Introduction
On behalf of Bride and Groom, I'd like to welcome you all and thank you for being here to share in this happy occasion.
A wedding ceremony is an outward form. To be true, it must be a symbol of something inner and real: a sacred personal union which nature might mirror, a church can solemnize, or a state may declare legal for some, but which only love can create and mutual loyalty fulfill.
To last, a marriage should be a consecration of each person to the other, and of both to the wider community of which they are a part. Because Groom and Bride feel a great closeness and respect for all of you here, they chose each of you to witness their vows today. Marriage is an intensely personal act, but, in order for the couple's marriage to gain strength to last throughout the years, their union must be supported by their greater society of family and friends.
In this spirit, Bride and Groom ask all of you now: do you support their marriage and accept the new partner into your life as family and a friend of your own?
Guests: We do.
[Families need to start this, loudly and clearly.]
[Families need to start this, loudly and clearly.]
Thank you all.
Now, Groom and Bride, marriage is a serious and lifelong commitment.The vows you make today should not be made lightly
or without forethought. Are you prepared to enter into this solemn covenant?
Bride and Groom: We are.
Minister: The German poet Rainer Maria Rilke wrote of marriage extensively in his letters. His words fit here:
For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been entrusted to us, the ultimate task, the final test and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation.
Marriage naturally combines the strengths and wills of two people so that, together they seem to reach farther into the future than they did before. Above all, marriage is a new task and a new seriousness -- a new demand on the strength and generosity of each partner.
Love is [an opportunity] for the individual to ripen, to become something in yourself, to become world, to become world in yourself for the sake of another person; it is a great, demanding claim on a person, something that chooses you and [you are blessed by being a part of it.
Vows:
Groom and Bride, as you exchange vows today; you are declaring your intent to live together in love for all your days. With this in mind,
[Bride and Groom hold hands]
Groom:
From this day forward, Bride, you shall be my wife,
together to love, to work and to share,
to grow and to understand,
to discover a deeper, fuller life.
together to love, to work and to share,
to grow and to understand,
to discover a deeper, fuller life.
Bride:
From this day forward, Husband, you shall be my wife/husband,
together to love, to work and to share,
to grow and to understand,
to discover a deeper, fuller life.
together to love, to work and to share,
to grow and to understand,
to discover a deeper, fuller life.
As Bride and Groom have exchanged vows, they are not only joining together as partners, but also creating a new family, of which they will be the heart.
Rings:
May I have the rings?
These rings are circles, unbroken, just as your love is unbroken and complete for each other. May the love between you grow and strengthen through all the years it would take to travel around your rings and come to their ends.
Groom: With this ring, I give you the promise that from this day forward you shall never walk alone. My heart will be your shelter; my arms will be your home. We will walk together through life as partners and best friends.
Bride: With this ring, I give you the promise that from this day forward you shall never walk alone. My heart will be your shelter; my arms will be your home. We will walk together through life as partners and best friends.
(Place Sand, Unity or Rose Ceremony here)
Bride and Groom, having witnessed your vows for marriage, and by the authority vested in me, I announce with great joy that you are husband and wife.
Kiss:
You may seal your vows with a kiss.