A Wedding Ceremony Script for a Remarriage - Garfield Park Conservatory, Indianapolis.

When Kathy and Richard decided to get remarried they chose Garfield Park Conservatory as their venue - a perfect location for a winter's day.  It was a small wedding with just their son, his wife and their parents. We took the beauty of the conservatory and the multiple generations present to celebrate the seasons of our lives with this ceremony using R. Gerhardt's  "Thoughts In a Garden" as inspiration.

Opening Words
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Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence  of this company of witnesses to join together this couple 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.

We are here, in this beautiful place, to celebrate this beautiful occasion, as Richard and Kathy vow to spend the rest of their lives together.  The reading of the poem, Thoughts In a Garden, is very appropriate today, not only because we are in a thriving garden, but because of how it compares gardens to relationships and the different phases we go through. Sam and Karen, you are 1 ½ years into your marriage, starting your garden, showing us the hope we all have for lasting love and beauty.  Jean and Wayne, after 58 years of marriage you show us that lasting love in deep, rich evergreens. Kathy and Richard, you show us the changing seasons and the necessary work. Pruning encourages growth and after the dormancy of winter, there is always a vibrant spring, in all its glory.  

“Thoughts In a Garden” by R. Gerhardt
This is a special place, a place where people have brought beautiful living plants, here to establish them, to nurture and care for them, that they may forever surround us with the beauty we now see. And into this place where we stand, you have brought something beautiful — the relationship that is becoming your marriage. Here you are declaring it and pledging it, promising to establish and nurture it. We are aware of the special beauty between the two of you, just as we are aware of the special beauty of this place. We are with you now in this appropriate place to celebrate your relationship as it is and as it is yet to be, and in doing so, we ask only that you remember how your life together will have the same seasons and needs as this garden. There will be growth like spring and loss like fall; there will be giving as the blossoming flower, and rest as the seed beneath the snow. All the seasons will be yours, but remember, too, that gardens are not must happenings. The more wonderful the garden, the more skilled the gardener. So you will have to care deeply for the life that is yours together, and nurture it. You will have to appreciate your differences and cultivate them. You will have to take care of yourself, if for no other reason than out of love for the other. And you will need the support of family and friends to reach full growth. As you caringly chose this place to declare your marriage, so remember its lessons for your life together through the seasons that are yours to share. And may those seasons bring you and yours joy and happiness.

Declaration of Intent
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Richard, will you have this woman 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?

Kathy, will you have this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together Estate of Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto him as long as you both shall live?

Ring Exchange
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The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love.

(Richard: Repeat after me) I Richard, take thee, Kathy, 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, and thereto I give thee my pledge.

(Kathy: Repeat after Me) I Kathy, take thee, Richard, to be my 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 forever, and thereto I give thee my pledge.

Pronouncement
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Those whom have chosen to be joined together, let no one put asunder!

Forasmuch as Kathy and Richard 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 now kiss your bride.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mr And Mrs Kathy and Richard.....