Civil Marriage Ceremony – Option #1
<Officiant to Announce>
“We are gathered here to witness the formal joining of __________________________ and _____________________________ in legal matrimony according to the custom and law prevailing by the Government of the Province of Ontario. Marriage is not to be entered upon thoughtlessly or irresponsibly but with a due and serious understanding and appreciation of the ends for which it is contacted.
<If either person is escorted forward, Officiant to Announce>
“Who is it that gives this _________________ (man/woman/person/individual) in marriage?”
<Answer> “I/we do”
<Officiant to Announce>
____________________________________ and ______________________________ you have made it known that you want to be joined in marriage and no one has shown any valid reason why you may not. If either of you know of any lawful impediment why you should not be married, you are now to declare it.”
<Officiant to Applicant. Repeat after me please>
“I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I ___________________ may not be joined in matrimony to ___________________”
<Officiant to Joint Applicant. Repeat after me please>
“I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I ___________________ may not be joined in matrimony to ___________________”
<Declaration of Intent and Vows>
“Would you please face each other and join hands and repeat after me.”
<Officiant to Applicant. Repeat after me please>
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, _____________________ do take you ______________________, to be my lawful wedded (wife/husband/spouse/partner).”
<Officiant to Joint Applicant. Repeat after me please>
I call upon these persons here present to witness that I, ______________________ do take you ______________________, to be my lawful wedded (wife/husband/spouse/partner).”
<Exchange of Rings>
“This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your love and life together.”
<Officiant to Applicant>
Please place this ring on the third finger of ____________’s hand saying after me:
“With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish thee and this ring is the symbol of my love.”
<Officiant to Joint Applicant>
Please place this ring on the third finger of ____________’s hand saying after me:
“With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish thee and this ring is the symbol of my love.”
As you wear these rings may you find them reminders of an endless love which may grow more meaningful with each passing day.
<Pronouncement by Officiant>
“__________________________ and ________________________ have pledged themselves to each other and have declared this symbolically by their vows and the exchange of rings.
I, __________________, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Ontario Marriage Act, do hereby pronounce you _______________ and _______________ to be married.
You may exchange a kiss as a token of your joy.” <Optional>
<Signing of the Register>
At this time, the wedded parties and their witnesses will sign the Official Marriage Register.
<Ceremony Conclusion>
I wish you a long life, happiness, prosperity and may the vows you have made to each other today, sustain you forever.
<Officiant>
“May I introduce to you the married couple.”
Note: All bolded text is mandatory for the ceremony.