Hello, I am Reverend Michael Savage.
We're about to start the ceremony...

Processional

Please stand for the bride

[ BRIDE ENTERS ]

Thank you, please be seated.

Introduction

Hello and welcome!

On behalf of BRIDE-NAME and GROOM-NAME, I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of their family and friends as we gather today, in God’s presence, in support of this loving couple, as we bear witness to their marriage, and share in the joy and happiness of their wedding day.

Marriage is a promise, made in the hearts of two people who love each other, and which takes a lifetime to fulfill. Within the circle of its love, marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships. A wife and a husband are each others teacher, listener, critic and best friend. It is into this relationship that this couple  wish to enter.

We are gathered together here to celebrate the love which BRIDE-NAME and GROOM-NAME have for each other, to give social recognition to their decision to commit their lives and accept each other completely, to learn how to help and understand each other, to build a family, and together, to travel through life. 

Further, GROOM-NAME and BRIDE-NAME want to thank each one of you for being here with them on this special day.  They hope you will always be their village, and will always support and encourage them as they discover the commitment and dedication needed to make marriage work; so, this invitation is not just for one morning/afternoon/evening, it is an open invitation to be a part of their life.

Let us begin!

Acknowledgement of Intent

Bride-Name and Groom-Name, now is the time which you have chosen to become husband and wife. This unity is not entered into lightly, but is a simple reflection of your sincerity and commitment to each other as witnessed by your family and friends.  We all are here not only to witness your commitment to each other, but to celebrate the love and trust you have found within one another.

(To the guests)  As families and friends, you form the community of support that surrounds this special couple. Each of you, by your presence here today, is being called upon to uphold them in honoring and loving each other.  Always stand beside them, never between them. Offer them your love and support, not your judgment. Encourage them with your kindness and loving hearts, and honor this marriage into which they have come to be joined today. 

Remembrance/Memoriam

Bride-Name and Groom-Name wish to take a moment to remember those beloved family members and friends who could not be with them here today, especially

____________________________

____________________________

May their spiritual presence here today and always, continue to influence Bride-Name and Groom-Name’s lives, providing love, strength and courage to be the best person they can be.

Mother's Rose Tribute

Groom-Name and Bride-Name feel very strongly that the years of unconditional love, affection and encouragement, given to them by their mothers , _______________  and ____________________, have helped shape their lives into the loving, compassionate and thoughtful individuals they have become today.  Both would like to offer a symbolic gift of beauty and gratitude to the women who have given them this life.

(both proceed to mom’s, give them their rose, hug & kiss and an “I love you”)

Reading

Marriage is love walking hand in hand together. 
It's laughing with each other about silly little things, 
and learning to discuss big things with care and tenderness. 
In marriage, love is trusting each other when you're apart. 
It's getting over disappointments and hurts, 
knowing that these are present in all relationships. 
It's the realization that there is no one else in this world 
that you'd rather be with than the one you're married to. 
It's thinking of new things to do together; 
Marriage is being in love for the rest of your life.

Activity

We will be celebrating the joining of Bride-Name and Groom-Name with the lighting of the Unity Candle.  This is meant to symbolize their union into a new marriage relationship. (proceed to candles)   The tapered candles, lit by your mothers on their way in, represent each of your separate and distinct lives, molded, cared for and influenced by your individual families.

(light center candle) 

Together, as you light the center candle, understand that this one candle burning undivided is meant to symbolize your new life as husband and wife. You shall devote the individual lives that you’ve led up to this day to each other, as your joys and sorrows shall be shared alike.  May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of your Unity and may it burn brightly as an expression of your commitment to each other, and as a tribute to the many others who have helped to shape your lives.

(Bride & Groom return to spot)

Question of Intent

Rev. Michael states:

As you both share with each other your creative differences, your life together can become richer, more complete and more soul-satisfying.  Marriage, in this high sense, is a uniting on all levels of your being: Body, Mind, Heart and Spirit. The longer you live together, the more you grow and develop as individuals, the more you will have to contribute to your marriage.  As witnesses to a marriage, we need to know that you are truly committed to entering into such a relationship. By stating your intentions before the love and support of your family and friends you affirm that commitment.

Rev. Michael to Groom:  GROOM-NAME,  will you take this woman to be your wife, that you may live together in the bond of marriage?  Do you promise to love and honor her, comfort her, and be faithful to her, so long as you both shall live?          Groom answers:  I do.

Rev. Michael to Bride:    BRIDE-NAME, will you take this man to be your husband, that you may live together in the bond of marriage?  Do you promise to love and honor him, comfort him and be faithful to him, so long as you both shall live?           Bride answers:  I do.

Vows

Groom-Name, please repeat after me:

I   GROOM-NAME, take you BRIDE-NAME, to be my wife, 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 cherish as long as we both shall live.

    Bride-Name, please repeat after me:  

I   BRIDE-NAME, take you GROOM-NAME, to be my husband, 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 cherish as long as we both shall live.

Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

[For thine is the kingdom,

and the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.]

Amen.

Exchange of Rings

Rev. Michael states:  

For thousands of years, lovers have exchanged rings as a token of their vows. Let these rings be a sign that love has a past, a present, and a future, through you and within you.   Your rings carry a potent double message: We are individuals and yet we belong; we are not alone.  As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are but also the glorious union that you are now creating.

(Best Man to present rings)

Lord God, we ask for your blessing on these rings and may they always remind you both of the unending spirit of love and commitment that the bond of marriage requires of all those who desire its relationship.

Groom to Bride:

BRIDE-NAME,  please accept this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. I give you this ring as a symbol of my constant love and devotion which I pledge to you today and for the rest of my life.

Bride to Groom:    

GROOM-NAME, please accept  this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. I give you this ring as a symbol of my constant love and devotion which I pledge to you today and for the rest of my life.

Final Blessing

May God be with you and bless you
May you live to see your children's children
May you be poor in misfortune and rich in blessings
From this day forward and in days to come.
May joy and peace surround you both,
contentment latch your door,
and happiness be with you now
and God bless you evermore.

Pronouncement

So then, with these thoughts in mind, ladies and gentleman, I am honored to present you, for the very first time, INTRODUCED AS.

GROOM-NAME, you may kiss your bride!