Wedding Ceremony
I. Processional
Parents and Grandparents
Reverend, Groom, and Grooms
Party
Bridesmaids
Bride
II. Invocation
Let us pray
Vouchsafe thine aid, almighty Father of the Universe, to this, our
present convention, and grant that these candidates for Marriage may dedicate
and devote their lives to each other. Endue them with a compentency
of thy Divine wisdom, that, by their
III. Introduction
Friends, family, loved ones,
we are gathered here today to witness the Union of Groom and Bride in the bond
of Holy Matrimony. True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of
two persons. In its right relation, it's the uniting of two souls already
attuned to each other. When such a true bond already exists between a man and a
woman, it is fitting that an outer acknowledgment be made. This acknowledgment
is the prime objective of this gathering and this ceremony. We are here to bear
witness to the entry into the closer relationship of husband and wife of these beloved
friends who are already one in spirit.
IV. Giving of the Bride
Rev : Who gives this woman to be married?
Father: Her Mother and I do.
(Groom takes brides arm)
V. Reading
I would like to read a
passage From The Treasured Writings of Kahlil Gibran
Of Marriage:
HERE LOVE BEGINS to render
the prose of Life into hymns and canticles of praise, with music that is set by
night, to be sung in the day. Here
Love’s longing draws back the veil, and illumines the recesses of the heart,
creating a happiness that no other happiness can surpass but that of the Soul
when she embraces God.
Marriage is the union of two
divinities that a third might be born on earth.
It is the union of two souls in a strong love for the abolishment of
separateness. It is that higher unity
which fuses the separate unities within the two spirits. It is the golden ring in a chain whose
beginning is a glance, and whose ending is Eternity. It is the pure rain that falls from an
unblemished sky to fructify and bless the fields of divine Nature.
As the first glance from the
eyes of the beloved is like a seed sown in the human heart, and the first kiss
is like a flower upon the branch of the Tree of Life, so is the union of two
lovers in marriage is like the first fruit of the first flower of that seed.
VI. Declaration
(The Rev. motions
the two people to be handfasted to join him before
the altar.)
(Couple faces the altar.)
Rev: Do you, Bride join us
here of your own free will and accord, to acknowledge before all present the
bond that is shared between yourself and Groom?
Bride: Yes.
Rev: Do you, Groom join us
here of your own free will and accord, to acknowledge before all present the
bond that is shared between yourself and Bride?
Groom: Yes.
(Couple turns to face each
other and join hands.)
VII. Vows
Groom, repeat after me:
I Groom, take you, Bride, to
be my wife, secure in the knowledge that you will be my friend, my faithful
partner in life, and my one true love. I
promise to love you, to laugh and cry with you, to grow with you in mind and
spirit, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.
Bride, repeat after me:
I Bride,
take you, Groom, to be my husband, secure in the knowledge that you will be my
friend, my faithful partner in life, and my one true love. I promise to love you, to laugh and cry with
you, to grow with you in mind and spirit, and to cherish you for as long as we
both shall live.
Here before these witnesses
Groom and Bride have sworn vows to each other. With this cord I bind them to
the vows they each have made.
(Wraps cord loosely around
couple's arms)
However, this binding is not
tied, so that neither is restricted by the other, and the binding is only
enforced by both their wills.
VIII. Rings
May I have the rings?
The wedding ring is the
outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond, which unites two
loyal hearts in endless love. The wedding ring is the most significant ring a
person can wear in this day and time. By its shape, it is a symbol of the never
ending commitment you are about to enter.
As the ring is a circle designed without end, it speaks of eternity.
Above all the wedding ring
denotes purity, loyalty, and spiritual grace. It is made of the purest metal to
speak of the purity of the marriage and is made in a circle to note the
never-ending commitment you are about to enter.
Groom, repeat after me :
This ring I give in token
and pledge as a symbol of my love and devotion.
With this ring I thee wed.
(Place ring on Bride's
finger)
Bride, repeat after me :
This ring I give in token
and pledge as a symbol of my love and devotion.
With this ring I thee wed.
(Place ring on Groom's
finger)
IX. Closing
These two lives are now
joined in one unbroken circle. Wherever they go, may they always return to one
another in their togetherness. May these two find in
each other, the love for which all men and women long.
May they grow in understanding and in compassion. May
their home be such a place of sanctuary that man will
there find a friend. And may these two
rings symbolize the spirit of undying love in the hearts of both of them. In the name of God and the State of
I now present to you Mr. and
Mrs. _________________.