Ceremony Wording
We have gathered together to witness and bless the mutual vows of <Groom Name> and <Bride Name> that will unite them in marriage. It is not to be entered into lightly but with certainty, with mutual respect, and with a sense of reverence, which does not preclude beauty, humor, or joy. Love can be one of the highest experiences that come to humankind. At its best it reduces our selfishness, deepens our personalities, and makes life far more meaningful. To this moment, Kristen and Kevin bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another. They bring the dreams that bind them together. They bring that particular personality and spirit which is uniquely their own, and out of which will grow the reality of their life together. We rejoice with them as this is an outward symbol of an inward union of hearts... a union created by friendship, respect, and love.
Who presents this woman to be married to this man?
(Father responds then leaves)
All significant experiences are of concern to our fellow men and women. Two people in love do not live in isolation from humanity. So it is that the institution of marriage is ordained as a public recognition of the private experience of love and as a sanctification of both parties to a greater purpose. This ceremony also touches friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to this relationship... and let us not forget those who have left this earthly plane, for they too, have been and will continue to be a part of these two lives. At this time we shall take a moment to acknowledge the love, support, and blessings of all those who could not be with us here today. We honor those who we feel are here in spirit and celebrate with them as well.
And now Sarah will read a letter written by Mark Twain to Olivia Langdon Clemens on their wedding day:
This will be the mightiest day in the history of our lives, the holiest, and the most generous toward us both--for it makes two fractional lives a whole; it gives two purposeless lives a work, and doubles the strength of each whereby to perform it; it gives two questioning natures a reason for living, and something to live for; it will give a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, a new mystery to life; and it will give a new revelation to love, a new depth to sorrow, a new impulse to worship. On this day the scales will fall from our eyes and we shall look upon a new world.
Please face each other and hold hands
Kevin, will you have Kristen to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, so long as you both shall live?
Kevin: I will
Kristen, will you have Kevin to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
Kristen: I will
Kevin, please repeat after me
I, Kevin, take you, Kristen, to be my 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, to love and to cherish till death do us part. And hereto I give you my love,
Kristen, please repeat after me
I, Kristen, take you Kevin, to be my 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, to love and to cherish till death do us part. And hereto I give you my love,
Now that you have made your marriage vows, I ask that you make a Vow of Remembrance.
Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they aren't going to be around forever.
Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart.
Remember to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there ever again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
What token of devotion do you offer? (Take the rings)
The ring is an ancient symbol of the wedding vows. It is a never-ending circle, just as your two lives are now joined in an unbroken circle of love. The ancients believed the third finger of the left hand had a vein that went straight to the heart. That is the finger upon which you will place the ring. Wherever you go, may you return to one another in your togetherness. May you find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May you grow in understanding and compassion. May your home be a sanctuary for you and a place of sharing with your friends. May these rings symbolize your commitment to each other and your never ending love.
(Hand ring to Kevin)
Kevin, place this ring on Kristen’s finger and repeat after me... I give you this ring as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of our unity.
(Hand ring to Kristen)
Kristen, place this ring on Kevin’s finger and repeat after me... I give you this ring as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of our unity.
(Bring out the box)
The box on the table to my left has been created by Kristen and Kevin. In it they have placed a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. Earlier this month, each of them took a break from the flurry of wedding planning activities to sit down in a quiet room alone and think about why they are getting married. Then, they each wrote a letter to the other to express their thoughts, feelings and all the things they love about the person they are promising to spend the rest of their lives with.
Kevin and Kristen, please take your letters, seal them, and place them in the box now.
(Interlude - Kevin and Kristen walk to the table, each pick up their letter, lick the envelope to seal, and then place in box. Kevin and Kristen return to their places.)
At the reception later today, this box will be placed on the guest book table along with some notecards… and we ask you, friends and family, to take a couple minutes to write some words of encouragement to them, and put those in the box as well. The box will then be closed and kept in a safe place.
All marriages have periods of difficulty. If the difficulties seem insurmountable and there comes a time when the marriage seems doomed, it’s time to stop, bring out the box, open it together, drink the wine, go off separately to read the note your spouse wrote and remember your wedding day. After reading separately, come back together and read the notes written by your families and friends. Hopefully, this box will give your marriage another chance… and if you don’t need to use it within the first ten years, open it on your tenth anniversary and celebrate your success. Then put another bottle of wine in the box and repeat your successes every five years.
As we bring this ceremony to a close, I will leave you with this Apache blessing:
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness for you. Now there is no more loneliness.
Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
For as much as Kevin and Kristen have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this assembly, and have pledged their faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they are husband and wife.
Kevin, you may now kiss your bride.
Who presents this woman to be married to this man?
(Father responds then leaves)
All significant experiences are of concern to our fellow men and women. Two people in love do not live in isolation from humanity. So it is that the institution of marriage is ordained as a public recognition of the private experience of love and as a sanctification of both parties to a greater purpose. This ceremony also touches friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to this relationship... and let us not forget those who have left this earthly plane, for they too, have been and will continue to be a part of these two lives. At this time we shall take a moment to acknowledge the love, support, and blessings of all those who could not be with us here today. We honor those who we feel are here in spirit and celebrate with them as well.
And now Sarah will read a letter written by Mark Twain to Olivia Langdon Clemens on their wedding day:
This will be the mightiest day in the history of our lives, the holiest, and the most generous toward us both--for it makes two fractional lives a whole; it gives two purposeless lives a work, and doubles the strength of each whereby to perform it; it gives two questioning natures a reason for living, and something to live for; it will give a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, a new mystery to life; and it will give a new revelation to love, a new depth to sorrow, a new impulse to worship. On this day the scales will fall from our eyes and we shall look upon a new world.
Please face each other and hold hands
Kevin, will you have Kristen to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, so long as you both shall live?
Kevin: I will
Kristen, will you have Kevin to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy state of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, and forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, so long as you both shall live?
Kristen: I will
Kevin, please repeat after me
I, Kevin, take you, Kristen, to be my 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, to love and to cherish till death do us part. And hereto I give you my love,
Kristen, please repeat after me
I, Kristen, take you Kevin, to be my 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, to love and to cherish till death do us part. And hereto I give you my love,
Now that you have made your marriage vows, I ask that you make a Vow of Remembrance.
Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they aren't going to be around forever.
Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart.
Remember to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there ever again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
What token of devotion do you offer? (Take the rings)
The ring is an ancient symbol of the wedding vows. It is a never-ending circle, just as your two lives are now joined in an unbroken circle of love. The ancients believed the third finger of the left hand had a vein that went straight to the heart. That is the finger upon which you will place the ring. Wherever you go, may you return to one another in your togetherness. May you find in each other the love for which all men and women yearn. May you grow in understanding and compassion. May your home be a sanctuary for you and a place of sharing with your friends. May these rings symbolize your commitment to each other and your never ending love.
(Hand ring to Kevin)
Kevin, place this ring on Kristen’s finger and repeat after me... I give you this ring as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of our unity.
(Hand ring to Kristen)
Kristen, place this ring on Kevin’s finger and repeat after me... I give you this ring as a pledge of my love and as a symbol of our unity.
(Bring out the box)
The box on the table to my left has been created by Kristen and Kevin. In it they have placed a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. Earlier this month, each of them took a break from the flurry of wedding planning activities to sit down in a quiet room alone and think about why they are getting married. Then, they each wrote a letter to the other to express their thoughts, feelings and all the things they love about the person they are promising to spend the rest of their lives with.
Kevin and Kristen, please take your letters, seal them, and place them in the box now.
(Interlude - Kevin and Kristen walk to the table, each pick up their letter, lick the envelope to seal, and then place in box. Kevin and Kristen return to their places.)
At the reception later today, this box will be placed on the guest book table along with some notecards… and we ask you, friends and family, to take a couple minutes to write some words of encouragement to them, and put those in the box as well. The box will then be closed and kept in a safe place.
All marriages have periods of difficulty. If the difficulties seem insurmountable and there comes a time when the marriage seems doomed, it’s time to stop, bring out the box, open it together, drink the wine, go off separately to read the note your spouse wrote and remember your wedding day. After reading separately, come back together and read the notes written by your families and friends. Hopefully, this box will give your marriage another chance… and if you don’t need to use it within the first ten years, open it on your tenth anniversary and celebrate your success. Then put another bottle of wine in the box and repeat your successes every five years.
As we bring this ceremony to a close, I will leave you with this Apache blessing:
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness for you. Now there is no more loneliness.
Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you.
Go now to your dwelling place, to enter into the days of your togetherness.
And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
For as much as Kevin and Kristen have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this assembly, and have pledged their faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings; I pronounce that they are husband and wife.
Kevin, you may now kiss your bride.