Sample Weddings

Spiritual But Not Religious
Unitarian Universalist
Non-denominational Christian
Contemporary Jewish
Multiple Elements
African American
A Celtic Flavor
On The Beach
Civil / Secular
New Year's Theme
Commitment Service
Build a Beach Wedding
If I Had it to Do Over

Ceremony One

ORDER OF SERVICE

• Opening Words
• Presentation of the Bride (extensive)
• Reading: On Love by Thomas Kempis
• Affirmation of Marriage
• Exchange of Vows
• Exchange of Rings
• Vessel and Rose Ritual
• Marriage Blessing
• Declaration of Marriage

OPENING WORDS

We gather at this hour to joyfully witness the union of ____ and ____. Today they publicly pledge themselves to one another in the presence of those who have vowed to bless and support their marriage in the coming days, months and years.

We welcome you, who have been special in this couple‘s lives. By witnessing their marriage ceremony today, ______ and _____ ask you to share in their future. Marriage is a promise, made in the hearts of two people who love each other, which takes a lifetime to fulfill. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships.

Today they create a new circle of love dependent upon the foundations they each bring to this union.

Presentation of the Bride

Do those who have nurtured and raised this man and this woman, bless this marriage, pledge to support them through good times and bad, and present this couple to be joined in sacred matrimony?

Bride and Groom’s parents/family respond, “We do.“

Do those who have presented themselves at this hour of commitment, through familial ties and bonds of friendship, bless this marriage and pledge to support _____ and ____ in good times and bad.

Guests respond, “We do.”

Do you, ____ and _____ come to your marriage reverently, advisedly, sincerely and soberly?

Bride and Groom respond, “We do.”


READING

And now, ________, will read “On Love” by Thomas Kempis

Love is a mighty power,
a great and complete good.
Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth.
It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders
all bitterness sweet and acceptable.

Nothing is sweeter than love,
Nothing stronger,
Nothing higher,
Nothing wider,
Nothing more pleasant,
Nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth; for love is born of God.

Love flies, runs and leaps for joy.
It is free and unrestrained.
Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds.
Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil,
attempts things beyond its strength.

Love sees nothing as impossible,
for it feels able to achieve all things.
It is strange and effective,
while those who lack love faint and fail.

Love is not fickle and sentimental,
nor is it intent on vanities.
Like a living flame and a burning torch,
it surges upward and surely surmounts every obstacle.


Affirmation of Marriage

_____ and ______ , it is our great pleasure to bear witness to the covenant you make with one another. Our hopes and dreams align with yours and convey upon you the blessings for a long and happy marriage.

_____ and ____, one of the greatest surprises of marriage is how much it strengthens you as an individual. Although you will each change over the years, a healthy union will find you even more committed then you are at this moment despite the inevitable changes.
Embrace these changes and celebrate the contributions this growth makes to your marriage.

______ and ____, your family and friends witness your vows. And your officiant solemnizes your vows. But the sacrament of marriage is formalized exclusively by the mutual exchange of pledges between you. Only you can breathe life into these words and transform them into a meaningful union of heart, body and soul.


EXCHANGE OF VOWS

______ and _____ please turn to one another and look in each other’s eyes as you repeat after me.


You, ______, are the love of my life,
my reason for living,
the inspiration I have always sought.
I pledge my undying dedication to you
for the rest of my life.
I love you with all of my heart and soul
and know that as long as you are next to me
I give my life to you
to ensure your happiness and well being.
I, _____, take your hand and hold you to be, my wife/husband.
I vow to look upon you forever
with dedication, understanding, and unconditional love.


EXCHANGE OF RINGS

Do we have the rings?

Bless these rings, symbols of eternity and forgiveness. A reminder that love is never ending, but instead can be renewed at any time and place of our choosing. May these rings grace the loving hands of _____ and _____ with a joyful and nurturing presence, symbolic of the eternal love and faithfulness they pledge to one another.

Please repeat after me as you place the ring on ____’s finger.

_______, this ring has no end or beginning,
it signifies the continuation of true love.
As I place it on your finger
with a pledge of love and faithfulness,
I give you all that I am and ever hope to be.


VESSEL AND ROSE RITUAL

_____ and _____ have chosen to share two symbolic gifts, The Marriage Vessel and the Rose, to symbolize their life-long commitment to one another.

The spiritual roots of this ceremony grow out of an understanding of creation, one gift (presenting the vessel) crafted lovingly by human hands, the other (holding up the rose) brought forth by the glories of nature.

This vessel is a symbol of love's strength and endurance. The miracle of the vessel is that it not only protects, but is enriched and ennobled by that which it holds.

Likewise, the rose born of the tiniest of seeds, symbolizes both the beauty and the potential of love that blooms and grows through time. Both the vessel and the rose are individually unique, yet when combined, they create an object of even greater beauty.

The groom presents the vessel to the bride and says:
“_______, this vessel represents the strength I see in you. I thank you for the person you are and the person I am becoming because of your love for me.”

The bride presents the rose to the groom:
“________, this rose represents the beauty I see in you. I thank you for the love and care you have given me and for all we will share together in this life.”

Groom then places the rose in the vessel, they hold it together and say:

“As our gifts bring beauty and purpose to each other may our lives continue to enrich and strengthen one another.”

[Officiant]

_____ and ______, as you share each passing day and as your days become years remember this tradition you have created. On each wedding anniversary, place an additional rose in your marriage vessel to demonstrate your ever growing love for one another. May this gift always be a visual symbol of the beauty and strength you bring to your life together.

BLESSING

Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity.
May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding
as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess.
May you need one another, as a sign of strength.
May you hunger for one another, as a sign of fulfillment.
May you enchant one another, as a sign of harmony.
May you embrace one another, as a sign of unity.
May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence.
May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all.



DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

______________ and _________________, you have pledged your faith and declared your unity with the exchange of vows and the giving and receiving of rings. As you are now joined together in mutual esteem and devotion, it is my joy and privilege, as a duly ordained minister in the state of Florida, to pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.

 

Ceremony Two

• Presentation of the Bride
• Opening Words
• Reading: Why Marriage?
• Admonition to Couple
• Exchange of Vows
• Exchange of Rings
• Wine Ceremony
• Marriage Blessing
• Declaration of Marriage

QUESTION OF INTENT: 

Minister: Who presents this couple to be married?

Parents of the Bride and Groom: “We do.”

or

Bride and Groom: "We present ourselves freely and unreservedly."

OPENING WORDS: 

We are gathered here before friends, family and community to honor and acknowledge the relationship you wish to formally declare to all whom you encounter. Even though you join one another in unity today, your individuality must never be lost but celebrated. As you seek to enter this public declaration of your love, strive to make real the ideals conveying meaning to this ceremony. The pledges made this day strengthen your union. They will cross years and touch the lives of many people, helping them develop a true sense of love and commitment. 

READING: 

Why Marriage?
By: Mari Nichols-Haining

Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person,
With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...

Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me,
Who won't hold them against me,
Who loves me when I'm unlikable,
Who sees the small child in me, and
Who looks for the divine potential of me...

Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night
With someone who thanks God for me,
With someone I feel blessed to hold...

Because marriage means opportunity
To grow in love in friendship...
Because marriage is a discipline
To be added to a list of achievements...

Because marriages do not fail, people fail
When they enter into marriage
Expecting another to make them whole...

Because, knowing this,
I promise myself to take full responsibility
For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness
I create me,
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage
Together we create our marriage...

Because with this understanding

The possibilities are endless.

Affirmation of Marriage:

Love is the highest testament to the worth and dignity of humankind. It reduces selfishness, deepens our personalities, and makes life more meaningful. By it’s very nature it inspires us to give of ourselves and to share the joy of what is given to us. Such love calls forth the best qualities in each of you.

Marriage is a public proclamation of the precious values and warmth arising from human companionship and love. Therefore, it is not to be entered into lightly, but with certainty, with respect; and with a sense of reverence which certainly includes acknowledgment of its beauty, humor and joy as well as its gravity.

Our celebration today is the outward expression of a sacred internal commitment. Such a union can only be created by loving purpose, maintained by abiding will and renewed by human feelings, intentions and actions.

EXCHANGE OF VOWS: 

____________ and _____________ please turn towards one another and look into each other’s eyes as I ask you to pledge your intentions. (Bride then Groom), please repeat after me. 

(Name), you have filled my life with meaning.

You have made me so happy

and I am blessed you accept me as I am;

loving me, and bringing me into your heart.

I promise to always love you,

respect you as an individual,

and be faithful forever.

Today I commit myself to our union,

now and forever.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS: 

The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity as a circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe, of wholeness and perfection, and peace and love. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond uniting two hearts in endless love.

(Bride / Groom) please repeat after me as you place the ring on your beloved's hand.

(Name), this ring I give to you 

as a token of my love and devotion. 

I pledge to you all that I am 

and all that I will ever be 

as your (husband / wife). 

With this ring, 

I proudly marry you 

and join my life to yours.

WINE CEREMONY: * 

It is the goal of marriage to achieve a blending of hearts and lives—but let there be spaces in your new life together, so that each may encourage and nurture the individual growth of the other. Even so, your separate lives will become on life; your separate homes, one home; your separate fortunes, one fortune. 

(Pick up the goblet of bitter wine.) 

When hardship and sorrow and disappointment come, of which this bitter wine is a token, may you car enough to help one another with courage and compassion, neither one blaming the other for folly or failure, or regretting the obligation of marriage to share and bear together the chances and changes of a life deeply lived. 

(Pass goblet to one who drinks and passes it to the other who drinks and passes it back to the minister. Return goblet to the table and pick up goblet of sweet wine.) 

But life offers us a great many bright and happy experiences, of which this sweet wine is a token. As you drink it together, may it serve as a symbol of the joy that comes with loving and sharing. May your happiness be tempered with gratitude and modesty and bountiful sympathy for those who are less fortunate. 

(Goblet is passed as above.)

BLESSING:

Bless this marriage, as ____________ and ______________ begin their journey through life together. May your home be filled with laughter and warm embraces. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, within your union. Cleave to one another that you may always feel what you have is more than enough.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE: 

What love has united, let no one divide. ____________ and ____________ , you have told me and your loved ones gathered here of your intent to join in marriage, solemnized by your vows and the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, with great joy and by the authority vested in me as a Minister in the state of Florida I pronounce you husband and wife. 

* The wine ceremony is adapted from the Handbook of Religious Services from the Church of the Larger Fellowship.