I am having a judge marry us so am writing my own ceremony. I don't want a quick ceremony, but I don't want to have to stand there for 45 minutes. I'd like a nice 20minute ceremony, but I don't think I even have 10 minutes! I'm sorry if this is really long to read, but I need help adding some things into it. Could you please look over and see what I could add or if you think there is something missing or not right, please let me know!
Opening words/Welcome/Statement of Purpose
Thank you everyone who is here to share in the celebration of the marriage of Matthew and Jennifer. This celebration marks for them a new state in the process of becoming; of self-realization for each of them. Life is like a tapestry in the process of being woven. Out of this tangled world, where the beauty and patterns of life are often difficult to discern these two have been drawn together by their love for each other. The joining of their lives brings into being a new creation. Henceforth, their lives will be woven in one design. The joys and sorrows, the disappointments and achievements of one will support and be supported by those of the other. The design will not come easily. It must be woven with deep love and great care, and each of them must sacrifice some freedom to the relationship. But the greater freedom which comes with the sharing of love increases the possibilities for variety and richness in the tapestry of life together. Remembrances/Acknowledgements
This will be added if our parents request, or if someone passes away before the wedding.
Reading Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
Charge to the Couple In this ceremony you are dedicating yourselves to give happiness and well-being, each to the other. Your marriage is an act of faith. It must not be based on the vain hope of what the other will do or will not do, might become or might not become. It must be based on the firm belief in your own individual worth and that of the other. Your pledge today is an expression of your devotion. The words spoken in this ceremony will validate your marriage only if your love and commitment to one another are strong enough to sustain it. Affirmation to the Community If anyone has anything to say that might change their minds, they don’t want to hear it. However, they do want to hear from you that you are their village, that you will always be their family, and will always support and encourage them as they discover the commitment and dedication needed to make marriage work. We, as a community, are privileged to witness this special event in the lives of Matthew and Jennifer. A new family is established in our midst, and we are now given the opportunity to indicate our support and affirmation of their decision. I invite you to indicate your support by responding "I do" to the following questions:
Do you commit yourself to providing all the encouragement and support possible to help Matt and Jen in their marriage? If so, answer, "I do."
Guests: I do.
And, do you agree to do all in your power to assist Matt and Jen in the struggles which they are bound to encounter? If so, answer, "I do."
Guests: I do.
And, do you give yourself to the ideal of living out a life of commitment, so Matt and Jen may be inspired by your actions? If so, answer, "I do."
Guests: I do.
Expression of Intent Do you come with joy and anticipation to this moment when you will be legally joined in marriage ? Do you pledge to treat each other with kindness, respect and compassion; to listen to each other and to speak to each other with honesty—always ?
Answer: We do. PLEASE PASS YOUR FLOWERS, TURN AND FACE ONE ANOTHER, AND JOIN HANDS TO EXPRESS YOUR VOWS OF LOVE AND DEVOTION EACH TO THE OTHER. Vows All that I am and all that I have, I give to you. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard. When our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you and to always hold you in highest regard. These things I give to you today, and all the days of our life. I will work to create a bond of honesty, respect, and trust; one that withstands the tides of time and change, and grows along with us. I vow to honor and respect you for all that you are and will become, taking pride in who we are, both separately and together. I promise to challenge you, and to accept challenges from you. I give you my love freely and unconditionally. I pledge this to you from the bottom of my heart, for all the days of our lives. Blessing of the rings As circles have no beginning and no end, rings have naturally come to symbolize eternal love within the union of mind, body, and spirit that constitutes the sanctity of marriage. They are freely offered as gifts of faith and hope as visible signs of the promises given this day. May these rings hold the dreams ____ and ____ share for their union. May the shiny metal mirror the vows made between them, now and forever. Exchange of the rings TAKE THIS RING AND PLACE IT UPON THE THIRD FINGER OF _________ 'S LEFT HAND, AND HOLDING HER HAND IN YOURS, PLEASE REPEAT THIS PROMISE TO YOUR _________, SAYING AFTER ME:
with this ring I marry you and I promise you my eternal love and respect.
Unity Ceremony (Not sure if we want to do any of these) Wine, rose, candle, sand Pronouncement May these two people now married, fulfill the promises which they have made. May they openly give and take from each other, encouraging each other in whatever trials that befall them, sharing in each other’s joys, helping each other as each occasion requires. Having grown to trust themselves and each other, may they not only accept and give love between themselves but also experience love and consideration for others in a community of sharing.
We who are here present, and those who are absent but thinking of Matthew and Jennifer this day, hope that the inspiration of this hour will not be forgotten. By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, I now pronounce them husband and wife. May you continue to love each other through all your days together.
Kiss Benediction/Good wishes By your free choice you have made a marriage. You must nurture each other to fullness and wholeness, renew yourselves in love and laughter, maintain the capacity for wonder, spontaneity, humor, sensitivity, and save time for each other, to love each other more deeply and learn to love more fully the Creation in which the mystery of love happens.
Presentation of the Couple Recessional