Read 3 (three) times by the Heralds
I publish the Banns of Marriage between Aliyah bat Asriel ben Gilead and Áindle Ó Diarmada. If any know cause, or just impediment, why these two should not wed, ye are to declare it now or henceforth be still. This is the 1st / 2nd / 3rd time of asking.
Declared by the Heralds
Áindle seeks to take to wife Aliyah and so challenges all comers to a tournament of love in order to gain approval of this union. Challengers will allow victory to the groom or concede the match if they so approve the union. Challengers who seek to deny Áindle his desire even unto gainsaying her for another or for their own will attempt to fight to victory.
Start somewhere outside the gate of the village
Proceed to church door
O = Officiate BB = Baron B = Bride G = Groom
O: As marriage is a civil contract, it must be done so in public that it may have the testimony of men. As marriage is sacred it must be done that it may have the blessing of God. Before all present let those who are to be joined in holy marriage come before the doors of the church.
(The garlands are placed upon the heads of the B & G who come forward to stand before the O. The ring is given to the O.)
O: The Banns of Marriage have been thrice published. No contrary declarations have been presented. Is there any present who wish to testify against this union? (Pause)
O: Who gives this woman?
BB: I do.
O: Áindle, take her right hand in yours. Do you, Áindle, take this woman, Aliyah, to wife?
G: I, Áindle, take thee, Aliyah, now to be my wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, for fairer for fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, to nourish, to provide, to honor, to esteem, and to protect, till death us depart, according to God’s holy ordinance.
O: Do you Aliyah, take this man, Áindle, to husband?
B: I, Aliyah, take thee Áindle, now to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, to serve, to attend, to honor, and to esteem, till death us depart, according to God’s holy ordinance.
O: Bless this ring, O merciful Lord, and they that give and receive it. May they be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace and live and grow old together in your love, seeing their children and their children’s children.
(The O gives the ring to the G who places it upon her thumb, moving it to successive fingers with each statement at last to the fourth finger where it stays.)
G: In the name of the Father (thumb) and of the Son (index) and of the Holy Spirit (middle), I thee wed (ring). This is the gold and silver (the Bridal Cup is brought forward.) I thee give, with my body I thee worship, and with this dowry (Alms for the poor are presented) I thee endow.
B: I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine. Entreat me not to leave you, or to return from following after you. For where you go I will go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. And where you die, I will die and there I will be buried for nothing but death will part you from me.
(Four Maids of Honor bring forth the Bridal Paell and hold it over the B & G.)
O: Heavenly Father, may Aliyah be good to Áindle like Rachel was to Jacob, may she be as wise as Isaac’s Rebekah, and as faithful as Abraham’s Sarah. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit 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. Go together as husband and wife with the peace of the Lord.
(The O kisses the G who shares the Kiss of Peace with the B. G & B then step over a sword.)