Complete Book of Wedding Vows (83 page)

(The minister takes the groom's ring from the maid or matron of honor or from the ring bearer and holds it up.)


Minister: "This ring has not always been the beautiful gold that we see here today. It came from the ground as rough orethat ore had to be tried by a refiner fireto drive away the impurities; now only the

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precious gold remains. May this ring be a symbol of difficult times. Problems will come in your marriage, but they can be like the refiner fire that drives away the impuritiesleaving only the precious gold of your love, a love that shall grow more precious and beautiful as years pass by."

(The minister hands the ring to the bride.)


Minister (to the bride): "Do you, ________________, give this ring to _________________ as an expression of your love for him?"


Bride: "I do."


Minister (to the groom): "Will you, ______________, take this ring from _________________ as a token of her love for you and will you wear it as an expression of your love for her?"


Groom: "I will."


Minister (to the bride): "Then, as a ceaseless reminder of this hour and of the vows you have taken, ____________, place this ring on the hand of your groom and repeat after me."


Bride (repeating after the minister): "With this ring I thee wed; intreat me not to leave thee or to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge: thy people shall be my people and thy God my God."

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