Wedding
Ceremony
_____ &
_____
As MUSIC
FADES …
Welcome:
Family and friends, we come together today to honor the union
of _____ and _____. To mark the beginning of their wedding I would
like to ask _____ to
come forward and light this candle as a symbol of the spark of the
divine that burns within each human being…When two people love one
another, they kindle the awareness of that spark as nothing else can
do.
Foundation:
The
relationship of _____ and _____ embodies the meaning of respect,
tolerance, and understanding. We want to celebrate their
oneness as well as their uniqueness. All who are here, as well as
loved ones who have gone before us, represent a loving community.
_____ and _____ have often been a source of inspiration and love for
us, as we in turn have been for them. It is therefore our privilege
to be invited to bear witness to the expression of their most
special union – a Marriage which embraces not only their loving
commitment to each other, but also validates their partnership and
protects them under the law. They will learn from each other and
grow. Together they will expand to something greater than
themselves. Their’s is a love that knows no boundaries. They stand
as a beacon of light inspiring all of us to love. They give us hope.
In the
spirit of love and unity, _____ and _____ have asked that we pass
the sign of peace. For those of you not familiar with this ritual,
simply offer a handshake to your neighbor, with the words “Peace be
with you.” Of course if you feel so inspired, hugging and kissing is
also appropriate.
Reading:
_____
will now read
Shakespeare’s Sonnet CXVI
(_____
comes forward and reads)
Let
me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is
not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends
with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star
to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his
height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and
cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters
not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the
edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never
writ, nor no man ever loved.
Address:
_____, _____, marriage is a deep and profound sharing,
perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure in the most
intimate of human relationships. It is the joyful uniting of two
people whose care and affection and understanding have flowered into
a deep and abiding love. For those who take it’s sacred vows, their
lives become one, as the water of two rivers are mingled when they
flow together to form a greater one.
A true marriage is an act of transformation, a profound
mystery of creation and rebirth, as two lives are blended into one.
This is not a loss or giving up of oneself, but rather a giving over
of self to something greater. In this process you will be challenged
to discover, again and again, new depths and possibilities in
yourselves and each other.
The wedding ceremony and the vows you will speak to one
another today are the gateway into this mystery. In a sense, the
whole of your lives up to now has brought you to this point, to this
moment, and together you now give over to the creation of something
wholly new and transcendent, something that has never existed before
– your unique marriage – an expression that is at the same time
public and private, precious, sacred, and truly unique to the two of
you. In this act you open yourselves to an ever fuller experience
and expression of the vast miracle of love.
No ceremony can, of itself, create a marriage. Only the two
of you can do that – with love, patience, dedication, perseverance –
through listening and sharing and trying to understand – through
helping and supporting and believing in each other – through
tenderness and laughter, cooperation and play – through learning to
forgive, learning to respect and appreciate your differences, and
learning to make the important things in life matter and let go of
the rest.
The commitment to love that forms the heart of marriage
doesn’t mean that you’ll never feel angry with each other, or hurt.
It doesn’t mean that life together will always be easy, fun, or free
from care. It does mean that every argument or misunderstanding will
be followed by forgiveness, and that the challenges and sorrows of
life will be eased by the tenderness you feel in each other’s arms
and the safety you feel in each other’s hearts. And it means you
will walk through the rest of your days with a true friend beside
you, one you can laugh with and cry with, grow old with and feel
forever young with. Today you become each other’s path. We rejoice
with you, and bless you on your way.
The
Intent:
And so, _____ and _____, if at this time you wish to affirm
your free choice to be united in marriage, please indicate that now
by facing one another and joining hands.
Do
you _____ take _____ as your wife, joining with her today in spirit
and in heart – offering your friendship and loving care – seeking
her happiness as your own – honoring her trust as the precious gift
that it is – cherishing and respecting her. Loving and embracing her
in times of adversity and joy, for as long as you both shall live?
If so, answer “I do.”
(_____
answers)
Do
you, _____, take _____ as your husband, joining with him today in
spirit and in heart – offering your friendship and loving care –
seeking his happiness as your own – honoring his trust as the
precious gift that it is – cherishing and respecting him. Loving and
embracing him in times of adversity and joy, for as long as you both
shall live? If so, answer “I do.”
(_____
answers)
Prayer:
Let us pray. Holy Spirit, Whose nature is Love, bless this
couple who make their vows before You. Grant that this marriage be a
rich and purposeful union, a true blending of hearts and souls.
Awaken in them the gifts of patience, compassion, understanding,
kindness, and trust, that they may live and grow together in love
and in peace. Amen.
Exchange
of Rings:
May
we have the rings please…In the mystical tradition, these circular
rings symbolize the Endless One and represent the eternity of life
and love. Let these rings be a constant reminder of your endless
love and acceptance of one another, of your commitment to each other
as partners in life – to be in each other’s safe keeping and
encircled by your love.
_____,
will you place this ring on _____’s finger and repeat after me:
“With this ring, and by this act in the presence of these witnesses,
I wed you as my wife and pledge my faithful
love.
_____,
will you place this ring on _____’s finger and repeat after me:
“With this ring, and by this act in the presence of these witnesses,
I wed you as my husband and pledge my faithful
love.
Candle
Lighting Ceremony
(There are
two side candles representing the individual spirits of the
couple,
and a center candle that will
signify the light of their relationship.)
_____ and
_____, we now ask you each to light a candle from the flame of the
Source candle. These two candles are symbolic of your individual
selves. They represent the light of your individual spirits.
Now together, please light the center candle which represents the
light of your relationship. In allowing the flames of the two
smaller candles to remain lit, you accept each other's individuality as a means
to fulfilling your oneness. May your love so endure that its flame
remains a guiding light unto you.
MUSIC:
Pronouncement:
_____ and
_____, as you have openly and honestly committed yourselves to each
other in the bond of marriage before all who have gathered here, it
is my great privilege, with honor, all my love, and with the power
invested in me as an Interfaith Minister by the state of New York,
that I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.
You may
kiss.
Blessing:
_____ and
_____, may you continue to discover the extraordinary gifts and
treasures you both bring to your marriage. May you greet each
challenge you face together with courage, hope and integrity.
Nurturing and inspiring each other in safe keeping. And may God’s
abundant love and the spirit of play fill your hearts and lighten
your paths now and always.
I invite
all of you now to take a moment and fill yourselves with all your
good wishes, all your hopes and dreams for _____ and _____ in the
years to come and to offer
your support to this beautiful union ... And to give thanks, knowing
that when two people come together in marriage, their action ripples
out and brings us one step closer toward world peace.
Amen.
Recessional
Celebratory Music
