Christian Protestant marriage is a simple wedding ceremony, which may take place in church, chapel or any venue of your choice. You will need to notice that during major religious holidays there will be no wedding ceremony. Divorced Protestant is able to marry again with other Protestant person; in such case dispensation is needed by the Church.
Officiates at the wedding
A priest or a bishop is usually conduct the blessing and celebration of a marriage because such minister him/herself has the authority to conduct the nuptial blessing and holy Eucharist.
In such case a bishop and a priest are present and conduct together the wedding ceremony; then the bishop would pronounce the blessing of Eucharist. The priest may deliver the declaration of consent, read the Gospel and assisting in Eucharist function.
The Procession
All guests enter and assembled in the Church and wedding music or religious music signifies the arrival of the bride escorted by her Father or her proxy, and guests stand. The groom waits for her in front of the altar. The officiant or priest welcomes the bride and groom and all the attendants.
The priest then continues with say
“We come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by his presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and his Church, and Holy Scripture commends it to be honored among all people."
"The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity; and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God."
"Into this holy union of (the bride’s name) and (the groom’s name) now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now, or else for ever hold your peace."
Then the priest says to the bride and groom:
"I require and charge you both, here in the presence of God, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be united in marriage lawfully, and in accordance with God's Word, you do now confess it."
The Declaration of Consent
The priest says to the woman:
"(the bride’s name), will you have (the groom’s name) to be your husband; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to him as long as you both shall live?"
The bride answers "I will."
The priest says to the groom:
"(the groom’s name), will you have (the bride’s name) to be your wife; to live together in the covenant of marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as long as you both shall live?"
The groom answers "I will."
The priest then says to the congregation:
"Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage?"
The people say: “We will."
The Ministry of the Word
The priest then says to the people: "May Lord be with you."
The people respond: "And also with you."
The priest continues.
"Let us pray. O gracious and ever-living God, you have created us male and female in your image: Look mercifully upon this man and this woman who come to you seeking your blessing, and assist them with your grace, that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep the promises and vows they make; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
Then, one or more passages from the Holy Scripture are read and a passage from the Gospel before the Communion (if any).
The Marriage
The groom, facing the bride and taking her right hand in his, says:
"In the Name of God, I, (the groom’s name), take you, (the bride’s name), to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
Then the bride, facing the groom and taking his right hand in hers, says:
"In the Name of God, I (the bride’s name), take you, (the groom’s name), to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow."
The priest follows by blessing the rings:
"Bless, O Lord, these rings 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."
The groom inserts the ring on the bride's ring-finger and says:
"(the bride’s name), I give you this ring as a symbol of my vows, 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."
The bride does the same to insert the ring on the groom’s ring-finger.
Then the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom and says:
"Now that (the groom’s name) and (the bride’s name) have given themselves to each other by solemn vows, with the joining of hands and the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"Those whom God has joined together let no one put asunder."
All standing, the priest says: "Let us pray together in the words our Savior taught us:"
The Lord's Prayer is recited by the people and the priest. If there is a communion, the Lord's Prayer may be said later in the service.
The priest reads several prayers, and the people respond, saying, "Amen."
The Blessing of the Marriage
The people remain standing. The bride and groom kneel, and the priest says the blessing:
"O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Send therefore your blessing upon these your servants, that they may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that their home may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
"God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you, and fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace; that you may faithfully live together in this life, and in the age to come have life everlasting. Amen."
The Celebrant may say to the people: "The peace of the Lord be always with you."
The people respond: "And also with you."
The newlywed then greets each other followed by the other people.
These are the major document requirements:
1. Copy of passports
2. Copy of birth certificates
3. Copy of decree absolute if divorce
4. Baptize certificates
5. Widower must present a copy of death certificate of the former spouse (bride)
6. Copy of passport two witnesses (we can provide the witnesses if required)
7. Permit letter from the related consulate
8. 4 (four) pieces of photograph size 4 x 6 side by side in color (the groom should be on the right hand side of the bride).
For further information about our Bali Wedding Packages, please contact us at info@baliweddingassistant.com or use our pre-wedding inquiry form where you can customize all your wedding inquiry.
Bali Wedding Assistant Team