Welcome to the Celebration
Welcome
We, who have gathered in this circle, are now privileged to witness and to participate in a ceremony celebrating the public acknowledgment of a love which Name and Name have for each other, knowing that by our presence here with them, we are saying that they, together, are loved by many others. We have come to surround them as they stand before us in this center, where now Name and Name in essence say, "Welcome to our marriage! Welcome to the Celebration!"
Declaration of Intent
We all know when you love someone, you do not love them all the time in exactly the same way, from moment to moment. That is impossible. It is even a disservice to pretend it is possible. Yet that is what most of us demand. We have such little faith in the ebb and flow of life and of love and of relationships. We leap forward at the flow of the tide and resist in terror its ebb, for we are afraid it will never return. We insist on permanence, on duration, on continuity. But the only continuity possible in life, as in love, is in growth, in fluidity and in freedom, as dancers are free, barely touching as they pass, but partners in creating the same pattern.
Name and Name, since we are here in the name of love, I want to take just a moment to speak of love, which has the basis of the trust and freedom of that person standing before you today, becomes as significant as the trust and freedom of one's self. I speak to them of generosity, which gathers the beauty of earth for riches and the kindness which turns away the wrath of foolish men and women. I speak of all our hopes for their continued growth through patience, one for the other. My hope and the hope of everyone gathered here is that Name and Name keep the vows, the promises they are making on this day, in freedom, teaching each other who they are, what they yet shall be, enabling them to know that, in the fullness of being, they are more than themselves and more than each other, that they are all of us and that together we share joyously the fruits of life on this Earth, our home.
Vows
In just a moment you will say those words that will change your life forever. You will not be just a person, but a part of two.
I want you to take just a moment and look at those 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 together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years,
and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.
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 tenderly hold your children.
These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face
to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.
And finally, 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.
Name do you take Name to be my wife/husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
Please now repeat after me-
I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband. Before these witnesses I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.
Name do you take Name to be my wife/husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
Please now repeat after me-
I take you to be my lawfully wedded wife/husband. Before these witnesses I vow to love you and care for you as long as we both shall live. I take you with all your faults and your strengths as I offer myself to you with my faults and strengths. I will help you when you need help, and I will turn to you when I need help. I choose you as the person with whom I will spend my life.
Rings
Now it is time for you to exchange your rings. Let the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of your endless love. Your wedding rings are most special because they say that even in your uniqueness you have chosen to be bonded, to allow the presence of another human being to enhance who you are. Your rings carry a potent double message: We are individuals and yet we belong; we’re not alone. As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are, but also to this amazing union that you are now creating.
Name please place your ring on Name's finger and repeat after me.
May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love.
Name please place your ring on Name's finger and repeat after me.
May this ring forever be to you the symbol of my growing love.
Closing
Please take each others hands once more, we are almost done. But in some ways it seems like you haven’t done anything at all. A moment ago you were just standing here holding each others hands like you have done 1000's of times in the past. In alot of ways, the act of marriage is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different from yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you have both given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life – and one I hope you always remember – the gift of true and abiding love within your marriage.
Name and Name, I would ask that wherever you make your home in the future – whether it be large and elegant or small and graceful – that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot as a recommitment to your marriage – and to remember that this will be a marriage based on love.
Blessing
As we close this ceremony today, I have a small blessing for you and everyone gathered here today.
May your marriage enrich your lives.
May you work together to build a relationship of substance and quality.
May the honesty of your communication build a foundation of understanding, connection, and trust.
May you respect each other’s individual personality and philosophy, and give each other room to grow and fulfill each other’s dreams.
May your love and relationship deepen with each day that passes.
May your sense of humor and playful spirit continue to enliven your relationship.
May you understand that neither of you is perfect: you are both subject to human frailties: and may your love strengthen when you fall short of each other’s expectations.
May you be “best friends”, better together than either of you are apart
I now pronounce you married.
You may kiss!
Name, with this ring I am giving you my promise, to always love you, cherish you, honor you and comfort you.