Below is an example of an order of service for the Rite of Marriage. This is given as an example only and each denomination and, indeed, each church has a slightly different structure to the service.

 

At the entrance of the Bride

Bridal March from Lohengrin by Wagner

Welcome

The Rev John F. Smith

Hymn

Lord of all hopefulness

Lord of all hopefulness,
Lord of all joy
whose trust, ever child-like,
no cares could destroy,
be there at our waking,
and give us, we pray,
your bliss in our hearts, Lord,
at the break of the day.

Lord of all eagerness,
Lord of all faith,
whose strong hands were skilled
at the plane and the lathe,
be there at ourlabours,
and give us, we pray,
your strength in our hearts, Lord,
at the noon of the day.

Lord of all kindliness,
Lord of all grace,
your hands swift to welcome,
your arms to embrace,
be there at our homing,
and give us, we pray,
your love in our hearts, Lord
at the eve of the day.

Lord of all gentleness,
Lord of all calm,
whose voice is contentment,
whose presence is balm,
be there at our sleeping,
and give us, we pray,
your peace in our hearts, Lord
at the end of the day.

Jan Struther (1901 - 1953)

Opening Prayer

First Reading

Genesis Chapter 2, verses 5-9 and 15-24,

read by James Cosgrove

Hymn

Love Divine, all loves excelling

Love Divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heav'n to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.

Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
never more thy temples leave.

Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above;
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation,
pure and sinless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee.

Changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love and praise.

Charles Wesley (1707 - 88)

Second Reading

St Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians, verses 1-6

read by Sarah Miles

The Sermon

Rev John F. Smith

The Marriage Rite

The Blessing and Exchange of Rings

The Signing of the Register

during which will be sung Schubert's Ave Maria

Soprano: Anna Fields

Our Father

Nuptial Blessing

Hymn

And did those feet in ancient time

And did those feet in ancient time
walk upon England's  mountains green ?
And was the holy lamb of God
on England's pleasant pastures seen ?
And did the countenance divine
shine forth upon our clouded hills ?
And was Jerusalem builded here
amoung those dark satanic mills ?

Bring me my bow of burning gold
Bring me my arrows of desire !
Bring me my spear ! O clouds unfold !
Bring me my chariot of fire !
I will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
till we have built Jerusalem
in England's green and pleasant land.

William Blake (1757 - 1827)

Blessing and Dismissal

Recessional

Wedding March by Mendelssohn

Organist: Paul Carey