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Wedding Ceremonies

Galore

and

Much, Much More


Compiled by
Reverend Robert - S: Joy Ph.D.

INTRODUCTION

So you’ve decided to get married --- NOW WHAT. The object of this book is that you the Bride and Groom, will have all the information necessary to be able to make decisions about your wedding ceremony, and what could be the most interesting and exciting decision of your life -- getting married and living happily ever after. Yes it does exist!


A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR

So many, many times I pick up the phone and hear these same words, “We’ve decided to get married, but don’t know what to do.” It’s a cry or plea for assistance, so I thought with well over 20 years in the marriage industry, who better than me to write a book on this complicated and exciting adventure! Here is the result. I’ve tried to cover all the steps without making the journey complicated and I’ve tried to make it easy without seeming to talk down to you. Please give me feed back. This is very honestly requested.

GENERAL INFORMATION ON CEREMONIES

If you are going to be married in a church then you will usually be expected to follow the standard ceremonies, which that particular religious order generally follows. I say generally, not wanting to ruffle any feathers. Even in the most strict religious orders you, the Bride and Groom, do have a say in what happens in the church. So ask, “What choices do we have? Can we change and or alter anything in the ceremonies?” I’m very sure if you ask in a polite manner that you will be given every opportunity to have an input into your ceremony for your wedding day.

With a minister or non-denominational ceremony, the choice is wide open. You have a choice as to what takes place, where, when and how.

Most Ministers who I know, will certainly offer you a choice of ceremonies, readings and vows and if you wish will assist you in writing or composing your very own ceremony.

It is not that difficult. Again follow a few guidelines. Ask the person who is going to conduct or perform your ceremony and it’s really very easy.

In this book “Wedding Ceremonies Galore and Much Much More” I have provided many various ceremonies, readings and vows so that you can choose from them.

The ceremony should basically consist of an Introduction, Reading, Personal Vows, Ring Vows, and Presentation or the couple.

I know this may sound rather basic and very simple and it is. In the next few pages you will truly see how easy and simple it is. Always remember everything is changeable and can be altered to suit your particular needs, likes and dislikes.

I cannot emphasize strongly enough that this is going to be your day of days so, please remember, DO IT YOUR WAY.
THE MARRIAGE LICENSE.

Quite a formidable title but what is it and what does this form do?
This form or license gives the minister or officiant permission for you to get married within the official legal parameters of the country where you reside.
Basically what this form does is commit you and the person who is going to perform your ceremony together. Yes it is a legal form and a very important form. A very important step that needs to be followed and this can not be emphasized strongly enough. Some of the information here relates to people living in the united States of America, for those in other countries you will need to consult your Department of Births Deaths and Marriages or its equivalent name.

This form needs to be given to the person who is going to perform your ceremony as soon as you have it issued and preferably not on the day of the marriage.

REGULAR MARRIAGE LICENSE

* With this type of license, you can be married in any county within the State of Issuance.

* Your license becomes a public record and it is available for all to see and gain access to. No big deal? Stand by for heaps of mail from companies offering you deals on almost everything you can possibly think of.

* No blood tests as these where done away with as of January 1995.

* The license is valid for a period of 90 days.

* When applying for the license, you both must be present and you both must be able to show some form of identification to prove your date of birth as both must be over 18 years of age or have parents consent.

* If previously married you must furnish the final divorce date. It is a good idea to take your decree nisi papers with you.

* Parent's names are required and mothers' maiden names, along with town, city, county, country of birth.

* Witnesses are required at the ceremony, either 1 or 2.

* An official certified copy of the marriage is available after the marriage from the courthouse. You will at least receive a certificate from the Minister or Officiant on the day of the marriage, this is generally a requested legal requirement.

CONFIDENTIAL MARRIAGE LICENSE

This is similar to the regular license with the following exceptions and is only available in a very few states here in America, California being one of them.

* Both parties getting married must be 18 years of age or over.

* The license when issued can only be used in that county, for example a confidential license issued in Los Angeles county can only be used for a ceremony or service that takes place within Los Angeles County, similar for any other county.

* Nobody can gain access to the information either before the marriage or afterwards, except the bride and groom, who in turn become husband and wife.

* No witnesses are required at the marriage, although you may have witnesses if you want them for the memento Marriage Certificate, that is given to you.

* Photograph identification is required when you apply for this license.

* Please remember that the above is to be read in conjunction with the application for a regular license, as this may change from country or county and state.
OK, what do we look at next?. Yes the ceremony. The easy part. Yes it really is easy. Know what you are doing and it really is easy!

Here we will discover a very important rule to remember which is, “This day is your day, not Aunt Mary’s or Uncle Bob’s or your whoever”. It is your day and a day you will remember for the rest of your days together. When it is all over and you lie in bed together you can honestly say to each other, “Gee, that was really the way that we wanted it to be, it was great”. That’s the way it needs to be and that’s the way that it ought to be and will be, providing that you follow YOUR heart and do it YOUR way.

THE RECEPTION

This is where the fun really starts. This is not to say that the ceremony should not be fun. Oh yes it should be, by far it should. In fact if the ceremony is fun, then it generally carries on into the rest of the day or night.

Do we have to have a reception at all?
Do we have the reception at home?
Do we have it at a friends place?
Do we hire a hall?
Do we cater ourselves?
Do we arrange for a catering company?
Do we go to a Reception Center, if so which one?
Do we really need to have a reception?

Let’s start with the first one. No, you don’t need to have a reception. An alternative, if you only have a small guest list, is to go to your friendly restaurant, or nothing at all. Perhaps a stroll along the beach or walk in the woods.

The main question that controls all or most of these decisions is MONEY. What is it going to cost. Can we afford it?

Only you can answer most of these questions. The Reception Center is by far the easiest, the simplest, the most exciting and need not be the most expensive. An alternative to an evening weekend wedding is to be married on a week day, say a Friday or a Monday. This may not be as silly as you first thought.

Approach a Reception Center and get a quote for a mid-week Reception. Comparing with a weekend, you will usually be very surprised as to how much you will save and a great deal of companies now allow workers to have days off during the week, for various reasons.

Also why not have a Brunch, say a wedding at 11 am and a reception at 12 noon to finish at 2 p.m. or 3 p.m.? That allows the Reception Center to have the more traditional reception at 6 pm, after you and you guests have departed for the hotel. An advantage, is that you both manage to get to bed sober and not tired out, so that you are able to spend precious moments of tenderness and love with and for each other. With this kind of Reception comes also added advantages that Photographers, Videographers, and Wedding Cars are easier to obtain and will sometimes come down in price. Not that I am suggesting that price should dominate everything. One does have to balance Quality, Price, and Value for money against each other.
Should you use a catering company or do it yourself? A caterer is an option whether you have the reception at your place, or at a friend’s place or in a hall. Unless you have an army of great friends who you would like not to be friends with ever again, then do it yourself. Even if your family says, “We will do it,” DON’T and I repeat, DO NOT THINK ABOUT DOING THE CATERING AND THE RECEPTION YOURSELVES.

Is that clear? All right I’ll explain. I’ve seen many, many, couples who have done this and the response at the end of the day has always been, “Not again, it’s too much hard work”.

I’ve seen the calmest of people, the most organized of people, the best cooks in the world, the best in the world of everything, just unable to cope with it all and I’ll make another bold statement YOU WILL HAVE YOUR WORK CUT OUT JUST GETTING YOURSELVES READY. NEVER MIND YOUR GUESTS, THINK ABOUT YOURSELVES.

It is your day, remember. Do you want to be absolutely drained, exhausted and in a high state of stress simply due to you saving a few dollars on doing the reception yourselves? Well do you? The answer should be, “NO”. If the answer is, “YES” all I can say is “I TOLD YOU,” before the event!

OK, I’ve labored that I know, although I really think that it is needed it and I make no apology for it.

A good Catering firm is worth their weight in gold. Yes, I said A GOOD CATERING FIRM. How do you find a good one among all of the ones that are listed in the varying publications out there? With great difficulty! If you stick to the following steps, the journey will be made less of a nightmare.

Ask your friends who have similar standards to yourselves. If your friends don’t know, then ask your friends to ask their friends until you find someone who has been to an outside function where there was an outside catering company. The next move is to find out who paid the bill or check. It’s no use asking the people whom the event was for. It’s more important to ask the people who actually paid the bill.

They will tell you the truth for sure, absolutely. They’ve paid for the reception so they will tell you if they were satisfied, or unsatisfied, as the case may be.

Look in the local papers. Look in the Telephone Directories, but the key is, ask the people who not only went to the event but those who paid for it.
When you do contact a possible caterer, ASK, ASK, ASK.

Ask if they do the cooking themselves?
Do they supply all utensils?
Do they supply all staff?
Will they supply staff for serving drinks?
Is the food all prepared and cooked prior on their premises?
Are the eating utensils of high quality
(i.e. china, crystal, silver etc.)?
How soon do they arrive prior to the reception?
Do they require electricity? If so how many points?
Can they supply references from previous clients?
Please send samples of suggested menus.

Then when you have all this information you will be in a position to make a calculated decision. If after all this you are unable to make a decision, revert to a large piece of paper and divide it into two with the pros and the cons. That way it is often easier to see which one comes out on top. Always remember, Ask, Ask and Ask again. I guess it’s similar to the Real Estate Motto, Position, Position, Position.

Well I do hope that that this has assisted you with Reception Centers. Go and visit them, I have not found a poor one. They will, I’m sure, do all to assist you and most have been in business for a long, long time. By visiting them you will be able to see what the standard of the premises is. The next to be discussed is the Photographer and or Videographers. Do you need both? Is one better than the other, or do they complement one another?


PHOTOGRAPHERS and VIDEOGRAPHERS

This group of people spends more time with you than anyone else.
The photographer is generally with the Bride while she is going into the final stages of preparation. (S)/he will photograph the Groom and the Groomsmen, then the Bride when she eventually arrives at the venue for the ceremony. Just a quick one here please. Brides, be on time for your ceremony. The inconvenience that being late causes and the stress that this puts the groom under is horrendous. Also, remember in an outside ceremony guests may be waiting in weather that is 85 degrees in the shade. Please be on time. That’s all I’m going to say.

The photographer will be with you right up to when you depart. I know some will do a mock up of the cutting of the cake and the garter and then disappear, although most will stay for the entire proceedings. It’s a long day for them.
It is a very large responsibility, which they carry with no room for error, except to have two or more cameras. The photographer really does have to work hard and fast.

But what about you? What do you look for in order to obtain a good Photographer, one that will capture your memories with flair, style panache and reliability?

Personality needs to be high on the agenda. “Why”, I hear you ask?

I’ve seen photographers upset the entire bridal party and the guests by their attitude. Personality needs to be very high as this person is with you and your guests a long time and the photographer will come into contact with each and every one of your guests at some time or another. Group photos and individual photos all touch on you and your guests at some time during the proceedings. It is very important to have personality, coupled with talent.

Anyone can become a photographer. Anyone can operate a camera, especially these days with automatic focus and automatic lenses, but not everyone has the ability to achieve rapport, make people relax, remain calm when all around is making whoopee and work almost non stop for 8 hours plus. The photographer starts the day hours prior to the ceremony, checking equipment, removing any possible chance of anything going wrong. He or she should produce quality prints with flair and artistry, be creative, look after you both, and then go away into a dark room and produce proofs for all to compare, often with their own photos. That’s what all your guests will do as soon as they see the proofs! I guarantee it.
OK, so how do you find this super person. Again ASK! ASK! ASK!

Look in the local newspapers. Look in the telephone directories, go and see the previous work that they have done. Ask if you can contact a previous Bride and Groom. Why not? After all, they’ve had dealings with the photographer and parted with their hard-earned money, so they will tell you the truth, hopefully.

Ask how long they have been doing photography, especially wedding photography. There’s a huge difference between taking a photograph of a building and real live vibrant people who move around. Most people really do not enjoy having their photo being taken, so ensure that the photographer is a people person.

There are some photographers who will take the photos and develop them and then give you the negatives, so that you can go along and enlarge them yourselves. Do your own album and order the prints, which your guests want. It really is a personal preference. Either way is a good way.

Now the video. Much applies to the Videographer as applies to the Photographer. Anyone can operate a video camera, but how many can really capture the event with style, class and artistic flair. Not many. Believe me. I’ve seen them. If you want a job done properly have it done by a professional.

Do you need both? My answer is yes and the reason that I say this, is this, a still photographer is a still photographer. He or she will capture the moment, the memory on paper. With a video, the movement is captured and much more is captured for you to treasure and look at, to giggle and laugh at over and over again.

To look at this another way, imagine going to the movies and the film is shown as thousands even millions of slides. Do you think that you would still capture the emotion, the laughter, the sadness, that you would have if this was shown in the normal way?

Interesting isn’t it? Food for thought.
CLOTHES

This is of course a very personal issue and brings out lots of side issues, such as do we hire? Do we buy?

My personal view is that it depends on what you are going to wear.

Is it going to be a formal event or is it going to be an informal event? If the marriage is going to be a formal one with a full traditional white dress and the groom in a dinner suit and you both have 2 or 3 attendants each, then really consider hiring. If on the other hand, it’s going to be an informal marriage, then consider purchase. You will still be able to wear and use the garments afterwards. I do consider paying $1000 plus for a wedding dress to be worn for 6 hours as extravagant, when that money can be put into the home. Yes OK, if you have the money and that isn’t an issue then go ahead, buy the gown of your dreams. Let the dream and your happiness be with you. Please don’t let me or anyone else stop you from doing what you want to do, because it is an event that you will treasure for many, many years to follow.

Colors: yes white for the Bride has always been the traditional color and I guess will remain that way for many years to come. Just because you may have been living together for some time doesn’t mean that you can’t wear white. It may be a second or third wedding, so what. If that’s the color that you want, then go for it. Enjoy yourselves.

From a male’s point of view, I would just like to comment on what the groom is going to wear. I’ve seen Grooms wearing all types of clothes, knowing full well that they are wearing the outfit just to please their wife to be and the pain and discomfort shows on their faces! If the groom is an outside worker who never ever wears a shirt and a tie and never will ever again, really is it fair to expect him to get dressed into something that he’s going is hate and the only thing that he can think of is to get out of these clothes and into something more comfortable? Let’s think of a compromise and yes there often is.

So you really want the man of your dreams to wear a suit and shirt and tie or bow tie? Before the day, start getting him into the routine of wearing a casual shirt and tie, say one evening a week, even if it’s only inside the house. Do this for a month prior to the wedding so that he will feel much more comfortable on the day. He will feel more at ease and not be churning up inside. This alone will assist in diminishing the nerves to a large extent and make the day much more relaxed for you both.
TRANSPORTATION

Transport to and from your respective homes, Church, Reception center and to the Hotel or wherever, really needs to be thought about.

There are lots of Limousine companies and some have really superb Vintage cars. If you really want to be different how about arriving on a Harley motorcycle, or by horse and carriage?

Whatever your preference please plan it and seek guidance on the time and route that you will take, remember the bride does need to be on time. Who ever came up with the “It’s traditional for the bride to be late”, should be shot! I’d really like to reverse it and make it “It’s traditional for the bride to be early” and catch out all the guests who arrive 20 minutes and even 30 minutes late. Yes, they do!

So you’ve arrived at the reception and you are tired and really want to get into a nice warm bed. Oh dear, I know let’s call a taxi. Now it’s 11:30 at night. What time do you think taxi operators are at their busiest. Yes you guessed it, 11 pm onwards. Plan your journey. Book in advance. With computers these days, which most of the taxi fleets operate under, the possibility of the taxi car not arriving is fairly remote, although it does happen. I’ll not say that it doesn’t, all I’m saying is, that it is very remote.
FLOWERS

Fresh or Silk, again it’s a personal preference. I rather like the idea of the bride wearing her bouquet on her arm. That way she can’t lose it and she has it all of the time. Interesting concept.

MUSIC

Umh, do we have a Disc Jockey?
Do we have a Juke Box?
Do we have live Musicians, playing live music?
It’s really up to you both and the cost. An interesting concept is a combination of all three and there are people who sing and play varying instruments and play music to your style and preference. No, not overly expensive. Check them out.

MASTER of CEREMONIES

A very good idea, I’ll go further and say right now, an excellent idea. Public speaking is the top fear of the majority of all people, so who do you get to do this very important task? He or she is only needed during the meal at the reception, yet they have the capabilities of really making your reception go along with a zing. A professional speaker, one who is very experienced in talking WITH people and not AT or TO people, is valuable to the whole atmosphere and they make the difference in its overall success.

Avoid asking relatives. After all they are your guests and you are asking them to work at an event where they should be enjoying themselves. For the small cost it is much more beneficial for you to have a person, male or female, who really knows what they are doing and will do it with panache.

Check out the various publications in booksellers and libraries.
PROFESSIONAL WEDDING CONSULTANTS


If after reading all of this it still seems much too big and horrendous, then another option is to go along to one of the many professional companies who will gladly do all the work for you and on your behalf.

Yes, it will cost you money but because of the buying power that these people have and their knowledge, they are able to look after you with respect and know all the pitfalls of organizing your marriage from the very, very beginning all the way through to the end. These people are experts in there own field. They organize small events and very large events

The cost to you could be less than you think.. Give them a call. After all, you will never know if you don’t ASK.

Have a wonderful time and enjoy yourselves.
A FEW ANSWERS TO A FEW ODD QUESTIONS

Question: The partner, to whom I am to be married; is still overseas, or not able to apply for the marriage license together, can I still apply for the license on my own?
Answer: No. Both of you have to be together to sign the application and

the marriage license.

Question: My other partner is still married, although they have applied for the divorce. Can we still arrange for the marriage?
Answer: No. On the application you need to place the date of the divorce and not an intended date.

Question: Can people of the same sex get legally married?
Answer: Generally the options that are open to you in this situation are, arrange for a Blessing Ceremony or an Affirmation of Vows Ceremony. This will appear to all watching that you are being married.

Question: I want to be married in the nude. Is that all right?
Answer: Yes. That’s fine. Finding a Minister, Celebrant or Officiant could be a problem and you may not have a selection to choose from, especially if you are insisting that the person performing the ceremony is in the same attire as yourselves.

Question: My partner can’t speak or is vocally impaired in the language of the country. How could they say the vows?
Answer: In this situation an Interpreter is required and they need to sign to verify that they acted in this manner. Again your Minister and or Celebrant has all this information.

Question: What if the wedding is outdoors and it rains on the wedding day?
Answer: We all get wet is the short answer, although what generally happens is the ceremony is changed to another venue or the time of the ceremony is altered providing that this is suitable for all concerned, especially the Minister.

Question: The Bride or Groom is in the hospital and we still want to get married on the day as arranged?
Answer: The ceremony takes place in the hospital, providing that (for medical reasons) the hospital and the Doctors will allow it.

Question: We want to get married in a park. Do we need to do anything?
Answer: You will need to contact the owner of the park, generally the County or City, in order to make sure that nobody else is being married on that day and time and it is also common courtesy. Public parks are yes, public, but the county or City still like to be informed as to what is taking place, especially if a large number of people are to be gathered.

Question: Do we need a rehearsal?
Answer: That is between you and the Minister, I consider that a rehearsal is pointless unless everybody and I mean everybody in the Bridal party, is present. That way everyone knows what all is happening; when, why and where. I’ve seen the most complicated of all marriage ceremonies destroyed because one person was not present at the rehearsal. In my many years of performing ceremonies I’ve attended very few rehearsals. Rehearsals tend to increase the nervousness of people in the bridal party and really the ceremony is indeed very easy and simple. The hardest thing is for the bride to walk behind her bridal party and to stand in beside of her husband to be.

Question: What’s the difference between a minister and a non-denominational reverend?
Answer: A minister is generally tied to a church and a non-denominational reverend is free to conduct any ceremony the way that you want. Most reverends will dress and conduct the ceremony the way and in the manner that you would like. Apart from that there is not a great deal of difference.
WEDDING CEREMONIES

CEREMONY NO: 1 General Fully Complete

Who brings this woman to marry this man? (optional)

This is the time which you have chosen to become husband and wife. We are here not only to witness your commitment to each other, but to wish you both every happiness in your future life together.
Within its framework of loyalty and commitment, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through tolerance, patience and respect, the love and affection which you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.

READING: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind, it is never jealous.
Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or
selfish, it does not take offence and is not resentful.
Love takes no pleasure in other peoples faults,
but delights in the truth.
It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope,
it is always ready to endure whatever comes.
True love does not come to an end.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and firm nature of the relationship into which you both are about to enter.

MARRIAGE VOWS

I (Groom’s Name) affirm my love to you (Bride’s Name) as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end, I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be my lawful wedded wife.

I (Bride’s Name) affirm my love to you (Groom’s Name) as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end, I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be my lawful wedded husband.
RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name) with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us, I thee wed.

(Groom’s Name) with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us, I thee wed.

As you have consented together in Lawful marriage in the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses and by the giving and receiving of two rings and by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be Husband and Wife.

CEREMONY NO: 2 General Fully Complete

Who brings this woman to marry this man? (Optional)

Friends, I call upon everyone here present to be a fellow witness with me in the marriage between (Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name). We are here to wish them well and every happiness for their future life together.

Marriage is founded upon sincerity and understanding which leads to tolerance, confidence and trust. It involves respect for each other’s feelings and weaknesses and faults. You believe that those qualities, which have attracted you both to each other, can be best spent together.

A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home, with love and stability, where your family and friends will always be welcome and which will be a base from which the influence of your shared and we hope strengthened life today, can extend.

READING

Love one another, but make not a bond of love,
let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of our souls.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you
be alone, even as the strings of a lute are alone,
though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each others keeping,
for only the hand of life can contain your hearts.
Stand together, yet not too near together.
For the pillars of the temple stand apart and the oak
and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.
(Written by KAHLIL GIBRAN)

Before you are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship you are now about to enter. Marriage as most of understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others and is entered into with the desire, hope and firm intention that it will last for life.
At this point of the ceremony I ask if there is anyone who knows of any reason as to why (Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name) should not be joined in marriage, and if so, to speak now or forever hold your peace.
(Optional)
VOWS

I (Groom’s Name) affirm my love to you (Bride’s Name),
as I invite you to share my life.
I promise always to respect your needs.
I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve
the warm rich lives we now look forward to.
To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be
my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness
and in health while we both shall live.

I (Bride’s Name) affirm my love to you (Groom’s Name),
as I invite you to share my life.
I promise always to respect your needs.
I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve
the warm rich lives we now look forward to.
To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be
my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health
while we both shall live.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name), with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a
pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we shall share.

(Groom’s Name), with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a
pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we shall share.

You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage.
You have made special promises to each other, which have
been symbolized by the joining of hands, the taking of vows and
the giving and receiving of two rings.

By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be
Husband and Wife.

Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day
as married people is about to begin, go and meet it gladly, although
before you do it is customary for the Bride and Groom to embrace
and kiss each other.

Presentation of the Bride and Groom to your family and friends.
CEREMONY NO: 3 General Fully Complete

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

This is the time you have chosen to become husband and wife. We are here, not only to witness your commitment to each other, but also to wish you both every happiness in your future life together.

Within its framework of commitment and loyalty marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through trust, patience and respect, the love and affection which you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.

We who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life your Love, Respect for each other, your trust and understanding of each other will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.

READING: by Walter Pinder

Everyday you live, learn how to receive love with as much understanding as you give it.
Find things within yourself, then you can share them with each other. Do not fear this love. Have an open heart and a sincere mind. Be sincerely interested in each other’s happiness. Be constant and consistent in your love. From this comes security and strength. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us on this day of your marriage. Try to commit yourselves fully and freely to each other.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship you are now about to enter.

Minister I shall now ask you to make your marriage vows.

Minister: (Groom’s Name) will you take (Bride’s Name) to be your lawful wife, will you love her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto her so long as you both shall live.
Response: I will.

Minister: (Bride’s Name) will you take (Groom’s Name) to be your lawful husband, will you love him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto him so long as you both shall live.
Response: I will.
RING VOWS

Groom: (Bride’s Name), with this ring, I thee wed.

Bride: (Groom’s Name), with this ring, I thee wed.

Minister: You have consented together to be bound to one another in lawful marriage. You have made special promises to each other which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and by the giving and receiving of rings.

By the authority vested in me, according to the laws of (Wherever), I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

Embrace of Couple.
CEREMONY NO: 4 General Slightly Different

Welcome to all friends and family on this beautiful and joyful day, (Bride’s and Groom’s Name) have asked me to extend a very warm welcome to you on this their wedding day.
Friends, I call upon everyone here to be a fellow witness with me in the marriage of (Bride’s and Groom’s Names). We are here to celebrate with them, and wish them every happiness for their future life together.

Many of us would easily describe (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) as being tender and loving. Yet on this occasion they are also being both brave and daring.

As Lord Byron once said,

"The bravest are the tenderest and the loving are the daring".

They dare to give truly of themselves, and do so with confidence that they will better who they are as individuals, as a husband, as a wife, and God-willing as parents. As it has been said, Marriage is not a union merely between two individuals -- it is a union between two souls and the intention of that bond is to perfect the nature of both.

To better express their thoughts on this day, (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) have selected the following readings:

READING: inserted from Reading Section.

A good marriage is founded on respect, trust, love and confidence. We believe that those qualities, which have attracted you both to each other, can be best developed during a life spent together.

Before you are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family and witnesses, we wish to acknowledge that you both come to this ceremony as complete individuals, who bearing free and unconstrained souls understand the profoundness of this lifetime commitment.

At this stage of the ceremony I ask if there be anyone who knows of any reason as to why (Names of Bride and Groom) should not be joined in marriage. Speak now or forever hold your peace.
VOWS: inserted from Vows section.

Minister: I shall now ask you to make your marriage vows to each other

Minister: Do you (Groom’s Name), take (Bride’s Name) to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others so long as you both shall live?

(Groom): I do

Minister: Do you (Bride’s Name), take (Groom’s Name) to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others so long as you both shall live?

(Bride): I do

RINGS VOWS

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me: "With this ring, I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of my unending love for you"

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me: "With this ring, I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of my unending love for you"

Now you have consented together in lawful marriage in the presence of your family, friends and witnesses. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings.

By the authority vested in me as a Minister in the State of Wherever, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife.

(Groom’s Name), you many now kiss the bride.

Now that the ceremony is over we wish you every happiness in your life together, go and meet it gladly.

Friends, it is now my great pleasure to introduce to you, the very happy couple (Names of couple). "May joy and fresh days of love accompany your hearts".
CEREMONY NO: 5 General with Sand Ceremony

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, “I love you”. It is at no time taking the other for granted. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives; it is standing together facing the world. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is not expecting perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. It is having a capacity to forgive and forget. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner. It is discovering that your love for one another at its best will never lose sight of or be blotted out by the common place experiences of life.

And it is remembering that remaining devoted, confident and hopeful in one another are the secret ingredients, which will help you to remain two very happy people, richer for your oneness.

(Groom’s Name), will you take (Bride’s Name) to be your wife, will you continue to be loving and caring, to comfort her, to protect your love for her, cherishing her, honoring and respecting her and your promises to her throughout all the events of your lives together?

(Bride’s Name), will you take (Groom’s Name) to be your husband, will you continue to be loving and caring, to comfort him, to protect your love for him, cherishing him, honoring and respecting him and your promises to him throughout all the events of your lives together?

VOWS

Today I give myself to you and ask for your tomorrows. I promise to love you more than anyone else can; to give you my strength and ask for yours in return; to help you in good times and in bad. I give you all my trust and ask you to accept me as your husband.

Today I give myself to you and ask for your tomorrows. I promise to love you more than anyone else can; to give you my strength and ask for yours in return; to help you in good times and in bad. I give you all my trust and ask you to accept me as your wife.
RING CEREMONY

(Groom’s Name), take this ring as a symbol of my devotion to you, of the gift of love that has come to us and my desire to live my life with you.

(Bride’s Name), take this ring as a symbol of my devotion to you, of the gift of love that has come to us and my desire to live my life with you.

SAND CEREMONY

This sand is symbolic of two people as two separate people in their own right. By the joining of these two colors of sand into one, this symbolizes the strength and unity of two into one, depicting, (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) belief that together they can become greater than each could alone.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), you have expressed your love to one another by the giving of a commitment and the promises you have just made. So it is with these in mind and by the authority given to me I pronounce that you are husband and wife.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), you may seal your promises with a kiss.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), never forget the beginning of your love for one another, take care of it, nurture it, and allow it to grow strong and firm in the years that are to come. Always concentrate on making each other feel happy and secure in your commitment to one another. Always rely on your ability to keep the promises you have made to one another today and always love one another.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Names)
CEREMONY NO: 6 General with Vows and Candle Ceremony (Short)

This is a short ceremony that a couple requested with only the Ring Vows and a Candle Ceremony.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name) with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of all we shall share.

(Groom’s Name) with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of all we shall share.

CANDLE CEREMONY

Minister: These two candles are symbolic of two people as two separate people in there own right. By the joining of two candles into one, this symbolizes the strength and the unity of two into one. Depicting (Bride’s and Groom’s Names)’s belief that together they can become greater than each could alone. The side candles remain burning to further symbolize the continuing importance of the individual integrity within the marriage relationship.

Minister: You (Couples Names) have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings, and the lighting of the candle, representing strength and unity.

I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.
CEREMONY NO: 7 General with Rose Ceremony

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage,
the little things are the big things…

It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, “I love you.”
It is at no time taking the other for granted.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives;
it is standing together facing the world.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy.
It is not expecting perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor.
It is having a capacity to forgive and forget.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
the dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.
It is discovering that your love for one another at its best will never
lose sight of or be blotted out by the common place experiences of life.
And it is remembering that remaining devoted, confident and hopeful
in one another are the secret ingredients, which will help you to
remain two very happy people, richer for your oneness.

PRELIMINARY VOWS

(Groom’s Name), will you take (Bride’s Name) to be your wife, will you continue to be loving and caring, to comfort her, to protect your love for her, cherishing her, honoring and respecting her and your promises to her throughout all the events of your lives together?

(Bride’s Name), will you take (Groom’s Name) to be your husband, will you continue to be loving and caring, to comfort him, to protect your love for him, cherishing him, honoring and respecting him and your promises to him throughout all the events of your lives together?
VOWS

Today I give myself to you and ask for your tomorrows. I promise to love you more than anyone else can; to give you my strength and ask for yours in return; to help you in good times and in bad. I give you all my trust and ask you to accept me as your husband.

Today I give myself to you and ask for your tomorrows. I promise to love you more than anyone else can; to give you my strength and ask for yours in return; to help you in good times and in bad. I give you all my trust and ask you to accept me as your wife.

RING CEREMONY

(Bride’s Name), take this ring as a symbol of my devotion to you, of the gift of love that has come to us and my desire to live my life with you.

(Groom’s Name), take this ring as a symbol of my devotion to you, of the gift of love that has come to us and my desire to live my life with you.

PRONOUNCEMENT

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), you have expressed your love to one another by the giving of a commitment and the promises you have just made. So it is with these in mind and by the authority given to me ,I pronounce that you are husband and wife.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), you may seal your promises with a kiss.

ROSE CEREMONY (MOTHERS)

Marriage is a coming together of two lives, and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more. The love that (Bride's and Groom's Names) feel for one another is the flowering of a seed their parents planted in their hearts years ago. As they embrace one another in their love, so do they embrace the families, which have been brought together on this happy occasion. As a token of their love for their families, (Bride's and Groom's Names) would like to offer these symbols of eternal love, these roses, to their mothers.
ANNOUNCEMENT

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), never forget the beginning of your love for one another, take care of it, nurture it, and allow it to grow strong and firm in the years that are to come. Always concentrate on making each other feel happy and secure in your commitment to one another. Always rely on your ability to keep the promises you have made to one another today and always love one another.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Name).
CEREMONY NO: 8 Rose Ceremony only


ROSE CEREMONY

Like a journey along a road, marriage has its ups and downs, its rough thorny parts and its smooth parts.
These roses have a similar message, as you examine the branch it can be seen that the outer part is smooth and shiny and that at irregular intervals, a spike or a bump appears. As we travel along the smooth surface and circumnavigate the bumps we arrive at the beautiful petals of the rose which reminds us all of the beauty, the elegance of life. (Bride and Grooms Names) as you now travel along your journey of marriage and love for each other, I ask you to remember the message of the rose. (Bride and Grooms Names) I offer you each a rose as a symbol of the journey you begin today.
(Minister gives a rose to Bride and Groom)
Give each other a rose at very regular intervals in your future life, so as to remind you and each other that the journey is truly worth it. At the end, the glory, the beauty and the elegance is well worth the bumps and the spikes along the way.
As a token of your journey and to fully experience the excitement and the spirit of giving each other a rose, I now offer you this opportunity.

(Bride and Groom, offer the roses to each other)

CEREMONY NO: 9 General including Children (Short)

Welcome and thank you all for coming to the event and marriage of the year.

As you all know (Bride’s and Groom’s Names), are very special people with fantastic individual special tastes. This ceremony is going to be no different, it will be sincere, just as their love for each other is also sincere.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names) have been together now for a few years and had exciting times together. They have also experienced family life and today this is more than just a wedding ceremony, this is also a joining together of (Bride's and Groom's Names) and (Children’s Names), as a family.

When one looks at this family one sees the energy and the love for each and everyone. So I ask (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) to join hands and exchange their vows between each other.

(Groom’s Name) will you take (Bride’s Name) as your wife, will you continue to love her and only her? The love you have is special and the love you have for (Children’s Name’s) is also special. Will you take (Bride’s Name) and promise to care for her as your own?

Will you promise also to bring breakfast in bed to (Bride’s Name) as often as you can? Response: I WILL.

(Bride’s Name) will you take (Groom’s Name) as your Husband, will you continue to love him and only him? The love you have is special and the love you have for (Children’s Name’s) is also special.

Will you promise also to bring breakfast in bed to (Groom’s Name) as often as you can? Response: I WILL.

I now declare you married and announce you as man & wife.

CEREMONY NO: 10 General Modern Alternative

Welcome to you all gathered here today for (Bride’s and Groom’s Names), wedding.

It was the great medieval philosopher, Thomas Aquinas, who, when asked to define true love, said that it was "To will the good of the other person". If you truly love someone you want their success, their hap-piness, everything that is best for them. In the history of mankind, great lovers have died for the one or the ones they love.

Nothing like that is called for here but (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) do want you to know why they are getting married today. They could have chosen simply to live together. This unquestionably is a "safer" course, would seemingly give them more options, seemingly sustain their freedom, and have less risks attached. They have thought about this and have decided that for them it is not enough.

They see this ceremony today as a stronger commitment to their relationship. They call you together, their friends and family, to make this commitment clear to you and to call on your acknowledgement and support. They publicly call on each other to take the relationship more seriously.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names) recognize that they are very happy with one another. They recognize that they would not be happier with anyone else that no distant fields are greener.

There is another element in all this. They love each other. With the philosopher, they will each other's good. They will each other's success, fulfillment and happiness.

They know the main danger in a marriage relationship is the danger of taking each other for granted, of not appreciating each other enough.

So they want to stay aware of each other. They know they must communicate with each other and be open to communication. This, they know, is a lot harder than it sounds. Words must be said softly, listened to carefully.

Their relationship must be sustained by the will to express it, the loving word, the loving smile, the loving embrace, the loving favor, the giving with graciousness and generosity. They know not to take without giving, give without taking. A true lover knows what the demands of love sometimes cost the partner so they will to be sensitive, to be appreciative. And they remind themselves today that they must do these things without dominating, without smothering, with-out suffocating the other.

They have assessed happily that their relationship is for life. They have found each other, they like each other, they love each other, they want it to last, they intend it to last, they will it to last.

More than that, they will it to get better, they will it to get deeper. They want to be husband and wife. They want people to look at them and quote, as it were, the poet, Homer, who said 800 years before Christ:

"There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife confounding their enemies and delighting their friends."

VOWS: inserted here from Vows Section

It is with pleasure that I pronounce the joining together in Holy Matrimony of (Mr. and Mrs. Name).

Embrace and congratulations by guests.
CEREMONY NO: 11 General

We have come here together today to celebrate the marriage and reflect the incredible joy of (Bride’s and Groom’s Names), who after several dress rehearsals and detours (or, after almost overwhelming losses), long after they believed that it was possible, have been given the great good fortune of falling in love with one another.

A wedding is the celebration of the miracle of love, and that's what we're here to do: to celebrate that miracles do occur all of the time, that at any moment, the unexpected can happen and often does. That after almost giving up hope, most inexplicably and wonderfully, the path of our entire lives can change.

Marriage is a meditation on our histories as well as on our future, on our losses and failures, as well as our hopes and possibilities. So, as (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) marry each other, it is worthwhile to contemplate that they could not and would not be standing before us today if they had not followed their own shining star home, and done what they intended to do and to deliver themselves to this point in their lives.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names) you give us hope, and we are overjoyed to be your witnesses. You are the living embodiment of the truth that practice does indeed make perfect, that persistence does, in fact pay off. We are touched by your happiness; we are moved by the exquisite courage of your love for each other. It gives us incomparable joy to celebrate with you, to be reminded that true love, abiding love, is the consequence of the practice of love, and that nothing we do in this life is ever wasted or for that matter is forever lost entirely.

READING: inserted from the Reading Section.

VOWS: inserted from the Vows Section.

Today we are deeply honored to be present when (Bride’s and Groom’s Name) are joined together. Most of you here are aware of the trials and tribulations that they have indeed gone through just to get this far. They also are aware that they have further to go on this journey and are fully prepared for that and ask that you join them in spirit, so that they will have also your strength.

PRAYERS

Thank you everybody. Both (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) acknowledge your presence and thank you. Ladies and Gentlemen I take great pride and privilege in announcing to you and the world the union in marriage of Mr. and Mrs. (Name). Kiss and embrace of the couple.
CEREMONY NO: 12 General Short and Sweet

The civil ceremony is the simplest, most immediate and direct of all the wedding ceremonies. It is usually attended only by the Bride, the Groom, and any legally required witnesses. It includes a brief introduction, the vows, and the announcement. If you would like a short ceremony then here it is.

Minister or Officiant: We have come together to unite the two of you in marriage, which is an institution ordained by the state and made honorable by the faithful keeping of good men and women in all ages, and is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly.

Then, the Officiant or Minister turns to the Groom and says:

Do you (Groom’s Name) take (Bride’s Name) to be your wife, to love, honor, comfort, and cherish from this day forth?
Answer: I do.

Then, turning to the Bride:

Do you (Bride’s Name) take (Groom’s Name) to be your husband, to love, honor, comfort and cherish from this day forth?
Answer: I do.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name), with this ring I thee wed.

(Groom’s Name), with this ring I thee wed.


Minister: Having pledged yourselves each to the other, I do now, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the state of (Wherever), pronounce you to be husband and wife.

You may now seal this your marriage by kissing each other.
CEREMONY NO: 13 General Modern

Real love in marriage is something beyond the warmth and the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. But real love is not being absorbed in each other. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them, it makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger so you can reach out and become involved with life in ways you dared not risk alone.

The beautiful thing about love is that it's an experience we share with the whole of mankind throughout the world. And yet, to everyone who falls in love, it is the most unique, precious thing in the world. A really happy marriage is founded on love. There is nothing in life that love cannot change. Love is, of its nature, unselfish, understanding and kind. True love, too, is a commitment of heart and mind. There can be no stronger bond to ensure a happy married life.

Harmonious wedded life is a precious gain to both man and woman because, even though marriage increases the scope of responsibility, it adds the dimension of love to life, giving it new meaning and purpose.

On this day, (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) the day of your marriage, you are standing somewhat apart from the rest of us as a symbol of the open expression of your love. This is as it should be, but love is not meant to be the possession of two people alone. Rather it should be the source of a common energy, which gives you the strength to live your lives with joy, happiness and with courage.

READING: to be inserted from Reading Section.

Giving Away of Bride, this can be Father or any other person:

In ancient times it was the custom for a young woman to be under the authority and protection of the man who was the head of the family this was usually her father or elder brother. When she became married this responsibility and the authority passed to her husband. This was the origin of the "Giving Away" ceremony. Times have changed, and so indeed have women, but we still remember this as an ancient custom. Nowadays however, we like to make it the occasion when the families and friends of the bride show their approval of the marriage. Since you are all here, we may take it that this is token enough, and invite (Persons Name who is giving the Bride away) to speak on behalf of all present.

Who, then, on behalf of all of us, presents this woman to be married to this man?
(Person replies) "I do".
PERSONAL VOWS: inserted here from Vows section.

RING VOWS: inserted here from Ring Vows section.

READINGS: Insert another Reading if desired.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you have today witnessed and seen (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) declare before you all gathered here. They have made very special promises to each other and also to you all. They have also symbolized it by the joining of hands, taking of vows and by the exchange of rings. So therefore on behalf of them and on your behalf I now formally declare them to be husband and wife.

Embrace of Bride and Groom.

CEREMONY NO: 14 General Modern

Friends, I call upon everyone here present to be a fellow witness with me in this marriage between (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name). We are here, not only to witness their commitment to each other, but also to wish them well and every happiness for their life together.

(Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) believe marriage is founded on that sort of sincerity and understanding, which leads to tolerance, confi-dence and trust. They feel it involves respect for each other's individuality and that most difficult of tasks, the acceptance of each other's weaknesses, prejudices and faults. They believe too that those qualities, which have attracted each to the other and brought them here today, can obviously be best developed during a life spent together. A happy marriage, they both know, will enable them to establish a home where there will be love and stability, where you, their family and also their friends will find welcome, peace, harmony and support, and which will be a base from which the influence of their shared, and we hope strengthened life today by this wedding ceremony, can extend.

READING: Insert your Reading from the Reading section.

Now I, (Minister’s Name) am duly authorized by the law of this country to solemnize this, your marriage, and before you, (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these, your family and friends, I am bound, to remind you publicly of the solemn, the serious and the binding nature of the relationship into which you both are now about to enter.
Marriage, as most of us understand it is the voluntary and full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man; it is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and is entered into with the desire, the hope and the firm intention that it will last for life.

VOWS: Insert your Vows from the Vows section.

RING VOWS: Insert your Ring Vows from the Ring section.

Today (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) you have both declared to each other allegiance in the form of a wedding ceremony. You have said vows to each other, and also exchanged rings as a form of a pledge and also as a reminder, to yourself and to others that you are now married to each other. Therefore it now remains that you seal this with an embrace and a kiss.

Announce the (Bride and Groom) as Mr and Mrs, generally the Groom’s last name but it does not have to be that way, as the Bride may like to keep her previous last name.
CEREMONY NO: 15 General Modern

Who brings this woman to marry this man?
Response from person giving Bride away is, I do.

Every wedding ceremony at which a clergyman, a rabbi or a celebrant, like myself, officiates is of course, of a marriage which already exists. This ceremony gives social recognition to a union which has already taken place in the hearts of the couple present. It is (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) wish at this time to declare their marriage partnership to the world. It is a statement of commitment to each other and to ideals they already have.

In their belief their union is based not only on mutual love, but on the desire to work together for the development of a union of spirit, for their own personal fulfillment and for the attainment of mutual goals and ambitions. Together they hope to discover truth in life. They intend to encourage each other to act according to what is best for their world, their children and themselves.

(Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) recognize not only the need for loving com-mitment to each other but also to humane principles of living and to the best of human values. This they will adhere to as best as they are able and they also ask that all of you gathered here today assist them.

READING: inserted from Reading section.

Before (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) say their Wedding Vows to each other and also to you all gathered here today, I am also to remind them that these vows are meaningful and have a serious message and are not to be taken lightly. These vows are not to be taken lightly and I ask you all at this moment to pause and reflect upon the seriousness of the vows that you are now about to hear. (Pause for a few moments, in silence.)

PERSONAL VOW: inserted from Vows section.

RING VOW: inserted from Vows section.

You have all been a witness today and you were all invited to this very special occasion when (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name) shared before you all gathered here, their love and dedication to each other. Not only their Love and dedication but much more that that, they have sealed their love with vows and exchanged two rings as a sign and symbol to the world that they are now married. I take pride and privilege in announcing to all Mr. and Mrs. (Name).

Embrace and kiss of the couple.
CEREMONY NO: 16 General with Children

Friends I call upon everyone here present to be a fellow witness with me in the marriage of (Groom’s and Bride’s Names). We are here to wish them well and every happiness for their future life together.

Marriage is founded upon sincerity and understanding which leads to tolerance, confidence and trust. It involves respect for each other’s feelings and weaknesses and faults. You believe that those qualities, which have attracted you both to each other, can be best developed during a life spent together.

A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home with love and stability, where your family and friends will always be welcome and which will be a base from which the influence of your shared, and we hope strengthened life today, can extend.

READING: inserted from Reading Section.

Before you are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family, friends and your children. I remind you of the seriousness of marriage.

Marriage is a voluntary and a full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others and is entered into with the desire, hope and the firm intention that it will last for life.

Minister: I shall now ask you to take your vows.

Groom: I (Groom’s Name) affirm my love for you (Bride’s Name) as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you (Bride’s Name) to be my lawful wife.

Bride: I (Bride’s Name) affirm my love to you (Groom’s Name), as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you (Groom’s Name) to be my lawful husband.
RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name), with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us I thee wed

(Groom’s Name), with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us I thee wed.

When two people are joined together it is more than just a marriage between two it is also a blending together of children. In (Groom’s and Bride’s Names) marriage today this is also the case and I ask now for the three young men to join us, (Names of Children).

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names) you have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of a two rings. As you have now become joined and united you will now go forth into the world as a family.

By the authority vested in me as a Minister of the State of Wherever, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife.

Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

Embrace and introduction of Mr. and Mrs. (Name).
CEREMONY NO: 17 Unity Candle Ceremony

These two candles are symbolic of two people, as two separate people in their own right. By the joining of two candles into one, this symbolizes the strength and unity of two into one, depicting, (Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name) belief that together they can become greater than each could alone.


CEREMONY NO: 18 Religious and General Fully Complete

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

This is the time that you have chosen to become husband and wife. We are here not only to witness your commitment to each other, but to wish you every happiness in your future life together. Marriage is founded on sincerity and understanding, which leads to tolerance, confidence and trust. We believe that those qualities, which have attracted you both to each other, can be best developed during a life spent together. A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home with love and stability where your family and friends will always be welcome.

READING: TWO LIVES

Two lives, two people, so very different, yet so similar.
Together we stand as one, sharing our future as it comes.
The past is that, past.
Buds are yet to blossom, with care and trust, the best is yet to be revealed.
Honesty and kindness, are the fruits of love.
Lord bless this day and always to enrich us so our love will never end.

Before you are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family and witnesses, I am bound to remind you of the solemn and firm nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter. Marriage as most of us understand it, is the voluntary commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man to the exclusion of all others and is entered into with the desire, the hope and the firm intention that it will last for life.

READING: EPHESIANS 5:25-28 and 31-33

Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife and they two shall be one flesh. However each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and the wife respect her husband.

READING: From the Book of RUTH

And Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you or to return from following you; for where you go I will go and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God; where you die I will die and there will I be buried. May the lord do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you.
Minister: We shall now say your vows.

Groom: I (Groom’s Name) affirm my love to you (Bride’s Name) as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you (Bride’s Name) to be my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health while we both shall live.

Bride: I Bride’s Name) affirm my love to you (Groom’s Name), as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you (Groom’s Name) to be my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health while we both shall live.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name); with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of all we shall share.

(Groom’s Name); with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of all we shall share.

READING: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous.
Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or selfish, it does not take offense and is not resentful.
Love takes no pleasure in other people’s faults, but delights in the truth.
It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope. It is always ready to endure whatever comes. True love does not come to an end.

Minister: You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings.

By the authority vested in me as a Minister in the State of Wherever, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

Embrace each other.
Introduce Mr. and Mrs. (Name)
CEREMONY NO: 19 Religious -Unity Candle and Children

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

Friends, I call upon everyone here present to be a fellow witness with me in the marriage of (Groom’s Name and Bride’s Name). We are here to wish them well and every happiness in their future life together.

Marriage is founded on sincerity and understanding, which leads to tolerance, confidence and trust. You believe that those qualities, which have attracted you both to each other, can be best developed during a life spent together. A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home with love and stability where your family and friends will always be welcome and which will be a base from which the influence of your shared and we hope strengthened life can extend.

READING: by Walter Pinder

Everyday you live, learn how to receive love with as much understanding as you give it.
Find things within yourself, that you can share them with each other. Do not fear this love. Have an open heart and a sincere mind. Be sincerely interested in each other’s happiness. Be constant and consistent in your love. From this comes security and strength. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us on this day of your marriage. Try to commit yourselves fully and freely to each other.

Before you are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family and witnesses, I am bound to remind you of the relationship into which you are about to enter. Marriage as most of us understand it, is the voluntary commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man to the exclusion of all others and is entered into with the desire, the hope and the firm intention that it will last for life.

Minister: We shall now say your vows.

Groom: (Bride’s Name) you have filled my world with meaning. You have made me so happy and more fulfilled as a person. Thank you for taking me as I am, loving me and welcoming me into your heart. I promise to always love you, respect you as an individual and to be faithful to you forever. I choose you as my wife today and commit myself to you for the rest of our lives.

Bride: (Groom’s Name) you have filled my world with meaning. You have made me so happy and more fulfilled as a person. Thank you for taking me as I am, loving me and welcoming me into your heart. I promise to always love you, respect you as an individual and to be faithful to you forever. I choose you as my husband today and commit myself to you for the rest of our lives.
RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name); with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we shall share.

(Groom’s Name); with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we shall share.

READING: LOVE IS THE REASON

Love is the reason why this day was chosen by you both to begin your lives together and love is the reason why you both will give with all your hearts for the good of each other. Love is the reason that together you will become one; one in hope; one in believing in life; one in sharing the coming years.

UNITY CANDLE CEREMONY

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names) light the candles which represent love for each other and for (Child’s Name). From the uniqueness of these separate flames, they kindle a larger and brighter flame which represents the union between (Groom’s, Bride’s and Child’s Names). The side candles remain burning to symbolize the continuing importance of the individual integrity within the marriage relationship. The greater height of the center candle depicts their belief that together they can become more than either could alone.

Minister: You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other which have been symbolized by the taking of vows and by the giving and receiving of two ring’s.

By the authority vested in me, as a Minister in the State of Wherever, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife and more than that as (Groom’s, Bride’s and Child’s Names) are now joined together and they have become a united family.

Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

Introduce Mr. and Mrs. (Name)
CEREMONY NO: 20 Religious and Children

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), this is the time you have chosen to become husband and wife and to form a family, complete with (Children’s Names). We are here, not only to witness your commitment to each other, but also to wish you both every happiness in your future life together.

Within its framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through tolerance, patience and respect, the love and affection which you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.

We who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life, your love and respect for each other, your trust and understanding of each other will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.

For their wedding, (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) have chosen the following reading:

READING

Two lives, two people, so very different, yet so similar.
Together we stand as one, sharing our future as it comes.
The past is that - past.
Buds are yet to blossom, with care and trust, the best to be revealed.
Honesty and kindness, are the fruits of love.
Lord bless this day and always, to enrich us so our love will never end.

Before you are joined in marriage in the presence of God and these your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and firm nature of the relationship into which you both now are about to enter.
VOWS

(Groom’s Name), please repeat after me (Bride’s Name), I affirm my love for you as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust, to achieve the warm, rich life we now look forward to. To this end, I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be my lawful wedded wife.

(Bride’s Name), please repeat after me (Groom’s Name) I affirm my love for you as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust, to achieve the warm, rich life we now look forward to. To this end, I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be my lawful wedded husband.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name), with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us, I thee wed.

(Groom’s Name), with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us, I thee wed.

As you have consented together in lawful marriage in the presence of God and these, your family, friends and witnesses and by the giving and receiving of rings and by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Ladies and Gentlemen it is my great pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. (Name) and Children.
CEREMONY NO: 21 Religious

Minister: Dear family and friends, I call upon all of you gathered here to be fellow witnesses with me in the marriage of (Bride’s and Groom’s Names). You were each invited to join us today so that you may share in the joy that (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) are feeling as they pledge their love and commitment to each other.

The decision to marry is based in love and founded upon sincerity and understanding, which leads to a relationship that is rich in confidence and trust.
A strong marriage is dependent upon many factors. Beyond the love, respect and trust that you share with one another, there must be a strong sense of commitment and loyalty that bonds you. A shared faith and beliefs in God, and His grace in your lives, is important in building a strong marriage. And also important are a shared companionship and a willingness to communicate openly with one another. This respectful communication and the love that it displays, helps each partner to accept and understand the other’s strengths and weaknesses and allow for the continued growth that is necessary in all good and lasting marriages.

In the Bible, Paul wrote beautifully about the power of love in his 1st book of letters to the Corinthians, Chapter 13.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.
When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.

So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), before you are joined together in matrimony here today, in my presence and in the presence of your family and friends, I am to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship of marriage.

The commitment of marriage is one of the most important commitments that two people will make in their lifetime. Marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man. It is made in the deepest sense, to the exclusion of all others, and is intended to last a lifetime. The vow of marriage is a pledge of everlasting love, within the unity of matrimony, whereby, committing to share all that life has to offer, the good times and the bad, with patience and understanding. For a marriage to remain strong, your faith in that vow must never waver. It must remain strong through the trials of everyday life. The words that you speak to each other today are to be the cornerstone for your life together from this day forward.

Minister: (Bride’s and Groom’s Names), have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?

(Bride and Groom) We have!

Minister: Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?

(Bride and Groom) We will!

Minister: Let us say a short prayer:

God who has created us, each as an individual, open (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) hearts to feel your guidance and support through those who have gathered with them here today. Let their marriage be an occasion for them to see how you have been working in their lives separately, and together. May they remember the vows taken here today, not only in their minds, but also, in their everyday actions of kindness and caring for one another, Amen
WEDDING VOWS

Groom: (Bride’s Name), in affirmation of my love for you, I invite you to join your life with mine from this day forward. I will respect you and cherish you always. I promise to share with you all that life has to offer. I give myself to you, in kindness, unselfishness and trust, as we strive towards achieving a full and complete life together. Now I ask our guests to witness my vows to you. I (Groom’s Name), take you (Bride’s Name), to be my lawful wedded wife and partner, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as we both shall live.

Bride: (Groom’s Name), in affirmation of my love for you, I invite you to join your life with mine from today forward. I will respect you and cherish you always. I promise to share with you all that life has to offer. I give myself to you, in kindness, unselfishness and trust, as we strive towards achieving a full and complete life together. Now I ask our guests to witness my vows to you. I (Bride’s Name), take you (Groom’s Name), to be my lawful wedded husband and partner, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health as long as we both shall live.

Minister: (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) have brought rings to present to one another as a symbol of their marriage vows today. Although there is no precise evidence to explain the origin of the tradition of exchanging wedding rings, there are two strongly held beliefs. The more recent, dating back to the 17th century, explains that during a Christian wedding, the priest arrived at the forth finger (counting the thumb) after touching the three fingers on the left hand '...in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost'. The more ancient and widely accepted explanation, refers to the early Egyptian’s belief that a circle was the symbol of eternity--a sign that life, happiness, and love have no beginning and no end. A wedding ring, or circle, was placed on the third finger of the left hand, the ring finger, because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart -- the perfect spot to place a symbol, representing eternal love and commitment. The vena amoris, that is, the vein of love, runs directly from the “ring finger” to the heart.

Now I ask that God bless these rings that (Groom’s and Bride’s Names) will exchange as a symbol of their love and fidelity
RING VOWS

Groom: (Bride’s Name), with all that I am and all that I have, I give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love.

Bride: (Groom’s Name), with all that I am and all that I have, I give you this ring as a symbol of my everlasting love.

Minister: As you begin your married life together hold close to you the words that you have spoken to each other today. Life isn’t always an easy road, as you both know. Rely on your faith in your promises made today to see you through those times. In times of trouble be strong. Ask God to grant you the gifts of caring and understanding in your life together, allowing that each may be to the other a source of strength in need, a counselor in times of uncertainty, a comfort in times of sorrow, and a companion in your joys.

Remember the word of Kahlil Gibran:

Love one another, but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of our souls. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping, for only the hand of life can contain your hearts. Stand together but not too near together. For the pillars of the temple stand apart and the oak and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

You have declared before all of us that you will now live your lives together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and giving and receiving of rings.

By the authority vested in me as a Minister of the State of Wherever, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife.

Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day to day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

May I have the pleasure of presenting to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. (Name).
CEREMONY NO: 22 Religious with Roses for Mothers

We welcome you to this wedding in the name of God the Father who created us, in the name of God the Son who redeemed us with his blood, and in the name of God the Holy Spirit who through his word creates faith to receive all the gifts of our creation and redemption, Amen.

Who gives this women to marry this man?
“Her Mother and l do.”

Marriage is a commitment to life to the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other human relationship can equal, a joining that is promised for a lifetime.

Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other's best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing love through the seasons of life.

When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage they create a spirit unique to themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential, made in the hearts of two people who love, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.

We who are witnessing your marriage, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life, your love and respect for each other, your trust and understanding of each other will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.
VOWS

(Groom’s name), will you have (Bride’s Name) to be your wife and will you pledge your life to her in all love and honor and all duty and service, and in all faith and tenderness, to love and cherish her according to the Lord God and the Holy bond of marriage. Response: "I DO"

(Bride’s Name), will you have (Groom’s Name) to be your husband and will you pledge your life to him in all love and honor and all duty and service, and in all faith and tenderness, to love and cherish him according to the Lord God and the Holy bond of marriage.
Response: "I DO"

SCRIPTURE READING: 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
VOWS

Groom: I choose you, (Bride’s Name), for who you are and who you
may become; To assist you in your tasks;
To be sensitive to your needs;
To give of myself to the fullest development of your life;
To be challenged by you to the fullest development of my own life;
To trust you in all ways and to be faithful to you in all things.
I will love you and comfort you.
I will honor you and keep you in sickness and in health, in good times
and in bad.
I will ennoble you always respecting your freedom to be who you are
and to share in responsible service to the world of which we both
remain a part.

Bride: I choose you, (Groom’s Name), for who you are and who you
may become; To assist you in your tasks;
To be sensitive to your needs;
To give of myself to the fullest development of your life;
To be challenged by you to the fullest development of my own life;
To trust you in all ways and to be faithful to you in all things.
I will love you and comfort you.
I will honor you and keep you in sickness and in health, in good times
and in bad.
I will ennoble you always respecting your freedom to be who you are
and to share in responsible service to the world of which we both
remain a part.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name), receive this ring as a symbol of my love and
commitment in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

(Groom’s Name), receive this ring as a symbol of my love and
commitment in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
ROSE CEREMONY

(Names of Couple’s Mothers) Marriage is a coming together of two lives and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more. The love that (Bride’s and Groom’s Names), feel for one another is the flowering of a seed their parents planted in their hearts years ago. As they embrace one another in their love, so do they embrace the families, which have been brought together on this happy occasion. As a token of their love for their families, (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) would like to offer these symbols of eternal love, these roses, to their mothers.

PRESENTATION OF GUARDIAN ANGELS TO CHILDREN

Just as (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) are joined together as man and wife, they are also being joined together into and part of a larger family, this includes (Children’s Names). And so these Guardian Angels will always remind (Children’s Names), that today is and always will be a special day. It is a day when (four) become one.

Minister: May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way and keep your whole being spirit, soul, and body free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it, because he is faithful.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names) invite you to pray along with them by reciting the Lord's Prayer.

Our Father, which art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy name
Thy kingdom come
Thy will be done
In earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever
Amen
Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always, Amen.

You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of rings.

By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride!

It is now my pleasure to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. (Name).

CEREMONY NO: 23 Religious with Children and Rose Ceremony

Thank you and welcome to the joining together in marriage between (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) and the joining of the children (Children’s Names) into a family as one.

Let us pray.

Eternal God, we give thanks to you for the gift of life and for its renewal with each day. We gather to celebrate this time, which brings (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) together in marriage. For the dreams they have dreamed and for their hopes for themselves and for each other we give thanks. We pray that the words and spirit of our gathering may be filled with meaning which will deepen with the passing years.

Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Such events move us to step back and examine our own vows and commitments so often taken for granted.
Thank you for the privilege we have of sharing this sacred moment. Thank you for this marriage in which two people become more than they are, out of love for one another. Thank you for love’s willingness to forgive, allowing us to leave the past behind and make a new heaven and a new earth our dwelling place. We ask your blessing and in want, in life and in death, abide with them and they with you.
Amen.

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

(Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name) will you at this time, express to each other the vows you have chosen?

I (Groom’s Name) take you (Bride’s Name) to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, to comfort you and to keep you in sickness and in health. Forsaking all others and keeping only to you, to love, honor and cherish you from this day forward as long as we both shall live.
I (Bride’s Name) take you (Groom’s Name) to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, to comfort you and to keep you in sickness and in health. Forsaking all others and keeping only to you, to love, honor and cherish you from this day forward as long as we both shall live.

These rings symbolize a solid ring, a ring with no seam, no beginning no end and so also are symbolic of your never ending love for and too each other.

(Bride’s Name) with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a pledge of my love.

(Groom’s Name) with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a pledge of my love.

Invite children forward.

I have pledged my love to you and promised to be a faithful husband. Now I want to add another, different kind of vow. I promise to love (Children’s Names) for all of our days and to treat them as if they were my own. I gladly accept the obligations that go along with this pledge. I love (Children’s Names) and want them to be part of my life.

UNITY CANDLE

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names) light the candles, which represent their love for each other. From the uniqueness of these separate flames, they kindle a larger brighter flame, which represents the union. The side candles remain burning to symbolize the continuing importance of the individual integrity within the marriage relationship. The great height of the center candle depicts their belief that together they can become more than either could alone.
ROSE CEREMONY

Marriage is a coming together of two lives and a celebration of the love of two people. But it is more. The love that (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) feel for one another is the flowering of a seed their mothers, planted in their hearts years ago. As they embrace one another in their love, so do they embrace the families, which have been brought together on this happy occasion. As a token of their love for their families (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) would like to offer these roses as symbols of eternal love.

Hand roses to mothers.

This concludes the ceremony. It only remains for me to thank you all for coming and to pronounce (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) not only husband and wife but Mr. and Mrs. (name) and family.
CEREMONY NO: 24 Religious Quaker

This is a typical example of a Quaker wedding.

The couple enters the meeting room and take seats at the front of the room.

In taking the seats and giving themselves to each other, they eliminate the custom of another person giving away the bride. And because Friends believe that God alone can create a marriage union, no third person announces the couple as husband and wife. (Not having an officiant is legal only in certain states. If you are interested in such a wedding, you need to check on its legal status)

In quiet and reverence, the couple arises, this is done in an atmosphere of silence.
They then hold hands and one after the other they recite.

I take thee, (Bride’s Name) in the presence of God and these our friends, to be my wife, and promise, with divine assistance, to be unto thee a loving and faithful husband so long as we both shall live.

I take thee, (Groom’s Name) in the presence of God and these our friends, to be my husband, and promise, with divine assistance, to be unto thee a loving and faithful wife so long as we both shall live.

The couple then sits down again and the Marriage Certificate, which announces the vows they have just taken is brought for them to sign. Then someone reads the certificate aloud.

The meeting continues in silent waiting upon God while those assembled share in the worship through prayer and meditation or through spoken messages.

When the meeting is through, those present are asked to sign the certificate as witnesses to the marriage.

CEREMONY NO: 25 Alternative Commencement Spiritual

Marriage is a bonding of strangers made beauti-fully familiar through the miracle of love, the process of un-strangering one another through the power of loving and the gift of time. Marriage brings two people together not only in the present, but in the presence of their past, of the lives they have led-the choices they have made, the lessons that have shaped and reshaped the chambers of their hearts. Thus to be marrying again is different than simply to be marrying.

And so, as you contemplate reentering the very state that wounded you, you may be tempted to blind yourself to all the sorrows, difficulties, and disappointments of your past relationships, to look at this marriage as separate, distinct, and completely unrelated to all the relationships that preceded it.

This is a worthy temptation; it would be wonderful to think that this relationship--and your readiness for it-arrived at your doorstep out of the blue. But that isn't the case, and in trying to view it this way you separate yourself from your own evolution as a person. For the other relation-ships you've had, you went through not instead of being in this relationship, but in order to be in it. This marriage is the culmination of years of apprenticeship, the winnowing and honing of your previous relationships to help shape you into the person who stands here today, ready to make the ultimate commitment of love.

Therefore, when you doubt the relevance of your past -- and you will at times -- or when you feel embarrassed about it -- which, at times you may --remember that every relationship you have had was a step on the path to this relationship. The past was prologue. Every single conflict and disappointment, every beautiful, grueling, and painfully instructive moment in each of those relationships was delivered to your consciousness in preparation for this love.

Your experiences then are the laundry ticket for the silk garments you are retrieving from the cleaners now. What you did then was the antecedent, the exquisitely appropriate conditioning for what you are doing now. Everything was of value; everything taught you something, prepared you for marrying again, most happily now.

Acknowledging the past as preparation allows you to step most gracefully into the pres-ent, and having done so, you need to remind one another that this union is unique. This is not just 'another' relationship; it is the relationship, which is the consequence and fulfillment of the others; it is the last and the best. It has qualities contributed by both of you that make it the highest expression of what you two can offer through the medium of an intimate relationship. Therefore, be generous in reminding one another not only of what a gem of a relationship you have here, but also of the singular set of qualities you each possess.
The attributes, values, and convictions that can allow you to legitimately believe to the depths of your hearts that this is the love that will last until the end of your days.

Sometimes when we've finally arrived at a longed-for destination, there's a temptation simply to be where we are, without discovering the possibilities inherent in our new state. This marriage may feel like a destination, a sweet safe place in which you can finally rest, but it is also an opportunity, the emotional and spiritual environment in which you can both develop to your highest brilliance. This is the person with whom you can do all the precious things you've wanted all your life to do. This is the time to receive and intend, to fulfill not only the joy of your heart but the possibilities of your life.

Therefore, remember to do the simple and beautiful things that will make this love a treasure. Fight well. Play. Communicate with one another. Focus on what you want, and entice your intentions into being. Plan for the things that are important to you; make sure you do them. This love is to be nurtured, to be lived out to the fullest in every aspect of its dreams -- in the simple ceremonies of shared daily life, in realized hopes and long-deferred plans, in a quality of emotional exchange and spiritual communion toward which the whole of your life has been leaning.

And finally, be thankful for one another. Love is always a gift. A great compliment is being paid to you in being given another chance, another opportunity to love. You have been delivered to your ultimate partner, the person with whom you can share the fruits of all the lessons in your life. Not everyone has this opportunity; not everyone is granted this cornucopia of happiness.

This love was completely unexpected, the joyful consequence of nothing you could control. While everything you have experienced prepared you for it, there was nothing you could do to actually bring it into being; and so it is, indeed, one of life's totally unexpected miracle