The Service
A draft order of service is given below. It is
our hope that the service reflects your own
wishes for your special day and as such the
service can be tailored in discussion with the
minister.
The Order of Service
Bridal March
Words of Welcome
Hymn
Narrative of Marriage
Prayer
Bible reading
Exchange of Vows
Giving and receiving of rings
Declaration of marriage
Blessing
Short Address given by Minister
Prayer for Bride and Groom and families
Hymn
Benediction
Signing of the Marriage Schedule
Wedding March
It is not expected that the ‘Order of Service’
that guests receive on your wedding day
would include all of the above information.
Your printed ‘Order of Service’ may include:
Title of the Bridal March
Words of the first hymn
Title of Bible readings
Title of other readings as agreed with the
minister
‘The Marriage Ceremony’
Words of the second hymn
‘Signing of the Marriage Schedule’
Title of the Wedding March
Vows
A selection of wedding vows are given
below, please feel free to ‘cut and paste’
between the vows but we generally
discourage brides and grooms making up
their own vows. Unless otherwise
requested, the vows will be led by the
minister with the bride and groom repeating
each short line.
A Selection of Vows
Before God and in the presence of our
families and friends, I, …., declare my love
for you, .… and I give myself to you as your
husband/wife. I promise you my love, my
loyalty, and my trust for as long as we both
shall live.
In the presence of God, and these witnesses,
I, …. take you ….. to be my wife/husband,
I promise and covenant to be your loving,
faithful and loyal husband/wife, as long as
we shall both live.
Before Almighty God and these witnesses, I,
….give myself as your husband/wife, and
take you, …. as my wife/husband. All that
I am I give you, all that I have I share with
you, I will love you, and stand by you for
the rest of my life.
In the presence of God, our families and
friends, I, …. declare my love for you,.… I
promise you my love, my loyalty and my
trust, as long as we shall live.
I, …. Take you …. To be my husband/wife,
to have and to hold for this day forward; for
better for worse, for richer for poorer, in
sickness and in health, to love and to cherish
until death do us part, according to God’s
holy law; and this is my solemn vow .
Readings
There are a number of Bible readings
suitable for inclusion in your marriage
service. You may wish to discuss this further
with the minister. You may wish also to
other readings or poetry within your service.
The following list is not exhaustive and you
will find other possible items on the Internet
or through other sources.
Gospels
John 2:1-11
John 15:1-4, 9-17
Epistles
1 Corinthians 13: 1-8(a)
Ephesians 3:14-21
Ephesians 5:21-33
Philippians 2:1-11
Colossians 3:12-17
1 John 4:7-16
Old Testament
Psalm 19, 84, 85, 91, 121, 139:1-18
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Song of Songs 8:6-7
Isaiah 40:25-31
Readings may be read by family or friends if
you wish.
Hymns
When selecting hymns, please discuss your
hymn choice with the minister prior to the
printing of your Order of Service. In your
hymn choice, it is helpful if you are sensitive
to the knowledge and makeup of the
congregation to ensure that hymn singing is
at its optimum.
The following list comprises of some of the
more popular hymns sung at marriage
services:
All Things Bright & Beautiful
Amazing Grace
Bind us Together
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind
Give Me Oil in My Lamp Keep Me Burning
Guide Me, O Though Great Redeemer
Immortal, Invisible
Jesus, Stand Among Us
Lord of Hopefulness
Lord of the Dance
Love Divine, All Love Excelling
One more Step Along the World I Go
Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Morning Has Broken
O, Jesus I Have Promised
Praise My Soul The King of Heaven
The King of Love My Shepherd is
Music
Portland Church has a church organ, grand
piano and sound system (plays CD’s, MP3’s
etc.) and our church organist/pianist to play
at your wedding. Should you wish to involve
other musicians or a string quartet etc.
please inform the minister as soon as
possible.
Please discuss Bridal and Wedding March
music with the church organist directly.
The church choir, if available, can be booked
to perform at your wedding should you so
wish. Arrangements for booking of the choir
are to be made with the church office.
Photography and Video Recordings
Professional photographs are permitted
during the service although the use of flash
photography is not (the light in the building
is excellent so flash is not necessary)
Please also ensure that the photographer
remains stationary.
Video recordings are permitted within the
ceremony, providing they do not interfere
with the conduct of the service. To comply
with licensing requirements please make
sure that your videographer has a limited
manufacturers licence from the PRS website:
http://www.prsformusic.com