Officiant | Dearly beloved, we have come together here in the sight of God, and the presence of these witnesses, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. The union of Husband and Wife is intended for their mutual joy; for the help and comfort given one to another in prosperity and in adversity. Let it not therefore be entered into lightly, but reverently, deliberately, in perfect love and perfect trust. Into this holy estate (name) and (name) now come to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, let them now speak, or else hereafter forever hold their peace. |
Officiant | Let us pray
Creator of all things, you who made us and sustain us, |
All | Amen |
Music, if desired | |
Officiant | Will you, (Groom), have this woman to be your wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep you only unto her, so long as you both shall live? |
Groom | I will |
Officiant | Will you, (Bride), have this man to be your wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, keep you only unto him, so long as you both shall live? |
Bride | I will |
Officiant | Will the families of the bride and groom please stand?
The union of (Bride) and (Groom) brings together two family trees, two systems of support, in the hope that a new tradition may take root and grow strong. Theirs is a personal choice, a decision they alone can make. Yet their life together will be endlessly blessed by the love of the families from which they come. Will all of you encourage (Bride) and (Groom) in their marriage? |
Family | We will |
Officiant | Do you celebrate with them their choice of a life together? |
Family | We do |
Officiant | Will you stand beside them, yet not between? |
Family | We will |
Officiant | Please be seated |
Reading | (I'm including my own only as an example. The punctuation is
original.)
This is by e.e. cummings (1894-1962) the first of all my dreams was of until my second dream begins- but that mere fury soon became foreverfully falling snow. |
Officiant | You have made your intentions clear before us, now join hands, and to each other make your vows. |
Groom | I take you, (Bride), to be my wife to laugh with you in joy to grieve with you in sorrow to grow with you in love to strengthen the world by the strength of our bond as long as we both shall live. |
Bride | I take you, (Groom), to be my husband to laugh with you in joy to grieve with you in sorrow to grow with you in love to strengthen the world by the strength of our bond as long as we both shall live. |
Officiant | (Groom), place your ring on (Bride)'s hand. |
Groom | I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. |
Officiant | (Bride), place your ring on (Groom)'s hand. |
Bride | I give you this ring as a sign of my vow, and with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you. |
Music | Note: at this point we lit our Unity Candle. We were fortunate enough to have all four of the bride's grandparents at the ceremony with us, and we wanted to include them somehow. This seemed like the perfect place. The grandmothers lit tapers from a pillar already burning at the beginning of the ceremony, and placed opposite the unlit Unity Candle. They each then lit their spouse's candle. Each pair then lit the candle of their child (the bride's parents). They in turn lit the bride's, while the groom's parents lit his (the groom's mother lit her candle from the pillar following the grandmothers, and passed the flame to her husband). Finally the bride and groom together lit the Unity Candle, leaving their own tapers burning to either side. It's less complicated than it sounds, and if you've got the time and space to choreograph it, it can be really beautiful. This is the one event in every wedding that's Pagan no matter what you call it. You might as well do it up. |
Officiant | Forasmuch as (Bride) and (Groom) have consented together in marriage, and have witnessed the same before all those gathered here, I pronounce that they are husband and wife. What is united in love and the spirit of the Divine, let no one put asunder. |
(to both) | You may seal these vows with a kiss. |
(to all) | Please join me in prayer
Ancient One Bless them with Air Bless them with Fire Bless them with Water Bless them with Earth Watch over us all |
All | Amen |
Officiant | Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my privilege to introduce to you..... |