Basic Wedding Ceremony
Introduction
Friends and family: welcome and thank you for being here on this important day. We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between ___________ and ______________, by joining them in marriage.
This is an opportunity for us to share not only in the joy of love but also to reaffirm and appreciate the love and the friendship we experience in our own lives. May we all celebrate by being fully present during our short time together.
Opening Blessing
May every desire you have for your love be fulfilled, and may you be given the vision with which to clearly behold one another, the listening with which to perceive one another most genuinely, and the endless generosity of spirit with which to nourish one another and sweetly keep the promises you make here today.
Optional prayers or readings by wedding participants
Charge to the Couple by the Minister
__________ and ______ by coming here today, you have now taken the initial step in what hopefully will be a wonderful and lasting life together. Marriage is a conscious act of will. A marital commitment includes the willingness to be open and vulnerable and having the courage to take risks. Your commitment today is to accept the challenges of establishing and nurturing the intimacy of your conscious partnership.
Marriage is going to expand you as individuals, define you as a couple, and deepen your love for one another. With this wedding, you will be brought together as one, yet you are still two separate entities with unique ideas, talents and ways of being. Respect and value those differences, and your relationship will flourish.
For a marriage to be successful, you must each be loyal to the other, stand firm in your defense of each other and be supportive of one another’s life goals and dreams. A good marriage is one that fosters respect, a devoted love, and a willingness to compromise with each other. In addition, you will need strength, courage, patience and a really good sense of humor. These are the foundation blocks of a strong marriage.
Statement of Intent to Marry
___________ and ____________, your marriage today is the public and legal joining of your lives that have already been united as one in your hearts.
Do you _______, welcome _________ as your wife/spouse/partner, offering him/her your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, as together you create your future? I do
Do you _______, welcome _________ as your husband/spouse/partner, offering him/her your love and encouragement, your trust and respect, as together you create your future? I do
Optional personal vows made by each partner
Exchange of Rings
Marriage is a state in which two people come together and create a union that is greater than the sum of it’s parts. Since the beginning of time, the ring has been an emblem of the sincerity and permanence of a couple’s love for one another and regard for their marriage. As the circle can begin anew at any point, so a good marriage can pick any point to renew itself. These rings are a symbol of your commitment.
As you place this ring on _______’s finger, please repeat after me:
I give you this ring
as a reminder that I will
Love, honor and cherish you
In all times
And in all places
I ask you to wear this ring
As a sign to the world
That you are my wife/partner/spouse
As you place this ring on _______ finger, please repeat after me:
I give you this ring
as a reminder that I will
Love, honor and cherish you
In all times
And in all places
I ask you to wear this ring
As a sign to the world
That you are my husband/partner/spouse
Pronouncement
Today _________ and _________ have declared before all of us that they shall be together in marriage. They have vowed to be loyal and loving towards each other. They have formalized the existence of the bond between them with words spoken and with the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore it is my pleasure to now pronounce them husband and wife / married. You may now kiss.
Benediction
May _________ and _____________, be, to each other, a blessing and comfort, sharer of joys and consoler of sorrows. May they, trusting in the strength of their union, face life unafraid, supporting and encouraging each other in whatever they set out to achieve. May the inspiration of this ceremony not be forgotten. May ______ and __________ dream big dreams, love like there is no tomorrow and become the best people they know how to be.
Thank you all for joining __________ and __________ here to witness their marriage today.
Joanna Scaparotti | RMT & Ordained Minister | 617-429-1793 | joannascaparotti@gmail.com