Defining a Ceremony

RELIGIOUS CEREMONY

A religous ceremony is one that to a specific denomination. or combination of denominations; characterized by formal or defining religious elements, rituals, traditions from one or more denominations.

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

Non-denomination is not the same as non Religious. A non-denominational ceremony is a one that is not from a specific religious denomination but contains religious elements such as prayers, blessing etc.

INTERFAITH CEREMONY INTERDENOMINATIONAL

This ceremony is a combination or blend of two different religions and religious customs and or traditions.

SPIRITUAL CEREMONY

"Spiritual" means different things to different people. Usually, when speaking of a wedding ceremony, it is based nore on the beliefs, or divine feelings and is not necessarily a religious ceremony in the traditional sense.

The dictionary defines spiritual as: concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul; a spiritual approach to life; spiritual fulfillment"; "spiritual values".

CIVIL CEREMONY

A civil ceremony contains no religion in the ceremony. No prayers, blessings or reference to God or religious deity. A civil ceremony however may include spiritual or romantic readings, quotes, poems or personal writings..

MULTI-CULTURAL CEREMONY

A multi-cultural ceremony is actually more of an add on than a specific type of ceremony because it incorporates various customs or traditions from the couple's heritage. This ceremony may or may not include religious elements

 

Religious Ceremonies

Opening Prayer
Our most gracious heavenly Father, we have come together to watch the miracle of Your love and the power of Your Spirit work in the lives of these two people. Guide them through life's obstacles, help them make there love for each other grow each day that they live. Amen.

Charge to Bride & Groom
___ and ___, you are entering into a covenant of marriage. This covenant is binding in the eye's of God and man. It is a commitment that you make to each other and to God.
___ and ___, remember, to remind yourselves often of what brought you together. Never loose sight of the tenderness, gentleness and kindness
that your love deserves.

Love is….. Like ripples in a pond ever widening

You are here for a serious purpose to bear witness of the miraculous union that will take place, and to add your agreement and support of this union before God. I ask you, therefore, to offer only support, that you may cause this union to prosper and to be happy.

Question of Intent to Groom
___, will you have this woman 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?

Then turn to her and make this profession of your faith:

Groom's Vow
I, ___, join myself to you, 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, until we are parted by death, this is my solemn pledge.

Question of Intent to Bride
___, will you have this man 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?

Then turn to him and make this profession of your faith:

Bride's Vow
I, ___, join myself to you, 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, until we are parted by death, this is my solemn vow.

Blessing of Rings
A ring is made of precious metal. It is a token of your faith and your love for each other. It is a never-ending circle, like your love it has no beginning and no end. Wear these rings as a continual reminder of this day and of the pledge of faith you have made to each other before God and these witnesses.

Exchange of Rings
___, take this ring, place it on ___'s finger, and say
With this ring, I thee wed. It is a token of my love for you and a token of my faith and shall always remind me of the vow that I today made to you, in the eyes of God and these witnesses.

___, take this ring, place it on ___'s finger, and say
With this ring, I thee wed. It is a token of my love for you and a token of my faith and shall always remind me of the vow that I today made to you, in the eyes of God and these witnesses.

Pronouncement
And now, ___ and ___ join hands please …as you have witnessed to your love before us this afternoon...and as you have made your vows to each other and to God... I declare that you are husband and wife. May the grace...and the love of God... be with you and remain with you always. Amen.

Congratulations!

___ you may kiss your Bride.

Closing Blessing
Let us pray. Eternal God, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon these two people whom You made one in Holy Matrimony. Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow and a companion in joy. Father, I ask that you grant, that these two people may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. And may their days be good and long upon the earth. Amen

Introduction
Mr. & Mrs.___

Spiritual Ceremony

Opening
Who gives there blessing to the union of these two people?

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.

Prayer
We are filled with such joy on ___ and ___'s wedding day as they stand here today pledging their hearts and lives to each other we ask that they may be true and loving, living together is such a way as to never bring shame or heartbreak into their marriage; That their hearts be tempered with kindness and understanding and be rid of all pretense or jealousy; We ask them to remember to be each other's lover, confidant, friend and partner and together may they support each other in adversity and prosperity, sorrow and joy. May the home they create be a place of love and harmony where they share in passion and spirit, compassion and understanding and patience and tolerance. May they walk in love and happiness today and all their tomorrows. We offer this wish as their friends and family.

The Marriage Poem
Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person, with all my heart, my body, my mind, my soul...
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 lie 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 and 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 be responsible for their happiness...

Because, knowing this, I promise to take full responsibility for my own happiness

I create my own happiness and gladly share it with you without reservation, I take half of the responsibility but it is only together we will create a marriage... And knowing all of this, the possibilities are endless.

Vows
___, will you have this woman 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 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.

Repeat after me…
With this ring, I thee wed from this day forward, you shall not walk alone, my heart will be your shelter and my arms will be your home.

Blessing
May you be blessed with the love and support of your friends and families; May you all share in in the joy and properity of this world and find the strength and guidence in times of sorrow and adversityand may your love thrive and grow in the years to come.

Charge to Couple
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. Know that each of you must take responsibility for the quality of not only your own life but for your life together and to accept is just as important as to give. And last but most important, never take love for granted

Pronouncement
And now, by the authority granted me, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife. May your lives together be filled with abundance and joy. ___ may kiss the bride. Ladies & gentlemen, Mr. & Mrs. ___

Civil Ceremony - Spanish

Saludo
___ y ___ los dos de ustedes vienen a esta unión que les une como marido y esposa, y como ustedes este día afirman su fe y amor para uno a otro, preguntaría que ustedes recuerdan siempre acariciarse como individuos especiales y únicos, que ustedes respetan los pensamientos, las ideas, y las sugerencias de uno y a otro. Puedan perdonarse, no sostengan ira, y viven cada día que ustedes pueden compartirla juntos. Desde este día adelante ustedes serán el refugio para uno y otro, su matrimonio será fortalecido por su repecto y amor para uno y otro.

Poema del Matrimonio
¿Por qué un Matrimonio?
Porque a la profundidad de mí, Yo deseo amar a una persona, con todo mi corazón, mi alma, mi mente, mi cuerpo…

Porque necesito por siempre un amigo para confiar con las intimidades de mí, Quien no las lleva contra mí, Quien me ame cuando no estoy amable, Quien ve la niñez en mí, y Quien busca el potencial divino en mí…

Porque necesito acariciarme en el calor de la noche con alguien quien le da gracias a dios por mí, con alguien que me sienta bendecida a sostener…

Porque el matrimonio significa la oportunidad de crecer en amor y en amistad…
Porque el matrimonio es una disciplina que se agregará a una lista de éxitos…

Porque los matrimonios no fallan, la gente falla cuando entran en la unión esperando que el otro les hará felices…

Sabiendo esto, te prometo tomar la responsabilidad completa de mi integridad espiritual, mental, y física.

Soy responsible para mi felicidad y la comparto alegremente.
Yo tomo la mitad de la responsabilidad y juntos crearemos una unión…
Porque con esta comprensión las posibilidades son sin fin.

Los Votos
___, usted promete amar a___, y a través de sus años juntos de ser honesto, fiel, y amable a ella? ¿Usted promete a darle la misma felicidad que ella le da a usted, a reaccionar a ella con amor y comprensión, y respetarla para quién ella es, no quién usted quisiera que ella fuera? (Si)

___, usted promete amar a ___, y a través de sus años juntos de ser honesta, fiel, y amable, a él? ¿Usted promete a darle la misma felicidad que él le da, a reaccionar a él con amor y comprensión, y respetarlo para quién él es, no quién usted quisiera que él fuera? (si)

Anillos: (Repitame mientras estan poniendo el anillo)
___ Doy este anillo de mi corazón a su mano.

___ Doy este anillo de mi corazon a su mano.

Bendición de los Anillos
Estos anillos son un símbolo del círculo irrompible del amor, que se darán libremente, no tienen principo ni fin, no solo darán y no solo recibirán, sino cada uno dará y cada uno recibirá. Que estos anillos les recuerden siempre la promesa de sus votos que ustedes han tomado. Y representen a todos, que ustedes son marido y esposa.

Rezo
Que ellos encuentren felicidad en su unión. Que ellos vivan fielmente juntos, ejecutando los votos que han hecho entre ellos; y que seguir siendo siempre compasivos y sostenidos. Que sus años sean llenas con las alegrías de la vida, y sus días sean abundantes sobre esta tierra.

Declaracion
Ya que ___ y ___ han declarado su amor el uno al otro en frente de familia y amigos, ahora los saludo con ustedes como marido y esposa.

 

Renewal of Marriage

We are gathered here today, to witness and celebrate a marriage of __ years.

We celebrate with and and you their witnesses, the wondrous and joyful occurrence that began so many years ago when they first pledged their love and commitment to each other.

Each of you promised to love, honor and comfort. You pledged to be by each others side in sickness and in health, through sorrow and joy for the rest of your lives. You have done all of those things, and together you created, a home, a family, and a life together.

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 and trust has flourished through stormy times and a life filled with memories, families raised and so much more that only know to you. And here you are ready to do it again.

Why Our Marriage

Because to the depths of me, I have loved one person, with all my heart, my body, my soul, my mind,...

Because you have been a friend and lover who I have trusted with the intimacies of me, knowing you wouldn't hold them against me, you have loved me when I was unlikable, have seen and appreciated the small child in me, and you have never doubted the divine potential of me...

Because I have lied in the warmth of the night with you, knowing you thank God for me and knowing how blessed I am to have you beside me….

Because our marriage has meant growing in love and in friendship... and because our marriage with all it's up and downs is an achievement to be proud of...

We have each taken responsibility for this marriage and together we have created a family, and a life to be proud of

And because after __ years I'm still falling in love with you, still want to share my life with you and still thanking God for you.

Vows
__ years ago, I, took you, to be my lawful wife, to have and to hold, from that day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. This day I re-affirm that vow with all my love.

__ years ago, I took you, to be my lawful husband, to have and to hold, from that day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. This day I re-affirm that vow with all my love.

Prayer
Our hearts are filled with great happiness today as you come before us renewing your marriage of __ years and offer you this blessing;

May you remain ever true, loving and living together in peace and harmony; May your hearts be tempered with kindness and understanding; May all grudges or petty jealousies be lost; May your marriage remain fresh; and may you each be the other's sweetheart, best friend and partner, may romance never leave and together may you continue to face the world;. May the family you have created continue to be filled with love and harmony,

Closing
In so much as you have on this day reaffirmed your vows and your love for each other I declare with great pleasure your marriages renewed. May the joy and happiness you knew on your wedding day be with you today and all of your tomorrows.