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Welcome! We are gathered here today in this beautiful place to celebrate and to witness the joining of Liz and Sam in marriage. Thank you for sharing in the joy of this special occasion.
The new chapter that begins today for Sam and Liz has been built on trust, love and a lot of laughs along the way. After being set up by friends, Sam and Liz first met over a few beverages at 20 Tap in Broad Ripple. Sam had a practical approach to first dates, knowing a full dinner can be a time commitment if things aren’t going well, and Liz appreciated that approach, having been on one too many weird first dates. Luckily the two found themselves talking for hours and really hitting it off. Those beverages and conversations lead to two goodnight hugs and a goodnight kiss. Since that date, the two can be found enjoying the outdoors, going on bike rides, walking their beloved dogs, tackling projects, and picking out a spot for date night. As long as they are by each other’s side, the day ahead has endless possibilities. When asked why they want to get married, they both share the same excitement and eagerness to join lives together and make every day an adventure. Sam shares that after a day of Liz making him pork nachos and asking “when sports come back” because she was kinda missing them, he knew he had found his partner for life. And here we are today to celebrate the marriage of Sam and Liz. Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives. This sharing must not diminish, but enhance the individuality of each partner. You do not shed your individuality, for that is what brought you together in the first place. Marriage is the loving declaration that you should be no other than yourself. A lasting marriage is not stagnant. The relationship and each individual are continually growing and developing. Your understanding of each other deepens and evolves. It is not this ceremony or the state of being married that will truly join and hold you together, but your ongoing commitment to your relationship and to the kind of life you wish to make together. In this way, your marriage will not be just a symbol. It will be an action, something you work on every day. When two people are happily married, they enjoy each other’s company with delight and excitement (at least MOST of the time). Couples with strong and abiding relationships don’t have to pretend to be anything other than who they are. They are able to express themselves without fear of being judged or rejected. There is room in the relationship for both of them to be unique individuals. They are free to surrender to the vulnerability of true intimacy—to be known and loved unconditionally. May you be fulfilled by each other’s love and friendship. May you be overjoyed by the promises you are about to make and the life together you will create as a team. Remember that in every marriage, there are good times and bad, times of joy and times of sorrow. Marriage is a journey – a time of adventure and excitement enhanced by the love, trust, dedication and faith you share in one another. VOWS OFFICIANT: Sam and Liz, if you will face each other and repeat after me. Sam, from this day on, do you choose Liz to be your wife, your best friend and your only love? To live together, play together and laugh together; To always seek out the best in her; Loving her with all your heart, for better or worse? If so, say, “I do!” {SAM: I DO} Liz, from this day on, do you choose Sam to be your husband, your best friend and your only love? To live together, play together and laugh together; To always seek out the best in him; Loving him with all your heart, for better or worse? If so, say, “I do!” {LIZ: I DO} RING EXCHANGE Please repeat after me as you exchange these rings: (With help from officiant) SAM to Liz: “Liz, take this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me, and know that I love you.” (With help from officiant) LIZ to Sam: “Sam, take this ring as my gift to you. Wear it and think of me, and know that I love you.” By the power invested in me by the State of Indiana, it’s my pleasure to pronounce Sam and Liz husband and wife, sealed together today in law and in love. Sam, you may kiss your bride! Ladies & gentlemen, for the first time, Liz and Sam! As they join hands for the first time as husband and wife, let’s celebrate by throwing some birdseed at them! Joined Hands Part I
Chris, Tom – Please join hands. Holding hands is a symbolic gesture, fraught with meaning through the centuries of time. It symbolizes friendship, the promise that you will be true and loyal friends to each other. It symbolizes union and the promise that you both will keep union uppermost in your lives with each other. It symbolizes help and caring and the promise that you will both be there to help each other whenever and however that help and caring is needed. Most of all, on this, your wedding day, it symbolizes love - joyous love, total and complete. Chris, Tom, through this gesture of joining hands you show us all who assemble here your promise to act on these symbols not just for this moment, but for this hour, this day, this lifetime. A READING From Union by Robert Fulghum You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance through 22 years of commitment. Now that it is legally possible to do so, you decided to get married. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held over the years, riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we gain the right to be married” and continued with ”I will and you will and we will”; - those late night talks that included “someday and somehow and maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve hoped and dreamed and promised- well, I meant it all, every word” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher. You have learned much from one another over the years. But shortly you shall say a few words that take you across a new threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same for either of you. For after these vows, you shall both be able to legally and officially say to the world, this is my husband.” VOWS Do you, Chris, take Tom to be your husband, your partner in life and your one true love? Will you cherish your union and love him more each day than you did the day before? Will you trust him and respect him, laugh with him and cry with him, loving him faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face together? Do you give him your hand, heart, and love from this day forward for as long as you both shall live? Chris: I do. Do you, Tom, take Chris to be your husband, your partner in life and your one true love? Will you cherish your union and love him more each day than you did the day before? Will you trust him and respect him, laugh with him and cry with him, loving him faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face together? Do you give him your hand, heart, and love, from this day forward for as long as you both shall live? Tom: I do. RING EXCHANGE Rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They represent many things. From this day forward you will wear your wedding rings and they will stand as a source of reminder… Sometimes they will simply remind you that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. Sometimes they will remind you of the endless circle that they are and, like love, there is no beginning and no end. But, for always, may they remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through it all, no matter what, with all that they have. Chris, please repeat after me: Tom, I give this ring in remembrance of this moment, a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful, and endless. Chris repeats: Tom, I give this ring in remembrance of this moment, a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful, and endless. Chris slips the ring on Tom’s finger Joined Hands Part II Chris and Tom please join hands These are the hands of your best friend, wise and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work along-side yours as together to continue to build your future, but now as a married couple. These are the hands that will give each other strength when it is needed. These are the hands that will lift your chin to raise your face so they may look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you. And right up to the final chapter, these are the hands that, even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. FINAL BLESSING May you be blessed by God and touched by angels May you be forever blessed with love and friendship May each day of your lives be a new beginning May your home be filled with laughter and abundance May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart May your hearts stay full and your spirits connected, and may you love long and happily in one another’s arms AND… May you live happily ever after! I now pronounce you married. Please give each other your first kiss as a married couple! Ladies and gentlemen, please stand for the brides.
We have been invited here today to witness and celebrate the uniting in the marriage of Maddy and Nicole. They are taking the first step of their new beginning; their new life together. The ability and desire for one human being to love another is perhaps the most precious and fulfilling gift that has been entrusted to us. It is an all-consuming task, a lifelong endeavor — the journey we’ve been preparing for all of our lives. Loving someone is a reason to stretch beyond our limits, to become more for the sake of the other. It is to look into the soul of your beloved and accept what you see. Loving is the ultimate commitment which challenges humans to become all that we are meant to be. As they join in marriage today, These ladies are announcing to the world that they are welcoming that challenge. Only once in your lifetime, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with a soul and they absorb everything you say, and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. They are not embarrassed to cry with you or laugh. They build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special. There is a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself because they love you for all you are. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, and you are quite content. Things that never interested you before become fascinating. You open your heart, and experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to feel true pleasure and it’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are part of your life. Vows The ladies wrote their own Ring Exchange The Brides will now exchange rings to symbolize their commitment. Rings are derived from humble beginnings of imperfect metal to create something striking where there was once nothing at all. It is customarily worn on the ring finger as it is the only finger with a vein running directly to the heart. The wearing of the rings is a visible, outward sign that they have committed themselves to one another. Maddy, as you place the ring on Nicole's finger, please repeat after me: I, Maddy, will share my life with yours, Build our dreams together, Support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and made new every day of our lives. Nicole, as you place the ring on Maddy's finger, please repeat after me: I, Nicole, will share my life with yours, Build our dreams together, Support you through times of trouble, and rejoice with you in times of happiness. I promise to give you respect, love and loyalty. This commitment is made in love, kept in faith, lived in hope, and made new every day of our lives. Do you Maddy, take Nicole, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. Maddy: I do Do you Nicole, take Maddy, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. Nicole: I do Maddy and Nicole, you have come here today of your own free will and in the presence of family and friends, have declared your love and commitment to each other. You have given and received a ring as a symbol of your promises. By the power of your love and commitment to each other, and by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you lawfully wedded wives. You may now kiss your bride! Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever. You don't have to have a ceremony to have a marriage. And when you think about it, the whole thing is kind of weird, right? You're standing on a stage, looking fancy, holding flowers, and being stared at by pretty much everyone who has meant anything to you in the past twenty-something years. So why do we do it? The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others.
Why this moment? Why does this one matter beyond all the rest? Because despite all of our differences, love is what we all share. It's the great unifier — our one universal truth. That no matter who we are, where we've come from, what we believe, we know this one thing: love is what we're doing right. That's why you both are standing here. That's why you all are here to watch them stand up here. We have all loved in our lifetimes, and in this moment, we're reminded that the ability to love is the very best part of our humanity. All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing — and others that are exciting and full of adventure. Kathie and Karen have a small-town salesman to thank for bringing them together. The salesman thought Kathie would be a great fit for a job and told her to apply right away. When Karen interviewed Kathie that same day, she also thought Kathie was perfect for the job and hired her immediately. As they worked together in the same office, they realized they had a lot more in common than just a job. They loved being outside, hiking and exploring, and they enjoyed shopping, going to movies, and watching local and college sports together. So they started off on their relationship, adopted a cat, and started a small business. Then there was a graduation, a move to Tampa, Florida, a move back to Indianapolis, Indiana, a purchase of a first home, an adoption of a black lab puppy, and then a second black lab. And shortly after 9/11, with the help of their best friends, Karen surprised Kathie with a rose-pedaled, candlelight proposal. It took Kathie only 18 years to say yes. And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come. I'm here — we're all here — because we want those moments for you. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment — not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. Falling asleep next to one another, making dinner together, spending holidays with your families, binge-watching Netflix shows, getting a big hug when you get home from work… These everyday moments fuse together into one big experience. And even though this experience is so incredible, words fail us when we try and explain it. That's just the way it is with love — it's meant to be felt, not described. But trying to describe love is one of our favorite pastimes. We use the words we have to write stories, and poems, and songs about love. And even though we describe love in different ways — and even though love can look different from one person to the next — we all know it when we see it. And we see it here. You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You are both choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of." Now, a brief excerpt from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Bernières “Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have 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 promulgation of promises of eternal passion… That is just being ‘in love’, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches, we found that we were one tree and not two.” Vows Will you, Kathie, keep Karen as your person — to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her through life's tough moments, be proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day? Kathie: I will. Will you, Karen, keep Kathie as your person — to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her through life's tough moments, be proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day? Karen: I will. Will you both be each other's partners from this day forward? Will you bring out the best in one another, share your happiest moments together, and love each other absolutely — for the rest of this lifetime and for whatever may come next? Both: We will. Ring Exchange May we have the rings please… For generations the passage of two people into the state of marriage has been marked by the exchange of rings. Rings hold deep symbolic meaning. The circle is an ancient symbol representing notions of totality, wholeness, perfection, and the infinite. It implies an idea of movement, and symbolizes the cycle of time. It symbolizes both the potential and the completion, the eternal cycle of life. Even as these circles, these rings, hold universal significance, they are also personally significant to these two here today. They are a constant reminder of the bond between two lives. A visible, tangible symbol of their commitment to each other. Let these rings be a sign that love has substance as well as soul, a present as well as a past, and that this person has been chosen, this person walks not alone through life. Please take a moment to exchange rings. May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitement a marriage should bring. May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer’s day. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart. May you always feel that what you have is enough. By the power vested in me by the state of Indiana I now pronounce you Wife and Wife! You may kiss your bride!! Kathie and Karen are Married! Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here to join together Amanda and Cassandra in Marriage; which is an honorable estate, and therefore, not entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly and with joy. Into this Estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
Cassandra shares her short personal vow to Amanda Cassandra, do you take Amanda to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together in the Estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto her as long as you both shall live? I do Amanda’s short personal vow to Cassandra Manda, do you take Cass to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together in the Estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto her as long as you both shall live? I do Wedding Rings The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love. Cassandra, please repeat after me I Cassandra, take thee, Amanda, to be my wedded wife, 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 forever. With this ring, I marry you. Amanda, please repeat after me I Amanda, take thee, Cassandra, to be my wedded wife, 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 forever. With this ring, I marry you. Those whom have chosen to be joined together, let no one put asunder. Forasmuch as Amanda and Cassandra have consented together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company of witnesses, and there to have given their pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; by the power vested in me by the State of Indiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal this marriage with a kiss. Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mrs. and Mrs. ...!!! Leslie and Lee's Wedding Ceremony Script with Battlestar Galactica, Dr. Who, and More Things Nerdy.7/9/2020
Instructions for Life in the New Millennium
by his holiness the 14th Dali Lama Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk. And that a loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life. Be gentle with the earth, be gentle with one another. When disagreements come remember always to protect the spirit of your union. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. So love yourselves, love one another, love all that is your life together and all else will follow." "There's a lot of things you need to get across this universe. Warp drive... wormhole refactors... You know the thing you need most of all? You need a hand to hold." (Doctor Who) ... So please join hands. There is a lot to be said about the power of holding each other's hands. You know you have someone who will be with you to continually make your burdens lighter. Welcome Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Leslie and Lee in marriage. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They are surrounded by you - their family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Moment of Silence We'd like to take a moment to remember those who are not with us here today. We know they are here with us in our hearts. (Moment of Silence) Leslie and Lee, today, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. We join with you in hoping you make real your dreams! That you are reborn in each other as you share your loves and dreams, wants and desires and together are enriched by them. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life. For "it's not enough to just live. You have to have something to live for" (Battlestar Galactica) There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. May you be enriched by the unique view of the other! So say we all (Battlestar). 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. Or from a different point of view: So close no matter how far Couldn't be much more from the heart Forever trusting who we are And nothing else matters Never opened myself this way Life is ours, we live it our way All these words I don't just say And nothing else matters Trust I seek and I find in you Every day for us something new Open mind for a different view And nothing else matters (Metallica) Vows Do you Lee, take Leslie, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; though all of time and space, from this day forward until death do you part. Do you Leslie, take Lee, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; through all of time and space, from this day forward until death do you part. The rings please... The rings are the symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have. Lee please repeat after me: Leslie I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure” (The Hobbit) and that someone is you. Lee, please repeat after me: Leslie, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. I'm looking for someone to share in an adventure” (The Hobbit) and that someone is you. I have a few closing words for you about love. Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home. (Serenity) Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity. Love is not an emotion. Love is a promise. (Doctor Who) To love another person is to see the face of God (Victor Hugo) May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all. Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It's not the time that matters, it's the person. (Doctor Who). It is my great pleasure to acknowledge your union as “Husband and Wife." You may now seal your marriage with a kiss!!! Ladies and Gentlemen, The Happy Couple, Lee and Leslie !! May you live happily ever after! Next stop: Everywhere. (Doctor Who) Alex and Olivia's Romantic Wedding Ceremony Script, The Ohio Street Basin, Indy Canal Walk.7/9/2020
Hello and welcome. Today we are here to witness the act of love. Love is the magic that has brought Olivia and Alex together and through that magic, we are joining them today.
Who gives this woman to be married to this man? Olivia's dad: I do What do we mean by 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 loves us, gives us a unique gift: a piece of ourselves, but a piece that only they could give us. We who love, can look at each other’s life and say, “I touched his life,” or, “I touched her life,” just as an artist might say, “I touched this canvas.” “Those brushstrokes in the corner of this magnificent mural, those are mine. I was a part of this life, and it is a part of me.” Marriage is to belong to each other through a unique and diverse collaboration, like two threads crossing in different directions, yet weaving one tapestry together. The secret of love and marriage is to be in love and in trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both. The true art of married life is an inner spiritual journey. It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments, which diminishes neither, but enhances both. It is, ultimately, the emergence of the Highest Selves of each person. Marriage is a supreme sharing of experience, and an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is the joyous union of two people whose comradeship and mutual understanding have flowered in romance. Today Olivia and Alex proclaim their love and commitment to the world, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together. Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created. In the art of 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 all 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 in 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 humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the things of the spirit. 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. It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best. Olivia and Alex, by coming here today, you have reached a crossroads in your lives. You’re turning away from your yesterdays and looking ahead to your tomorrows. Your past is a distant memory. Your future awaiting adventure. It is a new dawn, a new commitment, a new life. The bonds you are forging today will change your lives forever. Do you, Alex, promise to take Olivia to be your wife? To play with her and care for her; to make her laugh, and let her cry? To offer your best counsel and give your sincerest support with all the love you have to give? Alex: I do Is it your choice that Olivia be the one with whom you wish to spend your life? Alex: It is Do you, Olivia, promise to take Alex to be your husband? To play with him and care for him; to make him laugh, and let him cry? To offer your best counsel and give your sincerest support with all the love you have to give? Olivia: I do Is it your choice that Alex be the one with whom you wish to spend your life? Olivia: It is The giving and receiving of rings is the most important part of a marriage ceremony because the rings are made in the symbol of that which is eternal. There is no beginning and no end, and as you place these symbols on each other’s finger, it signifies that there shall be no end to your marriage and no end to the happiness that you will both share together. But let me remind you that these are also the special symbols you will wear before the world, certainly when you go back to your family, and friends, and co-workers. In fact, you will notice the response when you walk away from this beautiful place tonight. For when people look at you, they will look at your hand and notice the ring on your finger. They will know that you belong to someone special and that someone special belongs to you. Every day for the rest of your lives, every time you wash your hands or reach out to touch each other, these rings will be there to remind you of the great love that you share and of the wonder that the person standing in front of you loves you as much as you love them. So when you place these rings upon each other’s fingers, wear them with love and with honor. The wedding ring is a symbol of eternity. It is an outward sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two hearts in endless love. And now as a token of your love and of your deep desire to be forever united in heart and soul, you Alex, may place a ring on the finger of your bride." Alex: I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you. Officiant: By the same token Olivia, you may place a ring on the finger of your groom. Olivia: I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness to you. And now, as you are holding hands take a moment, so that you may see the gift that you are to each other. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. As you make your home together, may you know great love together. May your home be a place of happiness for all who enter it, a place where all are renewed in each other's company, a place for growing, understanding, and laughter. When Shadow and darkness creep within its walls, may it still be a place of hope, strength, and love. May those who are nearest to you be constantly enriched by the beauty and bounty of your love for one another. May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer's day. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart. May you always feel that what you have is enough. I now pronounce you Husband and Wife, you may now kiss the bride. Who gives this woman to be married?
Father: Her mother and I do. Officiant Continues: Please be seated. Welcome Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Adrianna and Kurtis in marriage. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They are surrounded by you - their friends and family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Moment of Silence We’d like to take a moment to remember those who are not with us here today. Those who were unable to be here and those who have gone on to greater things. We know that they are here with us in spirit. Today is a celebration. A celebration of love, of commitment, of friendship, of family, and of two people who are in it for forever. The marriage ceremony has been an important feature across nearly every culture, religion, generation, and society. We have thousands of important moments that happen throughout our lives, but this one is regarded as one so critical, we acknowledge its special status by sharing it with others. All of us here today have our own love stories. Some are short, others long. Some are yet unwritten, while others are just getting to the good part. There are chapters in all of our stories that are sad or disappointing — and others that are exciting and full of adventure. And that brings them here. A time to pause, look back, and smile at all the moments that brought them here. And a time to look ahead at all the moments that are still to come. I'm here — we're all here — because we want those moments for you. We're here to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn't happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It's not one moment — not even this moment. It's every moment. Big ones like saying "I love you," moving in together, getting engaged — but mostly a million little ones that come in between the big moments. The bride and groom would like for me to share a passage from Kurt Vonnegut’s “A man without a country” p. 132. "But I had a good uncle, my late Uncle Alex. He was my father’s kid brother, a childless graduate of Harvard who was an honest life insurance salesman in Indianapolis. He was well-read and wise. And his principal complaint about other human beings was that they so seldom noticed it when they were happy. So, when we were drinking lemonade under an apple tree in the summer, say, and talking lazily about this and that, almost buzzing like honeybees, Uncle Alex would suddenly interrupt the agreeable blather to exclaim, if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is. So, I do the same now, and so do my kids and grandkids. And I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is." You fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and who makes you stop and think “if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” Unity Candle Ceremony Bride and Groom have chosen to commemorate their marriage by lighting a Unity Candle. This ceremony represents the joining of two families. Both of their mothers will lit their candles as a symbol of their love towards their children and from where they come. Their children will then join those flames. *Mothers to come up and light their candles* Bride and Groom, the two distinct candle flames represent your lives before this day, individual, unique and special. Please take the candle symbolizing your life before today, and together light the center candle to symbolize the union of your individual lives. (Place the tapers back into their holders—join hands and remain near the candles) As this new flame burns undivided, so shall your lives now be one. Although you are now entering into a marriage relationship, you do not, however, lose your personal identity. Rather, you will use your special individuality to create and strengthen the relationship of marriage. Therefore all three candles remain glowing. The individual candles represent all that makes each of you the wonderful and unique person the other admires and respects. The Unity candle in the center symbolizes the union of your lives, families, and friends, as well as your shining commitment to each other, and to a lasting and loving marriage. *move back to center of the stage* Vows and Ring Exchange The rings please… The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have. Kurtis, as you place the ring on Adriana’s finger, please repeat after me: I Kurtis, take thee, Adriana to be my Wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my Wife, for as long as we both shall live. Adriana, as you place the ring on Kurtis’s finger, please repeat after me: I Adriana, take thee, Kurtis, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live. Closing Adriana and Kurtis, May all your days be blessed with love and friendship. May each day and night of your lives be a new beginning. May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer’s day. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart. May you always feel that what you have is enough. By the power vested in me by the state of Indiana I now pronounce you Husband and wife! You may kiss your bride!! Mr. and Mrs!! Allison and Rohith
Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We are gathered here today, to celebrate the wedding of Allison and Rohith. You have come here from nearby and from far away to share in this commitment now they make to one another, to offer your love and support to their union, and to allow Allison and Rohith to start their married life together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They are surrounded by you - their friends and family. They ask for your blessing, encouragement, and lifelong support, for their decision to be married. They also remember other loved ones who cannot be here to share this moment with them today. Those people too, they hold dear in their hearts. (Brief moment of silence) Allison and Rohith, marriage is the promise between two people who love each other, who trust that love, who honor one another as individuals in that togetherness, and who wish to spend the rest of their lives together. It enables the two separate souls to share their desires, longings, dreams, and memories, their joys and sorrows, and to help each other through all uncertainties of life. A strong marriage also nurtures each of you as separate individuals and allows you to maintain your unique identity and grow in your own way through the years ahead. It is a safe haven for each of you to become your best self while together you become better than ever could be alone. You are adding to your life not only the affection of each other but also the companionship and blessing of a deep trust. You are agreeing to share strength, responsibilities, and love. To make this relationship work, therefore, takes more than love. It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so. And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both. Reading In the Hindu faith, weddings include the Saptapadi [sup-thu-putty], or seven steps. These steps represent the promises the couple make to each other. Rohit and Allison wish to honor this tradition with a reading. May this couple be blessed with an abundance of resources and comforts and be helpful to one another in all ways. May this couple be strong and complement one another. May this couple be blessed with prosperity and riches on all levels. May this couple be eternally happy. May this couple be blessed with a happy family life. May this couple live in perfect harmony… true to their personal values and their joint promises. May this couple always be the best of friends. Vows Do you Rohit, take Allison, to be your wife, to have and to hold, in good times and bad, to love without reservation? Do you promise to comfort her and encourage her, to laugh and to cry, to be honest, and open, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part or at least 200 more years? (I do.) Do you Allison, take Rohit, to be your husband, to have and to hold, in good times and bad, to love without reservation? Do you promise to comfort him and encourage him, to laugh and to cry, to be honest, and open, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part or at least 200 more years? (I do.) Exchange of Rings May we have the rings, please... (Rohit will have both rings. Victoria will ask for them?) As you exchange these rings, may they be symbols of your promises to each other and remind you of your devotion. May you feel honored to call each other husband and wife. May you remember that from this day the one you love is always beside you. Rohit, place the ring on Allison’s finger and repeat after me: (Rohit): Allison, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. Allison, place the ring on Rohit’s finger and repeat after me: (Allison): Rohit, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. Closing Allison and Rohit, you came here today to affirm your love for one another and formally acknowledge that which your hearts already knew…that your lives are meant to be shared as one, that you are stronger together than you are apart, and that, for all the days yet to come, you wish to share together all life’s joys and challenges, committed one to the other. You have made this affirmation and commitment in the presence of the most important people in your lives. May you forever feel that the life you share is the life you have always wanted. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now share your first kiss. (Kiss) Congratulations! Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you, for the first time as husband and wife, Rohit and Allison! Opening Prayer, O God, Creator of us all, we thank you for the gift of life and on this day we thank you especially for the joy that Cara and Brandon
have found in each other, and for the promises they will make before you. Bless all of our families and friends who are present with us on this special occasion. We also remember those who couldn't be here today. Those who couldn’t make it or who are no longer with us. We know they are with us in spirit. We pray, O God, that you remain with Cara and Brandon as a partner in their marriage. Grant to them, and to us all, love and understanding all of our days. Amen Please Be seated. Welcome! Thank you for joining us here today, for coming from far and wide to celebrate the joining together in marriage of Brandon and Cara. We gather here today to celebrate their union, and to honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction. Cara and Brandon proclaim their love to the world, and we are happy for them. We have come here as a community of family and friends to love and support the two of you. To witness your entrance into the sacred and joyous covenant of marriage, and to celebrate the beginning of your journey together as husband and wife. Who gives this woman to be married? Mom and Dad: We do. Thank You! We are all happy that you have found each other And that through each other, You have come to know the power of love. We celebrate your union of hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. And wish you great joy and a loving and happy marriage. At this time, I’m going to pass around the wedding rings. We call this a ring warming. We are asking that as you pass them you share your positive vibes, blessings and prayers. When they make their way back to the front Cara and Brandon will exchange them and hopefully carry your love with them as them embark on their journey through life together. They are starting out as cold pieces of metal and they will return to them ready to exchange warmed with your love. Thank you! (pass the rings) In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. But even as that gift is shared by two people who are in love, it also touches the friends and family members who in various ways support and contribute to the relationship. All of you are Brandon and Cara's community, and each of you has played some part in bringing them to this moment. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Because they are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way. Today we have come together to celebrate the love you have found with each other. By being here with you, Each of us is declaring our support For your decision to join together in marriage. As families and friends, all of you here from their community of support That surrounds Them. Each of you, by your presence here today, Is being called upon to uphold them In honoring and loving each other. Always stand beside them, Never between them. Offer them your love and support, Not your judgment. Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts, And honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today. Marriage is the ultimate relationship because it offers the opportunity of limitless intimacy between two people. It is a great and challenging adventure into the depths and heights of human caring, Affection, trust and understanding. Today as you make your vows, your lives are intermingled. Marriage is a journey of transformation into the profound mysteries of life and creation. Perhaps these are the little secrets of life a couple share with each other? You know, funny little habits... In marriage, two become one and, the two of you together is much greater than the simple sum of your parts. In marriage, We do not give ourselves to another, But rather surrender into something greater. We surrender to love itself. Today, you step into a much fuller experience and expression of the mysteries and miracles of love. Today it becomes officially legal! Your precious union is lovely in its innocence, Mighty in its strength, And abundant with possibilities. It belongs to you both. Over time you will give it identity. We wish for you the wisdom, strength of character, and divine creativity to make this a happy marriage, A safe harbor. And a joyful journey to share. Cara’s Godmother will now share a reading from the book of Corinthians. 1 Corinthians: 13 NIV If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 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, always perseveres. The Second Reading is by Cara’s brother in honor of Cara’s and Brandon’s dog, Lily. How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog by Taylor Mali First of all, it’s a big responsibility, especially in a city like New York. So think long and hard before deciding on love. On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: when you’re walking down the street late at night and you have a leash on love ain’t no one going to mess with you. Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable. Who knows what love could do in its own defense? On cold winter nights, love is warm. It lies between you and lives and breathes and makes funny noises. Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs. It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy. Love doesn’t like being left alone for long. But come home and love is always happy to see you. It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life, but you can never be mad at love for long. Is love good all the time? No! No! Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love. Love makes messes. Love leaves you little surprises here and there. Love needs lots of cleaning up after. Somethimes you just want to get love fixed. Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper and swat love on the nose, not so much to cause pain, just to let love know Don’t you ever do that again! Sometimes love just wants to go out for a nice long walk. Because love loves exercise. It will run you around the block and leave you panting, breathless. Pull you in different directions at once, or wind itself around and around you until you’re all wound up and you cannot move. But love makes you meet people wherever you go. People who have nothing in common but love stop and talk to each other on the street. Throw things away and love will bring them back, again, and again, and again. But most of all, love needs love, lots of it. And in return, love loves you and never stops. Mali. Taylor. “How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog.” What Learning Leaves. Write Bloody Books. Vows The two of you fell in love by chance, but you're here today because you're making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You've chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. You're about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You're going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There's a simple premise to each of these promises: you're vowing to be there. You're teaming up and saying to the other, "Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of." Cara and Brandon, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? We have Will you honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives? We will Since it is your intention to enter into the covenant of marriage, join your hands, and declare your consent. Brandon, please repeat after me: I Brandon, take you, Cara, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life. Cara, please repeat after me: I, Cara, take you, Brandon, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life. And I have a few more questions for both of you: Will you keep each other as your favorite person — to laugh together, go on adventures together, support each other through life's tough moments, be proud of each other, grow old with each other, and find new reasons to love every day? Will you be each other's partners from this day forward? Will you bring out the best in one another, share your happiest moments together, and love each other absolutely — for the rest of this lifetime and for whatever may come next? We will Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? We will Ring Exchange: The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have. Cara, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. Brandon, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. Unity Candle At the beginning of the ceremony Cara and Brandon’s mother’s lit candles. Now, Cara and Brandon are going to use those candles to light their candle together. There is great meaning behind this. Their mothers are where it all began. They gave birth to them and raised them. Essentially, their mothers loved them and taught them how to love and helped to give them the foundation of who they are today. All of you here, family and friends, also helped to make them who they are. Now, through marriage, we are joining your two families together and all that has gone before now blends here towards your becoming. These two candles will now join together to make one new flame that we hope will burn brightly for many years to come. Cara and Brandon come back together and hold hands May the two of you be blessed by God, May you be touched by angels. May your hearts stay full, may your spirits stay connected, and may you love long and happily in one another’s arms. You are no longer just one man and one woman, but now of one heart and one spirit in the eyes of our Lord. For whom God has joined together, let no one put asunder! I now pronounce you Husband and wife! You may kiss the bride! Mr. and Mrs. !!! How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog by Taylor Mali First of all, it’s a big responsibility, especially in a city like New York. So think long and hard before deciding on love. On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: when you’re walking down the street late at night and you have a leash on love ain’t no one going to mess with you. Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable. Who knows what love could do in its own defense? On cold winter nights, love is warm. It lies between you and lives and breathes and makes funny noises. Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs. It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy. Love doesn’t like being left alone for long. But come home and love is always happy to see you. It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life, but you can never be mad at love for long. Is love good all the time? No! No! Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love. Love makes messes. Love leaves you little surprises here and there. Love needs lots of cleaning up after. Somethimes you just want to get love fixed. Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper and swat love on the nose, not so much to cause pain, just to let love know Don’t you ever do that again! Sometimes love just wants to go out for a nice long walk. Because love loves exercise. It will run you around the block and leave you panting, breathless. Pull you in different directions at once, or wind itself around and around you until you’re all wound up and you cannot move. But love makes you meet people wherever you go. People who have nothing in common but love stop and talk to each other on the street. Throw things away and love will bring them back, again, and again, and again. But most of all, love needs love, lots of it. And in return, love loves you and never stops. Mali. Taylor. “How Falling in Love is like Owning a Dog.” What Learning Leaves. Write Bloody Books. Kaylee and Josh
The Loft at Isanogel Josh will turn around to have his back facing the aisle while Kaylee walks from the building to the end of the aisle. Once Kaylee and her father reach the end of the aisle, tell Josh he can turn around. Let us pray, O God, Creator of us all, we thank you for the gift of life and on this day we thank you especially for the love that Josh and Kaylee have found in each other, and for the promises they will make before you. Bless all of our families and friends who are present with us on this special occasion. We pray, O God, that you remain with Kaylee and Josh as a partner in their marriage. Grant to them, and to us all, love and understanding all of our days. Amen Please be seated. Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Josh and Kaylee in marriage. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with love spending the rest of their lives together. They, are surrounded by you - their friends and family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the excitement of this special occasion. At this time, we’d like to observe a moment of silence to remember those who are not here with us today. Even though they are not here physically, they are a part of the foundation that makes Kaylee and Josh the people they are today and their memories will always be cherished as they live on in our hearts. Thank you. Josh and Kaylee, you have come here today, because you believe that by being together your lives will be better and more fulfilling than they would be apart. In marriage, a new perspective is created with the joining of two unique views of life. Through this partnership, each partner becomes stronger, each becomes wiser and each becomes more loving. But marriage is a garden, which needs to be tended every day: the benefits we receive through marriage are not free. If we don’t make time to tell our partner how much we value what we have together, we will begin to take each other for granted and lost the very special quality that we originally united to enjoy. The importance of marriage to humans is so great, that it is the oldest rite or ritual of any kind recorded in history; it’s scope so great that it is virtually the only custom recognized by every human government and religion. It is into this dynamic and wonderful state of partnership that you two come, today, to be joined. First Reading is from "Union” by Robert Fulghum "You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife” Now Kaylee and Josh wish to share their vows with each other… Kaylee goes first Do you Josh, take Kaylee, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. Do you Kaylee take Josh, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. May I have the rings? - The best man, Mitchell, will have both rings to hand to you May these rings symbolize your inherent wholeness and unity with one another, giving you the strength to happily honor your commitments to each other. May they remind you that marriage is not a destination but a journey, with no beginning and no end, just a moment to moment opportunity to love and be loved to the best of your ability. please repeat after me.... Kaylee, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I thee wed. Josh, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this ring, I thee wed. Unity Ceremony - Wedding Box At this time, Josh and Kaylee would like to do something to remember this special day. First, they have this box, created and personalized just for them. They are going to put memories in the box to keep until their 1st anniversary. The first memory is a bottle of wine. Along with the bottle of wine, they will be adding these two letters they have written to each other. The letters are about how they feel today about themselves, each other and their hopes for the future as a married couple. On their 1st anniversary, they will open the box, enjoy the wine and read the letters they have written. They will be able to look back and see the love they share today, their wedding day, in its innocence and beauty. Hopefully, as they look back, they will be able to see how they have grown as individuals and how their love and relationship has changed and matured through marriage. Final Blessing and Pronouncement Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity. May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all. Throughout this ceremony, Josh and Kaylee have vowed, in our presence, 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, by the authority vested in me by the State of Indiana, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride! It is my honor to introduce for the first time, Mr. & Mrs. Ute's parents are German. My husband is German. I got to speak a little German during the ceremony. ;-)
The Bride walks down the aisle with here father. He shakes Grooms hand, kisses Brides and places her hand in his. Who gives this woman to be married? These are all the ways you can say it in German: Wer gibt diese Frau zu heiraten? oder/or Wer gibt diese Frau in der Ehe? oder/or wer präsentiert diese Frau verheiratet zu sein? oder/or Wer praesentiert die Frau zur Hochzeit? Father or Mother of the Bride: Her Mother and I do. Opening Welcome and thank you all for coming to the event and marriage of the year. As you all know Ute and Dominic are very special people with fantastic individual special tastes. This ceremony is going to be no different, it will be sincere, just as their love for each other is also sincere. Ute and Dominic have been together now for a couple years and have had exciting times together. They have also experienced family life and today this is more than just a wedding ceremony, this is also a joining together of Ute, Dominc and their daughter Mila, as a family. When one looks at this family one sees the energy and the love for each and everyone. Opening Prayer Oh Lord, Our Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness on Ute and Dominic's wedding day, as they come before You pledging their hearts and lives to one another. Grant that they may ever be true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and understanding, rid them of all pretense or jealousy. Help them to remember to be each other's sweetheart, helpmate, best friend and guide, so that together they may meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. And with the passage of time, may they find great contentment in the rich joy of senior companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony. We ask these things in Jesus name; Amen First reading Since Mila just started school, maybe we can learn a couple lessons from her All I really Need to know I Learned in Kindergarten. So, I thought I’d start there. Robert Fulgham points out: Most of what I really need To know about how to live And what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top Of the graduate school mountain, But there in the sandpile at Sunday school. These are the things I learned: (And, May I add, This is how they apply to marriage) Share everything. That goes without saying, You are married now. The remote, your paychecks, chores, and diaper duty Don’t forget, feelings, hopes, dreams, desires and many hugs and kisses. Play fair. Yes, even when you are not perfect, as none of us are, remember there are two sides to every story and both sides are real and indeed valid! It is not an argument you are trying to win. It is an understanding you are trying to find and with that comes a deeper and truer love. You are no longer children. This is an adult relationship to last a lifetime. Don't hit people. Well, that goes without saying. Hitting hurts and you can never take it back. Put things back where you found them. You know, toothpaste tops, car keys, Wouldn’t hurt to fill up the gas tank if you borrow the car. Always put the kids car seats back where you found them! Clean up your own mess. This is not only referring to socks or dishes. If you did something to make the other person upset, make amends. It’s easier to clean it up right away then to allow it sit sit and fester. Better a sponge a paper towel or a Chlorox wipe, even a mop or vacuum cleaner. It beats an exterminator, a drywaller or a fire truck if you let the mess fester. Don't take things that aren't yours. I could joke and refer to the last beer or cookie but in reality: Remember that you are two becoming one today in marriage but that you will always be two distinct individuals that come together to make yourselves better by your union and what makes that great is the two of you as individuals. Always allow the other to be themselves and learn from them, allow them to make you better because of who they are. By allowing each other to grow as individuals you will bring bigger and better into your marital mix. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. This would also go back to the cleaning up your mess part. Wash your hands before you eat. Take a shower, shave, brush your teeth for- well, you know what I mean... Flush. With that, let it go. There are things you will continue to learn about each other. The good and the interesting. If it is less then good, come to terms with it and then let it go. Flush it away and move on. It also has to do with forgive and forget. Just let it go. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Dominic, remember this is especially true during pregnancy. And Ute, remember this on Christmas Eve when Dominic is trying to put the doll house of a million pieces together. Live a balanced life - That includes the check book Learn some and think some And draw and paint and sing and dance Start today, on your wedding day and then remember to do it every day. Dance around the kitchen or the bathroom. Make your life a dance to enjoy. And play and work everyday some. And, may your work, be play Take a nap every afternoon. And not only on your honeymoon, but remember to love each other every day as you love each other on your honeymoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic. And remember that traffic can do all sorts of things. Make sure you are always watching out for each other, keep each other safe. Be each other’s best friend and know when to push each other to be better and know when to let go. And know when to pull each other out of harms way!! This is the most intimate of relationships, you will deal with so many things. Don’t sweat the small stuff, but don’t ignore it either. Hold hands and stick together. And may you be a very old couple holding hands walking down the street that make people stop and think about and talk about how cute you are! And Lastly: Be aware of wonder. Be aware of the wonder that each of you are. The wonder of your marriage. The wonder of your family if you are blessed with children and the wonder of how much more amazing life is because you are married. It is a sacred union that you are not entering into lightly. You did indeed learn all these things in kindergarten. But today, you begin a whole new part of your adult life where you are Sand Ceremony Ute and Dominic have decided to perform a sand ceremony today. What it is, besides a family friendly craft project, is a symbol of unity that they will have to remember this day. They can look at it in the future and think of so many things. They can remember making the decision to do this. They can remember actually doing it! Mila will perhaps remember what she did at her mom’s wedding. The day her mom got married and they became an official family. It will be a prized work of art when they are done. Will it be in a prized position in their house? Will it be one thing they take with them from the home they live in now to any home they may live in the future? Will it be “Their family thing?” Will it get broken because Mila turns out to be quite the athlete and even though mom always says “don’t play ball in the house” she and Donny do? We really don’t know. Just like marriage. We hope for the best. We give it our best. They will all give it their best. They all chose their colors together. Black, White, and Purple. Who chose the purple here? hmmmm They’ve also chosen to add glitter to the mix. I LOVE glitter! Mila, do you love glitter too? I’m sure the colors picked for today have meaning now and perhaps the meaning will change? Black - Isn’t black a color that absorbs all colors? Kind of like love, the unconditional love of marriage. It carries all things. Good or bad. At the same time, white is the color white because it reflects all colors. It helps to reflect the negative perhaps? It makes things shine? Black and white are really quite striking together. But, to make things more brilliant we are adding purple. The color of royalty or the color of little girls. Does the word princess come to mind? When you think about unity, you take two things together. Do the two become one or do the two together create something even more amazing and bigger then themselves? Like a family? A unique mom and a unique dad make for an even more unique family. The glitter? That’s the magic. Yes, the magic! I mean, something has to come over it all to create something else doesn’t it? Glitter is being added today for several reasons. To remember Those who aren’t here today. That can mean a lot of things. It’s for the people who have passed away, or those who simply couldn’t make it for whatever reason. - it’s those people looking over and protecting us with their glow. And, it stands for members of the family that aren’t here yet. Not that they’re coming any time soon mind you! But, you know how it is... first comes love, then comes marriage, then... well, you know. Sometimes it works that way. And Tanya has been told she isn’t getting any younger! Ute and Dominic also want to make sure that we all acknowledge Mila today. They want her, and everyone else to know how spectacularly unique she is! Yes, You!! You are always encouraging them and those around you to be better. You are an amazing little girl and they can’t wait to see you grow into a equally amazing woman. They know you will be a great big sister when the time comes and they appreciate the fact you say it doesn’t matter if there is a baby sister or brother, but you will never be rough and will always love them. But, Mila, you will always be the oldest, the first, and will always hold your own special place in the world and in the hearts and minds of your mom and Dominic. Thank you for being you! And now, the moment of truth! Time to mix the sand! Yeah, the fun part!! One of the most important things about this is.... once the grains of sands are mixed, they can never be separated again. And, THAT’S a good thing! Vows: Do you, Dominic, take Ute as your wedded wife, 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, until death parts you? Dominic: I do Do you, Ute, take Dominc, to be your wedded 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, until death parts you? Ute: I do The Exchange of Rings Your wedding rings are an external and visible sign of your union. May they serve as a seal of the vows the two of you have made to one another. Bless these rings, symbols of the bond that encircles you forever. Bless you, the couple who gives them and wears them—may you live in love and happiness. As you exchange rings, may you remember that from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May your hearts provide shelter, and in each others’ arms may you find your home. Dominic, please repeat after me as you place the ring on Ute's finger: Ute, I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you. Ute, please repeat after me as you place the ring on Dominic's finger: Dominic, I give you this ring as a symbol of my enduring love and lifelong devotion. Wear it and know that I love you. The Hands Ceremony Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. The Declaration of Marriage "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr Seuss "Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away! You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the couple who'll decide where to go. You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care. About some you will say, "We don't choose to go there." With your heads full of brains and your shoes full of feet, You're too smart to go down, any not-so-good street. And you may not find any you'll want to go down. In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town. It's opener there in the wide open air, Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you. And when things start to happen, don't worry. Don't stew. Just go right along. You'll start happening too. OH! THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! You'll be on your way up! You'll be seeing great sights! You'll join the high fliers who soar to great heights! You won't lag behind, because you'll have all the speed. You'll pass the whole gang, and you'll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly you'll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest. Except when you don't. Because sometimes, you won't. You'll get mixed up of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with so many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with great care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left. And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.) I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!! Ladies and Gentleman: The New Family! Brad & Sarah Simon Reading Room Indianapolis Public Library Welcome! Thank you for being here today! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Sarah and Brad in marriage. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They are surrounded by you - their friends and family - in this beautiful 101-year-old Simon Reading Room. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. When I met with Sarah and Brad we talked about today and the reason why we are all here and they didn’t elope to Paris or just silently pass the moment in a courtroom with a Justice of the Peace. They both decided that today is about family and friends. They wanted to celebrate their marriage with all of you. They chose to get married here because they were both born and raised in Indiana. They met as college students at IU 10 years ago. Many of you came from cities far and wide to meet here, in the middle of the country. Thank you! These few moments spent in the ceremony are the formalities of today, the time that Sarah and Brad acknowledge their love for each other and commit to spending the rest of their lives together. The rest of the evening is about all of you and the love you all share. Family, friends from childhood and college, and people from different stages in their lives. Each and every one of you has played an important part in their lives. You have helped make them the people they are today. We are here to celebrate life and how marriage is a part of life and an occasion to celebrate. Brad and Sarah would like to acknowledge that today also happens to be the 34th wedding anniversary of Brad’s parents, Brock and Becky Zehr! (brief applause?) We would also like to give a special hello to Sarah’s grandmother, who is watching the ceremony via livestream.Hello GRANDMOTHER At this time, we’d like to take a moment to remember those who are not here with us today, those who could not be here or those who have moved on to greater things, we know that they are here with us in spirit. Let us pause for a moment of silence to remember those who are no longer with us. Moment of silence Sarah and Brad, Today, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. We join with you in hoping you make real your dreams! That you are reborn in each other as you share your loves and dreams, wants and desires and together are enriched by them. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life. There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. There are many things I could say here about marriage. You are making a formal proclamation today, however, you have already lived successfully the many things that marriage is about. When you met, Sarah, you were the reporter and the writer, and Brad, you were the editor. It takes both to make a great story. You both served as editors-in-chief of the Indiana Daily Student at IU so you both know your abilities to be a leader, a follower, and most importantly, a collaborator. You have both lived your own lives while maintaining your relationship no matter the distance or difficulty. Half a world away from South Africa or a few hours away between Boston and New Hampshire. You’ve proven you know how to navigate life and the changes it brings, having the courage to change careers and make decisions that are good for you as individuals and as a couple. That is the most important part of marriage. Living and growing and living satisfying lives individually and finding the place in the middle where you connect, learning from your differences and finding your home in the peace you find in each other. Brad and Sarah would now like to share a memory from the beginning of their relationship. They had been dating less than a year when Brad traveled to Cape Town, South Africa for a five-month study abroad. During this time, Brad sent Sarah many postcards. The following reading is from one of the postcards that Sarah saved. Carrie Schedler, who is also a former editor-in-chief of the Indiana Daily Student, will read the letter. “Once upon a time, there was a boy named Bob and a girl named Sally. They worked together at their college newspaper. Bob didn’t belong — he was a science nerd, not a sexy, popular journalist. Sally was the newsroom favorite, a super-lifer. Bob liked to read rules about grammar and style because it satisfied his tendencies toward perfection and overanalysis and introversion. Sally liked to work herself into a dither to satisfy her need to prove herself and earn her way. Bob noticed Sally every day, she was always laughing and getting excited about nothing. He knew he liked her, but he was going through a strange thing called freshman year and really didn’t know who he was anymore. Sally was cuter than any girl he’d ever kissed. She was always talking, making friends, making jokes. Therefore, Bob always knew where Sally was in the room but never really looked at her. Sometimes, Sally and Bob would sit down next to each other and edit the same story. Bob was so nervous sitting next to Sally that he couldn’t read correctly. The page was blurry, and his throat sunk when Sally’s arm bumped into his. One day Bob kissed Sally and liked it. They lived happily ever after. Love, Brad” Thank you, Carrie. I will now read a few words about love by an author we all know. See if you can recognize him. When we love a person, we accept him or her exactly as is: the lovely with the unlovely, the strong along with the fearful, the true mixed in with the facade. And of course the only way we can do it is by accepting ourselves that way. ... It’s what’s inside us that matters most. You can really love someone else when you really love yourself. ... As human beings our job in life is to help people realize how rare and valuable each one of us really is, that each of us has something that no one else has or ever will have. Something inside which is unique to all time. It’s our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness and to provide ways of developing its expression. ... Love isn’t a state of perfect caring. It is an active noun, like struggle. To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now, and to go on caring, even through times that may bring us pain. These words were written by the one and only Mr. Fred Rogers. Never too old or too late to hear his message. And with that, it’s time for us to move forward to the “business end” of the ceremony. ;) Do you Brad, take Sarah, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. Brad: I do. Do you Sarah take Brad, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. Sarah: I do. Now Sarah and Brad would like to share the vows they have written for each other. Vows Ring Exchange The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have. please repeat after me.... Sarah, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. As you place the ring on her finger: With this ring, I, thee wed. Brad, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. As you place the ring on his finger: With this ring, I, thee wed. The Hand Ceremony As you are holding hands, take a moment to see the gift that you are to each other. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. Blessing and Proclamation We have gathered here today to celebrate the union of Brad and Sarah and to honor their commitment to not just gazing at one another, but to looking outward together in the same direction. Today they proclaim their love to the world, and we are happy for them. As families and friends, all of you are here from the community of support that surrounds them. This is why gathering as a community is such an important part of a wedding ceremony. Each of you, by your presence here today, is being called upon to uphold them in honoring and loving each other. Always stand beside them, Never between them. Offer them your love and support, Not your judgment. Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts, And honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today. Sarah and Brad are now taking a new form as a married couple, and in this form, they become part of their community in a new way. Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity. May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all. It is my great pleasure to acknowledge your union as “Husband and Wife.” You may now kiss your bride. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to introduce to you: Mr. and Mrs. .... Amanda and Dave's Christian Wedding Ceremony Script, With Memorial. The Hawthorn's Fishers.7/9/2020
It's not uncommon to have a moment of silence during a wedding ceremony. We may or may not mention names. Sometimes, the moment of silence is for someone really important to the bride or groom and we acknowledge it like we did for Dave's dad. We lit a candle in his memory. We have come together, both families, to witness Amanda and David as they exchange their vows of marriage. We share with them their delight in finding love with each other, and support their decision to be together from now until the end of time. As this couple enters into marriage, they do so with thought and reverence. They give thanks for the past, which brought them to this place and look forward with hope to what the future will bring. Marriage is like a great umbrella that shelters love from the elements. Corinthians One says that love is patient and kind. It is not jealous or boastful, It is not irritable or resentful, nor is it arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way. It does not rejoice in the wrong but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes in all things and endures all things. Love never ends. This marriage is a symbol of Amanda and David’s commitment to that love. Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we gather here together because you have promised that wherever 2 or more are gathered in your name, you will be in the midst of them. We ask for your presence here, as we join Amanda and David in marriage. We ask your blessings over this ceremony as Amanda and David make their vows to each other. Stand by them throughout their marriage and fill them with your perfect love so that they may grow in their love for you and for each other throughout their marriage and their lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. Love has gathered us here today to witness the joining of Amanda and David, Had David’s father Gary been alive today, he would have been incredibly proud to be celebrating this marriage with us. Still we feel his presence with us, as he surrounds us with his spirit and showers us with his love. It is in his memory that we now light this candle. Light candle Let us all bow our heads for a brief moment of reflection to acknowledge Gary’s presence here with us today. In marriage, we give ourselves freely and generously into the hands of the one we love, and in doing so, each of us receives the love and trust of the other as our most precious gift. We celebrate that you have found each other And that through each other, You have come to know the power of love. We celebrate your union of hearts, minds, bodies, and souls. And wish you great joy and a loving and happy marriage. Marriage is the ultimate relationship because it offers the opportunity of limitless intimacy between two people. It is a great and challenging adventure into the depths and heights of human caring, Affection, trust and understanding. Today as you make your vows, your lives are intermingled. Marriage is a journey of transformation into the profound mysteries of life and creation. In marriage, We do not give ourselves to another, But rather surrender into something greater. We surrender to love itself. Today, you step into a much fuller experience and expression of the mysteries and miracles of love. Your precious union is lovely in its innocence, Mighty in its strength, And abundant with possibilities. It belongs to you both. Over time you will give it identity. I wish for you the wisdom, strength of character, and divine creativity To make this a happy marriage, A safe harbor. And a joyful journey to share Vows David, do you take Amanda, to be your wife, with her faults and her strengths, do you offer yourself to her with your faults and your strengths. Will you help her when she needs help and turn to her when you need help. Do you choose Amanda as the person with whom you will spend your life? Amanda, do you take David, to be your husband, with his faults and his strengths, do you offer yourself to him with your faults and your strengths. Will you help him when he needs help and turn to him when you need help. Do you choose David as the person with whom you will spend your life? Ring Exchange Your wedding rings symbolize and bind your love. Without beginning or end and with no point of weakness, the circle is a reminder of the eternal quality of God and of unending strength. Let the seamless circle of these rings become the symbol of your endless love and unending faithfulness. Wear these rings as the enclosing bond of reverence and trust. Fulfill the circle of love that now makes you one. May God, bless these rings and the two who exchange them. May the two of you be filled with God's Holy Presence. Safe in his circle of protection and love. David, as you place the rings on Amanda’s finger please repeat after me: With this ring, I pledge my love and faithfulness to you, today, now and always. Amanda, as you place the rings on David’s finger please repeat after me: With this ring, I pledge my love and faithfulness to you, today, now and always. What God has joined together, let no one put asunder. May the two of you be blessed by God, May you be touched by angels. May your hearts stay full, may your spirits stay connected, and may you love long and happily in one another arms. I now pronounce you married! You may seal this marriage with a kiss. Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mr/Mrs Gill Tequila and Nancy
Aquatic Center, Plainfield Welcome, everyone! Thank you for joining us today as we celebrate the love of two people. It is a blessing when two people that love each are fortunate to find each other and become as one. Love takes many forms. The romantic, committed love of marriage as well as the love of family, As we celebrate Tequila and Nancy today, we also celebrate the love of family as we remember Tequila’s mother Lisa. May this be a beautiful memorial and celebration for all. Marriage symbolizes the intimate sharing of two lives. This sharing must not diminish, but enhance the individuality of each partner. You do not shed your individuality, for that is what brought you together in the first place. Marriage is the loving declaration that you should be no other than yourself. A lasting marriage is not stagnant. The relationship and each individual are continually growing and developing. Your understanding of each other deepens and evolves. It is not this ceremony or the state of being married that will truly join and hold you together, but your ongoing commitment to your relationship and to the kind of life you wish to make together. In this way, your marriage will not be just a symbol; it will be more than that. It will be an action, something you work actively on every day. Only once in your lifetime, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with a soul and they absorb everything you say, and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. They are not embarrassed to cry with you or laugh. They build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special. There is a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself because they love you for all you are. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, and you are quite content. Things that never interested you before become fascinating. You open your heart, and experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to feel true pleasure and it’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are part of your life. Vows Do you Tequila, take Nancy to be your wife, your partner in life and one true love. To cherish your union and love her more each day than you did the day before. Will you trust her and respect her, laugh with her and cry with her, loving her faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face together. Do you give her your hand, heart, and love, from this day forward for as long as you both shall live? Do you Nancy, take Tequila to be your wife, your partner in life and one true love. To cherish your union and love her more each day than you did the day before. Will you trust her and respect her, laugh with her and cry with her, loving her faithfully through good times and bad, regardless of the obstacles you may face together. Do you give her your hand, heart, and love, from this day forward for as long as you both shall live? Ring exchange This is the point in the ceremony where we usually talk about the wedding bands being a perfect circle, with no beginning and no end. But we all know that these rings do have a beginning. Rock is dug up from the earth. Metal is liquefied in a furnace at a thousand degrees, then molded, cooled, and painstakingly polished. Something beautiful is made from raw elements. Love is like that. It comes from humble beginnings, made by imperfect beings. It's the process of making something beautiful where there was once nothing at all. Let us pray, Bless, O Lord, the giving of these rings, that they who wear them may abide together in your peace and grow in one another’s eyes. Nancy, please repeat after me: Tequila, this ring is my promise to accept your imperfections and appreciate all that makes you unique and beautiful. Tequila, please repeat after me: Nancy, this ring is my promise to accept your imperfections and appreciate all that makes you unique and beautiful. Tequila and Nancy are now going to light their their unity candle. As you can see there are 3 candles. One in the middle and two on either side. The outer candles represent their lives before today. Often, it is the mothers that light these candles. At this time, we remember Tequila’s mother Lisa, who is no longer with us. We know for sure, she is her with us in spirit. Here now, we’ll be joined by Treveon and Brianna to light these candles. Our families are where we are taught about love and how to practice the art of loving another. So it is very fitting that they light these candles. Once the outer candles are lit, Nancy and Tequila will use them to light their candle together. From every human being there rises a light and when two souls that are destined for each other find one another, their streams of light flow together and a single, brighter light goes forth from their united being. Let us pray. God, we ask for your blessings upon Tequila and Nancy, as we celebrate this momentous occasion in their lives. Grant them happiness and contentment as they establish their new home, create a new family and explore the depths of their love for one another and for you. Bless their families and friends and the relationships, which have supported, strengthened and sustained them throughout their lives. We remember especially Tequila’s mother Lisa Lynette Gill, and are reminded true love is truly eternal. Bless their home as a place of love and of peace. And if times grow hard and tempers grow short, help them to look into their hearts and remember the love that brought them here today. Amen. Tequila and Nancy, May all your days be blessed with love and friendship. May each day and night of your lives be a new beginning.May your home be filled with laughter and the warm embrace of a summer’s day. May you find peacefulness and beauty, challenge, and satisfaction, humor and insight, healing and renewal, love and wisdom, as in a quiet heart and may you always feel that what you have is enough. I now pronounce you married! You may kiss your bride! Ladies and Gentlemen, Tequila Johnson and Nancy Dedmond, Two beautiful spirits that love each other! I made a wish upon a star
I turned around and there you were. (From Bolt) Bride and Groom, it is our hope for you that your days be long, and seasoned with love, understanding, and respect. And may all around you be blessed by love as it shines through you. As this affirmation of your love comes to a close, let us reflect on some wonderful reminders of what it means to love…These are fun pieces of wisdom for which you don’t need a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down - The Rescuers let us know in their clever way that To face the future with another, who means more than any other, is to be loved. When watching Cinderella - or strolling past her castle, Make sure to stop, think and feel: “So this is love… this is what makes life divine.” On a long trip, when the songs on the radio start to replay themselves - remember Bambi, who reminds us that “Love is a song that never ends.” I’m sure you know that marriage requires compromise from time to time. Sometimes it’s an easy compromise like- We’ll eat at Le Cellier today and The Biergarten tomorrow - at least they’re both in Epcot. When your compromise is a little more difficult, stop at the Beauty and the Beast sing along and be reminded that - It’s bittersweet and strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong. While you continue your walk through Epcot, stop in Norway to be reminded that sometimes the compromise (and sacrifice) is worth it - Olaf has Taught Brenden, that some people are worth melting for. You will do crazy things from time to time that the other may not understand. If you must text a friend to vent - make that friend is Meg, from Hercules, and let her assures us that - people always do crazy things when they’re in love. Along the line of those crazy things you may do over the course of your marriage - If you are seeking clarity - take the advice of Pocahontas and Listen with your heart, you will understand. When you do, you may understand once and for all that Belle means when she says: “There may be something there that wasn’t there before.” Sometimes, you simply need to trust your heart, let fate decide. - It worked for Tarzan. As the great Walt Disney said: “Laughter is timeless, Imagination has no age, and dreams are forever” Never forget - If you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true… Just as when Kelsey wished upon a star, her dreams came true. At this point, I will step aside - so that when you kiss the photographer can get a good shot of it So to spend a life in endless bliss, just find who you love through true love’s kiss! You Kiss!!! While you are kissing I will say: I now pronounce you husband and wife! Second Reading: An Idea Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again. Peter: Wendy? One girl's worth more than 20 boys. Wendy: You really think so? Peter: I live with boys, the lost boys, they are well named! Wendy: Who are they? Peter: Children who fall out of their prams when the nurse is not looking. If they are not claimed in seven days, they are sent to the Neverland. Wendy: Are there girls too? Peter: Girls are much too clever to fall out of their prams. Wendy: Peter , it's perfectly lovely the way you talk about girls! I should like, to give you a.. kiss Wendy: don't you know what a kiss is? Peter: I shall know when you give me one. Peter Pan: Now, think of the happiest things. It's the same as having wings. Tinkerbell: You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That's where I'll always love you, Peter Pan. That's where I'll be waiting So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Never Never Land!- Peter The many gentlemen who had been boys when she was a girl discovered simultaneously that they loved her, and they all ran to her house to propose to her except Mr. Darling, who took a cab and nipped in first, and so he got her. The Vows: Do you, Groom take Bride, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward to infinity and beyond? Do you, Bride, take Groom, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward to infinity and beyond? At this time, Bride and Groom would like to personally express their love to each other in their own words: The Rings Please... A ring is an unbroken circle, a symbol of unity and love, representative of the greater circle of life of which we all spiritually are a part of. Having neither beginning nor end, but a continuous cycle of which you are an element. For you, it begins with the gift of life, and will continue through the end of time. It's the Circle of Life And it moves us all Through despair and hope Through faith and love Till we find our place On the path unwinding In the Circle The Circle of Life I have a few words of advice from some wise ones. If they were here.... Walt would say: "Don’t look backwards for very long. Keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because curiosity will keep leading you down new paths." Keep dreaming and remember all your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. The Land Before Time would say: "Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely." Pooh Bear says: "The things that makes you different, are the things that make you you." Peter Pan advises: "All it takes is faith and trust." Alice reminds you: "Nothing’s impossible!" The Incredible Edna says: "Never look back darling.... it only distracts from the now." I now Pronounce you Husband and Wife!!!! May you live Happily Ever After!! You may now kiss!! Ladies and Gentlemen: Mr. and Mrs................. I'll be your candle on the water. My love for you will always burn. I'll be your candle on the water This flame inside of me will grow Keep holding on you'll make it Here's my hand so take it Look for me reaching out to show As sure as rivers flow I'll never let you go. Yes, you want her Look at her, you know you do Possible she wants you too There is one way to ask her It don't take a word Not a single word Go on and kiss the girl! (from the Little Mermaid) Joe and Jessi got together because they both love Weird Al Yankovich. I LOVE my job! These stories are awesome! Needless to say, that had to included somewhere in their wedding ceremony script. We incorporated it into their unity glass ceremony. They were married in the Cocktail Plaza room at The Sanctuary on Penn. It was the perfect intimate setting for this wedding ceremony.
Unplugged Ceremony More Options Victoria welcomes everyone and announces that it’s an “Unplugged” ceremony and ask guests to turn off their ringers and to refrain from personal photography, as there are professionals doing that. Victoria: Ladies and Gentlemen, Please stand for the bride. The Presentation More Options Victoria: Who presents this woman to be married? Dom:I do Victoria, to all: Please be seated. Victoria: We would like to begin today with a reading from Kristin Poem by Kathy R. Jeffords Once upon a time, a boy met a girl, she gave him her hand & he held it tight. Together, they set off down the unknown path in front of them. Sometimes they walked slowly; sometimes at a quicker pace. Sometimes they ran so fast it felt kind of like flying. Whenever he lost his footing, she steadied him and whenever she tripped, he helped her back up. Whenever she grew weary, he’d carry her. Sometimes they didn’t know which direction to go, but though they would occasionally lose their way, they never lost each other. They wandered contentedly and lived happily, forever and always side by side.” Welcoming Words More options Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Joe and Jessi in marriage. They promise to love, trust in that love, and honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They, are surrounded by you - their friends and family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Moment of Silence more options At this time, we’d like to take a moment to remember those who are not with us here today. Those who couldn’t make it and those who are no longer with us. We know that they are here with us in spirit. We especially remember Names. (Brief moment of silence) Words about Love and Marriage more options Jessi and Joe, Today, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. We join with you in hoping you make real your dreams! That you are reborn in each other as you share your loves and dreams, wants and desires and together are enriched by them. Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life. There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. May you be enriched by the unique view of the other! Readings more options Victoria: And now here is a reading from: The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we're pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person, we're safe in our own paradise. Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we're two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we've found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life." (From "Union" by Robert Fulghum) Jessi and Joe, you have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late-night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife” Declaration on Intent more options Jessi and Joe, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage? Jes and Joe: We have. Will you honor each other as partners for the rest of your lives? Jes and Joe: We will. Will all of you witnessing these promises do all in your power to uphold these two persons in their marriage? All: We will. Do you, Joe, take Jessi to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part? Joe: I do. Do you, Jessi, take Joe to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part? Jessi: I do. Marriage Vows more options Now, Jessi and Joe would like to share the vows they’ve written for each other. Meaning of the Wedding Rings more options The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have. Ring Exchange more options Joe, please repeat after me: Jessi, I give you this ring, with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you.With this Ring, I thee wed. Jessi, please repeat after me: Joe, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. With this Ring, I thee wed. The Unity Glass Ceremony more unity ceremony ideas Jessi and Joe have decided to perform a glass ceremony. Here, you can see they have three vessels that Vivian placed up here at the beginning of the ceremony. Two of them are filled with colored glass. The third is the vessel into which they will pour the glass. Each of their vessels of glass represent who they are as individuals. Who they are today and everything before this day that makes them who they are today. This includes their families, their upbringings, and all of you here today, who by your friendship and kindness have helped make them who they are. Jessi and Joe have been together for 10 years, so they have also helped make each other who they are too. There is a little bit of Joe’s burger in Jessi’s vessel, and a little of Jessi’s sushi in Joe’s vessel. There is definitely some Weird Al Yankovic in both of their vessels! When they pour their glass together, they will make art. Once they pour the glasses together there is one thing we can definitely say, and that is, they can never separate the two again. Now, as you know, this marriage is not a sudden decision. They didn’t meet last week. They have been building their relationship over the last decade. They are definitely sure about their relationship and their commitment to a marriage to last the rest of their lives. So, this is actually a very special glass that will be sent to a glassblower. The glassblower will melt the glass and create a beautiful memory for them to keep forever. But don’t worry you two, it’s just a metaphor, you will still be you! Only better, because you complement one another. Jessi and Joe pour the glass together (10-20 second song clip TBD) Pronouncement more options Before the big pronouncement, I want to give everyone some quick instructions… In a moment, I am going to pronounce Jessie and Joe Married! They are going to give each other that first kiss they’ve been waiting for. And then, they are going to walk down the aisle. After that, I ask that you follow them, pick up some bubbles, and then, head out the side doors for the traditional send off as they exit the building. No worries though, you don’t need to go anywhere, when you’re done, you can follow the outdoor steps downstairs to continue the evening with the reception. Jessi and Joe: Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity. May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all. It is my great pleasure to acknowledge your union as “Husband and Wife.” You may now seal your marriage with a kiss!!! Ladies and Gentlemen, Jessi and Joe are married!! I've been marrying couples for over 10 years. Same gender marriages have only been legal for part of that time. I loved it when Joe and Nick not only asked me to marry them but wanted a Christian wedding ceremony script. They just seemed like things that didn't seem to all go together at the time politically. Faith, of course is greater than politics! Joe and Nick were married in their back yard surrounded by family and friends from all over the country.
Opening Prayer more options O God, Creator of us all, we thank you for the gift of life and on this day we thank you especially for the joy that Nick and Joe have found in each other, and for the promises, they will make before you. Bless all of our families and friends who are present with us on this special occasion. We also remember those who couldn't be here today. We pray, O God, that you remain with Joe and Nick as a partner in their marriage. Grant to them, and to us all, love and understanding all of our days. Amen Welcoming Words other options Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Joe and Nick in marriage. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husbands. Today you've gathered your friends and family together to celebrate this special day with you. Words About Love and Marriage other options Throughout time, what people have found that is essential for a strong and long-lasting relationship is that it be founded on love. Love is friendship, quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good times and bad. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses. Love is content with the present and hopes for the future, and it doesn't brood over the past. It is the chronicles of problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories, and common goals. If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things that you lack. If you don't have it, no matter what else is there, it isn't enough. Reading more options 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New Living Translation (NLT) 4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Vows and Rings (They put both of them together) more options Nick and Joe, this day represents so much for both of you. Of course, it is the day you begin your lives together married. Your wedding is a public proclamation of your love, made here in front of your friends and family. But beyond that, and most importantly, you are here to make promises to each other, the promises that are the foundation of your marriage. Your vows are how you put your relationship into words- what it means today, and what it will mean for the rest of your lives. The rings you will now exchange are the symbols of the commitment which holds the two of you together. The wedding ring is the visible sign of an invisible bond that unites two hearts in love. Joe, as you place the ring on Nick's finger, please repeat after me: I Joe, take thee, Nick, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live. Nick, as you place the ring on Joe’s finger, please repeat after me: I Nick, take thee, Joe, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. And with this ring, I take you as my husband, for as long as we both shall live. Pronouncement more options Joe and Nick, you came here today to affirm your love for one another and formally acknowledge that which your hearts already knew…that your lives are meant to be shared as one, that you are stronger together than you are apart, and that, for all the days yet to come, you wish to share together all life’s joys and challenges, committed one to the other. You have made this affirmation and commitment in the presence of the most important people in your lives. May you forever feel that the life you share is the life you have always wanted. I now pronounce you Husband and Husband Michelle and George kicked off their holiday weekend by eloping before setting off on their Harley. I loved it when Michelle sent me this wedding ceremony script she found written just for bikers. And yes, big biker George cried like a baby as you said his vows! They were married by the river in Falls Park in Pendleton, IN.
Michelle and George have been riding together for ten years and their experience of that togetherness has led them here today, to make a public pronouncement that they have each found the one, and luckily for them, it is each other. When you say to the other, “I love you,” what you are saying is, “Hold on tight, the ride is long.” Be understanding of your partner’s needs. Hold each other in the highest regard. Have a sense of humor as you meet life’s challenges. Honor one another when you are together or apart. Respect each other’s differences. Enjoy the good times, and endure the storms. When your heart and the wide open roads call you, follow just to see what awaits you. Don’t be afraid to satisfy your dreams with new and different experiences. Make your dreams come true, together …Most of all, love one another… and the realization of the meaning of that beautiful promise “To have and to hold…” Vows more options George: I love you more than the wind whipping through my beard, hold on tight and always be ready to ride and we will be happy forever. As we take our vows of marriage I will love you and take you anywhere we can ride on two wheels, please take my heart and ride with me as my wife. Michelle: I love you more than words can express, I love the way I can snuggle up with you on the bike, being with you, holding you tightly as you take the turns, I can feel a connection with you, and I love that feeling. I want to hold you forever, riding down any road we come to. Our marriage and love will take us through any weather and it makes me very happy to now become your wife. Meaning of the Rings more options These rings are the symbol of your marriage vows, of love never ending, the ties that bind you together as husband and wife. They mark the beginning of your long ride together Ring Exchange more options With this ring, I thee wed, for today, for tomorrow, for all the years, and for all the journeys to come. Please wear it as a sign of my deep and everlasting love. Pronouncement more options May your love grow ever stronger as you share your lives together, and may your future be even more wonderful than you ever dreamed possible. You have made your promises and exchanged your rings. By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss your beautiful bike riding wife! When Stacy and Greg called me they were looking for the right wedding officiant for them. Greg is Jewish, so it was given they were going to at least step on a glass and shout Mazel Tov! What made this wedding ceremony script a little different was Stacy wanted to step on a glass too! I love Jewish fusion weddings and always look forward to them but when they said all they really wanted was to break 2 glasses, I was in! I knew I wanted to officiate their wedding just for the experience! It was a very fun afternoon at the Indianapolis Arts Center.
This wedding ceremony script is a great example of how saying the right words during your wedding ceremony is more important that how long or traditional it is. Announce an Unplugged Ceremony more options Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Stacy and Greg's Wedding! I ask that you silence your phones and refrain from taking pictures during the wedding. There are professional photographers here to catch all the important moments. They will be happy to share those pictures with you when they are done. Thank you! Let’s begin. Stacy and Greg, you have known each other from when you first met at Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, to this point of commitment. On a January afternoon last year, you decided to marry. From that moment of “yes” to this moment of “yes,” indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. You agreed to start your family, bringing two lovely dogs, Indy and Lincoln, into your home. You started to plant roots, buying a home together in Indianapolis. All those conversations you had during long car trips, walks around the block, and dinners at Twenty Tap -- all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday and somehow and maybe"- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word." Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, caretaker, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another. Now, you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between us. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife. Declaration of Intent more options Greg, from this day onward, do you choose Stacy to be your wife, your best friend and your only love? To live together, play together and laugh together, to work by her side and dream in her arms; to fill her heart and feed her soul: To always seek out the best in her; Always love her with all your heart, until the end of your forever? If so, say I do! Stacy, from this day onward, do you choose Greg to be your husband, your best friend and your only love? To live together, play together and laugh together, to work by his side and dream in his arms; to fill his heart and feed his soul: To always seek out the best in him; Always love him with all your heart, until the end of your forever? If so, say I do! Vows more options Please repeat after me: Greg, please repeat after me: Stacy, it is clear to me now that everything in my life has led me to you - I think back on all my choices and consider even the bad ones blessed, because if I had done even one thing differently, I might have never met you and become your best friend and husband. Stacy, please repeat after me: Greg, it is clear to me now that everything in my life has led me to you - I think back on all my choices and consider even the bad ones blessed, because if I had done even one thing differently, I might have never met you and become your best friend and wife. Ring Exchange more options Greg as you place the ring on Stacy’s finger, please repeat after me: I Greg, take thee Stacy, to be my wife. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer, or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my Wife for as long as we both shall live. Stacy, as you place the ring on Greg’s finger, please repeat after me: I Stacy, take thee Greg, to be my husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer, or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you. With this ring, I take you as my Husband for as long as we both shall live. You came here today to affirm your love for one another and formally acknowledge that which your hearts already knew, that your lives are meant to be shared as one, that you are stronger together than you are apart, and that, for all your days yet to come, you wish to share together all life’s joys and challenges, committed one to the other. Breaking of the Glass more options And now, drawing on the Jewish tradition, Stacy and Greg well each shatter glass to conclude our ceremony. In doing so, we are reminded that love, like glass, is fragile and must be protected. While there are many interpretations of what it means to break the glass, but it can be distilled to a simple wish for the bride and groom: “May your marriage last as long as it would take to repair this glass.” So now, I’m going to pronounce you married and after I do, you will step on your glasses. I invite everyone here to shout Mazel Tov! I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride! (smashes glass) Mazel Tov! Ladies and Gentlemen, Greg and Stacy are Married! Carly and Paul's short and sweet wedding ceremony script is a perfect example of how you can take a reading or poem and use the words in your wedding ceremony and make it sound like a speech with meaning instead of a dry and lifeless "reading." This was a very private elopement. Carly and Paul (not their real names) got legally married with me and had a photographer on hand to take engagement photo's. They had a formal wedding ceremony 6 months later - a very common process. Carly and Paul are very private and shy individuals. This was a great opportunity for them to share their private vows with each other authentically in privacy.
Words About Love and Marriage more options Carly and Paul, May your marriage bring you all the exquisite excitements a marriage should bring, and may life grant you also patience, tolerance, and understanding. May you always need one another - not so much to fill your emptiness as to help you to know your fullness. A mountain needs a valley to be complete; the valley does not make the mountain less, but more; and the valley is more a valley because it has a mountain towering over it. So let it be with you and you. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you entice one another, but not compel one another. May you embrace one another, but not out encircle one another. May you succeed in all important ways with one another, and not fail in the little graces. May you look for things to praise, often say, "I love you!" and take no notice of small faults. If you have quarrels that push you apart, may both of you hope to have good sense enough to take the first step back. May you enter into the mystery which is the awareness of one another's presence - no more physical than spiritual, warm and near when you are side by side, and warm and near when you are in separate rooms or even distant cities. May you have happiness, and may you find it making one another happy. May you have love, and may you find it loving one another. Vows more options Park shares his vows for Carly Cara shares her vows for Paul Declaration of Intents more options Do you Paul, take Carly, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part? Do you Carly, take Park, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part? Ring Exchange more options These rings are symbol of your marriage vows, the ties that bind you together as husband and wife. As you place the rings on each others fingers say: With this ring, I marry you. Pronouncement more options The two of you have declared your love for each other and your intent to enter into marriage with the exchanging of vows and of rings. By the power vested in me by the state of Indiana I now pronounce you Husband and wife! You may kiss the bride! Kristi and Sean are one of the first formal wedding couples I married. They make my job more fun and interesting then I ever thought it could be. Sean was a confirmed bachelor. He swore that if he ever got married he would never do it during football or basketball season. He also insisted the ceremony be no longer then 7 minutes. Kristi showed up to the meeting with a big wedding binder and just smiled politely as he made this announcement. She wanted a wedding! And, well, Sean really loves Kristi, so they compromised. They got married where he golfs - The Broadmoor Country Club in Indianapolis. They had a fantastic cocktail party reception instead of a sit down dinner. We considered everything we could to to make their wedding ceremony perfect. We needed to mix a little religion, a lot of romance, and a little fun too. I explained that you could have a slightly longer and fun ceremony and he agreed to be open to it.
One of the most interesting things about Sean and Kristi is their love for sports and their dedication to their Alma mater's. Kristi's family is die hard Notre Dame and Sean graduated from Purdue. Their competitive nature and sports rivalry is a big part of their life. We ended up adding fun vows that included sports and they toasted from mugs from each other's schools. In then end, Sean couldn't have been happier!! Opening Prayer more options May the creator of Love itself be here today and with us always. Amen. Words about Love and Marriage more options On Your Wedding Day Today is a day you will always remember, the greatest in anyone's life. You'll start the day just two people in love, and end it as Husband and Wife. It's a brand new beginning the start of a journey, with moments to cherish and treasure, and although there'll be times when you both disagree, these will surely be outweighed by pleasure. You'll have heard many words of advice in the past, when the secrets of marriage were spoken, but you know that the answers lie hidden inside, where the bond of true love lies unbroken. So live Happy 'forever as lovers and friends, It's the dawn of a new life for you. As you stand there together with love in your eyes, from the moment you whisper "I Do.".and with luck, all your hopes, and your dreams can be real. May success find its way to your hearts. Tomorrow can bring you the greatest of joys. But today is the day it all starts. Recognition of Parents Before we go on to say more about love, it is important to recognize from where love comes in our lives. Of course, someone first loved Kristi and Sean. Someone cared for them as children, showed them what love, compassion, kindness, and care is. Of course we are speaking of the parents. The work of our parents is critical in preparing us to be the loving adults we are, so today, Kristi and Sean want to make special recognition of their parents for making today possible. I speak for everyone here when we say “Thank You mom’s and dad’s for beginning in Kristi and Sean’s something so special. (Now Kristi and Sean present flowers to their parents - mom gets flower, dad gets hug.) Welcoming Words more options Welcome friends and family of Kristi and Sean. Thank you for joining us this evening as we celebrate their love and joining together in marriage. Reading more options The Art of a Good Marriage by Wilfered Arlan Peterson 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 having a mutual sense of values, and common objectives. It is standing together and facing the world. It is forming a circle that gathers in the whole family. It is speaking words of appreciation, and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is not only marrying the right person -- it is being the right partner. A passage from writer Gerald May There is a desire within each of us, in the deep center of ourselves that we call our heart. We were born with it, it is never completely satisfied, and it never dies. We are often unaware of it, but it is always awake. It is the human desire for love. Every person in this earth yearns to love, to be loved, to know love. Our true identity, our reason for being, is to be found in this desire… Love is the ‘why’ of life: why we are functioning at all, what we want to be efficient for… I am convinced it is the fundamental energy of the human spirit, the fuel on which we run, the wellspring of our vitality. And grace, which is the flowing, creative activity of love itself, is what makes all goodness possible. Love should come first; it should be the beginning of and the reason for everything. The Commitment Kristi and Sean, this celebration is the outward token of your sacred and inward union of hearts, which the church and temple may bless, and the state make legal, but which neither state nor church can create nor annul. It is a union created by your loving purpose and kept by your abiding will. It is in this spirit and for this purpose that you have come here to be joined together. Vows more options Do you, Kristi, choose Sean as your husband, joining with him today in spirit, offering your friendship and loving care? Will you be kind, patient, honest, forgiving and keep a sense of humor? Do you promise to honor his growth and freedom as well as your own, to cherish and respect him, share in his dreams and support him, love and protect him in times of challenge as well as times of joy? (Kristi: “I do”) Do you, Sean, choose Kristi as your wife, joining with her today in spirit, offering your friendship and loving care? Will you be kind, patient, honest, forgiving and keep a sense of humor? Do you promise to honor her growth and freedom as well as your own, to cherish and respect her, share in her dreams and support her, love and protect her in times of challenge as well as times of joy? (Sean: “I do”) Meaning of the Rings more options As you exchange rings, may you remember that from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May your hearts provide shelter, and in each others’ arms may you find your home. Ring Exchange more options I, (Kristi), give you this ring as a promise and symbol of my heart, my faithfulness and my commitment to you. When I’m angry, I’ll seek to be kind. When we speak, I will be truthful. I will listen and I will be respectful. And each day of my life, I promise to love and cherish you. I, (Sean), give you this ring as a promise and symbol of my heart, my faithfulness and my commitment to you. When I’m angry, I’ll seek to be kind. When we speak, I will be truthful. I will listen and I will be respectful. And each day of my life, I promise to love and cherish you. Extra Vows and Unity Ceremony [Kristi and Sean pick up the ND and Purdue cups] Sean, do you promise to:
Sean: “I do” Kristi, do you promise to let Sean:
Kristi: “I do” [K&S exchange cups, clink them and take a drink. Victoria sets them off to side - out of picture] Kristi and Sean join hands Marriage Blessings more options Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity. May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all. Irish Blessings 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. I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride!! Ladies and Gentleman: Mr. and Mrs. Sean and Kristi ...! Max and Kurt's Secular Humanist Ceremony - The Manor at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis4/18/2020
Max and Kurt had a fabulous wedding at The Manor at The Children's Museum Indianapolis. They had an very fashionable group of friends gather to celebrate with them and this secular wedding was appreciated and enjoyed by everyone. Everyone always get's a kick out of having Carl Sagan read during a wedding ceremony! It's also very helpful when you have 2 very nervous grooms!
Welcoming more options Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Max and Kurt in marriage. In the years they have been together, their love and understanding of each other has grown and matured, and now they have decided to live their lives together as husband and husband. Thank you for gathering as friends and family together to celebrate this special day. Throughout time, what people have found that is essential for a strong and long lasting relationship is that it be founded on love. Love is friendship, quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing and forgiving. It is loyalty through good times and bad. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses. Love is content with the present and hopes for the future, and it doesn't brood over the past. It is the chronicles of problems, compromises, small disappointments, big victories and common goals. If you have love in your life, it can make up for a great many things that you lack. If you don't have it, no matter what else is there, it isn't enough. Reading more options Now, I’d like to share a book passage from Carl Sagan Consider our planet. On it, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever lived, lived out their lives. The aggregate of all our joys and sufferings, thousands of confident religions, ideologies and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilizations, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every hopeful child, every mother and father, every inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every superstar, every supreme leader, every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived here on a mote of dust, suspended in a sunbeam. The earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Once we lose our fear of being tiny, we find ourselves on the threshold of a vast and awesome Universe which dwarfs -- in time, in space, and in potential -- the tidy anthropocentric proscenium of our ancestors. And for small creatures such as we, this vastness is made bearable only through love. Vows more options This day represents so much for both of you. Of course, it is the day you begin your lives together as husbands. Your wedding is a public proclamation of your love, made here in front of your friends and family. But beyond that, and most importantly, you are here to make promises to each other, the promises that are the foundation of your marriage. Your vows are how you put your relationship into words- what it means today, and what it will mean for the rest of your lives. Do you Max, take Kurt, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part? Do you Kurt, take Max, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; until death do you part? Rings Meaning other options The ring is the symbol of the commitment which holds these two together. The wedding ring is the visible sign of an invisible bond which unites two hearts in love. Kurt and Max, as you exchange these rings, may they be symbols of your promises to each other and remind you of your devotion. May you feel honored to call each other.... Husband. And may you remember that from this day the one you love is always beside you. Closing and Marriage Pronouncement more options You came here today to affirm your love for one another and formally acknowledge that which your hearts already knew…that your lives are meant to be shared as one, that you are stronger together than you are apart, and that, for all the days yet to come, you wish to share together all life’s joys and challenges, committed one to the other. You have made this affirmation and commitment in the presence of the most important people in your lives. May you forever feel that the life you share is the life you have always wanted. I now pronounce you Husband and Husband. YOU MAY NOW KISS! Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present to you for the first time as a married couple, Husband and Husband, Max and Kurt! This is Andrew and Claire's wedding ceremony script. They met while working on a Disney cruise ship. Andrew was literally the understudy for Peter Pan and Claire worked in child care. It didn't take long before they were known to their friends as “Peter Pan and Wendy.”
Andrew in born and raised in Indiana and Claire is from the UK. Claire's family was living in Australia. Everyone meeting in Indy for their wedding ceremony was a VERY BIG DEAL. Clair's mom worked double shifts for a year to pay for the trip. When they were researching plane tickets they found out that it was almost the same price to buy a ticket to fly around the word as it was to fly to Indy. So that's what they did. They were married on New Years weekend. This wedding ceremony script was personalized perfectly for them. It talks about their relationship, their love of Disney and their families - especially their moms - and their christian faith. Claire was in the UK by herself more most of the year before the wedding waiting for her K1 Visa to be approved. She had a lot of time to think. Andrew and Claire's Disney Inspired Christian Wedding Ceremony Script The mother’s are escorted down the aisle and each light their individual unity candle and take their seats Claire’s Step-dad walks her down the aisle. Welcoming Words more options Welcome family and friends to this celebration of love and the blessing of the new life being joined together by the marriage of Andrew and Claire. They come to dedicate themselves to God and to each other, and with His eternal help, to fashion their house into a home, their family into a unity of His Kingdom, and to achieve within their lives a hint of eternity. Andrew and Claire have come to publicly proclaim their love and devotion through marriage. Opening Prayer more options Because this is a special day, we want to begin it in a special way, and that is with a moment of prayer. I’m going to ask that you close your eyes and turn within yourselves. And now, call forth that divine presence from within you, knowing that as you do so, God’s blessings are now being poured out upon you both. “Through the presence and power and the activity of God within you, we now see you blessed with an abundance of all good. We see your minds illumined by divine wisdom, your hearts quickened by divine love and your bodies purified and blessed with divine substance. This we do affirm through the power of the living presence of God within each of you.” Amen. WHO GIVES THIS BRIDE IN MARRIAGE? Her Mother and I do, or We do Please be seated Words About Love And Marriage more options True marriage is more than the joining of two persons in the bonds of matrimony. In its right relationship, it is 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 proper that an outer acknowledgement be made. This acknowledgement is the prime objective of the ceremony. We are here to bear witness to the entry of these two loving friends, who are already one in spirit into the closer relationship of husband and wife. Scripture Reading more options From the beginning, in Genesis: God said, it’s not good for man to be alone so I will make him a suitable helper and formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky, He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was it’s name. But for Adam, no suitable helper was found. So God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then God made the woman from the rib and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now the bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman” for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Andrew and Claire you are now taking into your care and keeping the happiness of one in the world, whom you love most dear, and the dynamic flow of love is the heart of marriage. This love emerges from, responds to, and is fellowship with God and each other. It is the challenge to create an atmosphere of freedom in which you both can develop your potentials. It is working together in an attitude of service for common goals. It is sharing from the depths of your being in the understanding presence of each other. It is a union of persons which respects individuality. It is the covenant of love which accepts weakness as well as strength. You are adding to your life not only the affection and the response that your hearts desire, not only the happy companionship of hours together, but a deeper trust as well. It is the implied trust of loving. You are finding in each other that which complements your life. You are agreeing to be a tower of strength to one another. You are agreeing to carry a part of each other’s responsibilities. You are entering on an adventure of pure faith in which you give of yourselves to the utmost. The apostle Paul Spoke of Love like this: If I speak with the eloquence of men and of angels, but have no love, I become no more than blaring brass or crashing cymbal. If I have the gift of foretelling the future and hold in my mind not only all of human knowledge but the very secrets of God, and if I also have that absolute faith which can move mountains, but have no love I amount to nothing at all. If I dispose of all that I possess, yes, even if I give my own body to be burned, but have no love, I achieve precisely nothing. This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience – it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance. Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touch. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails. Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen. In this life, we have three great lasting qualities – faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. We will now have a reading by.... more reading options I like you! Sandol Stoddard Warburg I like you and I know why I like you because you are a good person to like I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it's special And you remember it a long, long time You say, Remember when you told me something special And both of us remember When I think something is important you think it's important too We have good ideas When I say something funny, you laugh I think I'm funny and you think I'm funny too Hah-hah! I like you because you know where I'm ticklish And you don't tickle me there except just a little tiny bit sometimes But if you do, then I know where to tickle you too You know how to be silly - that's why I like you If I am getting ready to pop a paper bag, then you are getting ready to jump HOORAY! I like you because when I am feeling sad You don't always cheer me up right away Sometimes it is better to be sad You can't stand the others being so googly and gaggly every single minute You want to think about things It takes time I like you because if I am mad at you Then you are mad at me too It's awful when the other person isn't They are so nice and oooh you could just about punch them on the nose I can't remember when I didn't like you It must have been lonesome then Even if it was the 999th of July Even if it was August Even if it was way down at the bottom of November I would go on choosing you And you would go on choosing me Over and over again And that's how it would happen every time The Vows more options Do you, Andrew take Claire, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward to infinity and beyond? Do you, Claire, take Andrew, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward to infinity and beyond? At this time, Andrew and Claire would like to personally express their love to each other in their own words: Meaning of the Rings more options The Rings Please... A ring is an unbroken circle, a symbol of unity and love, representative of the greater circle of life of which we all spiritually are a part of. Having neither beginning nor end, but a continuous cycle of which you are an element. For you, it begins with the gift of life, and will continue through the end of time. It's the Circle of Life And it moves us all Through despair and hope Through faith and love Till we find our place On the path unwinding In the Circle The Circle of Life Wedding Ring Exchange more options Please repeat after me: Claire, I give you this ring as symbol of my love and devotion. Wear it and know that I love you. Drew, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and devotion. Wear it and know that I love you. The Lighting of the Unity Candle more options Andrew and Claire chose a unity candle that float - some say it’s because they met floating on a ship! At least it wasn’t the Titanic! Nope, it was the ship of dreams and they are living proof that dreams do come true!! The unity candle is a symbol of the coming together not only of Andrew and Claire but it symbolizes where they came from. Their mothers each lit a candle from which they will light their candle together. Their mothers gave birth to them and nurtured and taught them the important things in life - the foundation of who they are and what they are contributing to this new life together and the family that Andrew and Claire will become over time. Drew thinks MaryLynn is “The Best!” That, is of course, a technical term. She calls every morning. She opened her home to him and Claire. She Celebrates life in it’s fullness for what it is, no matter what. There is always goodness and great things to stand behind and one of the most important things she has taught Drew is to put others first. Claire- this is a good things! But, Andrew, please to take care of yourself so you can take good care of others. Gillian - Claire’s mom - Well, she likes red wine. This is a good thing!!! May your life be free flowing with good things like wine and love! Gillian also pulls the family together. She makes an awesome Sunday lunch. She also worked quite a bit over the past year to not only be here today to witness this wedding but to take a trip around the world! May you not only take it to the limit - take it beyond the limit! Such is what marital love is. It will take you beyond your limits at some point - so remember to calm yourself with wine if need be, remember the strength and foundation of family, realize what you are working for and then know that you have the love within you to find more than just your goal at the end. You may just find a fire burning brightly to warm everyone around it until they glow. And, to think - it all started with two candles... Come on baby light my fire!!! (that is, light your candle) Claire and Drew come back together... The Hand Ceremony more options Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift that they are to you. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever. These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. The Final Blessing (Disney Style) more options Drew and Claire... A few words of advice from some wise ones. If they were here.... Walt would say: Don’t look backwards for very long. Keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because curiosity will keep leading you down new paths. Keep dreaming and remember all your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. The land before time would say: Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely. Pooh Bear says: The things that makes you different, are the things that make you you. Peter Pan advises: All it takes is faith and trust and just a little bit of pixie dust. Alice reminds you: Nothing’s impossible The Incredible Edna says: Never look back darling.... it only distracts from the now. Pronouncement more options I now Pronounce you Husband and Wife!!!! May you live Happily Ever After!! You may now kiss!! ladies and gentlemen: Mr. and Mrs...! Erin and Jeremy had a beautiful wedding ceremony at Canal 337 at the north end of the Indy Canal Walk in Indianapolis, IN. They shared their personalities with the readings that that chose to include - A quote from Einstein about relativity and another from The Nightmare Before Christmas. I hope you are inspired to share your personality in your wedding ceremony script.
The Presentation more options Erin is escorted down the aisle by her father. He gives her a hug and kiss, shakes Jeremy’s hand and places her hand in his and takes his seat. Who presents this woman to be married? Father responds: Her mother and I do. Please be seated. Welcoming Words more options Welcome! We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Erin and Jeremy in marriage. As they promise to love, trust in that love, honor one another as individuals, and anticipate with joy spending the rest of their lives together. They, are surrounded by you - their friends and family. Thank you for gathering here to witness their marriage and to share in the joy of this special occasion. Erin and Jeremy, Today, as you two are joined in marriage, there is a vast and unknown future stretching out before you. The possibilities and potentials of your married life are great. We join with you in hoping you make real your dreams! That you are reborn in each other as you share your loves and dreams, wants and desires and together are enriched by them.Through your commitment to each other, may you grow and nurture a love that makes both of you better people, a love that continues to give you great joy, and also a passion for living that provides you with energy and patience to face the responsibilities of life. There was a time when your lives were two separate paths. Gradually, they were joined as you grew closer together. Today, you proclaim to the world your choice to stay on the same path together. May you be enriched by the unique view of the other! Readings more options The first reading is a quote from Albert Einstein on Relativity Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physic so important a biological phenomenon as first love? Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity." The Second Reading is Lyrics from the song ‘Finale’ From The Nightmare Before Christmas My dearest friend, if you don’t mind I’d like to join you by your side Where we can gaze into the stars And sit together, now and forever For it is plain as anyone can see We’re simply meant to be. Jeremy and Erin...A friendship turned true love, that has stood the test of time and distance. From red-eye flights on stolen weekends, to a few precious weeks each year to be together, if only for a moment. And finally...after 8 loving years...they will now take vows and enter the next chapter of their lives together in marriage. Vows more options Do you Jeremy, take Erin, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. Jeremy: I do. Do you Erin take Jeremy, to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do you part. Bride: I do. The Meaning of the Wedding Rings more options The rings are the universal symbols of marriage. They mean many things. From now on you will wear these rings and they will remind you... They will remind you of the endless circle that they are. Like love, there is no beginning and no end. They will remind you daily that you are married. Sometimes they will remind you of the commitment that you have made - for better or worse. But, may they always remind you that there is one other person in the world that has pledged to love you forever, through thick and through thin and with all that they have. Wedding Ring Exchange more options please repeat after me.... Erin, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. As you place the ring on her finger please say: With this ring, I, Thee, wed. Jeremy, I give you this ring with all that I am and all that I ever will be. Wear it and know that I love you. As you place the ring on his finger please say: With this ring, I, Thee, wed. The Unity Candle more options At the beginning of the ceremony, Erin and Jeremy’s mother’s lit these two candles. Now, Erin and Jeremy are going to use those candles to light their candle together. There is great meaning behind this. Their mothers are where it all began. They gave birth to them and raised them. Essentially, their mothers loved them and taught them how to love and helped to give them the foundation of who they are today. All of you here, family and friends, also helped to make them who they are. Now, through marriage, we are joining your two families together and all that has gone before now blends here towards your becoming. These two candles will now join together to make one new flame that we hope will burn brightly for many years to come. Jeremy and Erin come back together to join hand for a the final blessing. Marriage Blessing more options Life and love are the greatest gifts bestowed upon humanity. May your union grant you patience, tolerance, and understanding as well as the passion and excitement every marriage should possess. May you need one another, but not out of weakness. May you want one another, but not out of lack. May you support one another, as a sign of mutual independence. May you continually rediscover your love in one another, as the greatest gift of all. It is my great pleasure to acknowledge your union as “Husband and Wife.” You may now seal your marriage with a kiss!!! May you live happily ever after! |
As a wedding officiant, I want every couple to the the wedding ceremony they want. Since I started giving couples tools to create their own ceremonies I haven't performed the same ceremony twice. Here are some of the ceremonies.
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55 Monument Circle, Suite 922 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317)403-7379
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How to find me on Monument Circle:
I am in Circle Tower - Above Starbucks. On the corner of Monument Circle and East Market Street. The entrance is on East Market Street behind Starbucks. My door says Expansive Coworking in green. Come inside to our green marble lobby. Take the elevator to the 9th floor. I'm in Suite 922. |
The entrance to Circle Tower on East Market Street
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Indianapolis Wedding Officiant Victoria Meyer
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Indianapolis Civil Ceremony Officiant Peter Meyer
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