Wedding Ceremony Sample 5
PROCESSION:
(bride is escorted to alter)
MARRIAGE INTRODUCTION
Family and Friends, Jane and Bill have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage -- their wedding.
We come together NOT to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.
It is fitting to speak briefly about love. We live in a world of joy and fear and search for meaning and strength in the seeming disorder. We discover the truest guideline to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes. Love is the eternal force of life. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.
For the giving of yourself in love is challenging, for you must learn to give of your love without total submission of yourself. Therefore, in your giving, give your joy, your sadness, your interest, your understanding, your knowledge -- all expressions that make up life. But in this giving, remember to preserve yourself -- your integrity, your individuality. This is the challenge of love within marriage.
Jane and Bill, you are marrying because you enjoy each other's company and because you want to be together. You are marrying because each of you can grow in humanity and in love more fully while touching the other. You are marrying because you can be more trusting of life as life mates. Keep this understanding of your marriage fresh and alive in the days ahead.
In marriage a family comes into being. Be joyful in your family. Bring to your family an appreciation of the beauty of each other. Bring to your family a sense of comfort and strength. Bring to your family a joy and thankfulness for being together.
Marriage is a good estate. Bring to it joy. Bring to it the joy of this hour. Bring to it the enjoyment of each other.
READING #1
Why Marriage?
Mari Nichols-Haining
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,
With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...
Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,
Who won't hold them against me,
Who loves me when I'm unlikable,
Who sees the small child in me, and
Who looks for the divine potential of me...
Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With someone I feel blessed to hold...
Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship...
Because marriage is a discipline
To be added to a list of achievements...
Because marriages do not fail, people fail
When they enter into marriage
Expecting another to make them whole...
Because, knowing this,
I promise myself to take full responsibility
For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness I create me,
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage
Together we create our marriage...
Because of this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.
READING #2
"Sooner or Later"
by Anon, 1st century China
"Sooner or later we begin to understand
that love is more than verses on valentines, and Billce in the movies.
We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true,
the most important thing in our lives.
For love is the creator of our favourite memories
and the foundation of our fondest dreams.
Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent,
a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places.
And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy,
is the greatest treasure of all - one known only by those who love."
EXCHANGE OF VOWS/ PROMISES
Bill repeats after Minister.....
Jane, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise always to respect you. With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise never to go to be angry. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
Jane repeats after Minister.....
Bill, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise always to respect you. With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise never to go to be angry. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
READING 3
“Blessing of the Hands", revised by Rev. Daniel L. Harris
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
RING CEREMONY
(Best Man hands wedding rings to the minister)
The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two souls in endless love. The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity, while gold is a symbol of all that is pure and holy. As you give these rings to each other, our prayer is that your love will be the same; pure and eternal.
RING EXCHANGE
BILL (placing the ring on Jane’s finger, repeats after the Minister)
I, Bill give you this ring as a token of my love. I marry you with this ring with all that I am and all that I will become, and accept from you, all that you are.
JANE (placing the ring on Bill’s, repeats after Minister)
I, Jane give you this ring as a token of my love. I marry you with this ring with all that I am and all that I will become, and accept from you, all that you are.
I hereby pronounce you to be husband and wife together. May your journey be filled with love and joy… you may now kiss the bride
SONG
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
MARRIAGE BLESSING
May this day shine eternally in your lives.
May it add brilliance to every achievement and
cast a divine light over any misfortune.
May you care for each other in all sadness.
May you give cheer to each other.
May you give vitality to each other in all undertakings.
May all that is virtuous, beautiful and honest,
remain with you always.
PRONOUNCEMENT:
Ladies and Gentleman:
May I present to you for the first time Mr and Mrs ___________
(bride is escorted to alter)
MARRIAGE INTRODUCTION
Family and Friends, Jane and Bill have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage -- their wedding.
We come together NOT to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.
It is fitting to speak briefly about love. We live in a world of joy and fear and search for meaning and strength in the seeming disorder. We discover the truest guideline to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes. Love is the eternal force of life. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage.
For the giving of yourself in love is challenging, for you must learn to give of your love without total submission of yourself. Therefore, in your giving, give your joy, your sadness, your interest, your understanding, your knowledge -- all expressions that make up life. But in this giving, remember to preserve yourself -- your integrity, your individuality. This is the challenge of love within marriage.
Jane and Bill, you are marrying because you enjoy each other's company and because you want to be together. You are marrying because each of you can grow in humanity and in love more fully while touching the other. You are marrying because you can be more trusting of life as life mates. Keep this understanding of your marriage fresh and alive in the days ahead.
In marriage a family comes into being. Be joyful in your family. Bring to your family an appreciation of the beauty of each other. Bring to your family a sense of comfort and strength. Bring to your family a joy and thankfulness for being together.
Marriage is a good estate. Bring to it joy. Bring to it the joy of this hour. Bring to it the enjoyment of each other.
READING #1
Why Marriage?
Mari Nichols-Haining
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,
With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...
Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,
Who won't hold them against me,
Who loves me when I'm unlikable,
Who sees the small child in me, and
Who looks for the divine potential of me...
Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With someone I feel blessed to hold...
Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship...
Because marriage is a discipline
To be added to a list of achievements...
Because marriages do not fail, people fail
When they enter into marriage
Expecting another to make them whole...
Because, knowing this,
I promise myself to take full responsibility
For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness I create me,
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage
Together we create our marriage...
Because of this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.
READING #2
"Sooner or Later"
by Anon, 1st century China
"Sooner or later we begin to understand
that love is more than verses on valentines, and Billce in the movies.
We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true,
the most important thing in our lives.
For love is the creator of our favourite memories
and the foundation of our fondest dreams.
Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent,
a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places.
And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy,
is the greatest treasure of all - one known only by those who love."
EXCHANGE OF VOWS/ PROMISES
Bill repeats after Minister.....
Jane, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise always to respect you. With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise never to go to be angry. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
Jane repeats after Minister.....
Bill, I love you. You are my best friend. Today I give myself to you in marriage. You are the most beautiful, smart, and generous person I have ever known, and I promise always to respect you. With kindness, unselfishness and trust, I will work by your side to create a wonderful life together. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise never to go to be angry. I promise to cherish you, and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life.
READING 3
“Blessing of the Hands", revised by Rev. Daniel L. Harris
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
RING CEREMONY
(Best Man hands wedding rings to the minister)
The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two souls in endless love. The perfect circle of a ring symbolizes eternity, while gold is a symbol of all that is pure and holy. As you give these rings to each other, our prayer is that your love will be the same; pure and eternal.
RING EXCHANGE
BILL (placing the ring on Jane’s finger, repeats after the Minister)
I, Bill give you this ring as a token of my love. I marry you with this ring with all that I am and all that I will become, and accept from you, all that you are.
JANE (placing the ring on Bill’s, repeats after Minister)
I, Jane give you this ring as a token of my love. I marry you with this ring with all that I am and all that I will become, and accept from you, all that you are.
I hereby pronounce you to be husband and wife together. May your journey be filled with love and joy… you may now kiss the bride
SONG
SIGNING OF THE REGISTER
MARRIAGE BLESSING
May this day shine eternally in your lives.
May it add brilliance to every achievement and
cast a divine light over any misfortune.
May you care for each other in all sadness.
May you give cheer to each other.
May you give vitality to each other in all undertakings.
May all that is virtuous, beautiful and honest,
remain with you always.
PRONOUNCEMENT:
Ladies and Gentleman:
May I present to you for the first time Mr and Mrs ___________
For more information or to arrange an appointment to discuss your needs call: 1-(902)-629-1385,
or email us at weddingsonpei@gmail.com
or email us at weddingsonpei@gmail.com
BACK TO "SAMPLE CEREMONIES"
