Our Ceremony - (The Wedding

Opening:

Friends and Family, we have come here today to celebrate the love that John and Michelle have for each other. We share in their love by giving recognition of their decision to accept each other as husband and wife. This is a special time of celebration that John and Michelle will long remember and because of this they are thankful you are all here to share their joy and happiness. We all live in the hope of loving and being loved, for ourselves and even in spite of our selves. Love is a miraculous gift, and a wedding is a celebration of that magic.

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 man and woman, it is fitting that an outer acknowledgment be made. This acknowledgment is the reason of this gathering here today, and the ceremony you are about to witness. We are here to celebrate the entry into the relationship of husband and wife of these beloved friends who are already one in spirit.

John and Michelle, it is this day you make a giant step of courage, of commitment, to communicate, to love, to understand and grow. When a commitment this strong is made by two people, the force of that commitment, of that love, of that courage, reaches out and touches all of us around you, so that our lives are changed and we share a part of your love. Like a stone dropped in a still pond, the ripples of the love from this celebration extend and changes the world we live in.

John and Michelle,
May all that you are, always be in love,
May all that is love, always be in you,
May your love be as beautiful on each day you share, as it is on this day of celebration.

Giving in Marriage:

[Officiant to the Parents] Who has guided this young woman throughout her life, nurtured her and loved her, cherished her and taught her to soar on her own wings, and who now guides her here today as she comes to join with another in marriage?

[Parents] We do

[Officiant to the Parents] A parent's joy is in their child, and it is with love and joy that they stand beside you on this happy occasion, as two families are made one and a new family is begun. And it is with love that they place your hands together, so that from this day forward, John and Michelle, you will stand together, hand-in-hand.

[Parents & Bride Embrace, Parents place Bride's Hand in Groom's and sit down]

Address:

John and Michelle began their friendship never expecting, or looking, for love in the other. Yet from the first bonds of friendship, love sprang and blossomed. It was here, in this magical place, that they first pledged their desire to wed to each other. And so we are gathered here, in this place of their first vows, as they take the vows that will make them man and wife. To this moment they bring the fullness of their hearts as a treasure to share with one another. They bring their dreams which bind them together. Here in the happiest place on earth, the happiest day of their lives will begin.

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. Marriage is not only a commitment between lovers, it is also an agreement between two friends. A good marriage must be created. The little things are the important things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the years. It is standing together, facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

Marriage is a daily challenge that must be met with patience, tenderness, and admiration. Only love makes a marriage easy, and perfect love makes it a joy. Love takes time. It needs a history of giving and receiving, laughing and crying. It never promises instant gratification, only fulfillment. Fulfillment in a marriage is not found in achievement, in possessions, or in the fast track of success, but in the simple routines of shared affection and common life together. Love is believing in each other. It is being attentive, caring, and nurturing, truly it belongs only to those who can reach beyond themselves, to whom giving is more important than receiving.

Real love, John and Michelle, is something beyond the warmth and glow, the excitement and romance of being deeply in love. It is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as about your own. Real love is not total absorption into each other, it is looking outward in the same direction together. Love makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share. It makes you stronger, so you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone. You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have truly lived are the moments when you have done things in the spirit of love. When we love, we see things other people do not see. We see beneath the surface, to the qualities which make our beloved special and unique. To see with loving eyes, is to know inner beauty. And to be loved is to be seen, and known, as we are known to no other. One who love us, gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us.

This service is not magic. It will not create a relationship that does not already exist. It is time for tying a knot in the rope of days and saying, "We will not slip backwards from here, but will go forward together." It is a time for one thing of which they are certain, their love for one another and their desire for that love to last forever.

Love one another and you will be happy. It is as simple and as difficult as that.

Consent

John and Michelle, nothing is easier than saying words and nothing is harder than living them day after day. What you promise today, must be renewed and decided again tomorrow, and tomorrow after that and the tomorrow after that.

John, do you take Michelle, to be your lawful wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and protect her? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep her in sickness and in sorrow and to be faithful to her evermore?

[John] I do.

Michelle, do you take John, to be your lawful wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and protect him? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep him in sickness and in sorrow and to be faithful to him evermore?

[Michelle] I do.

Vows

John says his vow to Michelle.
Michelle says her vow to John.

Blessing of the Hands

Michelle, please face John, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your Best friend. Young and strong, and shaking with love, for they are holding yours, today, on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life. These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, and as you share your secrets and dreams. These are the hands that you will place against your stomach with expectant joy as he feels his first child stir within you. These are the hands that look so large and strong, yet will be so gentle as he holds that child for the first time. These are the hands that will work long hours for you and your family. These are the hands that will love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of love. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, whether tears of joy or sorrow. These are the hands that will comfort you in labor, in illness, in joy, and hold you when fear or grief consume your mind. These are the hands that will be teacher to all of your children and the hands that will hold each new child and love them and protect them. These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

John, please hold Michelle's hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your Best Friend, young and carefree, that are holding yours, today, on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life. These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurt, always supporting and encouraging them along the way, and then knowing when it's time to let go. These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck after you've had a long hard day and the stresses of life have overcome you. These are the hands that will hold you tight and support you as you struggle through difficult times. These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick and console you when you are grieving. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness. These are the hands that will hold you in joy, excitement and hope each time she tells you that together you have created a new life. These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams.

Together as a team, everything you wish for can be realized. May these hands always be held by one another. May they have the strength to hold on during the storms of every day life. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love.

Exchange of the Rings

May I have the rings? [Best Man hands the rings to the Officiant]

The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in endless love. By its shape, it is a symbol of the undying love that exists between you. 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.

[John] With this ring, I pledge to you, all that I am, all that we are. With this ring, I thee wed.

[Michelle] With this ring, I pledge to you, all that I am, all that we are. With this ring, I thee wed.

Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth.

Lighting of the Unity Candle

And now, let us participate in another symbolic act. Life is full of many such actions that speak to us of a deeper meaning that we cannot always put into words. You have used ancient symbols in this wedding service—the exchange of rings, the clasping of hands, the bearing of flowers. By such things you act instead of speak in regard to your promises. Now each of you will take a candle. And together you will light one larger candle. May the blessing of light, be with you always, light without and light within. And may the sun shine upon you and warm your heart until it glows like a great fire so that others may feel the warmth of your love for one another.

Presentation of the Roses

Your gift to each other for your wedding today has been your wedding rings - which shall always be an outward demonstration of your vows of love and respect; and a public showing of your commitment to each other. You now have what remains the most honorable title which may exist between a man and a woman - the title of "husband" and "wife." For your first gift as husband and wife, that gift will be a single rose. In the past, the rose was considered a symbol of love and a single rose always meant only one thing - it meant the words "I love you." So it is appropriate that for your first gift - as husband and wife - that gift would be a single rose.

Please exchange your first gift as husband and wife. In some ways it seems like you have not done anything at all. Just a moment ago you were holding one small rose - and now you are holding one small rose. In some ways, a marriage ceremony is like this. In some ways, tomorrow is going to seem no different than yesterday. But in fact today, just now, you both have given and received one of the most valuable and precious gifts of life - one I hope you always remember - the gift of true and abiding love within the devotion of marriage. John and Michelle, I would ask that where ever you make your home in the future - whether it be a large and elegant home - or a small and graceful one - that you both pick one very special location for roses; so that on each anniversary of this truly wonderful occasion you both may take a rose to that spot both as a recommitment to your marriage - and a recommitment that THIS will be a marriage based upon love.

In every marriage there are times where it is difficult to find the right words. It is easiest to hurt who we most love. It is easiest to be most hurt by who we most love. It might be difficult some time to words to say "I am sorry" or "I forgive you"; "I need you" or "I am hurting". If this should happen, if you simply can not find these words, leave a rose at that spot which both of you have selected - for that rose than says what matters most of all and should overpower all other things and all other words. That rose says the words: "I still love you." The other should accept this rose for the words which can not be found, and remember the love and hope that you both share today.

John and Michelle, if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, it is that it was love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and it is by love which your marriage shall endure.

Just as it is appropriate for John and Michelle to declare their love for each other in the gift of a rose, they also wish to show you, their parents, how much they love you with the gift of a rose.

[Roses are presented to the parents]

Final Address

To love is to remember and keep alive forever all those unique qualities that drew you to one another in the beginning.... Those first halting phrase...the thrill of discovery.... That wonderful feeling of oneness when your eyes met.

To love is to constantly search for new ways to bring each other to happiness, to make the most of every moment you share together, and marvel at how your feelings for one another keep rising to new dimensions.

To love is to create an oasis of tranquility for one another and a quiet place, apart from others, where you need not pretend...where you can be yourselves.... And know within your hearts, you will be accepted by one another. To love is to greet each day with anticipation...Always eager for another opportunity to share new adventures...And gather up new memories TOGETHER!

To love is to follow the rainbow through the rain, to be able to laugh at yourselves and be willing to say...."I was wrong, I'm sorry"...To forgive, and more importantly, to FORGET, and to always believe and trust in one another.

To love is to watch with wonder all the miracles of creation, to find beauty in all the simple things of life, and to find, within ourselves, a deeper appreciation and a new awareness of how wonderful it is to be alive...To be happy...To be…TOGETHER.

To love is to come together from the pathways of our past and then move forward...Hand in hand, along the uncharted roads of our future, ready to risk, to dream, and to dare.... And always believe that all things are possible with faith and love.

John and Michelle, having heard your intention to be married, by the power vested in me by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I now pronounce you husband and wife.

John, you may kiss your Bride!