Mike and I have been picking the parts for our ceremony and this is what we've decided:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together Michael and Claire, in holy matrimony; this is an honourable estate, instituted by God, It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and with the approval of God. It is into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined.
On behalf of Michael and Claire, I would like to thank each of you for attending this wedding celebration. You are indeed participating in one of the happiest moments of their lives.
(Congregation is asked to be seated)
We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people. Two people whose hearts and spirits are already entwined as one. In fact, those of you who know Michael and Claire, best, can also attest to their love for one another and to the blended hopes, dreams and goals that they share. When such a bond exists of this magnitude, then it is only appropriate that we have an open public demonstration of their love such as this wedding ceremony. And so it is that Michael and Claire now will profess before God, their family and their friends, of their desire to henceforth walk the road of life together.
Vows of Intent
(Then shall the officiant say to the man)
Michael, do you take this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health and forsaking all others keep yourself only for her so long as you both shall live?
I Do
(Then shall the officiant say to the woman)
Claire, do you take this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honour and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others keep yourself only for him so long as you both shall live?
I Do
Michael and Claire have asked me to publicly express their love and appreciation to you, their parents, for all the love and guidance you have given them. It is through you, they have learned the meaning of the words respect, love and honour. These gifts that you have bestowed upon them-they will now come to share and exchange with each other. It is a tribute to you that they now stand here before us. For your support that has brought them this far in their lives they say thank you-..and I say thank you.
Blessing of the Hands
Officiant addresses audience: We would like to take a moment to bless the hands of Michael and Claire. For it is through the hands that we demonstrate our love and commitment to one another.
Michael and Claire please face each other and join both hands so that we may bless them.
Reading by officiant:
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you.
They are being held by yours on your wedding day as you two promise to love each other for the rest of your lives.
These are also the hands that will work alongside yours as together you build your future and share your inner most dreams and secrets together.
These are the very hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief threatens to overwhelm you.
The hands that you hold are the same hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are also the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Prayer:
God, bless these hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in your grace. May Michael and Claire, see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide. We ask this in your name, Amen.
Officiant: Now there will be a reading chosen by Michael and Claire, to be read by ?
APACHE WEDDING BLESSING
"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth."
Wedding Vows
I, Michael, take you, Claire, / to be my wedded 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 to cherish, / as long as we both shall live, / this is my promise to you.
(Then shall they loose their hands; and the woman, with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall say after the minister,)
I, Claire, take you, Michael, / to be my wedded 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 to cherish, / as long as we both shall live, / this is my promise to you.
Ring Exchange
(Then, the officiant, taking the ring or rings, shall say,)
I hold in my hands beautiful rings. They are made of precious metal representing two precious lives that stand before me. The ring has no beginning, no end...it represents the circle of life-the circle of love. May they be given, and received, to remind you of the vows you have made this day.
Prayer
May God bless these rings and the two of you who wear them. May you always abide in His peace and continue in His favour. Amen
(The minister shall then deliver the proper ring to the man to put upon the third finger of the womans left hand. The man, holding the ring there, shall say after the minister,)
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love
And with all that I am and all that I have
I will honour you for all the days of my life
(The minister shall then deliver the proper ring to the woman to put upon the third finger of the mans left hand. The woman, holding the ring there, shall say after the minister,)
I give you this ring as a symbol of my love
And with all that I am and all that I have
I will honour you for all the days of my life
Unity Candle
The officiant may say:
The two candles on the outside have been lit to represent your lives up to this moment. As you each take a candle and, together light the center one it will come to represent the union of your two lives into one. As this one candle cannot be divided, neither shall your lives be divided.
(Bride and Groom now light candle.)
May the brightness of this candle shine throughout your lives, giving you courage and reassurance in the darkness. May its warmth give you shelter from the cold. And may its energy fill your spirits with strength and joy.
Pronouncement
Forasmuch as Michael and Claire. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands and by giving and receiving rings, I pronounce that they are husband and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Amen.
(Then shall the officiant say)
You may kiss your beautiful bride.
(Officiant requests congregation to stand and couples face their guests)
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with the greatest of pleasure I present to you for the very first time, as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Worden