We are gathered here today, to witness the beginning of two lives united by love and trust.
We celebrate with_________________ and _________________ and these witnesses, the wondrous and joyful occurrence that has taken place in their lives and brought them here today.
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 friendship and mutual understanding have flourished in love and romance.
The Marriage Poem - Why Marriage
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person, with all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body...
Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me, who won't hold them against me, who loves me when I'm unlikable, who sees the small child in me, and who looks for the divine potential of me...
Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night with someone who thanks God for me and with someone whom I feel blessed to hold...
Because marriage means opportunity to grow in love in friendship...
Because marriage is a discipline to be added to a list of achievements...
Because marriages do not fail, people fail when they enter into marriage expecting another to make them happy
Because, knowing this, I promise myself to take full responsibility for my spiritual, mental and physical happiness
I create my own happiness and gladly share it with you,
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage and together we will create a marriage...
Because knowing all of this, the possibilities are endless.
Vows
_____________, will you have this woman who's hands you hold, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Will you love, comfort and honor her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, so long as you both shall live?
_____________, will you have this man who's hands you hold to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in marriage? Will you love, comfort and honor him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, so long as you both shall live?
Rings
The rings you will exchange are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love which freely given, has no beginning and no end, no giver and no receiver for each will give and each will receive. May these rings always remind you of the vows you have taken and love that has brought you together.
With this ring, I thee wed from this day forward, you shall not walk alone, my arms will be your shelter and my heart will be your home.
The Apache Blessing
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be the shelter for each other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be the warmth for the other. Now there will be no loneliness for each with be the companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May happiness be your companion and may your days be long and good upon the earth.
Remember to treat yourselves and each other with respect, and remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Never loose sight of the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your love deserves.
Oh Lord, our hearts are filled with great happiness on ______ and ________ 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 their companionship. May the home they are creating today truly be a place of love and harmony, where Your Spirit is always present. Bless this marriage we pray and walk beside _____________and ________ throughout all of their lives together. We ask these things in our Lord's name. Amen.
Church House