Vows & Wedding Ceremonies

Your Wedding Vows

You have 3 choices for your wedding vows.

You can write your own vows - take a look at the guidelines below to help you get started
OR
You can use one of the standard wedding vows provided - see the 5 Standard Wedding Vows below that you can choose from
OR
You can search the internet for some examples of vows. There are many websites that will give you suggestions.

Please note, that in ALL cases, your wedding vows must include the legal wording, as required by the Ontario government (see my standard vow#5 below). If you choose to write your own vows, you would say those first, and then repeat standard vow#5 after me.

How to Write Your Own Wedding Vows

If you do decide to write your own vows, you may want to agree on some standards so that your vows will be similar in format:

agree on an approximate number of words (so one person’s vows are not significantly shorter than the other person’s)
you might want to talk about your first impressions of him/her
name some of the rough spots that occurred early in your relationship that you had to overcome
mention a significant event in your past that you shared together
outline some of your favorite quirky things about the other person that attracted you to him/her
mention something funny about your relationship now
describe how much you love the other person right now
outline how the other person has added meaning to your life
talk about the future as you hope it will be together
outline your promises of love, support, and devotion for the marriage
mention why you are so happy to be getting married today
outline things you promise to do or learn to do to make the relationship work
highlight something you’d like to thank the other for, something you appreciate
show appreciation for some of the special things he/she has done for you
describe why you want to marry him/her

If you decide to write your own vows:

- Arthur Kelsie must receive a copy of them before the wedding (by e-mail).
- During the ceremony, you can recite them from memory, read them, or just repeat them after him.

Standard Wedding Vows

You may choose one of the Standard Vows provided by Arthur Kelsie (see below). These do not have to be memorized - the one you choose will be repeated after Arthur during the ceremony:

Standard Vow #1:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom), do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful wedded wife. I promise to love you, to trust you, and to cherish you. I will love you when we are apart as well as when we are together, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad times. I pledge myself to be faithful to you.

(Repeat for the Bride)

Standard Vow #2:

With joy I make this vow to be your husband. I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom), do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful wedded wife. I promise to love and to cherish you, no matter what life may hold for us, to laugh with you in joy, to grieve with you in sorrow, to grow with you in love, and be faithful to you.

(Repeat for the Bride)

Standard Vow #3:

(Groom) - I, (Groom), join my life to yours, not only as your husband but as your friend, faithful partner, and lover. I promise to love you unconditionally, honor and respect you and to stand by your side. I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom), do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful wedded wife.

(Repeat for the Bride)

Standard Vow #4:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom), do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful 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, and forsaking all others.

(Repeat for the Bride)

Standard Vow #5:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom), do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful wedded wife.

(Repeat for the Bride)

Your Wedding Ceremony

There are 4 different Wedding Ceremonies for you to choose from:

The Standard Wedding Ceremony (see below) is usually used when you have wedding guests, when you want a more traditional wedding, and/or when you want to add meaning to your wedding ceremony.

The Shortened Wedding Ceremony (see below) is usually used when you just need the legal paperwork because you are having (or have had) a traditional wedding elsewhere, are having a destination wedding, or you prefer a wedding ceremony that is as simple as possible.

You may decide to select the Christian Wedding Ceremony. (see below)

Or you may decide to select the Filipino wedding Ceremony.(see below)

There is also a variety of Wedding Readings and Poems that you may want to consider adding to your wedding ceremony.

As well, there are Special Ceremony Additions that you can add on to your wedding ceremony to make it more meaningful.

Also, see choices for wedding vows above

Standard Wedding Ceremony

Giving of the Bride

Who gives this bride in marriage?

Welcome

Guests may be seated.

Family and friends, I know that (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) welcome you and are pleased to have you here today to witness their wedding and help them celebrate their marriage.

Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other, who honor each other as individuals, and who wish to unite their lives and share the future together.

In this ceremony, they dedicate themselves to the happiness and well-being of each other, in a union of mutual caring and responsibility.

Declaration

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Groom), may not be joined in matrimony to (Bride).

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Bride),

may not be joined in matrimony to (Groom).

Reading

To love is to constantly search for new ways to bring each other happiness, to make the most of every moment you share together, and marvel at how your feelings for one another keep rising to new dimensions.

To love is to create an oasis of tranquility for one another and a quiet place, apart from others, where you need not pretend...where you can be yourselves.... And know within your hearts, you will be accepted by one another.

To love is to greet each day with anticipation...Always eager for another opportunity to share new adventures...And gather up new memories together!

To love is to be able to laugh at yourselves and be willing to say...."I was wrong, I'm sorry"...To forgive, and more importantly, to forget, and to always believe and trust in one another.

To love is to watch with wonder all the miracles of creation, to find beauty in all the simple things of life, and to find, within yourself, a deeper appreciation and a new awareness of how wonderful it is to be alive...To be happy...To be together.

Vows

Own vows (optional) - to be given by bride and groom

Legal vows (mandatory) - choose from the 5 Standard Wedding Vows above

Exchange of rings

May we now have the rings given to the Bride and Groom.

The wedding ring represents the mutual promises you are making here today to each other.

And as you look at your wedding ring every day, it will stand as a reminder of your commitment to each other and to the marriage.

(Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name), as you wear the rings, it is a sign to the whole world that you are a married couple.

(Groom's Name), if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the bride's left hand.

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish you

and this ring is the symbol of my love.

(Bride's Name), if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the groom's left hand.

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish you

and this ring is the symbol of my love.

Pronouncement

I, Arthur Kelsie, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act do hearby pronounce you (Groom's Name) and you (Bride's Name) to be married, you are husband and wife.

The Kiss

You may express your joy with a kiss

Signing of the Register

At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.

Presentation

We wish you prosperity, good health, and much happiness.

Family and friends, here is your newly married couple -

(Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) OR Mr & Mrs ____________

Shortened Wedding Ceremony

Welcome

Family and friends, I know that (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) welcome you and are pleased to have you here today to witness their wedding and help them celebrate their marriage.

Declaration

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Groom), may not be joined in matrimony to (Bride).

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Bride),

may not be joined in matrimony to (Groom).

Vows

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom),

do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful wedded wife.

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Bride),

do take you, (Groom), to be my lawful wedded husband.

Exchange of rings

May we now have the rings please.

(Groom's Name), if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the bride's left hand.
(Bride's Name), if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the groom's left hand.

Pronouncement

I, Arthur Kelsie, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act do hearby pronounce you (Groom's Name) and you (Bride's Name) to be married, you are husband and wife.

The Kiss

You may express your joy with a kiss

Signing of the Register

Presentation

We wish you prosperity, good health, and much happiness.

Christian Wedding Ceremony

Giving of the Bride

Who gives this bride in marriage?

Welcome

Guests may be seated.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) in the holy sacrament of marriage, which is given by God for the welfare and happiness of mankind.

We are here to seek God's blessing upon this wedding. His blessing brings joy and gladness.

Prayer

Let us pray:

God of goodness and mercy, we thank you for the gift of love between (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name). Enable them to grow in that love and commitment to each other, and may your peace and wisdom abide in their hearts and in their home. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Declaration

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Groom), may not be joined in matrimony to (Bride).

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Bride),

may not be joined in matrimony to (Groom).

Scripture Reading

St. Matthew 19: 4-6 OR

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 OR

1 John 4: 16 and 19

Vows

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom),

do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful 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,
as long as we both shall live.

(Repeat for the Bride)

Ring Ceremony

May we now have the rings given to the bride and groom, please.

Blessing of rings

Heavenly Father, we call for your blessing for these rings,
both as symbols of love and union between (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name)
and as tokens of their hopes and dreams
fulfilled in their commitment to each other,
this day and every day of the rest of their lives together.

We ask that these rings hold and carry these dreams,
remind them of the endless circle of their union to each other,
and be a beautiful reflection, of their sacred vows to each other,
now and always.

We seek this blessing of love not only for (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name)

but also for all those who are now married,
or have in the past made vows of love to someone they loved.
Amen

Exchange of rings

(Groom's name) is this the ring you give in token of your loyalty to your vows? If so, answer "I do".
(Bride's name) Do you receive this ring in token of your loyalty to your vows. If so, answer "I do"
(Groom's name) if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the bride's left hand.

(Bride's name) is this the ring you give in token of your loyalty to your vows? If so, answer "I do".
(Groom's name) Do you receive this ring in token of your loyalty to your vows. If so, answer "I do"
(Bride's name) if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the groom's left hand.

Pronouncement

I, Arthur Kelsie, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act, and the privilege of being a minister in the service of our Lord, Jesus Christ, do hearby pronounce you (Groom's Name) and you (Bride's Name) to be married, you are husband and wife.

The Kiss

You may express your joy with a kiss

Signing of the Register

At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.

Benediction

Continue your journey together, walking in love,
and may the God who is love be with you both
every step that you take.

Presentation

We wish you prosperity, good health, and much happiness.

Family and friends, here is your newly married couple -

(Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) OR Mr & Mrs _________

Filipino Wedding Ceremony

Processional

Who gives this bride in marriage?

Greeting

Family and friends, I know that (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name) are pleased to have you here today to witness their wedding and to help them celebrate their marriage.

Marriage is the promise of hope between two people who love each other, who honor each other as individuals, and who wish to unite their lives and share their future together.

In this ceremony, they dedicate themselves to the happiness and well-being of each other, in a union of mutual caring and responsibility.

Candle Ceremony (beginning)

I invite the Candle Sponsors to proceed to the front where they will light the two side candles beside the middle unity candle. This represents the two lives and two spirits who will be joined together here today. The lighting of the two candles represents the love that each family has for the bride and groom.

Prayer

Let us pray
We thank You, O God, for the love You have implanted in the hearts of (Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name).

May it always inspire them to be kind in their words, considerate of feelings, and concerned for each other's needs and wishes.

Help them to be understanding and forgiving of human weaknesses and failings.

Increase their faith and trust in You and may Your prudence guide their lives and love.

Bless their marriage, O God, with peace and happiness, and make their love fruitful for Your glory and their joy both here and in eternity.

Amen

Declaration

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Groom), may not be joined in matrimony to (Bride).

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, (Bride),

may not be joined in matrimony to (Groom).

Vows

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Groom),

do take you, (Bride), to be my lawful wedded wife.

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, (Bride),

do take you, (Groom), to be my lawful wedded husband.

The Rings

May we now have the rings given to the bride and groom, please.

The wedding ring represents the mutual promises you are making here today to each other.

And as you look at your wedding ring every day, it will stand as a reminder of your commitment to each other and to the marriage.

(Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name), as you wear the rings, it is a sign to the whole world that you are a married couple.

(Groom's Name), if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the bride's left hand.

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me please:

With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish you

and this ring is the symbol of my love.

(Bride's Name), if that is the ring that you use for your vows, you may place it on the groom's left hand.

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me please:

With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish you

and this ring is the symbol of my love.

Arrhea (Ar-Rah) Ceremony

Now let us do an exchange of the Arras, or coins.

I would like to invite the Arrhea Sponsors to bring the Ar-Rah

This is a symbol of the groom’s monetary gift to the bride. This is a pledge that the groom is devoted to the welfare and well-being of his wife and offspring. The metal tinkling of the coins being passed from one pair of hands to the other, is a distinctive reminder of the groom's promise to take care of his wife materially. The bride in return, by giving back the coins to his hands, convey that what they both earn become part of each other's. The trickling sound also signifies abundance and success in the couple's joint efforts. The husband gives his material earnings to his wife who manages, saves and invests the money wisely.

Veil Ceremony

I ask the Veil Sponsors to join us and to lay a veil over the bride and groom, to clothe them together.

This signifies the clothing of the individuals who have become as one due to the ceremony of the marriage. Let this veil be a symbol of the faithful love you have for each other. Through the passing of the years, let the veil remind you that you belong to each other and to no one else.

Cord Ceremony

I would like to invite the Cord Sponsors to bind the bride and groom together.

This cord symbolizes everlasting fidelity as the cord is loopled to form the figure eight. The cord is the symbol of the couple's bond and that they are no longer two in their new life as a couple. The infinite way that the bride and groom are tied together represents their eternal love for each other.

Prayer of Blessing

May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
May you always need one another - not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. A mountain needs a valley to be complete; the valley does not make the mountain less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you.
May you need one another, but not out of weakness.
May you want one another, but not out of lack.
May you entice one another, but not compel one another.
May you embrace one another, but not out encircle one another.
May you succeed in all important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces.
May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take no notice of small faults.
If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back.
May you enter into the mystery which is the awareness of one another's presence - no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities.
May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy.
May you have love, and may you find it loving one another.

Completion of the Veil and Cord Ceremony

The cord and veil can now be removed from the bride and groom.

Pronouncement

I, Arthur Kelsie, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Marriage Act do hearby pronounce you (Groom's Name) and you (Bride's Name) to be married, you are husband and wife.

The Kiss

You may express your joy with a kiss

Candle Ceremony (cont'd)

The Bride and Groom will now approach the candles. They will each take one of the smaller candles, and use it to light the middle unity candle. This means that from then on, their lives go together, kindled as one. This signifies the joining of the two families – two candles to light one candle, blending all the love, traditions, and experiences you have both shared with your individual families.

The Unity Candle will be saved and kept by the couple, to be lit on each wedding anniversary, as a reminder of this first day when they gave their promise to each other.

Signing of the Register

At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.

Presentation

(Groom's Name) and (Bride's Name),

I wish you prosperity, good health, and much happiness.

Family and friends,
I would like to present to you, your newly married couple,

Mr and Mrs _______________________

Recessional