Kendra & Heather: Kendra and Heather want to thank you for sharing with them on this special and joyous day. Those of you who have had the pleasure of spending some time with Kendra and Heather, have seen for yourselves that they possess a very rare and exceptional love. We are here today to celebrate their love and participate in this most wonderful occasion. Who presents Kendra and Heather to be married? Kendra and Heather the relationship that you have nurtured together stands for love that will blossom and grow with each passing day. Before you knew love, you were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is now your destiny. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one. Marriage is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as your own, it is not total absorption into each other; it is looking outward in the same direction together. Marriage makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger, so you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone. To make your relationship succeed will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open and honest with one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both promised today to share together. An intimate and secure relationship is not based solely on promises, but also on trust, respect, faithfulness and the ability to forgive. A lasting marriage is based on all of these, bound together by love. Marriage Means Being In Love for the Rest of Your Life Marriage is love walking hand in hand together. It's laughing with each other about silly little things, and learning to discuss big things with care and tenderness. In marriage, love is trusting each other when you're apart. It's getting over disappointments and hurts, knowing that these are present in all relationships. It's the realization that there is no one else in this world that you’d rather be with than the one you're married to. It's thinking of new things to do together; It's growing old together. Marriage is being in love for the rest of your life. DECLARATION OF INTENT: Kendra and Heather may this be the love that you bring into this relationship and may its essence touch all those with whom you come in contact. Just as the waters touch and nourish the many shores of the earth, may your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. As you come this day to affirm your love and commitment, may you always remember to value each other as special and unique individuals, and that you respect each others thoughts, ideas and feelings. May you be able to forgive and to forget when wronged - as from this day forward you will be each other's home, comfort and sanctuary. Kendra, will you embrace Heather, to be your partner? Do you promise to love, adore, and encourage 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 loyal to her forevermore? [I do] Heather, will you embrace Kendra, to be your partner? Do you promise to love, adore, and encourage 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 loyal to her forevermore? [I do] EXCHANGE OF VOWS: Kendra and Heather the vows that you are about to exchange serve as a verbal representation of the love you have promised to each other. For it is not the words that you speak today which will unite you together as one, but the inner sense of love and commitment that each of you feels within your soul. No other human ties are as tender, no other vows more sacred than those you now assume. Kendra Declare: Heather, you are my companion in life and my one true love. I will treasure our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust and honor you, I will laugh and cry with you. With unfailing love I will stand by you through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. As I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep so long as we both shall live. Heather Declare: Kendra, you are my companion in life and my one true love. I will treasure our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust and honor you, I will laugh and cry with you. With unfailing love I will stand by you through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. As I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep so long as we both shall live. RING CEREMONY PASSAGE: The ring, a circle, is one of nature’s simplest forms. The arc of the rainbow, the halo of the moon and the smallest of raindrops simulate the circle. When a stone is cast upon a pond, it generates waves in ever expanding circles. Consider this marriage as being two stones striking the water simultaneously. The ensuing waves interlock, and the growth of the enlarging circles show the combined energies of the lives of Kendra and Heather. The interlocking of these two lives will be symbolized in the exchange of rings. RING EXCHANGE: Kendra please place this ring on Heather’s ring finger and repeat after me: Heather I give you this ring as I give you myself. It is a circle without end. Such is my love for you. Heather please place this ring on Kendra’s ring finger and repeat after me: Kendra I give you this ring as I give you myself. It is a circle without end. Such is my love for you. CLOSING COMMENTS: Kendra and Heather if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, may it be the love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and by love which your marriage shall endure. Today your separate lives with your individual memories, desires, and hopes merge into one. You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in the entire world whom you love above all others. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust as well. You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities and to share love. May you be a blessing and comfort to each other, sharers of each others dreams, consolers of each others sorrows, helpers to each other in all of life's challenges. May you encourage each other in whatever you set out to achieve. May you trust each other, trust life and be unafraid. May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding. PRONOUNCEMENT: Kendra Lundy and Heather Grantham because you have promised each other your love, devotion and commitment, by the power invested in me by the Solemnization of Marriage Act, I declare you to be legally married partners. KISS: Kendra and Heather you may seal your promises with a kiss. It is my pleasure to present to you the newlyweds Kendra and Heather Grantham.
Love Trust Dedication: Sarah Morgan and Brooke Pisarsky today you celebrate one of life’s greatest moments and give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, as you join together in vows of marriage. If any man can show just cause why Sarah Morgan and Brooke Pisarsky may not be joined in marriage, let him speak now or forever hold his peace. SARAH DECLARE: I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Sarah Morgan may not be joined in Matrimony to Brooke Pisarsky. BROOKE DECLARE: I do solemnly declare that I do not know of any lawful impediment why I, Brooke Pisarsky may not be joined in Matrimony to Sarah Morgan . Sarah Morgan will you take Brooke Pisarsky here present to be your lawful partner, to have and to hold and to be faithful to her from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish so long as you both shall live? Brooke Pisarsky will you take Sarah Morgan here present to be your lawful partner, to have and to hold and to be faithful to her from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish so long as you both shall live? Sarah do you have your ring to give Brooke? This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your life together. Please place it on the third finger of Brooke’s left hand, repeating after me: “With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish thee and this ring shall be a symbol of my love.” Brooke do you have your ring to give Sarah? This ring is a symbol of your marriage and a symbol of your life together. Please place it on the third finger of Sarah’s left hand, repeating after me: “With this ring, I thee wed. I shall love, honour and cherish thee and this ring shall be a symbol of my love.” SARAH DECLARE: I call upon all persons present to witness that I, Sarah Morgan do take thee Brooke Pisarsky to be my lawfully wedded partner. BROOKE DECLARE: I call upon all persons present to witness that I, Brooke Pisarsky do take thee Sarah Morgan to be my lawfully wedded partner. Sarah and Brooke just as two very different threads woven in opposite directions can form a beautiful tapestry, so can your two lives merge together to form a very beautiful marriage. To make your marriage work will take love. Love should be the core of your marriage, love is the reason you are here. But it will also take trust- to know in your hearts you want the best for each other. It will take dedication – to stay open to one another; to learn and to grow together even when this is not always so easy to do. It will take faith – to always be willing to go forward to tomorrow, never really knowing what tomorrow will bring. And it will take commitment – to hold true to the journey you both now pledge to share together. Sarah Morgan and Brooke Pisarsky in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Solemnization of Marriage Act, I hereby pronounce you Sarah Morgan and Brooke Pisarsky to be lawfully wedded partners. Congratulations, you may kiss your partner. In your marriage may you both find the joy and tenderness that comes with true sharing…the freedom to grow both as individuals and as a couple…and the deep contentment of a beautiful and lifelong love. Intro of the Married Couple: Sarah Morgan and Brooke Pisarsky
Sand Blending Ceremony: Jaye and John may your love always be as constant as the never-ending waves, flowing endlessly from the depths of the sea. Just as the waters touch and nourish the many shores of the earth, may your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Just as there will never be a morning without the ocean’s flow, there will never be a day without your love for each other. You have just sealed your relationship by the giving and receiving of rings. This beautiful union is symbolized through the combining of these two individual shells of sand. The first shell represents you Jaye, in all that you were, all that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other shell represents you John, in all that you were, all that you are and all that you will ever be. Each one holds its own unique beauty, strength, and character. They can stand on their own and be whole, without need of anything else. However when these two are blended together they create an entirely new and extraordinarily more intricate entity. Each grain of sand brings to the mixture a lasting beauty that forever enriches the combination. Please pour the sand into this common container to symbolize the union of your two lives. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again into the individual containers, so will your marriage be a molding of two individual personalities, bonded together forming one heart, one love. The life that each of you experienced now, individually, will hereafter be inseparably united, for the two shall become one. The Groom will commence by pouring a portion of the black sand into the central glass vase. The Bride will follow by pouring a portion of the white sand also into the central vase creating a layered effect. To complete the ceremony, the Groom and Bride simultaneously pour the balance of their sand into the central container. To make this process a little easier, create a funnel using decorative paper. Personalize the funnel by including names, date or even poetry that holds a special meaning for the Bride and Groom. (The central vase can be engraved with the Bride and Groom's monogram). The co-mingling of the colored sand represent the joining of the Bride and Groom. Following the wedding, the two outside vases can be used to display fresh flowers while the central vase will remain a cherished keepsake of your wedding day.
Simple Wedding: Jeffrey Simpson and Suzanne Caines, today you celebrate one of life’s greatest moments and give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, as you join together in vows of marriage. If any person can show just cause why Jeffrey Simpson and Suzanne Caines may not be joined in marriage, let him speak now or forever hold his peace. Jeffrey Declare: I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT WHY I, JEFFREY SIMPSON MAY NOT BE JOINED IN MATRIMONY TO SUZANNE CAINES. Suzanne Declare: I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY LAWFUL IMPEDIMENT WHY I, SUZANNE CAINES MAY NOT BE JOINED IN MATRIMONY TO JEFFREY SIMPSON. Jeffrey Simpson, do you take Suzanne Caines to be your wife? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her? < > Suzanne Caines, do you take Jeffrey Simpson to be your husband? Do you promise to love, honour, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him? < > JEFFREY: I, Jeffrey Simpson, take thee Suzanne Caines to be my wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, and I promise my love to you. SUZANNE: I, Suzanne Caines, take thee Jeffrey Simpson to be my husband, to have and to hold in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, and I promise my love to you. JEFFREY DECLARE: I call upon all persons present to witness that I, Jeffrey Simpson do take thee Suzanne Caines to be my lawful wedded wife. SUZANNE DECLARE: I call upon all persons present to witness that I, Suzanne Caines do take thee Jeffrey Simpson to be my lawful wedded husband. Jeffrey Simpson and Suzanne Caines, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Solemnization of Marriage Act, I hereby pronounce you Jeffrey Simpson and Suzanne Caines to be husband and wife. Congratulations, you may kiss your bride. In your marriage may you both find the joy and tenderness that comes with true sharing...the freedom to grow both as individuals and as a couple...and the deep contentment of a beautiful and lifelong love.
Unity Candle Ceremony: Unity Candle Ceremony Marc Greer and Amy Harnish the two lighted candles symbolize your separate lives, your separate families and your separate set of friends. I ask that you each take one candle and that together you light the center candle. The individual candles represent your individual lives before today. Lighting the center candle represents that your two lives are now joined to one light, and represents the joining together of your two families and sets of friends to one.
Wedding Ceremony Options: _____ and ______ want to thank you for sharing with them on this special and joyous day. Those of you who have had the pleasure of spending some time with ______ and ______, have seen for yourselves that they possess a very rare and exceptional love. We are here today to celebrate their love and participate in this most wonderful occasion. Who presents ______ to be married to ______? ______ and ______ the relationship that you have nurtured together stands for love that will blossom and grow with each passing day. Before you knew love, you were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is now your destiny. Marriage is the clasping of hands, the blending of hearts, the union of two lives as one. Marriage is caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner as your own, it is not total absorption into each other; it is looking outward in the same direction together. Marriage makes burdens lighter because you divide them. It makes joys more intense because you share them. It makes you stronger, so you can be involved with life in ways you dare not risk alone. To make your relationship succeed will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open and honest with one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both promised today to share together. An intimate and secure relationship is not based solely on promises, but also on trust, respect, faithfulness and the ability to forgive. A lasting marriage is based on all of these, bound together by love. Marriage Means Being In Love for the Rest of Your Life Marriage is love walking hand in hand together. It's laughing with each other about silly little things, and learning to discuss big things with care and tenderness. In marriage, love is trusting each other when you're apart. It's getting over disappointments and hurts, knowing that these are present in all relationships. It's the realization that there is no one else in this world that you’d rather be with than the one you're married to. It's thinking of new things to do together; It's growing old together. Marriage is being in love for the rest of your life. DECLARATION OF INTENT: ______ and ______ may this be the love that you bring into this relationship and may its essence touch all those with whom you come in contact. Just as the waters touch and nourish the many shores of the earth, may your love be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. As you come this day to affirm your love and commitment, may you always remember to value each other as special and unique individuals, and that you respect each others thoughts, ideas and feelings. May you be able to forgive and to forget when wronged - as from this day forward you will be each other's home, comfort and sanctuary. 1. _______, will you embrace/take _______ as your wife/husband? As your companion and best friend for life, will you treat her/him with love and devotion, honor and respect? Will you stand by her/him in the triumphs and tragedies of life, as a faithful and caring wife/husband? [I will] 2. _______, do you receive/embrace/take _______, to be your wife/husband? Do you promise to love, adore, and encourage her/him? Share the good times and achievements as well as the hard times and disappointments? Keep her/him in sickness and in sorrow and to be loyal to her/him forevermore? [I do] 3. _______, will you take this woman/man whose hand you now hold, choosing him/her alone to be your husband/wife? Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, showing kindness, understanding and respect throughout your lives? [I will] EXCHANGE OF VOWS: ______ and ______ the vows that you are about to exchange serve as a verbal representation of the love you have promised to each other. For it is not the words that you speak today which will unite you together as one, but the inner sense of love and commitment that each of you feels within your soul. No other human ties are as tender, no other vows more sacred than those you now assume. 1. ______, I embrace/receive you this day to be my wife/husband … I will have no greater love than you… I promise to stand by you in happiness and adversity, in riches or poverty, in sickness or health. I promise in faithfulness to love and respect you and our marriage, for all my tomorrows and beyond. 2. ______, I embrace/receive you today as my wife/husband. I will be true to you in all things; I will share what I have and who I am. I will stay with you in heartache, celebrate life with you in joy and receive you as my equal. 3. ______, you are my companion in life and my one true love. I will treasure our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust and honor you, I will laugh and cry with you. With unfailing love I will stand by you through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. As I have given you my hand to hold so I give you my life to keep so long as we both shall live. 4. ______, as your wife/husband and best friend I promise to love and encourage you; sharing hopes, dreams and secrets. I promise to be open and honest with you, caring for you in a lifelong commitment. 5. I ______, receive/take you ______, as my wedded wife/husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part. 6. I ______, receive/take you ______, to be my wife/husband. I will share the good times and hard times by your side. I give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace, and promise my faith and love to you, till the end of time. 7. ______, I take you to be my husband/wife, I promise to be faithful to you and honest with you; I will respect, help and care for you; I will share my life with you; I will forgive you as we have been forgiven; and I will try with you to better understand ourselves and the world; through the best and the worst as long as we live. 8. ______, I promise to love you, to be your best friend, to respect and support you, to be patient with you, to work together with you to achieve our goals, to accept you unconditionally and to share life with you throughout our years together. RING CEREMONY PASSAGE: 1. The ring, a circle, is one of nature’s simplest forms. The arc of the rainbow, the halo of the moon and the smallest of raindrops simulate the circle. When a stone is cast upon a pond, it generates waves in ever expanding circles. Consider this marriage as being two stones striking the water simultaneously. The ensuing waves interlock, and the growth of the enlarging circles show the combined energies of the lives of ______ and ______. The interlocking of these two lives will be symbolized in the exchange of rings. 2. The wedding ring is a symbol of unbroken unity, it portrays completeness and eternity. May the imperishable substance of these rings reflect a love shining with increasing radiance throughout your years together. These rings which you give to each other are a the sign of your love, trust, and devotion. 3. This circlet of precious metal is justly regarded as a fitting emblem of the purity and perpetuity of the Marriage State. The ancients were reminded by the circle of eternity, as it is so fashioned as to have neither beginning nor end; while gold is so incorruptible that it cannot be tarnished by use or time. So may the union, at this time solemnized, be incorruptible in its purity and more lasting than time itself. . 4. The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. It is a physical manifestation of the promises joining both the bride and groom together. The wedding ring is placed on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was traditionally believed that this finger was a direct connection to the heart - the perfect place for a symbol representing eternal love and commitment. 5. The ring is a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken. 6. Above all rings the wedding ring denotes purity, loyalty and 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 unending commitment you are about to enter. 7. Let these rings symbolize the devotion and commitment each holds for the other. These rings, given in love, are an affirmation to all that bear witness that ______ and ______ are truly joined/united together as husband and wife 8. A circle is the symbol of the sun and the earth and the universe. It is a symbol of holiness and of perfection and of peace. In these rings it is the symbol of unity, in which your lives are now joined in one unbroken circle, in which, wherever you go, you will always return to your shared life together.. RING EXCHANGE: ______ please place this ring on ______ ring finger and repeat after me: 1. ______ I give you this ring as I give you myself. It is a circle without end. Such is my love for you. 2. Just as this ring is without end, so my love for you is unending/eternal. Just as it is made of imperishable substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring, I thee wed. 3. I offer you this ring, shaped as a symbol of completeness and eternity, please wear this ring as a symbol/sign of our love and as a reminder of the promises we have made today. 4. I give you this ring as a sign of my devotion and love and with my all my heart I promise to you all that I am. With this ring I marry you and join my life to yours. 5. I give this ring in token and pledge of my constant faith and abiding love with all that I am and all that I will become. 6. With this ring, I thee wed and with it, I bestow upon thee all the treasures of my mind, heart, and hands. 7. Love has given us wings, and our journey here begins, wherever the wind may carry us, I will stay by your side, ______ receive this ring as a sign of my love and devotion. 8. With this ring I promise to you my deepest love and devotion. CLOSING COMMENTS: ______ and ______ if there is anything you remember of this marriage ceremony, may it be the love that brought you here today, it is only love which can make it a glorious union, and by love which your marriage shall endure. Today your separate lives with your individual memories, desires, and hopes merge into one. You are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of the one person in the entire world whom you love above all others. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other, but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust as well. You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities and to share love. May you be a blessing and comfort to each other, sharers of each others dreams, consolers of each others sorrows, helpers to each other in all of life's challenges. May you encourage each other in whatever you set out to achieve. May you trust each other, trust life and be unafraid. May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding. PRONOUNCEMENT: 1. ______ and ______ you have expressed your love to one another through the commitment and promises you have just made. It is with these in mind that I pronounce you husband and wife. 2. ______ and ______ because you have promised each other your love, devotion and commitment, I declare you to be husband and wife. 3. ______ and ______ since you have exchanged vows and promised one another your never-ending love, commitment and loyalty, I pronounce you husband and wife. KISS: 1. ______ and ______ you may seal your promises with a kiss. 2. ______ you may kiss the/your bride. PRESENTATION: 1. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you _______________. 2. It is my privilege/pleasure to present to you ______________. 3. It is my honor to present to you for the first time ______________. 4. It is my pleasure to present to you the newlyweds___________and_______________.
Legal Ceremony 3 THE CEREMONY: We are gathered here today to witness the formal joining of John and Jaye in the legal state of matrimony. You are to be married according to the orders, customs, and the authority granted by the government of the Province of Nova Scotia. Today you are declaring your love openly to the world. May you always remember and cherish this moment. Matrimony as understood by us, is a state enriched by a long and honorable tradition of devotion. According to the law each partner is equal and supports the common rights of one another to the marriage. Marriage is not just a ceremony here today, it is a commitment for life. There is a desire for lifelong companionship. Couples will comfort and support each other through the changing experiences of life. May you laugh together in joy, grieve together in sorrow, and grow together in love. Marriage means caring as much about the welfare and happiness of your marriage partner, as about your own well being. Marriage also means working together to create and sustain a home in which the marriage may flourish. With this understanding John and Jaye wish to be joined in marriage. If any person can show just and sufficient reason why these two persons should not be joined in marriage, let them now declare reasons, or else from this time forward, keep their peace. I call upon you both, in the presence of these witnesses, to repeat after me; I do solemnly declare, that I do not know, of any lawful reason why I John, may not be joined in matrimony with Jaye I do solemnly declare, that I do not know, of any lawful reason why I Jaye, may not be joined in matrimony with John. Do you, John promise to give to Jaye, the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Will you share with her equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by yourself and respect the dignity of her own personal rights? Do you, Jaye promise to give to John, the love of your person, the comfort of your companionship, and the patience of your understanding? Will you share with him equally the necessities of life as they may be earned or enjoyed by yourselfand respect the dignity of his own personal rights? THE MARRIAGE VOWS: I call upon those persons present, to witness that I John do take you Jaye to be my lawful wedded wife; to love and to cherish, in whatever circumstances, or experiences, life may hold for us. I call upon those persons present, to witness that I Jaye do take you John to be my lawful wedded husband; to love and to cherish, in whatever circumstances,or experiences, life may hold for us. THE RING EXCHANGE Wedding rings serve as the symbol of the vows which you have just made. They are the outward and visible sign of the love which binds you together. Being one unbroken circle, they symbolize unending love. Jaye , I give you this ring, that you may wear it, as a lasting reminder, of our marriage vows, and as a symbol, of my love, and commitment to you. John , I give you this ring, that you may wear it, as a lasting reminder, of our marriage vows, and as a symbol, of my love, and commitment to you. THE DECLARATION As you begin your marriage, let your home be a haven of peace in the midst of a busy and changing world. Let your relationship be one of complete truth, love and understanding between you both. Respect the confidences of your marriage partner, and consider that your marriage will yield what you give to it. May you enjoy long lives, fulfill your hopes, feel content as you live day by day, and keep your promises to one another. John and Jaye you have consented in marriage, and have declared your solemn intention in this company, before these witnesses, and in my presence. You have exchanged rings as the pledge of your love to one another. Upon the authority vested in me by the Province of Nova Scotia, I happily pronounce you "HUSBAND and WIFE".
Handfasting Ceremony: We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Jaye and John. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing. Jaye, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord? Jaye: Yes, it is true. Officiant: With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you. Bride's attendant: She comes with her father, and her mother and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings. Reading: Why Marriage? Author: Mari Nichols 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 looks for the divine potential of me. Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night with someone who is thankful, with someone I feel blessed to hold. Because marriage means opportunity to grow in love in friendship. 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 limitless. Unity Candle Lighting: Officiant: To remind you that the two lives we unite today were created by others, we ask your parents to come forward. [Parents arrive.] Have you any words for this couple? [parents make comments] Bride and Groom: [write something] Officiant: John, this candle represents you. We ask your parents to light your flame as they provided you the spark of life years ago. [parents light candle] Officiant: Jayre, this candle represents you. We ask your parents to light your flame as they provided you the spark of life years ago. [parents light candle] Officiant: Jaye and John, this candle represents your union from this day forward. If you are truly ready to merge your lives and your passion, we ask that you light this flame together. [Bride and Groom light candle using personal candles] Handfasting: Officiant: Please join hands. As your hands are joined, so are your lives, holding each other, caressing each other, supporting each other and loving each other. (Officiant ties the ribbon around ourhands). John (repeating after Officiant): I, John, promise you, Jaye, that I will be your husband, from this day forward, to love and respect you, to support and to hold you, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry, to softly kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your friend, on this journey that we will now make together and that there is no legal impediment why I may not do so. Jaye (repeating after Officiant): I, Jaye, promise you, John, that I will be your wife, from this day forward, to love and respect you, to support and to hold you, to make you laugh and to be there when you cry, to softly kiss you when you are hurting, and to be your companion and your friend, on this journey that we will now make together and that there is no legal impediment why I may not do so. Officiant: Announces to those gathered that we are now bound to each other. (unties the ribbon) Exchange of Rings: Officiant: Jaye and John, as these circles are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May the incorruptible substance of these rings represent a love glowing with increasing lustre through the years. Bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love, trust, and faithfulness. John (repeating after Officiant): Jaye, take this ring as a sign of my love, and as a symbol of all that we share, in token and pledge, of my constant faith and abiding love. Jaye (repeating after Officiant): John, take this ring as a sign of my love, and as a symbol of all that we share, in token and pledge, of my constant faith and abiding love Reading: Apache Wedding Poem, read by [member of the bridal party of your choosing] Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no loneliness for you, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. May your days be good and long upon the earth! Officiant: Now that you have joined yourselves in matrimony, may you strive always to meet this commitment with the same spirit you now exhibit. We all bear witness to this ceremony you have just performed and you may now call yourselves by those old and respected names, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
"Jumping the Broom" is a symbol of sweeping away the old and welcoming the new, or a symbol of new beginnings. Call your guests to gather around you and your new spouse. Place the broom on the floor and stand in front of it. Jumping the Broom stems back to the time when slaves were prevented from marrying. They developed this ritual as a way to unite in ceremony. Xylia and Rowan are re-creating this ceremony as a way to represent the joining together of their two lives and the need for support of the marriage from the entire community. Hold the broom with your spouse. This broom ceremony represents the joining of two families, it's showing respect and pays homage to those who came before us and paved the way. Therefore it should be practiced with honor for your ancestors and the beauty of our rich heritage. During the slave "transitions" you were not allowed to practice many of the traditional rituals of your past therefore, much of your heritage was lost during this time. However, a few were considered harmless and allowed. Today "Broom Jumping" is a ritual, handed down from generation to generation to remind us of a time when your vows were not legally sanctioned. During slavery, your ancestors sought the legitimacy of marriage by jumping over the broom and into the bonds of domesticity. For your ancestors, this small ritual was a legal and bonding act connecting them with the heritage of the home land and giving legitimacy, dignity and strength to their unions. In there eyes this union was now sanctioned by "the almighty". It is said that broom jumping comes from an African Tribal Marriage Ritual of placing sticks on the ground representing the couple's new home together, I have also heard it said that the spray of the broom represents all of you scattered and the handle represents the almighty who holds you together...... You decide Place the broom on the floor and hold hands with your spouse. Ask the guests to count out loud to three. Jump over the broom together.
"Memorial Candle"While Lisa and Trevor's wedding day is supposed to be a joyous occasion, there are times where the loss of a loved one may weigh heavy on their hearts. We expect everyone they love and care about to be a part of their wedding, and with the loss of Trevor’s parents, George who passed away in December 2007 and Elsie who passed away in May 2008 I am sure that their absence during the wedding ceremony may be felt. It has become a very common practice during wedding ceremonies to light a memorial candle to honor those who have passed on and are unable to be with us during this wedding ceremony. With that in mind, I am going to ask Lisa and Trevor to light the memorial candle and then we are going to have a moment of silence followed by a song by Trevor's sister Joy who is going to sing "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion. The candle will burn during the ceremony and will be extinguished following the signing of the documents. This brief moment of acknowledgement of Trevor’s parents who are no longer with us is a very important part of their wedding ceremony.
1 Corinthians 13 Love is patient; love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Now you will feel no rain, For each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, For each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness for you. For each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, But there is only one Life before you. Go now to your dwelling place, To enter into the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow few as your blessings increase. May the saddest day of your future Be no worse than the happiest day of your past. May your hands be forever clasped in friendship And your hearts joined forever in love. Your lives are very special, God has touched you in many ways. May his blessings rest upon you And fill all your coming days.
A Soul Mate "A soul mate is someone to whom we feel profoundly connected, as though the communication and communing that take place between us were not the product of intentional efforts, but rather a divine grace." Thomas Moore
A Quote from Mark Twain: A marriage . . . makes of two fractional lives a whole; it gives to two purposeless lives a work, and doubles the strength of each to perform it; it gives to two questioning natures a reason for living, and something to live for; it will give a new gladness to the sunshine, a new fragrance to the flowers, a new beauty to the earth, and a new mystery to life.
Why Marriage? 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..." by Mari Nichols
What Greater Thing is There What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined for life, to strengthen each other in all labour, to rest on each other in sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting? George Eliot
Words from a Native American Wedding Ceremony [Author Unknown] May the sun bring you new energies by day, May the moon softly restore you by night, May the rain wash away any worries you may have, And the breeze blow new strength into your being, And then, all the days of your life, May you walk gently through the world, and know its beauty and yours.
Anonymous My love to my spouse was not only a matrimonial love, as betwixt man and wife, but a natural love, as the love of brethren, parents and children, also a sympathetical love, as the love of friends, likewise a customary love, as the love of acquaintances, a loyal love, as the love of a subject, an obedient love, as the love to virtue, a uniting love, as the love of soul and body, a pious love, as the love to heaven, all of which several loves did meet and intermix, making one mass of love.
Untitled [Author Unknown] Treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Give highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your love deserves. When frustration, difficulty and fear assail your relationship - as they threaten all relationships at one time or another - remember to focus on what is right between you, not only the part which seems wrong. In this way, you can ride out the storms when clouds hide the face of the sun in your lives - remembering that even if you lose sight of it for a moment, the sun is still there. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Love Itself is What is Left Over When Being in Love has Burned Away When you fall in love it is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then it subsides and when it subsides you have to make a decision, you have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part, because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the desire to mate every second of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining he is kissing every part of your body. No, don't blush, I am telling you some truths. This is just 'being in love,' which any of us can convince ourselves we are in. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away. It doesn't sound very exciting does it? But it is. Dr. Lannis, Captain Corelli's Mandolin
The Only Beauty that is Never Old "The world, for me, and all the world can hold Is circled by your arms: for me there lies, Within the lights and shadows of your eyes, The only beauty that is never old." James Weldon Johnson
Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of Its Love by Edmund O'Neil Marriage is a commitment to life, the best that two people can find and bring out in each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth that no other relationship can equal. It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each other's best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. And there may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing, and the love of the other may resemble the tender caring of a parent for a child. Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life. When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.
Angels Sing For Joy When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the very angels desert heaven and sit in that hour and sing for joy. Braham-Sutra
“On Marriage”, from The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran Then Almitra spoke again and said, And what of Marriage, master? And he answered saying: You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Ay, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another, but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
"Sonnet 116" by William Shakespeare "Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments. Love is not love Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove. Oh no, it is an ever-fixed mark, That looks on tempests and is never shaken; It is the star to every wandering baroque Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken Love’s not time’s fool, though rosy lips and cheeks Within his bending sickle’s compass come. Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, But bears it out even to the edge of doom. If this be error and upon me prov’d, I never writ, nor no man ever loved."
"You Were Born Together" by Kahlil Gibran "You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. But let there be spades in your togetherness. And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be alone, even as the strings of the lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping. For only the land 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."
Sonnet: Love Is Not All by Edna St. Vincent Millay Love is not all: It is not meat nor drink Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain, Nor yet a floating spar to men that sink and rise and sink and rise and sink again. Love cannot fill the thickened lung with breath Nor clean the blood, nor set the fractured bone; Yet many a man is making friends with death even as I speak, for lack of love alone. It well may be that in a difficult hour, pinned down by need and moaning for release or nagged by want past resolution's power, I might be driven to sell your love for peace, Or trade the memory of this night for food. It may well be. I do not think I would.
“Love Is Friendship Caught Fire" by Laura Hendricks" Love is friendship caught fire; it is quiet, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection, and makes allowances for human weaknesses. Love is content with the present, hopes for the future, and does not brood over the past. It is the day-in and day-out chronicles of irritations, problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories, and working toward common goals. If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things you lack. If you do not have it, no matter what else there is, it is not enough."
" Sooner or Later" author unknown Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines, and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favorite memories, and the foundation of our fondest dreams. Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places. And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy, is the greatest treasure of all."
TRADITIONAL IRISH BLESSING May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand. May God be with you and bless you; May you see your children's children. May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings, May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward. May the road rise to meet you May the wind be always at your back May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home And may the hand of a friend always be near. May green be the grass you walk on, May blue be the skies above you, May pure be the joys that surround you, May true be the hearts that love you.
From "The Irrational Season" by Madeleine L'Engle But ultimately there comes a moment when a decision must be made. Ultimately two people who love each other must ask themselves how much they hope for as their love grows and deepens, and how much risk they are willing to take…It is indeed a fearful gamble…Because it is the nature of love to create, a marriage itself is something which has to be created, so that, together we become a new creature.
To marry is the biggest risk in human relations that a person can take…If we commit ourselves to one person for life this is not, as many people think, a rejection of freedom; rather it demands the courage to move into all the risks of freedom, and the risk of love which is permanent; into that love which is not possession, but participation…It takes a lifetime to learn another person…When love is not possession, but participation, then it is part of that co-creation which is our human calling, and which implies such risk that it is often rejected.
The Flame Is Joined (specifically for the Candle Lighting Ceremony) The Flame is Joined, Two are now One, A symbol of your love, You've vowed to strive - keep love alive, With help from God above. The flame is joined to light your path, on the journey that is life. May it show the way as you go forth, a Husband and a Wife"
"To My Friend" I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you because you have done more than any creed could have done to make me good, and more than any fate could have done to make me happy. You have done it without a touch, without a word, without a sign. You have done it by being yourself. Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.
Indian (Apache) Blessing Now we feel no rain, for each of us will be shelter to the other. Now we feel no cold, for each of us will be warmth to the other. Now there is no loneliness, for each of us will be a companion to the other. We are two bodies, but there is one life before us and one home. When evening falls, I'll look up and there you will be. I'll take your hand; you'll take mine and we'll turn together To look at the road we traveled to reach this - the hour of our happiness. It stretches behind us, even as the future lies ahead. A long and winding road, whose every turn means discovery. Old hopes, new laughter, shared fears. The adventure has just begun.
The Key to Love The key to love is understanding... The ability to comprehend not only the spoken word, but those unspoken gestures, the little things that say so much by themselves. The key to love is forgiveness... to accept each others faults and pardon mistakes, without forgetting, but with remembering what you learn from them. The key to love is sharing... Facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together; both conquering problems, forever searching for ways to intensify your happiness. The key to love is giving... without thought of return, but with the hope of just a simple smile, and by giving in but never giving up. The key to love is respect... realising that you are two separate people, with different ideas; that you don't belong to each other, that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond. The key to love is inside us all... It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredients that will take you to its threshold; it is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work... but the rewards are more than worth the effort... and that is the key to love.
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. 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.
What is Love? By Susan Polis Schutz Love Love is the strongest feeling known an all -encompassing passion an extreme strength an overwhelming excitement Love is trying not to hurt the other person trying not to change the other person trying not to dominate the other person trying not to deceive the other person Love is understanding each other listening to each other supporting each other having fun with each other. Love is not an excuse to stop growing not an excuse to stop making yourself better not an excuse to lessen one's goals not an excuse to take the other person for granted Love is being completely honest with each other finding dreams to share working towards common goals sharing responsibilities equally Everyone in the world wants to love Love is not a feeling to be taken lightly Love is a feeling to be cherished, nurtured and cared for Love is the reason for life
From This Day Forward (author unknown) From this day forward, let us laugh together, and plan together, let us find our favorite places, and go together... Let us enjoy the sunshine, and the rain, being alone together, and in crowds together... From this day forward, together, Let us love! Let Us Walk Together Let us walk together yet not as one, but such that our shadows are separate and distinct, such that our souls are unbound and free. Let us share our time, yet do not give all your time, nor take all of mine for in order to develop to the fullest, to be free, we must have solitude and individuality. Let me wander in solitude, when I need to be alone, yet be near, when I need you. Let us share our love. Give freely of your love, but do not smother me, my soul must breathe a free air. Take my love, but do not demand it, for love given of obligation, is stale and without life. Let us share our lives. Share my life, but do not try to shape it. Let me share your life, but do not let it revolve around me. Let us share ourselves. Accept me as I am, do not attempt to change me to fit your dreams. Respect me for what I am, not for what I was or one day may be. Share yourself with me, but do not allow me to limit your freedom or bind your soul. Let us share our minds, thoughts, goals, values and dreams. Let us develop these within ourselves without restriction or loss of freedom Thus our two free souls, may wander together as they develop in freedom. As we share our lives, as we walk through life together, know my love is yours, but not my soul for it must be free.
Marriage is a Promise of Love Marriage is a commitment to life... to the best that the two people can find and bring out of each other. It offers opportunities for sharing and growth no other human relationship can equal, a physical and emotional joining that promised for a lifetime. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life's most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each others best friend, confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic. There may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing, and the love of the other may resemble the tend caring of a parent for a child. Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life. Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitments are stronger, even is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly. Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences, and new ways of expressing love through the seasons of life. When two people pledge to love and care for each other in marriage, they create a spirit unique to themselves, which binds them closer than any spoken or written words. Marriage is a promise, a potential, made in the hearts of two people who love, which takes a lifetime to fulfill.
The art of Marriage Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big 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 the years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. 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. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.