Processional.
Minister's Opening Remarks:
True marriage is more than the joining in the bonds of matrimony of two persons. In its right relation, it is the uniting of two souls already attuned to each other.
When such a true bond already exists between a man and a woman, it is proper that an outer acknowledgment be made. This acknowledgment, through the exchange of promises, vows, and marriage symbols, is the prime object of this gathering and this ceremony. We are here to bear witness to the entry into the closer relationship of husband and wife of these two beloved friends who are already one in spirit.
What Is Marriage?
Marriage is giving... not giving up or giving in, but giving love and being
loved.
Marriage is not the loss of identity, it is the birth of a more beautiful identity,
A special identity that only the two of you will really know.
Marriage is soft, not weak. Strong, but not insensitive... brave, but not
without wisdom.
Together, but not at the expense of one another.
Marriage knows not years as we count time... marriage is for the heart.
Marriage is love finding its home.
(If bride is to be presented by father or family member)
Who Has The Privilege of Presenting _________________ In Marriage To
Response for the presenter: "Her mother and I do" Or "On behalf of her family, I do" or
"I do".
Minister's Blessing/Invocation: centered around the theme of Love.
Music: By______________
This Is Friendship :
I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.
I love you, not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me.
I love you for the part of me that you bring out.
I love you for putting your hand into my heaped-up heart and passing over all the frivolous and weak things that you can not help seeing there, and drawing out into the light all the beautiful, radiant things that no one else has looked quite far enough to find.
I love you for ignoring the possibilities of the fool in me and for laying firm hold of the possibilities of good in me.
I love you for closing your eyes to the discords in me, and adding to the music in me by (faithfully) listening.
-Mary Carolyn Davies (adapted)
The Promises
(To the Groom)
Do you,_______________ take________________ to be your Wife,
to love her, to inspire her with courage, and to share with her the journey to a fuller life?
(To the Bride)
Do you,_____________________ take _________________ to be your Husband,
to love him,to inspire him with courage, and to share with him the journey to a fuller life?
Exchange of Rings:
May I have the rings, please. These rings, by their shapes, are symbols of Eternity, without beginning or end, and are true emblems of the endless spiritual love that links you now, spirit to spirit and soul to soul. A ring also signifies Completeness. Each of you was complete in yourselves before your partner came into your life. These rings, then signify a further level of completeness in your lives together. The substance of which they are made is a symbol of Purity. Right now, they are perfect, even as your love is. Over the years they will accumulate slight nicks and scratches, even as your relationship is strengthened and deepened through the working through of the "nicks and scratches" which it will sustain.
They will remain symbols of Eternity, Completeness, and Purity, and their quality is not lessened, and their beauty is not dimmed. Indeed, their beauty is enhanced, even as your personal love relationship is deepened and expanded through the passage of time.
(Exchange of Vows)
( To The Groom) ____________take_____________ ring, place it on her third finger, left hand, and
repeat after me: "__________with this ring I thee wed, and with it I bestow upon thee, all the treasures
of my mind, heart, and body".
(To The Bride) ________________ take__________ ring, place it on her third finger, left hand,
and repeat after me: "____________________ with this ring I thee wed, and with it I bestow upon thee, all the treasures
of my mind, heart, and body".
LET THESE RINGS WHICH YOU HAVE EXCHANGED BE EVER A TOKEN OF THE UNBROKEN UNITY OF TRUTH AND LOVE IN YOUR LIFE TOGETHER.
Music : __________________
Pronouncement
In as much as ________________ and _____________ have consented together in marriage before this company, have pledged by their faith and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring, and are now joined in mutual esteem and devotion, I as an ordained Minister, pronounce that they are husband and wife.
You may now share your first married kiss.
Benediction
A Blessing for A Marriage by James Dillet Freeman
May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding.
May you always need one another-
not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness.
A mountain needs a valley to be complete;
the valley does not make the mountain less, but more;
So let it be with you and you.
May you need one another, but not out of weakness.
May you want one another, but not out of lack.
May you entice one another, but not compel one another.
May you succeed in all important ways with one another,
and not fail in the little graces.
May you look for things to praise, often say, "I Love You!"
and take no notice of small faults.
If you have quarrels that push you apart,
May both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back.
May you enter into the mystery which is the awareness of
one another's presence- no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities.
May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy.
May you have love, and may you find it loving one another!
The Introduction
It is my privilege to be the first to present to you, Mr. & Mrs._____________________