Opening Words

“Welcome everyone! It is such a wonderful feeling to be here with Elizabeth and Jack to celebrate the beginnings of what we know will be an extraordinary marriage.

They loved the idea of a simple wedding, out in nature, on the beach by the waters that have been a part of so many of their favorite memories. Here we can see the sand, the sea, the sun in the sky, the gentle breeze, everything in nature has its place. Much as marriage celebrates the realization that by one another’s side is the one place in this world that two people were meant to be.

Like the tides themselves, it has been said that marriage is falling in love over and over again with the same person. How Elizabeth and Jack will continue to accomplish this…. that will be up to them, for every marriage is as unique as the people that it joins. Yet the ideals of love, and home and family are as universal as time itself, and the desire to spend a lifetime with the one we love transcends language and culture, to speak to the very core of what makes us truly human.

Elizabeth and Jack, you have put in all the joyful work of establishing a relationship worthy of marriage. You’ve talked and listened, learned and grown, cared about all the silly and serious things the days bring and have put one another’s needs above your own. You have treated one another as the most important person in your lives… and from today on all that work will be recognized and celebrated every time you speak the words “my husband” and “my wife.”

Welcoming of the Guests

“It is not often enough in today’s world that we have the opportunity to gather all those who mean the most to us together in one place. Therefore, Elizabeth and Jack would like to thank you all for being here with them now… and for being there for them through all the moments and decisions that have made this day possible. If our lives are as a strand of pearls, the memories that we share of events like this, are a gift that we give to those who are important to us. As life moves forward, we don‘t remember specific years. We remember the tears of joy when a child was born. We remember being together for that same child’s graduation. We remember birthdays and anniversaries, holiday gatherings and even the difficult times in life… we remember the people who have always been there. It is these memories that make a family a family, friendships worth while, and form communities out of people who would otherwise be strangers in many ways. That you are all here to be a part of this memory means the world to Elizabeth and Jack.

Hourglass Sand Ceremony

“The symbolism of the sand ceremony is the same as the Unity Candle, two joining together to become one. The colored sand represents Elizabeth and Jack as individuals choosing to join together as one. As the sand is poured it will make a pattern that is unique to Elizabeth and Jack as a couple. The hourglass will be turned and turned, again and again over the years, in appreciation of all the moments, both great and small that will equal a lifetime shared. This will be a reminder that although the pattern will shift and change, it is love that remains constant. By the time Elizabeth and Jack are little old people, although the grains will retain their individuality, we will no longer be able to tell where one color began and the other left off… which is yet another wonderful metaphor for a good marriage. Elizabeth and Jack, will you please step to behind the table and pour your sand?”

Music begins
Bride and Groom step behind the table
then intermingle their colored sand
and return to place as the music concludes

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Invocation

“In lieu of a traditional Invocation, Elizabeth and Jack have chosen to include something that honored their Irish heritage and the waters that surround us here on Long Island. It is called the “Nautical Irish Blessing”

“May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the warm rays of sun fall upon your home
May you always know your True North,
And be surrounded by those who help you steer towards it.
May the noise of the day
be quelled by the music of the ocean.
May you sail safely over rough water
and weather the waves’ dips and crests.
May green be the grass you walk on,
May blue be the skies above you,
May your home be filled with laughter,
your days bright, and your nights gentle.
May pure be the joys that surround you,
May true be the hearts that love you.
May you travel this world together,
And know it‘s beauty, for all the days of your life.”

Presentation of the Rings

“May I have the rings please?

Officiant is given the rings

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 profess 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. Elizabeth and Jack, from this day forward you will wear these rings as a sign that no matter where you go and what ever 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

“Jack, do you take Elizabeth to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you vow to love her and care for her for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept her, with all of her faults and strengths, and offer yourself to her with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to help her when she needs help and to turn to her when you need help? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?”

Jack: “I do.”

“Will you now place the ring on your beloved’s finger and repeat after me?”

Jack places the ring half way on to Elizabeth’s finger

“I Jack, take you Elizabeth, to be my wife. I will love you, and honor you, respect and cherish you, for all the days of my life.”

Jack places the ring the rest of the way on to Elizabeth’s finger

“Elizabeth, do you take Jack to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you vow to love him and care for him for as long as you both shall live? Do you accept him, with all of his faults and strengths, and offer yourself to him with all of your own faults and strengths? Do you promise to help him when he needs help and to turn to him when you need help? Do you promise to be a faithful and loving companion and to always put the promises you make this day above all else?”

Elizabeth: “I do.”

“Will you now place the ring on your beloved’s finger and repeat after me?”

Elizabeth places the ring half way onto Jack’s finger

“I Elizabeth, take you Jack, to be my husband. I will love you, and honor you, respect and cherish you, for all the days of my life.”

Elizabeth places the ring the rest of the way onto Jack’s finger

Pronouncement of Marriage

“Elizabeth and Jack, Even after all this time, the ocean never tires of kissing the shore… over… and over…. and over again. The sun never hesitates to rise or set. May you see this marriage as a part of who and what you joyfully are. May you kiss often, laugh a lot, and look forward to every morning and every evening as a new opportunity to experience this beautiful life you are sharing

And now that you’ve made your vows and promises of love and faithfulness before these witnesses, and exchanged rings of commitment as a testimony to that love, it is my honor and privilege to pronounce you husband and wife.

You may kiss your beautiful Bride!”

Bride and Groom kiss and exit to greet their guests