THE WEDDING DAY

FORM FOR THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY.

 

 

[THE PARTS IN BRACKETS THROUGHOUT MAY BE USED OR NOT, AT DISCRETION.]

 

_At the day and time appointed for the Solemnization of Matrimony, the

  persons to be married--having been qualified according to law--standing

  together, the Man on the right hand and the Woman on the left, the

  Minister shall say:_

 

Dearly beloved: we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and

in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this

woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God

in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union

that exists between Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ

adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he

wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be

honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be entered into

unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.

 

Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.

Therefore, if any can show just cause why they may not lawfully be

joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his

peace.

 

[_And also, speaking unto the persons who are to be married, the

  Minister shall say:_

 

I require and charge you both, that if either of you know any impediment

why you may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you 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 no impediment be alleged, then shall the Minister say unto the Man:_

 

M. Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together

after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love

her, comfort her, honor 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 shall answer:_

 

                                I will.

 

_Then shall the Minister say unto the Woman:_

 

N. Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together

after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love,

honor, 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:_