Scripture’s great wedding story, at Cana, has a mother at its centre. It was Mary who noticed the wine had run out and quietly made sure the celebration didn’t fall apart. Mothers of the bride will understand.
Historical Context
A Mother of the Bride Prayer
Lord, today my daughter becomes a wife.
Thank you for every year I’ve had with her,
from her first breath to this morning.
Bless her and the man she’s marrying.
Give them a love that lasts,
patience on the hard days, and joy that grows with the years.
Make their home a place of peace and faith.
And help me let go with an open hand and a full heart.
Mary, Mother at Cana, pray for them.
Amen.
A Blessing to Say at the Reception
May God bless your marriage with love that never runs out,
as he blessed the wedding at Cana with wine that never ran dry.
May your home be full of laughter, faith and welcome.
And may you always find your way back to each other.
Amen.
For Letting Go
Lord, she’s not mine to hold onto anymore.
She’s yours, and now she’s his.
Keep me close to her in the right way.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer
- On the morning of the wedding, while she’s getting ready.
- In a toast or blessing at the reception.
- Written in a letter for her to open on the day.
Scripture Connection
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24
Every wedding involves leaving as well as joining. The mother of the bride feels the leaving most. This verse reminds her it was God’s plan all along.
Related prayers
For marriage, see the The Knot Prayer and Prayer for Commitment. For mothers, A Mother’s Prayer. For the groom’s side, the Prayer for My Son-in-Law.