Rachel and Dominic's Traditional Wedding Ceremony Script with a Prayer from Grandpa. Valle Vista, Greenwood, IN

Rachel and Dominic's wedding at Valle Vista was short, sweet, traditional, filled with laughter, a few tears and it was, of course, perfect!  The ceremony included a prayer shared by Rachel's grandfather and a Tree Planting Ceremony. 

Rachel looked amazing!  She was calm, collected and totally put together.  Dominic was a nervous and excited groom!  I think he had heard the movie quote from Four Weddings and a Funeral when Andie MacDowell's character says this about getting married:  "It's pretty easy. Just say 'I do' whenever anyone asks you a question."  He got it out with the vows and then again when he was supposed to repeat after me for the rings. And, it was adorable!  All I could think afterwards was, if he was thinking about Ross's wedding to Emily in the TV show Friends there was no way he could go wrong because he was actually marrying Rachel, the love of his life!

There procession started with Rachel's grandfather walking 2 grandmother's down the aisle.  He was dressed in his dress military uniform.  He came up in the middle of the ceremony to read a prayer.  It was a great way to honor her him and have him participate in the ceremony.  It was a beautiful moment.   

Rachel and Dominic chose a Tree Planting Ceremony as their unity ceremony using dirt from each of their parent's back yards.  

Rachel and Dominic's Wedding Ceremony Script

​Welcome!  We are gathered here today to celebrate and to witness the joining of Rachel and Dominic 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.
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.  

Rachel and Dominic, 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!

Wedding Prayer 
(Read by Rachel’s Grandfather)

Lord Jesus, grant that Rachel and Dominic may have a true and understanding love for each other. Grant that they may both be filled with faith and trust Give them the grace to live with each other in peace and harmony. May they always bear with one another’s weaknesses and grow from each other’s strengths.
Help them to forgive one another’s failings and grant them patience, kindness, cheerfulness and the spirit of placing the well being of one another ahead of self.
May the love that brought them together grow and mature with each passing year. Bring them both ever closer to You through their love for each other. Let their love grow to perfection. Amen.
Dominic, from this day forward, do you choose Rachel 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 loving her with all your heart, until the end of your forever?
Rachel, from this day forward, do you choose Dominic 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 loving him with all your heart, until the end of your forever?

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. 

please repeat after me....

Rachel, 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.  

Dominic, 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.  

Tree Ceremony
​
Rachel and Dominic, long before you two had the pleasure of knowing each other, your families provided you with a foundation of love and support which has made you the people we see before us. To honor your families and all they have given you, you each will start by adding dirt from your childhood homes’. Just as your families have been the foundation of who you have become, this dirt will be the foundation of your new family. 

Rachel and Dominic will plant this tree in their new home signifying the joining of their lives together, the commitment that they have made to one another, and the strength and nurturing each will provide to the relationship as they grow and mature together. 

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.”
Dominic, you may now kiss your bride!

Ladies and Gentlemen, It is my pleasure to introduce to you..!