COMMON TERMS IN THE TRADITIONAL WEDDING CEREMONY
The Procession
Exhortation
This is the part where everyone walks down the aisle and takes their places for the
ceremony. You each make your way to the altar separately, symbolizing the fact that
you're coming from different backgrounds. In a Christian procession, the bride is
escorted by her father, while the groom waits for her up front.
The Officiant's Opening Remarks
" Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God and in the presence of these
witnesses to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony.."
The Charge to the Witnesses
Into this Holy estate these to persons present come now to be joined. Therefore, if anyone can
show just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or else
hereafter forever hold his peace.
The Statement of Intent
The only legal part of the Wedding Ceremony. What are the Man and Woman’s intent
towards each other. It must be heard verbally from both Man and Woman.
The Ring Exchange
As you exchange rings, you typically say,
"With this ring, I thee wed."
Your vows are your promises to each other. You may repeat the familiar "to have and
to hold, for better or for worse" vows, or recite ones you've written yourselves.
Exchange of vows
The Pronouncement of Marriage
The officiant makes it official ("I now pronounce you husband and wife").
The Recessional
Basically the reverse of the processional, you exit the ceremony together as husband
and wife, followed by the wedding party.