The Lord be with you.
And with thy Spirit.

N. and N., you stand in the presence of God as man and wife to dedicate to him your life together.
        Matrimony is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee; and is commanded of St Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, to satisfy men’s carnal lusts or appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
        First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy name.
        Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ’s body.
        Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
        You now wish to affirm your desire to live in obedience to Christ, and have come to him, the fountain of grace, that, strengthened by the prayers of the Church, you may be able faithfully to fulfil the vows that you have made.
        Let us keep silence and remember God’s presence with us now.

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open,
all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hid;
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love thee,
and worthily magnify thy holy Name;
through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.
Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.

Almighty and most merciful Father;
we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done; and there is no health in us.
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us miserable offenders.
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
Restore thou them that are penitent;
according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake;
that we may ever hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

Minister:

Almighty God have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

God our Father, who hast taught us through thy Son that love is the fulfilling of the law: grant to these thy servants that, loving each other, they may continue in thy love unto their lives’ end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A reading from Holy Scripture, all sitting.

All stand.

May this ring/these rings be to N. and N. a token and pledge of the vow and covenant betwixt them made, and a sign of thy everlasting faithfulness. Amen.

The Husband and Wife kneel, other people remain standing.

Almighty God give you grace to persevere, that he may complete in you the work which he has begun, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Unto God’s gracious mercy and protection we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and evermore. Amen.

All kneel for the general prayers, ending with the Lord’s Prayer .