A Marriage Prayer and Blessing (Book of Common Prayer)
O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life: Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, (whereof this ring given and received is a token and pledge,) and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
…
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favour look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting. Amen.
Where it fits in the ceremony
Blessings belong near the end: just before the couple are pronounced married, as the closing words of the ceremony, or at the reception as a grace before the meal or the opening of the toasts.
Pair it with
Two readings that balance this one, one sacred and one secular:
- Jeremiah 31:31–34 — A new covenant, written on the heart.
- Genesis 2:18–24 — “It is not good that the man should be alone” — the second creation story.