Below are two ceremonies that have recently been received favorably by couples and guests. Each ceremony can be modified by adding passages, deleting passages or substituting other passages. The first ceremony is a little more formal than the second example, but each might provide some ideas that are useful in creating your ceremony. Of course, you may want to "personalize" the ceremonies by substituinge the bride's name where the ceremony says "bride" and the groom's name where you see "groom."
Ceremony Example 1
Ceremony:
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us with this wonderful
day. You graciously give to us the
longing for love and the capability of loving, and we give you thanks for Bride
and Groom, for their beautiful hearts and willing spirits, and for the example
of love that they embody here today. Be
with them on this joyous occasion of showing their love and making their vows;
and be with us, their witnesses, that we might all be inspired by the blessings
shared today. Amen
Welcome:
Good
evening. It is truly a
blessing from heaven for two people to find one another and to love so deeply
that they embrace the holy bond of marriage. That is why we are here today, to
witness and celebrate Bride and Groom’s commitment to their union. On behalf
of Groom and Bride, I welcome you .
Who
gives this bride’s hand in marriage? Escort
replies, sits down ).
Bride
and Groom, Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.
Happiness
is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger…and even anger is felt more strongly, but passes away more
quickly.
Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It
encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, new ways of expressing a love
that is deeper than life itself.
When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they
create a spirit unique unto themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken
or written words.
Marriage
is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other….. and the
potential of marriage requires a lifetime to fulfill.
Groom and Bride, please look into each other’s eyes
as you make your vows of marriage.
Groom, please repeat after me…./
Bride, With all my heart /
I take you to be my wife/
I will love you through the good and the bad/
through the joy and the sorrow/
I will try to be understanding/
and to trust in you completely/
I will make you a part of me/
and in turn, become a part of you/
Together we will face life's experiences/
and share our dreams and goals/
We will be equal partners/
In a loving, honest relationship/
throughout
all the years to come.
(Bride
repeats vows above)
Ring
Exchange: Marriage
Officiant:
Bride
and Groom, nothing is easier than saying words. And nothing is more
difficult than living those words, day after day. What you promise today
must be renewed and practiced again tomorrow, the tomorrow after that, and all
the tomorrows after that.
Wedding
rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. May they be a daily
reminder of your vows to each other and your resolve to live together in unity,
love, and happiness.
Officiant:
Bride and Groom, as a symbol of your love and respect for each other, do you now
wish to exchange rings? (Respond
“We do” or “I do” together
May
I Please have the rings?
God,
Bless these rings and the two who exchange them. Fill them with your Holy
Presence. Keep them safe in the circle of your protection and love..Amen……
Groom,
please give your ring to Bride by placing the ring on Bride’s hand with the
words……..
"With
this ring I thee wed"
Bride, please give
your ring to Groom by placing the ring on Groom’s hand with the words…..
"With
this ring I thee wed."
Wear
these rings as the enclosing bond of reverence and trust. Fulfill the circle of
love that now makes you one.
For centuries, the wedding ceremony has been described as
“Taking one’s hand in marriage.” What is the meaning of that
phrase? How did it originate?
Bride and Groom, please look at the hands holding yours so that you may
see the gift that they are to you……….
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 you chase down your dreams and
build your future.
These
are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of
sorrow and tears of joy.
These
are the hands that will help you hold your family as one.
These
are the hands that will hold you tight when you struggle through difficult
times.
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.
Yes,
These are the hands, that today, you take in marriage
Unity
Candle:
At
this time, Groom and Bride will commemorate their wedding day by lighting a
Unity Candle.
Light is the essence of our existence. Each one of us possesses an inner glow that represents our hopes, our dreams and aspirations in life. That inner glow in each of us is represented by the divine source candle burning before you.
Groom
and Bride, the two tall candles represent your lives before this day,
individual, unique and special. Please take the candle symbolizing your life
before today and light it with the fire of the divine source candle., and then,
together, light the large center
unity candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives. (Place the
tapers back into their holders—join
hands and remain near the candles)
As this new flame burns undivided, so shall your lives now be one. From
now on your thoughts will always be for each other rather than just your
individual selves. Your plans will be mutual, your joys and sorrows both will be
shared alike.
Although
you are now entering into a marriage relationship, you do not, however,
lose your personal identity.
Rather,
you will use your special individuality to create and strengthen the
relationship of marriage. Therefore all candles
remain glowing. The individual candles represent all that makes each of you the
wonderful and unique person the other admires and respects. The large Unity
candle in the center symbolizes the union of your lives, families, and friends,
as well as your shining commitment to each other, and to a lasting and loving
marriage. (Walk back to wedding officiant)
Prayer
of Blessing :
Let
us Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for this joyous day and for the many
miracles and blessing you have bestowed upon us. Thank you for Your Light that
has entered Bride and Groom’s lives. Please
bless this ceremony and help Bride and Groom find the perfect place in this
world for their love to flourish. Let the radiant light of their love shine on
all those around them. We ask that you Bless all their future creations, and
provide them with the inner gifts of trust, compassion, forgiveness and truth..
that they may live and grow together in love and peace.
Amen
Pronouncement
by officiant:
Bride
and Groom, 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, the taking of vows,
the giving and receiving of rings, and by lighting a Unity candle.
By
the authority vested in me, according to the laws of the State of New Jersey, it
is my great pleasure and privilege
to now pronounce you husband and wife.
"Groom,
You may kiss your beautiful bride.”
Informal Ceremony Example
The ceremony below is less formal, but has "room" for the addition of readings or a Unity candle, Rose Exchange or other ceremony. It can be modified to your ddesires with some simple additions or changes.
Welcome
Good evening. It is truly a blessing for two people to find one another and to love so deeply that they embrace the bond of marriage. That is why we are here today, to witness and celebrate Bride and Groom’s commitment to their union. On behalf of Bride and Groom, I welcome you . Please be seated.
Groom and Bride, We are privileged to share today's happy occasion with you. 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 as husband and wife.
Within its framework of commitment and loyalty, marriage enables the
establishment of a home, where through trust, patience and respect, the love and
affection that 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, trust, and understanding of each other will
increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.
(Bride
and Groom face each other and hold hands throughout ceremony)
Bride and Groom, Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly, but passes away more quickly.
Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It
encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, new ways of expressing a love
that is deeper than life itself.
When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they
create a spirit unique unto themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken
or written words.
Marriage
is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other…..
and
the potential of marriage requires a lifetime to fulfill.
Before
you, and Bride and Groom, are
joined in marriage in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the
serious and binding nature of the relationship you are now about to enter. Bride
and Groom, if you now wish to make your marriage vows, please answer, I do.
Exchange of Vows
Please
look into each other’s eyes as you repeat your vows.
Groom, please repeat your vows after me:
I,
Groom, take you Bride,/
to
be my lawfully wedded wife./
\I
promise to love, cherish and honor you
/in
sickness and in health/
for
richer for poorer/
for
better for worse/
and
forsaking all others/
keep
myself only unto you/
for
so long as we both shall live.
Bride,
please repeat your vows after me:
I,
Bride, take you Groom/
to
be my lawfully wedded husband./
I
promise to love, cherish and honor you/
in
sickness and in health/
for
richer for poorer/
for
better for worse/
and
forsaking all others/
keep
myself only unto you/
for
so long as we both shall live.
For centuries, the wedding
ceremony has been described as “Taking
one’s hand in marriage.” What is the meaning of that phrase?
How did it originate? Bride
and Groom, please look at the hands holding yours so that you may see the gift
that they are to you……….
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 you chase down your dreams and
build your future.
These
are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; sometimes
tears of sorrow and tears, but much more often tears of joy.
These
are the hands that will help you hold your family as one.
These
are the hands that will hold you tight when you struggle through difficult
times.
These are the hands that, even many years from now when wrinkled and aged, will
still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with
just a touch.
Yes, These are the hands, that today, you take in marriage
Bride
and Groom, nothing is easier than saying words. And nothing is more
difficult than living those words, day after day. What you promise today
must be renewed and practiced again tomorrow, the tomorrow after that, and all
the tomorrows after that. Wedding rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of
love. May they be a daily reminder of your vows to each other and your
resolve to live together in unity, love, and happiness.
Bride and Groom, as a symbol
of your love and respect for each other, do you now wish to exchange rings?
"We do"
May
we please have the ring for Groom?
Groom, please give your ring to Bride by placing the ring on Bride’s hand with
the words……..
"With this ring I pledge my love and commitment."
Bride, please give your ring to Groom by placing the ring on Groom’s hand with
the words…..
"With this ring I pledge my love and commitment."
At
this time, we ask a blessing upon the marriage of Bride and Groom.
May
they be blessed with the guidance, strength and direction to make their
relationship grow and blossom in the years ahead. May their home be blessed with
joy and happiness, and may they strive together to make their hopes and dreams
come true.
Most
of all, we ask that they be blessed by the love and support of family and
friends as they begin life together as husband and wife.
And,
from this day forth, may their worries be few, may their joys be many, and may
their love grow more abundantly with each passing day. Amen.
Pronouncement
by officiant
Kiss
"Groom, you may now kiss
your beautiful bride.