The
Wedding of Michael & Catharine
GATHERING
WORDS
We
are gathered here today to celebrate the joining of Michael and Catharine together in Marriage.
Marriage is one of God’s most sacred
sacraments that he has
given to us. The ability and desire for one human being able to Love another is
perhaps the most precious and fulfilling gift that has been entrusted to us by
the Almighty. It is an all consuming
task and a lifelong endeavor.
As Michael
and Catharine enter into this marriage, they do so with much thought and
reverence. They give thanks for the past which has brought them to this place
today, and look forward with hope and prayers to what the future will bring.
OPENING
PRAYER
Let us pray! Heavenly Father we ask your
blessings on Michael and Catharine as they embark on this unique journey in
their lives. Please
grant them happiness and contentment as they begin and establish a new home
together, as they create a new family and explore the depths of their love for
one another and for you. May you bless their family and friends which have
supported them and that have sustained, and strengthened them throughout their
lives. May their home always be a place of love, peace and comfort to
them. Lord, if times may grow hard and
tempers grow short, may they be guided by You and their Love to look into their
hearts so they will remember what brought them here today. AMEN!
CHARGE
TO THE COUPLE!
Michael
and Catharine as you stand before Almighty God, and your Family, be reminded
that the basis of a fulfilled relationship is love, honesty, loyalty and trust.
This
most serious commitment is intended to bring your lives ever so close forever.
In today’s disposable world the word forever is often cast aside and forgotten.
Please let this never be so with you. Let your lives become intertwined so that
you may continue to grow closer throughout your years together.
None
of us knows what the future will bring. Yet your Love for one another, and trust
in the strength of your relationship, makes possible the act of faith you are
making today.
May
your Faith grow, Faith in God and in each other. Faith in God will let your faith in each
other grow. For it is written “Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm
46:10 With faith in God, and His Power
everything can be overcome in this world.
Be
generous with the each other and with your children. Generous with your time,
with your knowledge, with your humor, and of course most of all with your Love.
CONSENTS!
Catharine,
do you here in the presence of God, and your Family declare your Love for Michael,
choosing him with Love in your heart to be united in Marriage? Do you freely
and without hesitation accept him as he comes to you on this day?
Bride: I do.
Michael,
do you here in the presence of God, and your Family declare your Love for Catharine,
choosing her with Love in your heart to be united in Marriage? Do you freely
and without hesitation accept her as she comes to you on this day?
Groom: I do.
VOWS!
Officiant: Michael
take Catharine by the hand and say to her:
Catharine,
I take you to be my wife;
To
share with you the laughter;
To
kiss away the tears;
And
to give to you all the Love in my heart;
As
long as we both shall live.
Officiant: Catharine
say to Michael:
Michael,
I take you to be my Husband:
To
share with you the laughter;
To
kiss away the tears;
And
to give to you all the Love in my heart;
As
long as we both shall live.
RINGS!
Catharine
and Michael please face each other.
Catharine
and Michael have brought rings to present to each other as a symbol of their
Love.
The
ring is an ancient symbol, so perfect yet so simple, it has no beginning and it
has no end. It is round like the Sun, and round like the Moon. It
is round like the arms of lovers that embrace. It is an eternal circle for Love
that given, always returns again. Now
may we ask Almighty God to bless these rings that Michael and Catharine will
exchange and wear as a symbol of the love that they share.
Michael
(repeat after me) : With this ring I thee wed, Take and wear it as a pledge of my
love forever and as a symbol of all of the Love we share.
Catharine
(repeat after me): With this ring I thee wed, Take and wear it as a pledge of my
love forever and as symbol of all the Love we share.
*****************Sand Ceremony******************
Today,
this relationship is symbolized through the pouring of these two individual
containers of sand one, representing you Catharine and all that you were, all
that you are, and all that you will ever be, and the other representing you, 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."
May we Pray.
THE
LORDS 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 forever and ever.
AMEN.
Now,
by the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Florida I
now pronounce you Husband and wife.
What
God has joined together let no man put asunder. You
may 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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