vows, 
in the presence of God and his people.

The bride and bridegroom face each other. 
The bridegroom takes the bride's right hand in his and repeats these words after the minister 

I, N , take you, N,
to be my wife,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part;
according to God's holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.

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

I, N , take you, N ,
to be my husband,
to have and to hold
from this day forward;
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death us do part;
according to God's holy law.
In the presence of God I make this vow.

They loose hands.
The best man places the ring(s) on the minister's book . 
The bridegroom places the ring on the fourth finger of the bride's left hand and, 
holding it there, repeats after the minister 

N, I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

If rings are exchanged, 
they loose hands and the bride places a ring on the fourth finger of the bridegroom's left hand and, 
holding it there, repeats after the minister 

N, I give you this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

If only one ring is used, before they loose hands the bride repeats these words after the minister
N, I receive this ring
as a sign of our marriage.
With my body I honour you,
all that I am I give to you,
and all that I have I share with you,
within the love of God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The couple kneel and the minister addresses the people
In the presence of God, and before this congregation, 
N and N have given their consent and made their marriage vows to each other.
They have declared their marriage by the joining of hands 
and by the giving and receiving of rings. I therefore proclaim that they are husband and wife.

The minister joins their right hands together and says
Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder.

Then the minister blesses the man and the woman.

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, 
bless, preserve, and keep you; 
the Lord mercifully grant you the riches of his grace,
that you may please him both in body and soul, and, 
living together in faith and love, may receive the blessings of eternal life. Amen.

A Hymn may be sung

Bible Reading

Address

Prayers, which may include the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen

A Hymn may be sung

Signing of the registers

Exit of the couple

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