Rachael and Aiden's Wedding Ceremony Script - The JW Marriot Indianapolis

Rachael and Aiden had a fabulous wedding at the JW Marriot in Indy.  It was an amazing party vibe with family and friends with their reception set up like a club for all to enjoy.  They included their love for wine with a wine box ceremony.


Wedding Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow,
for the health, the work, the food,
and the bright skies that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen.


Dear friends and family, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the union of Bride and Groom in marriage.  Through their time together, they have come to realize that their personal dreams, hopes, and goals are more attainable and more meaningful through their combined effort and mutual support, provided in love, commitment, and family; and so they have decided to live together as husband and wife.

Bride and Groom had many chance encounters before their relationship began. 
In fact, they knew of each other for many years before they began dating.  As fate would have it, they would not be formally introduced until years after their encounters in college. It is because of this that they both know their relationship and love is much more determined by fate rather than chance. There were so many opportunities for them to meet or start dating before they actually did. It was fate that waited until the perfect time for both of them.  In fact, if any one small thing were different we may not be standing here today.

True love is a sacred flame
That burns eternally,
And none can dim its special glow
Or change its destiny.
True love speaks in tender tones
And hears with gentle ear,
True love gives with open heart
And true love conquers fear.
True love makes no harsh demands
It neither rules nor binds,
And true love holds with gentle hands
The hearts that it entwines.

Vows

Groom, please repeat after me:

I, Groom, choose you, Bride as my best friend for life.
I, Groom, choose you, Bride to embark upon this great journey of marriage with me.
I, Groom, take you, Bride, as my soul mate and companion.
I, Groom, take you, Bride to be my wife, my partner, my friend, my confidant, my soulmate.


Bride, please repeat after me:

I, Bride, choose you, Groom as my best friend for life.
I, Bride, choose you, Groom to embark upon this great journey of marriage with me.
I, Bride, take you, Groom, as my soul mate and companion.
I, Bride, take you, Groom to be my husband, my partner, my friend, my confidant, my soulmate.






The Ring Exchange

Bride and Groom, 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 the - 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.

Groom, Please Repeat after me:

Bride, With this ring I give you my heart. I promise from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.

Bride, please Repeat after me:

Groom, With this ring I give you my heart. I promise from this day forward you shall not walk alone. May my heart be your shelter and my arms be your home.


Bride and Groom join hands for The Hands Ceremony

Bride and Groom  are facing each other and holding each other’s hands, so that they may see the gift that they 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 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 Box Ceremony

Today is filled with so much joy. Song, dance, well wishes and promises to last a lifetime. It’s a day for us all to remember.  Bride and Groom  have given so much thought to this day and making everything perfect.  I like to tell couples to think about what they say today because there will be times that don’t feel so joyful.  Life can bring challenges they will need to meet and they can look back at today for strength. As part of their ceremony today each of them have written a letter to the other expressing how they feel about them on this day and this special time in their lives.  They are going to lock it in this box with a bottle of wine and 2 glasses.  10 years from now, when they celebrate their anniversary they will open it and read them, remembering how they felt today.

The couple locks their letters in the box


Bride and Groom, should you ever find your marriage enduring serious difficulties, I am asking that before you make any irrational decisions, that you both, as a couple, open the box, drink some wine together, and then venture off into separate rooms to read the letters that you wrote to one another when you were united as a couple.  By reading these love letters, you will reflect upon the reasons that
you fell in love with each other in the first place.  The hope here is, that there will never be a reason for you to open this box, unless of course, it is for your 10th year anniversary!

Declaration of Marriage

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.

Bride and Groom, it is with great pleasure that I now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

You may kiss your bride!