The bride’s mother and the Groom’s father enter together.
Bridal party: 8 couples (4 on each side), alternating—one couple for the groom, then one for the bride, and so on.
Children’s procession: the flower girl carries the arras (coins) and the ring bearer carries the wedding rings.
The bride enters escorted by her father.
The ceremony begins.
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Opening prayer (everyone standing)
When they become one
Genesis 2:24–25
24 — Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife…
24 — Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25 — And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Marriage is something instituted by God from the beginning, which reminds both of them of the responsibility they now share in this covenant.
This is for the couple being joined today and for everyone present, to remember and reclaim the foundations of marriage as instituted by God.
The man takes his place as the head of the home, assuming responsibility to provide and care, and the woman embraces her calling within the marriage.
Ephesians 5:22–28
22 — Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord…
22 — Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 — For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 — Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 — Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 — That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 — That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 — So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Each one’s role: Here we understand the role of each within marriage—this is not negotiable before God, for He set it forth in His word.
Mutual responsibilities: A marriage is built on responsibilities on both sides, where each fulfills their part—not as a burden, but in love.
Love is the foundation of marriage.
What God is joining together, no one has the power to separate.
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Wedding arras (13 coins)
What it is: The 13 coins ceremony—“Las Arras Matrimoniales”—is a symbolic ritual in which the groom gives the bride 13 gold or silver coins, known as “arras.”
Meaning: The groom’s promise to provide for the family and the bride’s acceptance, signifying shared trust and unity in their finances.
Blessings: 12 coins for each month’s blessings + 1 for God’s abundance over the whole year.
Rite: Presentation, prayer, and anointing of the coins for God’s blessing over their finances; the coins are given by the groom to the bride.
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Consent of the couple
Matheus Dela Rosa Dias Monteiro, do you take Yasmin Rocha Garrido to be your lawfully wedded wife?
Yasmin Rocha Garrido, do you take Matheus Dela Rosa Dias Monteiro to be your lawfully wedded husband?
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Exchange of rings
I, (groom’s name), take you, (bride’s name), to be my lawfully wedded wife.
I promise to be faithful, to love you and honor you,
In joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health,
In wealth and in want, from this day forward,
Until death do us part.
I, (bride’s name), take you, (groom’s name), to be my lawfully wedded husband.
I promise to be faithful, to love you and honor you,
In joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health,
In wealth and in want, from this day forward,
Until death do us part.
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Pronouncement
By the authority vested in me as a minister of God, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
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Communion and breaking of the glass
Remembrance and care: This act recalls that life has moments of sorrow and that love, though strong, is delicate and must be tended with care.
A new beginning: It marks the end of one chapter and the start of another, symbolizing the couple’s union and everlasting commitment.
Rite: Serving Holy Communion and the breaking of the glass.
Prayer: Prayer with hands over the Bible; closing prayer.