They may kiss and hug if theyare disposed to do so.
They should then kneel down on the cushion so provided before the altar of God and the Ministers present will lay hands on the couple with or without corporate prayers while one will conclude the blessing by laying hands on them.
After prayers, they should get up to receive congratulations from the ministers, while the officiating one should ask them. to face the congregation just on the same position where they received their joining and blessing.As they face the congregation, the wife will then be on the husbands left side, which is the conventional position of husbandand wife where ever they are. The officiating Minister will then introduce them to the congregation as Mr. & Mrs or as their titles may be.
They will then be asked to go and sit down on their chairs in their new position, followed by their attendants while waiting to sign their certificate
A few Scriptures may now be used; such as Eph. 5:22-28.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord, For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”
OR
1Pet.3:1-7:
“Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God Of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto thewife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
