Opening Words
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate an incredible moment. The marriage of Alicia and Verushka.
There’s something amazing about your choosing to marry at this moment in time. Look at that ocean… Look at our world shifting around us… With all of the waves tossing us around… you have chosen something constant and eternal to tie your hopes and dreams to.
You’ve chosen each other, you have chosen love.
And no matter how high those waves rise, or how hard they push, there is nothing out there that can come close to breaking the bonds forged by true love. Truly, it’s an honor to celebrate the power of love with you. Today, no matter how long you’ve known each other, discovered each other; no matter how many days you’ve woken up beside each other and said, “I love you”; today, when you make your vows to each other, everything changes.
Why do we as humans love ceremony and ritual? Because in these moments of ritual a sacred container is created, sanctified and sealed; a bond is forged, and a cord is set. In this moment, the love that you have nurtured is shined upon in a most special way by the Universe; whose Love has been holding and guiding you every day of your lives. It’s not magic that does this. It’s a true miracle that has moved space and time to bring you together – perhaps so that, together you will discover the true meaning of Love; a love that wants to grow in each of you, through your love for one another, and with the love of your families as they come together as one.
Remember, a good marriage isn’t just a beautiful love story, it is also the story of Love itself. Marriage is both finite and infinite. It is the intimate care that is yours alone, and also the joy that a good marriage brings to the soul of a family – and to your friends – who see that two people whom they love have found a safe place in this world.
This is what we celebrate today. With this in mind, I will now ask you to begin by making your promises together.
Statement of Intent
Do you pledge to one another your openness and honesty, that your love for one another shall be in the foreground of your thoughts always, guiding your actions, and that you shall leave no parts of yourselves unknowable to one another?”
Alicia and Verushka: “We do.”
“Do you pledge to continue to love one another wholly and fearlessly, that you will share each other’s laughter and work together to spark creativity and inspire passion in all aspects of your life together?”
Alicia and Verushka: “We do.”
“Do you pledge that you will always be there to comfort, soothe, and heal one another, And that you will stand together when the future is unclear, proving that times may change but your love is constant?”
Alicia and Verushka: “We do.”
“Do you pledge that your home will always be a place of warmth and welcome, a safe haven and sanctuary to body, mind, and spirit, that shall sustain and nourish your roots as you grow into all that is and shall be your life together?”
Alicia and Verushka: “We do.”
Presentation of the Rings
May I have the rings, please?
“These beautiful bands are unbroken circles, symbols of eternity, with neither end, nor beginning. They are to remind you not only of the endless love you possess for one another this day, but of the precious gift of trust, honesty and commitment that you place in one another for all of your tomorrows. Alicia and Verushka, from this day forward you will wear these rings as a sign that no matter where you go and whatever you do, there is someone in this world who loves you more than anything else, who whether near or far is always by your side. May these rings forever shine as a symbol of enduring strength and beauty in a sometimes-fragile world.”
Ring Vows
“Verushka, do you promise to always remember the great gift that you and Alicia are to one another? And to always maintain the inner connection that your souls share? Do you promise that yours shall be a home in which mutual respect, kindness of disposition, and love shall reign supreme, Where you support one another, empower and encourage one another in the spirit of love and hope and faith that brings you here to this day? Do you promise to be faithful and loving, And do you take Alicia to be your wife?”
Verushka: “I do”
“Now please place the ring on Alicia’s finger and repeat after me.”
Bride places the ring upon her love’s finger
“Alicia, I choose you. You are my life, my best friend. And with this ring, I thee wed. May it be a reminder of how much I love you, Not only on this precious day, But every single day of my life.”
Bride places the ring the rest of the way upon her love’s finger
“Alicia, do you promise to always remember the great gift that you and Alicia are to one another? And to always maintain the inner connection that your souls share? Do you promise that yours shall be a home in which mutual respect, kindness of disposition, and love shall reign supreme, Where you support one another, empower and encourage one another in the spirit of love and hope and faith that brings you here to this day? Do you promise to be faithful and loving, And do you take Verushka to be your wife?”
Alicia: “I do”
“Now please place the ring on Verushka’s finger and repeat after me.”
Bride places the ring upon her love’s finger
“Verushka, I choose you. You are my life, my best friend. And with this ring, I thee wed. May it be a reminder of how much I love you, Not only on this precious day, But every single day of my life.”
Bride places the ring upon her love’s finger
Pronouncement
“Alicia and Verushka, May all that you are, always be in love; and may all that is love, always be in you. May your love be as beautiful on each day you share as it is on this day of celebration. And may each day you share be as precious to you as the day you first fell in love. May you always see and encourage the best in each other. May the challenges that life brings your way make your marriage even stronger. And may you always be each other’s best friend and greatest love.
“By the power vested in me by the State of New York, and with great joy my friends, it is my honor to now pronounce you legally married. Seal it with a kiss!”
