Wedding Ceremonies: The Rings

Weddings rings are the lasting symbols of the vows and commitments made on the wedding day. Long after the cake and flowers are gone and the clothing put away, the ring will remain as a reminder of the promises of the wedding service.

Protestant

Blessing of the Rings

The Priest may ask God's blessing on a ring or rings as follows

Bless, O Lord, this ring, to be a sign of the vows by which this man and this woman have bound themselves to each other; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Exchange of Rings

The giver places the ring on the ring-finger of the other's hand and says

__________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (or in the Name of God).

Repeat for the second ring.

The Book of Common Prayer

Roman Catholic

(This passage is omitted because of copyright protection. It is included in the book, For As Long As We Both Shall Live, available at your local bookstore or by calling 1-800-238-0658.)

The Rite of Marriage

Jewish

(This passage is omitted because of copyright protection. It is included in the book, For As Long As We Both Shall Live, available at your local bookstore or by calling 1-800-238-0658.)

Rabbi's Manual

Contemporary

Officiant: From the earliest times, the circle has been a symbol of completeness, a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never ending circle symbolizes a commitment of love that is also never ending. As often as either of you looks at this symbol, I hope that you will be reminded of the commitment to love each other, which you have made today.

Will each of you repeat after me:

Groom: I, __________, give to you __________, this ring, as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor, and respect you.

Bride: I, __________, give to you __________, this ring, as a symbol of my commitment to love, honor, and respect you.

Michael Barlow-Sparkman

The Officiant: What token of your pledge do you offer each other?

As the bride places the ring on the groom's finger she says:

__________, I offer this ring to you as a symbol of my love and of the vows I have spoken. What meaning will it have for you as you wear it?

The groom responds to the question, stating the meaning of the wedding ring to him:

The ring is a symbol for me and for the community around me that I have made this commitment. It is a sign that I take it very seriously.

As the groom places the ring on the bride's finger he says:

__________, I offer this ring to you as a symbol of my love and of the vows I have just spoken. What meaning will it have for you as you wear it?

The bride responds to the question, stating the meaning of the wedding ring to her:

We looked for the perfect ring for a long time. As I wear this ring, it will remind me that you and I will be together for a long time. I will remember that when I am struggling, you will struggle with me. When I rejoice, you will rejoice with me. When you struggle, I will struggle with you and when you rejoice I will rejoice with you.

Laurinda Bilyeu and Stephen Weiser

Officiant: The rings you give and receive this day are the symbols of the endless love into which you enter as husband and wife. Such a love has no beginning and no ending, no giver and no receiver. You are each the beginning and the ending, each the giver and the receiver.

Groom: I give this ring in remembrance of this hour, a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful, and endless.

Bride: I give this ring in remembrance of this hour, a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful and endless.

John Corrado

Blessing of the Ring

The officiant says:

May I have the bride's ring please?

Holding the bride's ring in the palm of his or her hand, the officiant says a blessing.

The circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. This ring is a symbol of unity, in which your two lives are now joined in one unbroken circle. __________, please place this ring on __________'s finger and repeat after me:

Exchange of Rings

The groom says: I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity.

Blessing of the Ring

The officiant says:

May I have the groom's ring please?

Holding the groom's ring in the palm of his or her hand the officiant repeats the blessing:

Exchange of Rings

The bride says: I give you this ring to wear upon your hand as a symbol of our unity.

Kenneth L. Patton

Groom: May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love.

Bride: May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love.

Angeline E. Theisen

Officiant: You have chosen these rings as the symbol of your marriage covenant. They are made of gold, a metal that does not tarnish and is most enduring. These rings represent the ties that bind you together as husband and wife. They are an endless circle representing your marriage union, which shall continue, broken only by death.

Groom: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I marry you.

Bride: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I marry you.

Richard Thomas

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We welcome submissions of your original "Rings" passages for wedding services. For possible consideration for inclusion on this page, send your E-Mail to:rfritts@his.com

URL: http//www.his.com/~rfritts

Revised - June 3, 1996