For the wedding of Salvationists the flag should be held or placed
behind the officiating officer. For the marriage of non-Salvationists
the army flag may be used at the officer's discretion.
In the case of Salvationists marrying, the ceremony commences with
a reading and explanation of the marriage articles. By means of these
articles, Salvationists not only make vows to each other but also
affirm publicly their joint dedication to God and his service. The
officer should explain the special nature of a Salvation Army wedding,
bearing in mind that usually some of the guests are not Salvationists
and may not be committed Christians. This introduction is omitted
for non-Salvationists.
If seated, the bride and groom should be invited to stand for the
reading of the articles of marriage:
'We do solemnly declare that, although we enter into this marriage
for reasons of personal happiness and fulfilment, we will do our utmost
to ensure that our married status and relationship will deepen our
commitment to God and enhance the effectiveness of our service as
soldiers of Jesus Christ in the Salvation Army.
We promise to make our home a place where all shall be aware of the
abiding presence of God, and where those under our influence shall
be taught the truths of the gospel, encouraged to seek Christ as Saviour,
and supported in the commitment of their lives to the service of God.
We declare our intention to be to each other, by the help of God,
true Christian examples and, through the times of joy, difficulty
or loss, to encourage each other to 'grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ'.
The officiating officer will then say to the bride and groom:
If you wish to be married upon these terms, please stand forward.
As the bride and groom stand forward, the officiating officer then
says to the congregation:
We are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the name of the
Lord Jesus Christ, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony,
which had been sanctioned and blessed by Jesus Christ, and declared
in Scripture to be honourable among all men.
Then, addressing the bride and groom:
I exhort you both to enter into this new and holy relationship
with reverent thought, honest intention, and in the fear of God, duly
considering the purpose for which marriage has been ordained.
I require and charge you both in the presence of God and of this congregation
that if either of you knows anything to prevent you from being lawfully
married you do now declare it.
The bridegroom then says after the officiating officer, using all
names:
I do solemnly declare that I know not of any lawful impediment
why I (name) may not be joined in matrimony to (name)
The bride then repeats the same statement
The officiating officer will then ask the bridegroom:
Toby, will you take Joanna to be your wife, to live according to
God's ordinance in holy matrimony? Will you love her, comfort, honour,
and sustain her, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her as
long as you both shall live?
The bridegroom answers: I will
The same question is then posed to the bride, who in turn, replies:
I will.
The bridegroom then takes the bride's right hand in his and says after
the officiating officer:
I call upon these persons here present
To witness that I (name)
Do take thee (name)
To be my lawful wedded wife,
To have and to hold
From this day forward,
For better for worse,
For richer for poorer,
In sickness and in health,
To love and to cherish,
Till death us do part,
According to God's holy ordinance;
And this I declare upon my honour
(Salvationists add):
As a true soldier of Jesus Christ.
The couple loose hands and then the bride takes the groom's right
hand in hers and makes the same declaration.
They release hands and the ring is placed on the book. The bridegroom
then puts the ring on the third finger of the bride's left hand, saying
after the officiating officer:
I put this ring upon your finger
As a continual sign that we are married
Under the solemn promises
We have made this day
In the name of the Father,
And of the Son,
And of the Holy Spirit.
The officiating officer joins their right hands, holding them together
by his own hand and says:
In the name of God, I declare you to be husband and wife.
Whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.
The officiating officer shall then offer prayers for the couple and
their new lives together, and the ceremony itself ends with words
such as:
God bless you both!
God bless your family and friends!
The officer may then give appropriate words of guidance before the
service is concluded with a congregational song and a benediction.
The signing of the register can take place at a suitable point before
or after the benediction.
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