#1 Wedding Ceremony
Processional
To the Congregation of Friends
True marriage is more than the joining in the bonds of matrimony of two persons. In its right relation, 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 acknowledgment be made. This acknowledgment, through the exchange of promises, vows, and marriage symbols, is the prime object of this gathering and this ceremony. We are here to bear witness to the entry into the closer relationship of husband and wife of these two beloved friends who are already one in spirit.
To the Bride and Groom
__________________&_________________ Marriage is a process of the two becoming one. You two have decided to embark on this journey, already having committed yourselves to sharing the quest of oneness.
Love is a very important part, perhaps the most important part of marriage, especially when that love is committed. Love is a power, a process, and love is a decision. There are many times when we have the choice as to what to do, to say and what to think in relating to each other, whether we are attached or detached, whether it is mental, physical, or emotional. But we can always choose to love, to be available in love.
We have gathered together today to acknowledge and to celebrate with you that you have chosen the path of oneness to share, and to grow together. And we share with you the joy that comes from living the depths of love.
You have chosen to enhance the life of the person you love the most, by loving, living and growing together. You have chosen to live in relationship, with each other. You have chosen to share the growth of your spiritual unfoldment, and in a very practical way to find and work out your salvation together, in a quest of oneness. This is a wonderful privilege, a spiritual adventure, and an adventure that will last the rest of your life.
Prayer
Let us pray: Beloved Presence, at every turning place in our lives, we stop to seek your blessing and guidance. We thank you, Father, for being Love, and we thank you for creating us after your own image and likeness, of Love. Richly bless
these two lives now to be made one by this bond of love. May they live their lives experiencing and expressing Love, Happiness, Prosperity, Health, and Joy. Amen.
The Promises
(To the Groom)
Do you, ______________take_____________ to be your Wife, to love her, to inspire her with courage, and to share with her the journey to a fuller life?
(To the Bride)
Do you, ______________take_____________ to be your Husband, to love him, to inspire him with courage, and to share with him the journey to a fuller life?
Now hear the words of a Poet on Marriage:
You were born together, and together ou shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another, but make not a bond of love;
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each of you be along,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your heats, but into each other’s keeping.
The Blessing of The Ring
May I have the rings, please. These rings, by their shapes, are symbols of
Eternity, without beginning or end, and are true emblems of the endless spiritual
love that links you now, spirit to spirit and soul to soul. A ring also signifies
Completeness. Each of you was complete in yourselves before your partner came
into your life.These rings, then signify a further level of completeness in your
lives together. The substance of which they are made is a symbol of Purity. Right
now, they are perfect, even as your love is. Over the years they will accumulate
slight nicks and scratches, even as your relationship will. Indeed, their beauty will
be enhanced through these nicks and scratches, even as your relationship is
strengthened and deepened through the working through of the "nicks and
scratches" which it will sustain. They will remain symbols of Eternity, Completeness, and Purity, and their quality is not lessened, and their beauty is not dimmed. Indeed, their beauty is enhanced, even as your personal love relationship is deepened and expanded through the passage of time.
The Exchange of Vows
(To the Groom)
_________________take ________________'s ring, place it on her third finger, left hand, and repeat after me: " __________, with this ring I thee wed, and with
it I bestow upon thee, all the treasures of my mind, heart, and body."
(To the Bride)
_______________________take ________________ 's ring, place it on her third finger, let hand, and repeat after me: "_________________, with this ring I thee wed, and with it I bestow upon thee, all the treasures of my mind, heart, and body."
Candle Ceremony
Behind me stand 3 candles. The lit candle represents God, the eternal flame. It is the light of love that you probably recognized within each other when you began to fall in love. The individual tapered candles represent you, in your own individuality. When you bring yourselves together in union with the Christ light of love it creates one light that not only fills and enriches your life but goes out to bless the whole world as well. I invite you to light your candles as a symbolic expression of coming together in God’s love and grace of eternal light.
The Pronouncement
(Minister places her hand over theirs)
__________and___________, with your mutual declaration of love, in the name of the Holy Spirit who performs every true marriage, and by the authority vested
in me, I now pronounce you "Husband and Wife."
You may now share your first married kiss.
Benediction
A Blessing for A Marriage
by James Dillet Freeman
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;
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 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 Thank you, God for Your presence here with us
and Your blessing on this marriage.Amen.
The Introduction
It is my happy privilege to be the first to present to you, Mr. and Mrs.____________.