THE CELEBRATION AND BLESSING
OF A MARRIAGE

In the beginning they were made male and female, for this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Matthew 19:4-7

Christian marriage is a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church it is required that one, at least, of the parties must be a baptized Christian; that the ceremony be attested by at least two witnesses; and that the marriage conform to the laws of the State and the canons of this Church.

A priest or a bishop normally presides at the Celebration and blessing of a Marriage, because such ministers alone have the function of pronouncing the nuptial blessing, and of celebrating the Holy Eucharist.

A deacon, or an assisting priest may deliver the charge, ask for the Declaration of Consent, read the Gospel, and perform other assisting functions at the Eucharist.

Where it is permitted by civil law that deacons may perform marriages and no priest or bishop is available, a deacon may use the service in the BCP, omitting the nuptial blessing which follows the Prayers.

It is desirable that the Lessons from the Old Testament and the Epistles be read by lay persons.

In the opening exhortation, the full names of the persons to be married are declared. Subsequently, only their Christian names are used throughout the rest of the service.

Although marriage is a solemn service, it is also a time of celebration as two people have become one, the family of All Saints is joyful to be a part of the beginning of their life together.