Ceremony One

__________ and __________, I would like to welcome you both here today to seal your marriage.
As you both know, marriage is founded on that sort of sincerity and understanding that leads to tolerance, confidence and trust.  It involves respect for each other’s weaknesses, prejudices and faults. A happy marriage will enable you to establish a home where family and friends will find welcome, peace and support, and which will be the base from which your shared life can extend.

__________ and __________, in the joining of your lives together in marriage you will be walking the same road together.  You met as individuals and as you share your lives allow each other room to grow and so become greater individuals.
Offer strength and encouragement when it is needed.
Praise each other’s efforts and realise their failures.
Acknowledge all achievements, however small.
Convey any thoughts, confident, that they will go no further.
Express your fears and doubts without reservation.
For it is trust and communication that will support and strengthen your bond of love and friendship and pave the road you will travel.

From The Prophet – Kahlil Gibran
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 the same cup
Sing and dance together and be joyous,
But let each one of you be alone
Even as the strings of the lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts,
but not into each others keeping
For only the hand of life
Can contain your hearts
And stand together
Yet not too near together
For the pillars of the temple stand apart
And the oak tree and the cypress
Grow not in each others shadow.

Marriage Statement required by the Mariage Act 1961
As a civil celebrant, I am duly authorised by law to solemnise this, your marriage according to the laws of this country.  Before you, ________ and you, ________ are joined together in marriage in our presence, I am bound to remind you publicly of the solemn, serious and binding nature of the relationship into which you are about to enter.
Marriage is the voluntary and full commitment of a man to a woman and a woman to a man; it is made in the deepest sense, to the exclusion of all others, and is entered into with the desire, the hope and the intention that it will last for life.

Asking

__________, will you take ________ to be your lawful wife, will you love her, honour and keep her, in sickness andhealth, for richer for poorer, and forsaking all others keep only unto her, so long as you both shall live?

__________, will you take ________, to be your lawful husband, will you love him, honour and keep him, in sickness and health, for richer for poorer, and forsaking all others keep only unto him, so long as you both shall live?

Vows
________, today, I , (Groom’s full name) stand by you, proud and happy, of the special love we have found. Today we celebrate all that lies ahead. I promise to love, cherish, and honour you all the days of my life. When you need me, I will be there, and when your strength fails you, may mine always be there for you. I pledge to you faithfulness and friendship in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, from this day forward.

_______, today, I (Bride’s full name) stand by you, proud and happy, of the special love we have found. Today we celebrate all that lies ahead. I promise to love, cherish, and honour you all the days of my life. When you need me, I will be there, and when your strength fails you, may mine always be there for you. I pledge to you faithfulness and friendship in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, from this day forward.

Exchange of Rings
_________, this ring I give you,
My personal gift,
My personal promise of love and trust,
And pride you are my wife/husband.

Thoughts on Marriage from the Celebrant to the couple

Declaration of Marriage
Now you will be known as husband and wife.  As you prepare to start your married life, I would like to read to you a marriage prayer that dates to the times of the ancient Indians and is as relevant today as it was when it was first spoken.

Apache Marriage Prayer
Now you will feel no rain,
for each of you will be shelter to the other,
Now you will feel no cold,
for each of you will be warmth to the other,
Now there is no more loneliness,
for each of you will be companion to the other,
Now you are two bodies,
but there is only one life before you.
May you live in love and joy together,
now and always.

In making public this bond, __________ and __________, I now declare you to be husband and wife.
May you both retain the strength you need to keep the promises you have made.
May your home bring joy to your family and friends.

xxx Kiss the Bride xxx