Portions in Red must be read verbatim.

INTRODUCTION 

 

We are gathered here today to witness the formal joining of 

 

(name #1) 

and 

(name #2) 

 

in the legal state of Matrimony. You are to be married according to the orders, customs, and the authority granted by the government of the Province of Alberta. 

 

Matrimony, as understood by us, is a state enriched by a long and honorable tradition of devotion.  According to the law each participant is equal and supports the common rights of one another in the marriage.

​

Name #1 and Name #2 , you have come here together to share in the human institution of marriage, to share your lives, hopes and dreams, successes and failures, highs, lows, and everything in between. 
Nothing is easier than saying words, and nothing harder than living them day by day. What you promise today must be renewed and re-decided tomorrow. At the end of this ceremony, you will be legally married, but you must still decide, each day that stretches out before you, that you want to be together. Real love is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. Real love is not total absorption in each other; it is looking outward in the same directions — together. 

May you laugh together in joy, grieve together in sorrow, and grow together in love. 

 

With this understanding 

(name #1) 

and 

(name #2) 

 

wish to be joined in marriage. 

 

  

THEREFORE: 

 

I now call upon you both in the presence of these witnesses, to repeat after me: 

 

Let the first person say: 

 

I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE  

THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT  

WHY I, (name #1)  

MAY NOT BE JOINED IN MATRIMONY  

TO (name #2) 

 

Let the second person say: 

 

I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE  

THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT  

WHY I, (name #2)  

MAY NOT BE JOINED IN MATRIMONY  

TO (name #1) 

 

As no impediment was declared or admitted, I require you to give answers to these questions: 

 

Do you (name #1) promise to give to (name #2) the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Will you share with (him/her) equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by your self; and to respect the dignity of (his/her) own personal rights? Answer: I DO 

 

Do you (name #2) promise to give to (name #1) the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Will you share with (him/her) equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by your self; and to respect the dignity of (his/her) own personal rights? Answer: I DO 

 

 

 THE MARRIAGE VOWS 

 

Now would (name #1) and (name #2) please face one another, join hands, and let (name #1) repeat after me: 

 

I CALL UPON THOSE PERSONS PRESENT  

TO WITNESS THAT I, (name #1)  

DO TAKE YOU, (name #2) 

TO BE MY LAWFUL WEDDED [SPOUSE/WIFE/HUSBAND] 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD,  

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD,  

IN WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES OR EXPERIENCES  

LIFE MAY 

HOLD FOR US. 

 

Let (name #2) repeat after me:  

I CALL UPON THOSE PERSONS PRESENT  

TO WITNESS THAT I, (name #2)  

DO TAKE YOU, (name #1) 

TO BE MY LAWFUL WEDDED [SPOUSE/HUSBAND/WIFE]  

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD,  

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD,  

IN WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES OR EXPERIENCES  

LIFE MAY 

HOLD FOR US. 

 

 

THE RING EXCHANGE 

The wedding ring is a symbol of married love, the precious metals show that your love is your most precious possession, and the unending circle symbolizes that your love will never cease. 

 

Having declared these marriage vows, let (name #1) place the ring on the third finger of (name #2)’s left hand, repeating after me: 

 

(name #1) GIVE YOU THIS RING  

THAT YOU MAY WEAR IT AS A LASTING REMINDER  

OF OUR MARRIAGE VOWS  

AND AS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO YOU. 

 

 

Let (name #2) place the ring on the third finger of (name #1)’s left hand, repeating after me 

 

(name #1) I GIVE YOU THIS RING  

THAT YOU MAY WEAR IT AS A LASTING REMINDER  

OF OUR MARRIAGE VOWS  

AND AS A SYMBOL OF MY LOVE AND COMMITMENT TO YOU. 

 

SIGNING THE MARRIAGE REGISTRATION 

 

I will now ask (Name #1) and (Name #2) to join me, along with their witnesses to sign the Marriage Registration. 

 

 

THE DECLARATION 

 

(name #1) and (name #2) you have consented in marriage, and have declared your solemn intention in this company, before these witnesses, and in my presence. You have exchanged these rings as the pledge of your love to each other; you have joined your hands to accept one another. 

 

As you begin your marriage, let your home be a haven of peace in the midst of a busy and changing world; let your relationship be one of complete truth, love, and understanding.  Respect the confidences of your partner in this marriage and consider that your marriage will yield what you give to it. 

 

May you enjoy a long life, fulfill your hopes, feel content as you live day by day, and keep your promises to one another. 

 

Now upon the authority vested in me by the Province of Alberta, I pronounce you legally husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!