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Presentation of the Bride
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Opening Words
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Reading: Fidelity by DH Lawrence
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Musical Interlude: Màiri
Bhàn ̉g
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Admonition
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Exchange of Vows
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Blessing of the Rings
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Exchange of Rings
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Handfasting
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Marriage Blessing
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Declaration of Marriage
Presentation of the Bride
Who brings this woman to her wedding
this day?
Opening Words
We are here today to celebrate love the love between _______ and
______. It is a love spoken of in all places in all times,
which kindles our souls with hope and fills our lives with meaning
and purpose.
___________ and __________ have opened their hearts to one another,
and today will exchange their vows of sacred matrimony.
We are blessed as they open their hearts to us as well, inviting us
to witness and share in this glorious moment. They bring the
fullness
of their being as a treasure to share with one another. Their
marriage is being entered intoreverently, with the recognition of a
true and
faithful union. For what greater joy is there for two human souls
than to join together to strengthen each other in all their
endeavors.
Reading: Fidelity by DH Lawrence
Man and woman are like the earth, that brings forth flowers in
summer, and love, but underneath is rock. Older than flowers, older
than
ferns, ... altogether is the soul underneath. And when, throughout
all the wild chaos of love slowly a gem forms, in the ancient,
once-more-molten rocks of two human hearts, two ancient rocks, a
man's heart and a woman's, that is the crystal of peace, the slow
hard
jewel of trust, the sapphire of fidelity. The gem of mutual peace
emerging from the wild chaos of love.
Musical Interlude: 
Màiri Bhàn ̉g
Affirmation of Marriage
__________ and __________, make the meaning of the vows you are
about to share with one another deepen as the years pass
and seek to discover the endless possibilities of this life
together. Your love and your union must endure through daily
routine, but
flower in both adversity and joy. Throughout your marriage, embrace
your passion, revel in your companionship and cherish your
intimacy.
_________ and __________ give to one another new experiences of joy.
Challenge one another so that you may grow.
Never take each other for granted, but truly experience he wonder of
your union. Be slow to anger, quick to forgive, leaving no traces
of resentment behind each day. Be a source of strength and
inspiration to yourselves, your families, your friends, and to all
whose lives
you
touch. Love is stronger than your conflicts and grander than life's
changes. It is a gift always inviting you to learn and to grow. It
is
to
love that you must always return.
Exchange of Vows
These vows have been translated from the ancient Brehon law. To the
Celts and early Irish Christians, these vows symbolized what
an ideal marriage should be: a marriage of love and respect between
equals.
______ and ________ please turn to one
another and join hands as you exchange your marriage vows.
_____, please look into ____'s eyes as you repeat after me.
You cannot possess me, for I belong to myself.
But while we both wish it,
I give you that which is mine to give.
You cannot command me, for I am a free person,
but I shall serve you in those ways you require
and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.
I pledge to you that yours will be the name
I cry aloud in the night,
and the eyes into which I smile in the morning.
I pledge to you the first bite from my bread
and the first drink from my cup.
I pledge to you my living and my dying,
each equally in your care.
I shall be a shield for your back, and you for mine.
I shall not slander you, nor you me.
I shall honour you above all others,
and when we quarrel, we shall do so in private
and tell no strangers our grievances.
This is my wedding vow to you.
This is a marriage of equals.
Blessing of the Rings
Do we have the rings?
Bless this precious circle of gold. Symbol of the sun and the earth
and the universe, of wholeness, perfection, peace and love.
Because this ring has no end or beginning, it signifies the
continuation of true love. May these rings be a symbol of the
promises
you have made to one another and a reminder of your mutual
devotion—a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful, and endless.
_____ and _____ have chosen Claddagh rings to exchange with one
another. Born from legend in the small village of Claddagh
outside the ancient walled city of Galway, the ring features two
hands clasping a heart, and surmounted by a crown. These symbols
correspond to the qualities of love, friendship, and loyalty.
Exchange of Rings
Please repeat after me as you look into one another's eyes and place
the ring on your beloved's finger.
"With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my
love."
Handfasting
In times past, it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief which assigned virtues to
the cardinal directions: East, South, West, and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this handfasting ceremony.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East, the symbol of Air. The intertwining of the heart, mind, and body. Fresh beginnings with the
rising of each Sun, and the knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences. Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South, the
symbol of fire. The warmth of hearth and home, the heat of the heart's passion, and the light created by both to lighten the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West, the symbol of water. The deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river,
the refreshing cleansing of the rain, and the all encompassing passion of the sea. Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North, the symbol
of Earth. The firm foundation on which to build a stable home to which you may always return, and the steadfastness you give to one another.
Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions encompasses those things which will help you build a happy and successful union.
Look into each others eyes and join your hands.
Officiant drapes the cord and fastens a loose knot.
Woven into this cord, within its very fibers, are all your hopes and dreams. With the fastening of this knot I secure the love and happiness
wished here on this day for your new life together. May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May the
pledges you have made never grow bitter in your hearts. Two entwined in love, bound by all which brings strength to this union. Hold tight
to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows. The knots of this binding are not formed by these
chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making or breaking
of this union. May that which has been united before this company be not rent by another.
Marriage
Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
And may the hand of a friend always be near.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
May you see your children's children.
May you be poor in misfortune,
Rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness
From this day forward.
Declaration of Marriage
_________ and __________, as you have exchanged vows of love in our
presence, pledged your faith and declared your unity by
each giving and receiving a ring, and, as you are now joined
together in mutual esteem and devotion, it is my joy and privilege
as an
ordained minister in the state of Florida to pronounce you joined in
holy matrimony. Please seal your marriage with a kiss. |
A Celtic Flavour
