Traditional Christian King James Wedding Script
Honors centuries of sacred English marriage liturgy—featuring the classic "Dearly beloved" charge, King James Scripture, and "to have and to hold" covenant.
Helpful delivery notes for the officiant
- Allow natural cathedral-style pauses between sentences; classic Elizabethan and King James phrasing shines when spoken slowly and clearly.
- Rehearse archaic words ("forasmuch," "plight," "thereto," "suffereth") aloud twice beforehand so they sound effortless and dignified.
- Coordinate beforehand if a parent is giving away a partner after the opening charge ("Who giveth...").
Historic Exhortation — "Dearly Beloved"
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union and steadfast covenant of divine grace. It is therefore not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, talked of carelessly, or taken for granted; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear and love of Almighty God. Congregation, please be seated.
King James Scripture Lesson (Genesis 2 & 1 Corinthians 13)
Hear the Word of the Lord from the Authorized King James Version. In the beginning, the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make an help meet for him... Therefore shall one leave father and mother, and shall cleave unto one’s spouse: and they shall be one flesh." And hear also the words of Saint Paul concerning charity—divine Agape love: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth."
Solemn Betrothal & Declaration of Consent
[PARTNER A], wilt thou have [PARTNER B] to thy wedded spouse, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love them, comfort them, honor, and keep them in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto them, so long as ye both shall live? ([PARTNER A]: "I will / I do.") [PARTNER B], wilt thou have [PARTNER A] to thy wedded spouse, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love them, comfort them, honor, and keep them in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto them, so long as ye both shall live? ([PARTNER B]: "I will / I do.")
Traditional Plighting of Troth (Vows)
Join now your right hands and repeat after me. [PARTNER A] to [PARTNER B]: "I, [PARTNER A], take thee, [PARTNER B], to my wedded spouse, 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 us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth." [PARTNER B] to [PARTNER A]: "I, [PARTNER B], take thee, [PARTNER A], to my wedded spouse, 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 us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth."
Consecration & Giving of Rings
Bless, O Lord, these rings, that [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] who give them and wear them may abide forever in Thy peace and continue in Thy favor unto their lives’ end. [PARTNER A], place this ring upon [PARTNER B]’s finger and say: "With this ring I thee wed, and with all my heart and faithful devotion I thee honor, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen." [PARTNER B], place this ring upon [PARTNER A]’s finger and say: "With this ring I thee wed, and with all my heart and faithful devotion I thee honor, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
Nuptial Prayer & Official Pronouncement
O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all humankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send Thy blessing upon these Thy servants, [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B], whom we bless in Thy Name, that they may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made. Forasmuch as [PARTNER A] and [PARTNER B] have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, by the authority vested in me as an ordained minister of Agape Church International and the laws of this State, I pronounce that they are lawfully wed together! Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. You may salute your spouse with a kiss!
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