Simply Sweet Ceremony

Simply Sweet Wedding Ceremony

Words of Welcome

My name is ___ and I have the privilege of performing this marriage ceremony today. 

On behalf of [Partner 1] and [Partner 2], welcome and thank you for being here. They are delighted that you are here today to share in their joy during this wonderful moment in their lives.

We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life’s greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] in marriage.

Introduction

There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls has come our way, through all paths of belief and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. 

Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two who stand before us today, we hope to leave them with the knowledge of love and its strengths, and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time.

Reading

We have a great body of literature inspired by and written about love. One writer says that it is not the extraordinary things that make life worthwhile but the love we share with those around us. Another reflects on love with these words:

To find love, we must first take the chance of risking our heart to another.

For it is only then, in the very act of offering ourselves, that true love is discovered.

The path of love is never easy.

Yet it's in the ups and downs, the times of trouble and need that together a bond is forged, strong enough to withstand whatever the road ahead may bring.

Love is about knowing when it's time to lead and when it's time to follow, but mostly, it’s about two people walking through life side by side.

Expression of intent and consent

I now have a question for each of you.

First for you, [Partner 1]

[Partner 1], you have chosen [Partner 2] to be your wife/husband/spouse. Will you love and respect her/him/them? Will you be honest with her/him/them always and will you stand by her/him/them through whatever may come? (Answer: 'I will')

[Partner 2], you have chosen [Partner 1] to be your husband/wife/spouse. Will you love and respect him/her/them? Will you be honest with him/her/them always and will you stand by him/her/them through whatever may come? (Answer: 'I will')

Exchange of vows

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2], we now come to your vows. May I remind you that saying your vows is one thing but nothing is more challenging than living them day by day. What you promise today must be renewed tomorrow and each day that stretches out before you.

[Partner 1], please repeat after me:

In the presence of our family and friends, I [Partner 1] choose you [Partner 2] to be my wife/husband/spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, and to be faithful to you alone. This is my solemn vow.

Now, [Partner 2], please repeat after me:

In the presence of our family and friends, I [Partner 2} choose you [Partner 1] to be my husband/wife/spouse, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, and to be faithful to you alone. This is my solemn vow.

Giving of rings

May I have the rings please.

[Partner 1], please repeat after me:

[Partner 2], take this ring as a symbol of my love for you. I promise to accept you for who you are, my best friend, the one I live for, the one I care for, and the one I love with all my heart, this day & forever.

[Partner 2], please repeat after me:

[Partner 1], take this ring as a symbol of my love for you. I promise to accept you for who you are, my best friend, the one I live for, the one I care for, and the one I love with all my heart, this day & forever.

Now may those who wear these rings live in love all their days.

Declaration of Marriage

[Partner 1] and [Partner 2], we have heard your promise to share your lives in marriage, we recognize and respect the covenant of marriage you have made here, before each one of us as witnesses.

Therefore, in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done, it is my honour and a delight to now pronounce you husband and wife/partners for life.

You may seal your wedding vows with a kiss.

Signing

Introduction

It is my personal pleasure and great joy to be the first to introduce [Partner 1] and [Partner 2] as husband and wife/as married.