The Elopement

This Brief ceremony does not require a rehearsal, choreography, or any third party.

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.

Name, will you take Name to be your wife / life partner? Will you love him/her, comfort her, honor and protect him/her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him/her as long as you both shall live? I will

Name, will you take Name to be your husband / life partner? Will you love him/her, comfort him/her, honor and protect him/her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him/her as long as you both shall live? I will

Holy God, from the beginning you have blessed creation with abundant life. Pour out your blessings upon Name and Namethat they may be joined in mutual love and companionship, in holiness and commitment to each other. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Exchange of Rings.
I remind you that marriage is a precious gift; a lifelong dedication to love and a daily challenge to love one another more fully and more freely. It is traditional to offer each other a token, a personal daily reminder of the vows that you have made here. Do you offer each other such tokens here today?

Name and Name: Yes.
(the rings are brought forward and handed to the officiate. who speaks a prayer of blessing on them.)

Partner 1: Takes the ring and places it on him/her finger whilst repeating the following:
With this ring I thee wed; 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 do us part; in the presence of these witnesses I so vow.

Partner 2: Takes the ring and places it on him/her finger whilst repeating the following:
With this ring I thee wed; 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 do us part; in the presence of these witnesses I so vow.

Blessing - Lord, be the cord that binds this marriage, for a strand of three cords is not easily broken.
Show them the way to keep mutual respect brightly polished. May faith brighten their home, forgiveness adorn their hearts, and words of kindness be their only language. Help them entwine their friendship with the hopes and dreams they have brought to their wedding. Amen.

Presentation of the couple.
Forasmuch as you, Name, and you, Name, have openly declared vows of marriage; and in the presence of these witnesses, family, and friends, have pledged love to each other; and have confirmed the same by the exchange of rings; By the authority vested in me, and in the presence of these witnesses, I now pronounce you one in marriage (Or husband and wife). You may kiss.(The bride)

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you as husband and wife: Mr. and Mrs. Name and Name. (or, if preferred - Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you as married. Name and Name.)