The Wedding Processional

2:30 The wedding party arrives 30 minutes prior to the time of the ceremony.

2:50 Guitar music begins

3:00
a. The two mothers walk down the aisle side by side each with a lighted candle.

b. Bride’s mother lights the candle on the left side and takes her seat in the first pew at the left

c. At the same time, Groom’s mother lights the candle on the right side and takes her seat in the first pew at the right

d. Pastor Foreman walks down the aisle, followed by Simon and Dan

e. Magi and Joe walk down center aisle. The bridesmaid stands to the left and the groomsman to the right.

f. Ida and Zachary walk down center aisle. The bridesmaid stands to the left and the groomsman to the right.

g. The Maid of Honor enters followed by the flower girl and ring bearer. The flower girl stands near the Maid of Honor. The ring bearer stands near the Best Man.

h. Dilia and her father enter, he walking to the left. When they approach the altar, she releases her father’s arm.

i. Pastor Foreman asks, “Quien entrega a la novia para cesarse”. Dilia’s father answers, “Mi esposa y yo”. The father then sits next to the mother.

j. Simon takes Dilia’s right hand and draws it through his left arm. (They are arm and arm facing the audience)

k. The entire wedding party now turns and faces the minister. (When bride and groom turn, the bride is still on his left.)

The purpose of the gathering

Dear friends, we are assembled here in the presence of God to unite Simon and Dilia in marriage.

The Bible teaches that marriage is an honorable institution and a permanent relationship between one man and one woman freely and totally committed to each other as companions for life. Our Lord declared that a man shall leave his father and mother and unite with his wife in the building of a home, and the two shall become one flesh.

Hymn of Joy and Praise: At this point Zachary will celebrate this day by singing asong in honor of Simon and Dilia. HYMN.

The charge to the couple

Simon and Dilia, we are gathered together in the sight of God and in the company of many witnesses. We are among your family and your friends. Do you both understand the seriousness and permanence of the vows you are about to take. Do you take on these vows freely and without any mental reservation?

Simon and Dilia in unison to Pastor Chris: We do.

Pastor Chris to Simon and Dilia: Would you please face each other, join hands, and take the following vows. (the two sides also face each other)

Questions to the bride and groom

Pastor Chris to Simon: “Simon, do you take Dilia to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you commit yourself to her happiness and her usefulness to God’s kingdom? Do you forsake all others in favor of Dilia. Do you promise to love her, honor her, trust her, and serve her in sickness and in health, in adversity and in prosperity, as long as you both shall live?

Simon to Pastor Chris: “I do”

Pastor Chris to Simon: “Simon, will you love Dilia as Christ loved His Church and gave Himself completely to her in sacrificial love?

Simon to Pastor Chris: “I will”

Pastor Chris to Dilia: “Dilia, do you take Simon to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you commit yourself to his happiness and his usefulness to God’s kingdom? Do you forsake all others in favor of Simon. Do you promise to love him, honor him, trust him, and serve him in sickness and in health, in adversity and in prosperity, as long as you both shall live?

Dilia to Pastor Chris: “I do”

Pastor Chris to Dilia: “Dilia, will you give respect to Simon as unto the Lord? Will you honor Simon as head of your home, in the same manner as Christ is head of His church.

Dilia to Pastor Chris: “I will”

Exchanging of Rings

Pastor Chris: These wedding rings are a symbol of marriage in at least two ways: the purity of gold symbolizes the purity of your love for each other, and the unending circle symbolizes the unending vows which you are taking, which may be broken honorably in the sight of God only by death. As a token of your vows, you will give and receive the rings.

Receives ring from Best Man
Pastor Chris to Simon: Simon, give this ring Dilia and repeat after me: “Dilia, with this ring I pledge my life and love to you”.

Simon repeats these words to Dilia and places the ring on her finger.

Receives ring from Maid of Honor
Pastor Chris to Dilia: Dilia, give this ring to Simon and repeat after me: “Simon, with this ring I pledge my life and love to you”.

Dilia repeats these words to Simon and places the ring on his finger.

Pastor Chris: “Let us pray. Father God, we thank you for this wonderful day in May. We thank you for keeping your hand on Dilia and on Simon .. for guarding their lives from the day they were born, through their childhood, through their youth and until the day they first met in Brooklyn. Thank you for the love that you planted in their hearts and that grew for all of us to see. Thnak you for your grace toward them. Lord, grant them a mighty blessing on their wedding day. May they be as happy everyday of their lives together as they are on this day. May their coming together bring forth many childeren. And it's through Christ's name we pray. Amen

After prayer Dilia and Simon take a candle from their sides and together light the center candle. They return to their places in front.

The pronouncement of the marriage

Pastor Chris to Congregation: Since Simon and Dilia have made these commitments before God and this assembly, by the authority of God and the laws of the state of New York, I declare that Simon and Dilia are husband and wife.

Pastor Chris to Couple: You are no longer two independent persons but one. “What therefore God has joined together, let no man put asunder”.

Simon, you may now kiss your bride. [Applause]

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Foreman

Announcements: Before we close I want to acknowledge Gardenia, our hostess. Thank you for your gracious hospitality and for allowing us to perform this wedding ceremony in this beautiful location.

Marriage Benediction Please stand for this final blessing and then remain standing as the wedding party leaves. May the Lord bless you and keep you you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace. Thank you all so much for coming and for celebrating this happy day, and go in peace. Amen.”

Zachary sings solo

Immediately after the song, the bride receives her bouquet and the couple join arms. They leave in the following order:

a. Bride and Groom

b. Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

c. Best man and maid of honor together

d. Bridesmaid and groomsman together

e. Two mothers together (father follows)

f. The minister leaves