Christine R. Martinez

Who gives this woman away?

Hello all and welcome. We have come together today to witness the creation of a marriage.

Marriage is the most intimate of all relationships.

It is the ultimate commitment to love, share, trust, and grow with another person. It is the beginning of a whole new life.

In Matthew 1:16, Joseph is described as the husband of Mary. It is probable that Joseph and Mary were betrothed at Nazareth.[1] The term "betrothal" indicates more than an engagement. It was customary to celebrate marriage in two stages, the first that of the contractual arrangements culminating in consent or "betrothal". After a period of time in which preparations were made to establish a new home together, the second stage of actually conveying the wife to that home would be accompanied by a great feast such as that recounted in the Gospel of John as the Marriage Feast at Cana (John 2:1-11).

We share today with [Bride and Groom] their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together from now until the end of time. We are all here to learn about loving and being loved, and to watch the miracle of love exchanged enriches every one of us. Therefore, we appreciate the opportunity to witness the shared love of this beautiful couple.

Bride and Groom, would like to take this moment to recognize the significant role that [ Childrens Names ] play in this marriage celebrated today, they each have received a special gift from Martin and Desiree to share this union as one.

From this day forth, you shall be more than one couple or two individuals – you shall be a loving and united family. You are a family drawn together by love and held together by devotion.

Vows:

You have chosen to write your vows, and it is with these words you express your binding promises to love, honor, and cherish one another. If you are ready to make these promises to each other I invite you now to face each other and declare your intentions.

When you're ready you may begin.

Rings:

Thank you for sharing your vows with all of us. The rings you are about to place on each other's fingers are symbols of the love you expressed. They will remind you of the vows you have just spoken, and of the eternal love that you have for one another."

"May I please have the rings?"

"With this ring I, (NAME), take you, (NAME), to be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting what I do not yet know, I will respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me, through all our years, and in all that life may bring us."

By the power vested in me by American Marriage Ministries and the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you Married (Husband & Wife)!"

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. [COUPLE'S MARRIED NAME]!"