CIVIL WEDDING RITUAL

INTRODUCTION Good day to all This is a very special day for __(husband)_____& ___(wife)_____ because their dream to join their hearts into one, come now to its realization. Im sure, no words can fully describe their feelings upon reaching this final stage of their relationships. And to all, relatives, friends and well-wishers, we are lucky, because we are witnesses of their vows and sharers of their joys which add more color to this special occasion. And as we formally start this wedding rites, I beg of you to be silent , so that the hearts of this new couple to be , keenly listen and deeply absorb the real ingredients of true love which is the binding factor of a happy and lasting marriage. _ (husband)__ & __(wife)___ , you are here to be legally wedded, as new couple and I , as Municipal Mayor, authorized by law, to officiate marriage, will first ask you parents, and sponsors and please answer me sincerely and honestly. ___(husband)___ & ___(wife)___ ,is it your will that you want to be wedded? Answer = Yes , its our will PARENTS - - Do you give consent/ advice to them? Answer: Yes, we do. SPONSORS - - Do you vouch that is no impediment to their wedding? Answer: Yes, we can vouch.

EXCHANGE OF VOWS & PROMISES HUSBAND - - - I accept ______________ as my wife. I promise to love you, to honor you, and to protect you at all times, as long as we both live WIFE - - - I accept ______________ as my husband. I promise to love you, to honor you, and to protect you at all times, as long as we both live GIVING OF RING TO EACH OTHER HUSBAND - - - ____(wife)____Receive this ring as a symbol of my promise to love you and give you my life and all I have till death do us part WIFE - - - ____(HUSBAND)____Receive this ring as a symbol of my promise to love you and give you my life and all I have till death do us part EXHORTATION (PAGMAYMAY) One time, a student asked a nun, her mentor. Mother, what is the right time for a person to marry. The Nun said if you can pick up the right flower. But how do I know that I have picked the right one? The nun further said you know marriage is a business of the heart and nothing else. And if you truly love a person, nothing can destroy his love, even intrigues and criticisms. You dont care about the background, color and status. Its your love that guarantees you that she will complete your life and build with you a happy and lasting family. I am sure ___(husband)____ , you really love, ____(wife)_____, because despite of her status, race (which is not the same as yours) , and aside from the fact that she lives far from your homeland , yet you pick her up because you know she is the right flower and modesty aside , Filipinas ,by nature, are hardworking , caring , thoughtful and very patient. And truly these traits cannot be bought by money. I am sure __(wife)___ you really love __(husband)___ because despite of not knowing his background so well, his status , his race, regardless of what he is and what he has, you trust him so much, in which your relationship ended here, in my office , to unite you both under our law as husband and wife.

As Mayor of Socorro, the hometown of your wife, I welcome you as a friend and part and partial of our community, may you cherish your wife and your new home, a place worth to live in. HUSBAND AND WIFE HOLDING RIGHT HAND (STANDING BEFORE THE OFFERING) MAYOR - - by the authority vested in me by the constitution of the Philippines, I do pronounce you now _________ and _________ as husband and wife. Good luck and God bless. Seal it with a kiss: (Ask the husband to kiss his wife) Lets give them a big hand

HOMILY INTRODUCTION: All of us desire that out marriage will be harmonious and lasting. Some even hope that their union as husband and wife will last long till life after death. However, to achieve this, we need to know the secret. Theres a saying that in every victory there is a secret and in every defeat there is a defect. What really is a secret of a happy and lasting marriage? BODY: Let us disclose the four secrets to achieve a happy and lasting marriage. 1. Make God as the number one adviser in selecting a lifetime partner, why? God makes us and he knows what is best for us. But sad to say, many forget and disregard God. Instead, we rely on our parents, relatives and what we have. Thats why some marriages are problematic, short lived and even ended in annulment since we dont have divorce in our country. 2. In selecting a partner, you need real criteria. First is we must observe our heart. Does it beat regularly and not off and on? If its off and on then make a second thought. A relationship to be lasting must have a 50-50 degree of love. You and your loved one must observe your feeling and have the courage to be frank to each other. So that each of you can check the weakness and strength of your feelings. 3. Make an advance plan of what your marriage should be and be ready to face all the barriers that block you. To achieve a blessed, happy and lasting marriage , I remember a person who want to build a house and he needed a blue print of the building plan. How big it is and how much money involved in finishing such plan. So, if you have plan and you follow it, your building should be finished on time. Its the same with marriage. Its not advisable that your plan after marriage because there is no more time to prepare. Proper planning should and must be done before marriage.

4. Make GOD as the center of your marriage. He must be the head of the family and everything will be alright. Why? Because HE is the source of everything and most especially he is the source of prosperity and happiness. CONCLUSION So ____(husband) and (wife)_________ these four things which I mentioned able truly, are the backbone of a very strong, united , prosperous, happy and lasting marriage.