Ceremonies

THESE ARE COMPLETE CEREMONIES, HOWEVER YOU MAY CHANGE THE READINGS & SCRIPTURES  OR USE THEM AS THEY ARE (PREFERRED)

Religious Ceremony #1

Who brings this woman to marry this man? (optional)

This is the time which you have chosen to become husband and wife. We are here not only to witness your commitment to each other, but to wish you both every happiness in your future life together.

Within its framework of loyalty and commitment, marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through tolerance, patience and respect, the love and affection which you have for each other may develop into a deep and lasting relationship.

OPTIONAL READING: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient and kind, it is never jealous.

Love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude or

selfish, it does not take offense and is not resentful.

Love takes no pleasure in other peoples faults,

but delights in the truth.

It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope,

it is always ready to endure whatever comes.

True love does not come to an end.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and firm nature of the relationship into which you both are about to enter.

VOWS

I (Groom’s Name) affirm my love to you (Bride’s Name) as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end, I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be my lawful wedded wife.

I (Bride’s Name) affirm my love to you (Groom’s Name) as I invite you to share my life. I promise always to respect your needs. I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve the warm rich life we now look forward to. To this end, I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be my lawful wedded husband. 

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name) with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us, I thee wed.

(Groom’s Name) with this ring, a token and pledge of the vow made between us, I thee wed.

As you have consented together in Lawful marriage in the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses and by the giving and receiving of two rings and by the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be Husband and Wife. Page 18

SPIRITUAL CEREMONY # 2 

Who brings this woman to marry this man? (Optional)

Friends, I call upon everyone here present to be a fellow witness with me in the marriage between (Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name). We are here to wish them well and every happiness for their future life together.

Marriage is founded upon sincerity and understanding which leads to tolerance, confidence and trust. It involves respect for each other’s feelings and weaknesses and faults. You believe that those qualities, which have attracted you both to each other, can be best spent together.

A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home, with love and stability, where your family and friends will always be welcome and which will be a base from which the influence of your shared and we hope strengthened life today, can extend.

READING (Written by KAHLIL GIBRAN)

Love one another, but make not a bond of love,

let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of our souls.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you

be alone, even as the strings of a lute are alone,

though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each others keeping,

for only the hand of life can contain your hearts.

Stand together, yet not too near together.

For the pillars of the temple stand apart and the oak

and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

Before you are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship you are now about to enter. Marriage as most of understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man. It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others and is entered into with the desire, hope and firm intention that it will last for life.

At this point of the ceremony I ask if there is anyone who knows of any reason as to why (Groom’s Name) and (Bride’s Name) should not be joined in marriage, and if so, to speak now or forever hold your peace.

(Optional)

VOWS

I (Groom’s Name) affirm my love to you (Bride’s Name),

as I invite you to share my life.

I promise always to respect your needs.

I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve

the warm rich lives we now look forward to.

To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be

my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness

and in health while we both shall live.

I (Bride’s Name) affirm my love to you (Groom’s Name),

as I invite you to share my life.

I promise always to respect your needs.

I will endeavor through kindness, unselfishness and trust to achieve

the warm rich lives we now look forward to.

To this end I call upon all present to witness that I take you to be

my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward,

for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health

while we both shall live.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name), with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a

pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we shall share.

(Groom’s Name), with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a

pledge of my love and as a symbol of all we shall share.

You have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage.

You have made special promises to each other, which have

been symbolized by the joining of hands, the taking of vows and

the giving and receiving of two rings.

By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be

Husband and Wife.

Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day

as married people is about to begin, go and meet it gladly, although

before you do it is customary for the Bride and Groom to embrace

and kiss each other.

Presentation of the Bride and Groom to your family and friends. 

  NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY #3

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

This is the time you have chosen to become husband and wife. 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.

Within its framework of commitment and loyalty marriage enables the establishment of a home, where through trust, patience and respect, the love and affection which 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 for each other, your trust and understanding of each other will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.

READING: by Walter Pinder

Everyday you live, learn how to receive love with as much understanding as you give it.

Find things within yourself, then you can share them with each other. Do not fear this love. Have an open heart and a sincere mind. Be sincerely interested in each other’s happiness. Be constant and consistent in your love. From this comes security and strength. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us on this day of your marriage. Try to commit yourselves fully and freely to each other.

Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and the presence of these your family, friends and witnesses, I am to remind you of the serious and binding nature of the relationship you are now about to enter.

Minister I shall now ask you to make your marriage vows.

Minister: (Groom’s Name) will you take (Bride’s Name) to be your lawful wife, will you love her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto her so long as you both shall live.

Response: I will.

Minister: (Bride’s Name) will you take (Groom’s Name) to be your lawful husband, will you love him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep only unto him so long as you both shall live.

Response: I will. 

RING VOWS

Groom: (Bride’s Name), with this ring, I thee wed.

Bride: (Groom’s Name), with this ring, I thee wed.

Minister: 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, taking of vows and by the giving and receiving of rings.

By the authority vested in me, according to the laws of (Wherever), I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

Embrace of Couple.

BRIEF SPIRITUAL CEREMONY# 4

Welcome to all friends and family on this beautiful and joyful day, (Bride’s and Groom’s Name) have asked me to extend a very warm welcome to you on this their wedding day.

Friends, I call upon everyone here to be a fellow witness with me in the marriage of (Bride’s and Groom’s Names). We are here to celebrate with them, and wish them every happiness for their future life together.

Many of us would easily describe (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) as being tender and loving. Yet on this occasion they are also being both brave and daring.

As Lord Byron once said,

"The bravest are the tenderest and the loving are the daring".

They dare to give truly of themselves, and do so with confidence that they will better who they are as individuals, as a husband, as a wife, and God-willing as parents. As it has been said, Marriage is not a union merely between two individuals -- it is a union between two souls and the intention of that bond is to perfect the nature of both.

To better express their thoughts on this day, (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) have selected the following readings:

READING: (insert your own scripture or poem)

A good marriage is founded on respect, trust, love and confidence. We believe that those qualities, which have attracted you both to each other, can be best developed during a life spent together.

Before you are joined together in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these your family and witnesses, we wish to acknowledge that you both come to this ceremony as complete individuals, who bearing free and unconstrained souls understand the profoundness of this lifetime commitment.

At this stage of the ceremony I ask if there be anyone who knows of any reason as to why (Names of Bride and Groom) should not be joined in marriage. Speak now or forever hold your peace. 

VOWS

Minister: I shall now ask you to make your marriage vows to each other

Minister: Do you (Groom’s Name), take (Bride’s Name) to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others so long as you both shall live?

(Groom): I do

Minister: Do you (Bride’s Name), take (Groom’s Name) to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others so long as you both shall live?

(Bride): I do

RINGS VOWS

(Groom’s Name), repeat after me: "With this ring, I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of my unending love for you"

(Bride’s Name), repeat after me: "With this ring, I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of my unending love for you"

Now you have consented together in lawful marriage in the presence of your family, friends and witnesses. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings.

By the authority vested in me as a Minister in the State of _______, I now pronounce you to be husband and wife.

(Groom’s Name), you many now kiss the bride.

Now that the ceremony is over we wish you every happiness in your life together, go and meet it gladly.

Friends, it is now my great pleasure to introduce to you, the very happy couple (Names of couple). "May joy and fresh days of love accompany your hearts".

NON-DENOMINATIONAL CEREMONY #5 WITH SAND RITUAL

Who brings this woman to marry this man?

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage, the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, “I love you”. It is at no time taking the other for granted. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives; it is standing together facing the world. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is not expecting perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding, and a sense of humor. It is having a capacity to forgive and forget. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner. It is discovering that your love for one another at its best will never lose sight of or be blotted out by the common place experiences of life.

And it is remembering that remaining devoted, confident and hopeful in one another are the secret ingredients, which will help you to remain two very happy people, richer for your oneness.

(Groom’s Name), will you take (Bride’s Name) to be your wife, will you continue to be loving and caring, to comfort her, to protect your love for her, cherishing her, honoring and respecting her and your promises to her throughout all the events of your lives together?

(Bride’s Name), will you take (Groom’s Name) to be your husband, will you continue to be loving and caring, to comfort him, to protect your love for him, cherishing him, honoring and respecting him and your promises to him throughout all the events of your lives together?

VOWS

Today I give myself to you and ask for your tomorrows. I promise to love you more than anyone else can; to give you my strength and ask for yours in return; to help you in good times and in bad. I give you all my trust and ask you to accept me as your husband.

Today I give myself to you and ask for your tomorrows. I promise to love you more than anyone else can; to give you my strength and ask for yours in return; to help you in good times and in bad. I give you all my trust and ask you to accept me as your wife. Page 25

RING VOWS

(Groom’s Name), take this ring as a symbol of my devotion to you, of the gift of love that has come to us and my desire to live my life with you.

(Bride’s Name), take this ring as a symbol of my devotion to you, of the gift of love that has come to us and my desire to live my life with you.

SAND CEREMONY

This sand is symbolic of two people as two separate people in their own right. By the joining of these two colors of sand into one, this symbolizes the strength and unity of two into one, depicting, (Bride’s and Groom’s Names) belief that together they can become greater than each could alone.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), you have expressed your love to one another by the giving of a commitment and the promises you have just made. So it is with these in mind and by the authority given to me I pronounce that you are husband and wife.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), you may seal your promises with a kiss.

(Bride’s and Groom’s Names), never forget the beginning of your love for one another, take care of it, nurture it, and allow it to grow strong and firm in the years that are to come. Always concentrate on making each other feel happy and secure in your commitment to one another. Always rely on your ability to keep the promises you have made to one another today and always love one another.

Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you Mr. and Mrs. (Names) 

 Non Religious with Vows and Candle Ceremony # 6 (Short)

This is a short ceremony that a couple requested with only the Ring Vows and a Candle Ceremony.

VOWS

I take you, (Bride) to be my lawful wife.

I take you (Groom) to be my lawful husband.

RING VOWS

(Bride’s Name) with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of all we shall share.

(Groom’s Name) with this ring I thee wed. Take it and wear it as a symbol of all we shall share.

CANDLE CEREMONY

Minister: These two candles are symbolic of two people as two separate people in there own right. By the joining of two candles into one, this symbolizes the strength and the unity of two into one. Depicting (Bride’s and Groom’s Names)’s belief that together they can become greater than each could alone. The side candles remain burning to further symbolize the continuing importance of the individual integrity within the marriage relationship.

Minister: You (Couples Names) have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings, and the lighting of the candle, representing strength and unity.

I now pronounce you to be husband and wife. Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

Also available:

Religious
Short and Sweet
Sweet Sixteen
Blessing of the Mother
Children Honoring
Chord and Veil
Spanish ceremonies
Breaking of Glass
Sand Ceremony
Hands Ceremony