Wedding Notebook - Exchange of Rings

Wedding Notebook
a resource of the Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren

Exchange of Rings

We have ceremonies and symbols to express the inexpressible. Fidelity, the pledged special faithfulness of man and woman to each other, often is symbolized by the unending circle of a ring. Rings are not necessary in marriage. Our more plain Brethren do not wear them. But when we know what they mean to us, rings can bind us in fidelity. Some couples choose only to have the wife wear a ring. The examples that follow assume that if there are to be rings, both will wear them. If that is not the case, you will need to adapt these statements to fit your decisions. Some ring ceremonies have only one prayer of blessing, others omit it. Some services omit the prayer but include the pledge. The order may be varied in many different ways. Write your own or adapt.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

A.    Minister: "The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you ________, may place a ring on the finger of your bride."
        Groom: "________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."
        Minister: "By the same token ________, you may place a ring on the finger of your groom."
        Bride: "________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you."

B.    Minister: "Heavenly Father, bless these rings. Grant that ________ and ________ may wear them with deep faith in each other. May they do your will and always live together in peace, love and abiding joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!"
        Groom: "________, wear this ring as a sign of my love and the giving that will last the rest of my life."
        Bride: "________, wear this ring as a sign of my life and the giving that will last the rest of my life."

C.    "What token do you give as symbols of your affection and integrity?"
                        (The minister receives the rings and says:)
        "Let these rings be the symbols of a spiritual bond that links loyal hearts in a lifelong covenant."
                        (The groom, placing the ring on the bride's finger, says;)
        "With this ring, I marry you, pledging my loyalty, love and life, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

D.                    (The minister shall take the ring and shall deliver it to the man to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand. The man, holding the ring there, and led by the minister shall say:)
        "With this ring I thee wed: with my body I thee worship: and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
                        (Then the minister shall pray:)
        "Bless, O Lord, this ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide in thy peace, and continue in thy favor, unto their life's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
                        (Then the minister takes the other ring and shall deliver it to the woman to put on the fourth finger of the man's left hand. There follows the same pledge and the same prayer.)
                                                (taken from a 16th century wedding ceremony.)

E.    Father, bless these rings which ________ and ________ have set apart to be visible signs of the inward and spiritual bond which unites their hearts. As they give and receive these rings, may they testify to the world of the covenant made between them here.
                     Groom: Receive and wear this ring as a symbol of my trust, my respect and my love for you.
                     Bride: (same as above)
        This circle will now seal the vows of our marriage and will symbolize the purity and endlessness of our love.

F.    Bless, O Lord, this ring that he who gives it and she who wears it may live in your peace and continue in your favor, all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
                (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 God.

G.    The ring is the symbol of the commitment which binds these two together. There are two rings because there are two people, each to make a contribution to the life of the other, and to their new life together. Let us pray: Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide together in your peace and grow in one another's eyes.
                (Each saying to the other)
        I give you this ring, as I give you myself, with love and affection. Wear it in peace always.

H.    From the earliest of times the golden circle of the wedding band has been a symbol of wedded love. Your rings are made of pure gold, to remind you daily to keep your love pure. Being one unbroken circle, your rings symbolize unending love. May your rings be a constant reminder of this high moment when you have pledged your unending love to one another.
                    (one to the other):
        This ring, without beginning or ending, is the symbol of my undying love for you. As it is made of purest metal, so I give you my purest love.

I. These rings mark the beginning of a long journey filled with wonder, surprises, laughter, tears, celebration, grief, joy. May these rings glow in reflection of the warmth and love which flow through the wearers today.
(one to the other): ________, I give you this ring as a symbol of the love I have for you. Wear it now as a sign of the love we share together.

J.    Minister: The wedding ring is the outward sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying to all the uniting of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Let us pray.
                                Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them
                                may abide in peace, and continue in thy favor. Amen.
        Groom: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring I thee wed.
                Bride: (responding): May it keep you ever in my heart and mind
                                                 when we are absent from the other. Amen.
        Bride: In token and pledge of our constant faith and abiding love, with this ring, I thee wed.
                Groom (responding): May it keep you ever in my heart and mind
                                                   when we are absent each from the other. Amen.
        Each partner says in turn:
                Take and wear this ring as a sign of our marriage vows and our faithful love for each other.
                With this ring I wed you; with my body I honor you; and with all my worldly goods I endow you.

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