Civil Wedding Ceremony 3
Good evening, we are gathered here today not to witness the beginning of what will be, but rather what already is. We are here to celebrate with ______ and ______ and their friends and families the wondrous and joyful occurrence that
has already taken place in their lives.
GIVING OF THE BRIDE
( Bride escorted forward)
Who is it that brings this woman to this man?
(The father, children, relative etc. may give the bride away. He/they answer "I do", this person then steps back and the groom takes the bride's hand.)
______ and _______, I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today. Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage - as they do to every relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
THANK PARENT(s) OPTION
Bride: Before we say our vows, we want to thank our parents for all that they have done for us.
Groom: We learned how to love because we were raised in loving homes.
Bride: We feel secure and confident in our love because our parents allowed us to be
independent. They are the wind beneath our wings.
Groom: They have shown us, by example, what a happy marriage can be.
Bride: Thanks, Mom and Dad
Groom: Thanks, Mom and Dad
VOWS
Please face each other and join hands (if the bride has flowers, she can hand them to the maid of honor or other person)
(Groom) ______, do you take _______ to be your Wife? ("I do")
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore? ("I do")
(Bride) ______, do you take _______ to be your Husband? ("I do")
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore?" (“I do”)
CHILDREN OF PREVIOUS MARRIAGE
Not only is this a ceremony between husband and wife, but also the joining of
father and daughter. ____ and _____ over the past four years you have had the
opportunity to know each other, love each other, and accept each other as your
own.
(Parent to Child or Children)
"I give you this bracelet as a symbol of my love. I will love you and take you
as my own for as long as I shall live."
REPEATED VOWS
(rings will be exchanged )
(______ and ______ you will please repeat after me :)
(Groom) I ______, take thee, _______ to be my Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow and I promise my love to you.
Rings are exchanged - ("I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. With it I wed you, and give you my body, soul, and heart."
(Bride) I ______, take thee ______, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you.
Rings are exchanged - ("I give you this ring as a symbol of my love. With it I wed you, and give you my body, soul, and heart.")
A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe, of wholeness and perfection, and peace and love. The ring is worn on the third finger, because of an ancient Greek belief that a vein from that finger went directly to the heart. These rings mark the beginning of a large journey together. Wear them proudly for they are symbols which speak of the love that you have of each other.
______ and _______ as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another; I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another. Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
Just as two threads woven in opposite directions will form a most beautiful tapestry, so too can your two lives merged together make a beautiful marriage. To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.
_____ and ______, In as much as you have consented together in this ceremony to live in wedlock and have sealed your vows in the presence of this company and by the giving of these rings, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce that you are husband and wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss.
"I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. __________. "
I will make whatever announcements you like, at this time.
