Opening Prayer

“Allah, the Most Beneficent and Merciful, Today you allow us to behold the Light of Love. And there is no Gift more glorious. For only Love turns our heads away so as not to see small faults or lackings in another. And it is just that action which imitates Divine Mercy, which is the Path to Peace and Happiness. May Love shine, and Peace prevail, over all of us gathered here.”

Welcoming of the Guests

“Fatma and Eugene would like to take a moment to thank you all for being here with them today. They know that your taking the time, and making the journey, took considerable effort for a good many of you and they wanted you all to know the deep appreciation and gratitude that they feel in their hearts for this. All of you here are the most important people in their lives. You have shared their best and worst days and you are an irreplaceable part of their yesterdays, their today, and all of their tomorrows. Of course they know that you know this, but much in the same way that some things are better left unsaid, other things really do need to be spoken of. This holds particularly true on occasions such as this.”

Addressing Michael, Eugene’s son:

“Often marriage is viewed as the union of two persons. Yet marriages not only unite the Bride and the Groom, they unite families. With the changing structure of what a family is in today’s world we are offered unique and wonderful opportunities to simply increase the number of loving caring relationships that we have in our lives. During a wedding ceremony rings are exchanged with a promise. It is the promise of a safe haven, free from judgment, that offers unconditional love and support without fear of rejection under any and all circumstances. Michael, being a father has always been one of the most important parts of your dad’s life and he so proud of you. He and Fatma want you to know that the promises they make this day extend beyond their relationship with one another. Their love and support and acceptance has been and shall continue to be their life long commitment to you as well as each other.”

Fatma and Eugene

“The 13th century poet Jelleludan Rumi once said: ‘The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, Not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere they’re in each other all along.’

And how true this is even now. As we look at the beauty of the beach and the ocean we know the raindrop looks not for the sea, for it is already within it and all that is needed for completion is God’s blessing.

The Qur’an (30:21) assures us that Love and marriage are included in Allah’s many blessings by telling us, “Among His signs is [the fact] that He has created spouses for you among yourselves so that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has planted love and mercy between you.”

The Gospel of Paul reminds us that Love is Patent and kind, that it believes all things, bears all things, hopes all things that love never fails.

This is a precious treasure in today’s world. May you forever see the great gift that you are to one another as truly a gift from God. May you take joy in fulfilling your responsibilities to one another and to Allah by living the example set by the Lord Jesus Christ, nurturing all that you have been given with patience, kindness, and most of all love.”

Invocation

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of love hat you have bestowed upon Fatma and Eugene. We ask that your blessings continue to grace their union and be extended to their Family and Friends who have gathered here to celebrate this joyous event. May they forever dwell in the light of your love, and flourish as the leaves on the trees and the fruits of the vine.”

Presentation of The Rings

“May I have the rings please?”

The rings are brought forward

“You are about to present a ring to each other. The wedding ring, a complete circle, is the symbol of the completeness a husband and wife find in a marriage relationship. The ring has no beginning and no end, just as true love is never-ending. The ring also is made of precious metals, just as true love is a precious treasure. As you place the wedding ring on each other’s hand, may it not only remind you of the endless love you possess for one another, but may it also be a reminder of the precious gift God has given you to make you complete.”

Ring Vows

“Eugene, there are certain things that you can do to help to ensure that you and Fatma live a long and happy life together…..

Do you promise that you will be for Fatma all that Allah expects husbands and wives to be for one another? Do you promise to be her protection, her comfort, her safe haven, to share with her in felicity, worship, charity and all righteous endeavors? That you shall honor one another and the gift that you have been given by partaking in a marriage that shall mirror the greatest bliss, which is the good pleasure of Allah and by being a faithful and loving husband? And do you take Fatma to be your wife?”

Eugene: “I do.”

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

Eugene places the ring half way on to Fatma’s finger

“I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end,
Neither shall my love for you.
I choose you to be my wife
This day and forevermore
And I promise to love you
to infinity and beyond.”

Eugene places the ring the rest of the way on to Fatma’s finger

“Fatma, there are certain things that you can do to help to ensure that you and Eugene live a long and happy life together…..

Do you promise that you will be for Eugene all that Allah expects husbands and wives to be for one another? Do you promise to be her protection, her comfort, her safe haven, to share with her in felicity, worship, charity and all righteous endeavors? That you shall honor one another and the gift that you have been given by partaking in a marriage that shall mirror the greatest bliss, which is the good pleasure of Allah and by being a faithful and loving wife? And do you take Fatma to be your husband?”

Fatma: “I do.”

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

Fatma places the ring half way onto Eugene’s finger

“I give you this ring.
Wear it with love and joy.
As this ring has no end,
Neither shall my love for you.
I choose you to be my wife
This day and forevermore
And I promise to love you
to infinity and beyond.”

Fatma places the ring the rest of the way onto Eugene’s finger

“Allah is Mighty and Wise, He hath promised to believers – men and women – gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss; May your days together foreshadow that which is beyond the happiness we on earth may know.

All praise and Thanks be to Allah, for you are now as your hearts have always known you to be, Husband and Wife. You may kiss your beautiful Bride!”

Bride and Groom kiss and exit to greet their guests!