Terrence Anthony Gaines

Christian Civil Wedding Ceremony Script

For Andrew & Rayna

Opening / Welcome

Officiant:

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God, and in the presence of family and friends, to join together Andrew and Rayna in holy matrimony.

Marriage is a sacred covenant — established by God, honored by Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not to be entered into lightly or carelessly, but thoughtfully, reverently, and in the fear of the Lord.

Today, Andrew and Rayna stand before us to declare their love, to pledge their faith, and to invite God to be at the center of their union.

Opening Prayer

Officiant:

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the gift of love and the joy of this day. We ask that Your Spirit fill this place and bless Andrew and Rayna as they become one in Your name. May their love be rooted in Your Word, strengthened by Your grace, and guided by Your wisdom.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

Scripture Reading

Reader or Officiant:

From 1 Corinthians 13:4–8, 13

“Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.

But the greatest of these is love.”

Charge to the Couple

Officiant:

Andrew and Rayna, as you stand before God and these witnesses, remember that love is not just a feeling — it is a daily choice. It is the giving of yourselves for one another.

May your love reflect Christ’s love for His Church — sacrificial, forgiving, and eternal.

Keep God first, and everything else will fall into place.

Declaration of Intent

Officiant:

Andrew, do you take Rayna to be your lawfully wedded wife — to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to her as long as you both shall live?

Andrew: I do.

Officiant:

Rayna, do you take Andrew to be your lawfully wedded husband — to live together in the covenant of marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to him as long as you both shall live?

Rayna: I do.

Exchange of Vows

Officiant:

Please join hands and repeat after me.

Andrew to Rayna:

I, Andrew, take you, Rayna,

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,

as long as we both shall live.

This is my solemn vow.

Rayna to Andrew:

I, Rayna, take you, Andrew,

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,

as long as we both shall live.

This is my solemn vow.

Exchange of Rings

Officiant:

May I have the rings, please?

These rings are a visible symbol of the vows you have made today — unbroken circles representing unending love and faithfulness.

Officiant to Andrew:

Andrew, as you place this ring on Rayna’s finger, repeat after me:

“With this ring, I pledge my love and my life to you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Officiant to Rayna:

Rayna, as you place this ring on Andrew’s finger, repeat after me:

“With this ring, I pledge my love and my life to you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

Unity Candle Ceremony

Officiant:

This unity act symbolizes that two lives, once separate, are now joined together as one — bound by love and sealed by the Spirit of God.

“What therefore God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Mark 10:9

Prayer of Blessing

Officiant:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this sacred union.

Bless Andrew and Rayna with a love that grows deeper each day.

Fill their home with faith, laughter, patience, and peace.

Let their marriage be a living testimony of Your grace — a light to others and a reflection of Your love for us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pronouncement of Marriage

Officiant:

By the authority given to me by American Marriage Ministry and by the state of Georgia, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

Andrew, you may kiss your bride.

Presentation of the Couple

Officiant:

Family and friends, it is my honor and joy to present to you for the very first time —

Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Andrew Solomon Williams-Graham