Introduction

Hello, and welcome to the ceremony that will unite Groom and Bride in marriage. We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction.

 In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are  Groom and Bride’s community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because Bride and Groom are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way.

Hand Binding

In ancient Celtic culture, couples announce their marriage through what is called, a hand binding. When a couple joins hands and takes on a new life together, their destinies are tied into one future. This tradition includes a red cord to symbolize that as husband and wife, Groom and Bride will be bound together as one family.
(show ribbon to guests)
Groom And Bride have chosen to unite their hands and hearts into one life.
(tie hands with cording in a bow)
Notice that each person is still an individual but now they are working together.

"Bride and Groom, as your hands are bound together now,
so your lives and spirits are joined in a union of love and trust.
Above you are the stars and below you is the earth.
Like the stars your love should be a constant source of light,
and like the earth, a firm foundation from which to grow."
(Untie and place on the altar)

(Click here to hear Reverend Crystal reciting the above)

We, your community are here to remember and to celebrate as you begin this journey together. It is in this spirit that you have come here to today to exchange these vows.

Anam Cara Vows.

On this blessed day, we celebrate the celtic spirit of the anam cara. Anam cara is translated from the Gaelic as “soul friend.” By entering into a partnership with your anam cara, you are joined in an ancient and eternal way with this person whom you cherish. In everyone’s life there is a soul mate whose love embraces us.
Groom and Bride will now make their vows in this tradition:

Please repeat after me:

Today I recognize you, my anam cara
And ask that you become a part of me, in sacred kinship.
With you I will share my innermost self, my mind and my heart
With you I have lost all fear and have found the greatest courage.
I have learned to love and let myself be loved.
With you, I have found a rhythm of grace and gracefulness.
Love has reawakened in my life, a rebirth; a new beginning.
With you my anam cara,
I am understood,
I am home.

RINGS

A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you will always return to one another and to your togetherness."

Groom , take Bride's ring and put it on her finger, and repeat after me:
Just as this circle is without end, my love for you has no end/
Just as the ring endures, my commitment to you will never fail/
With this ring I take you to be my trusted confidante
and partner for life.
(REPEAT SAME FOR  BRIDE, OR MODIFY IF YOU WISH)

PRONOUNCEMENT

Bride and Groom, although I'm officiating here today,
it is not truly in my power to sanctify, legitimize or bless your relationship in any way, because the two of you have already done that in your hearts.
So, by joining hands right now and looking into each other's eyes, let it be known that you are joined, body and soul in this lifetime, and that this bond is sacred and eternal.  
In your tying of hands and exchange of rings, and by the laws of the state of Arizona, it gives me gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are Husband and Wife.