Opening Words
We are gathered here today to celebrate a day
of gratitude, gladness, and joy. It is one of life’s greatest miracles
when two people love each other so much, they are willing to commit their lives
together as one in spirit. The ability to love is a miraculous gift which
God has given us, and a wedding is a celebration of that gift. Today, we
have been invited to share and to rejoice with Michael and Catharine, and to
vow our unconditional love and support to them as they begin their journey as
husband and wife.
I would like to take a moment to recognize
the family members of Michael and Catharine and to thank them for their love,
support and devotion, as they grew from adolescence and into the two beautiful
individuals who stand here before us on this special day. We thank you
for teaching them values and being there and showing them the beauty and joy of
loving another person.
Michael and Catharine, devotion, joy and love
can grow, only if they are nurtured together. Stand fast in that hope and
confidence, believing in your shared future just as strongly as you believe in
yourselves and in each other today. Only in this spirit, can you create a
partnership that will strengthen and sustain you all the days of your lives. May God fill your spirit with love and
truth. Let us pray.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we gather to celebrate your
gift of love, and its presence among us. We rejoice that these two people
have chosen to commit themselves to a life of loving faithfulness to one
another. We praise you, Lord, for the ways you have touched our lives
with a variety of loving relationships, and we give thanks for Michael and Catharine
and for the special love and friendship you have put in their hearts.
Lord we ask that you renew within us an affectionate and loving spirit.
Enrich our lives with the gracious gift of your love so that we may embrace
others with that same love. May our participation in this celebration of
love and commitment, give to us a new joy and responsiveness to the
relationships that we cherish. In your loving name we pray, Amen.
Michael, do you take Catharine to be your 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 'til death do you part?
Groom: I do.
Catharine, do you take Michael to be your 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 'til death do you part?
I do.
RING CEREMONY
May I have the rings please?
The perfect circle of the ring symbolizes
eternity. Our prayer is that your love for each other will be as eternal and
everlasting as these rings. In the years to come, may these rings remind
you of the overwhelming joy of this special occasion when you were united in
marriage. May your love be like the circle of this ring, with no
beginning, and no end.
Michael, take this ring a place it on Catharine’s
finger and repeat after me:
Groom: I, Michael, take you, Catharine, to be my
wife, in equal love, as a partner and companion, to have and to hold, to honor
and to cherish, in joy and in sorrow, from this day forward.
Catharine, take this ring a place it on Michael’s
finger and repeat after me:
Bride: I, Catharine, take you, Michael, to be my
husband, in equal love, as a partner and companion, to have and to hold, to
honor and to cherish, in joy and in sorrow, from this day forward.
**************SAND CEREMONY*********************
Today,
this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual
containers of sand one, representing you (Officiant hands the Bride her sand) Catharine and all that you were, all
that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you,( Officiant hands the Groom his Sand) Michael,
and all that you were and all that you are, and all that you will ever be. As
these two containers of sand are poured into the third container, the
individual containers of sand will no longer exist, but will be joined together
as one. Just as these grains of sand can never be separated and poured again
into the individual containers, so will your marriage be."
Pronouncement of Marriage
Because, Michael and Catharine, you have expressed your love and
commitment, and promised each other the joy of all your days, before God and
this company, it gives me great honor and pleasure to pronounce you husband and
wife. You may now kiss
the bride!
The Sand Ceremony vows were added into our sample vows.
If you did not order a sand ceremony, they will not be included.
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