ORDER OF SERVICE FOR MARRIAGE
1. Arrival of the Groom
2. Opening Prayer
3. Processional Hymn for Bridal Train and the Bride
4. Praise & Worship
5. Declaration
6. Bible reading
7. Joining & Blessing
8. Signing of certificate
9. Choir Special Number
10. Sermon
11. Blessing the Bride & Bridegroom
12. Offering
13. Recessional Hymn (The newly wedded will move out first while the
14. congregation will wait to share the grace)
15. Photograph
OPENING HYMN
BLESSED ASSURANCE
1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my saviour all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my saviour all the day long.
2. Perfect communion, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight.
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my saviour am happy and bless’d,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
DECLARATION
BEFORE SEALING THE MARRIAGE, THE OFFICIATING PASTOR
SHALL DECLARE:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today before God and His people to join
Brother ABIOLA IBRAHIM and Sister ISIOMA DAMILOLA in Holy Matrimony.
Marriage is an honourable status ordained by God Himself before the fall of Man and it
symbolizes the Union between Christ and the Church. That Christ sanctions Marriage is
evidenced by the fact that He honoured an invitation to a wedding in Canaan of Galilee and He
performed His first Miracle there. Also, Apostle Paul pointed out that marriage is an honourable
thing between a man and a woman and should be kept pure. Therefore, marriage should not be
rushed into to satisfy the carnal lust. It has to be approached with dignity and the fear of the
Lord.
Reason for Marriage:
First, marriage is for mutual fellowship. This is an agreement that these two have reached
as they are to be joined together.
Secondly, Marriage is to check the sinful life of adultery so that those not gifted to be
continent can marry and thus keep themselves holy as the body of Christ.
Thirdly, marriage is ordained for the purpose of procreating and having children that will
fear the Lord, abide with the teachings of His words and glorify His Holy name.
Therefore, if anyone has any reason(s) why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony,
such a person should mention it now. If there is none, let everybody remain silent on this
marriage forever.
The officiating priest question the couple-to-be
Now both of you should realize that you cannot be joined contrary to the will of God. Therefore,
does anyone of you have reason(s) why you should not be jointed together in matrimony? (The
pastor paused for their answers).
The man’s pledge to the officiating minister. The minister will ask thus:
Brother ABIOLA IBRAHIM Do you take this woman in marriage? Will you love her, honour
her; counsel her, as long as you both shall live? Will you leave other women and cleave to her
alone as long as both of you shall live?
If a man agrees he should pledge thus: Yes, I do
Likewise the minister will seek the woman’s pledge Thus:
Sister ISIOMA DAMILOLA Do you take this man to be your husband so that both of you will
live together according to the will of God concerning marriage? Will you love him, honour him,
and cherish him throughout your life? Will you reject other men and cleave to him alone as long
as you both shall live?
If the woman accepts she should pledge Thus: Yes, I do
After this the officiating minister should ask the congregation:
Who gave away this woman in marriage?
(The father or mother or any person chosen for the purpose comes forward to give the right hand
of the lady to the officiating minister who in turn hands the lady over to the man.)
MAKING AGREEMENT
Holding the right hand of the woman, the man pledges thus, saying after the minister:
I, Brother ABIOLA IBRAHIM Accept you Sister ISIOMA DAMILOLA
as my wife today to have and to hold, for better, in plenty, in health and in all circumstances. I
will love you and cherish you according to the will of God, for the rest of my life, in the name of
the father, son and the Holy Spirit.
After this the woman holds the man’s right hand and declares, saying after the minister:
I, Sister ISIOMA DAMILOLA today accept you ABIOLA IBRAHIM
As my husband, to have and to hold, for better, in plenty, in health and in all circumstances. I
will cherish and obey you according to the will of God, for the rest of my life, in the name of the
Father, son and the Holy Spirit.
Then the man gives the woman a new copy of the Holy Bible and both hold it together
during which the husband shall repeat the following after the minister.
With this Holy Bible, which is the word of God, I marry you. I surrender myself to you and I will
cherish you with all my love and possessions in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
(Amen).
The minister then lays both hands on the new couple together and says:
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall be
one flesh, so they are no longer two but one flesh (Matthew 19:5-6). What therefore God hath
joined together let no man put asunder.
As Brother ABIOLA IBRAHIM and Sister ISIOMA DAMILOLA
Have agreed to be joined in Holy Matrimony even as they have confessed this before God and
man and backed it up with the giving and receiving of the Holy Bible as an everlasting testament,
I declared they should both live together as husband and wife as from today, in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Notes:
1. This program should not take more than 60 min. The minister, bride and groom should arrive
early to ensure a prompt start.
2. The minister should hold a rehearsal with the people within a week of the ceremony. If
available and accessible prior to the ceremony, the venue of the ceremony should be made for
the rehearsal.
3. Seating arrangements of the relations of the bride and groom and their guest should be
concluded prior to ceremony. Consultations should be held with the head usher (if possible) to
ensure proper seating. (Seat the families & friends of the bride and groom on opposite side of the
sanctuary).
4. Location of the signing of the register should be so identified.
5. When photograph and video could be taken should be so predetermined and announced just
before the ceremony starts.
6. Announcements should be brief. This ceremony is not a regular church service. If possible
restrict item to issues pertaining to the event such as photographs, receptions etc.
7. Parent of the bride and groom should be given special seating
8. Groom enter the sanctuary before the bride, signifying that he is the covenant initiator.
CLOSING HYMN
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
1. To God be the glory, great things he hath done,
So loved he the world that he gave us his son,
Who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the father, through Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory; great things He hath done.
2. Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3. Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be,
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
