Moment of Remembrance

“It has long been asked: “How can we know where we are going in life if we don’t remember where we come from?” With this in mind, MaryEllen and William would like to begin this ceremony with a moment to honor and remember those who although they could not be here physically… all the people that we know are here in spirit, and wishing MaryEllen and William a lifetime of happiness. May they know that they are loved and remembered always.”

Pause

Opening Words and Prayer

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of God, Family and Friends, to celebrate MaryEllen and William as a couple and their promise that theirs will be a true and lasting love. It is such a wonderful feeling to be here with them to witness as they commit themselves to one another in sacred trust. Today is the day that they will formally and publicly make their promises to one another. Although this is indeed a high point, relationships are a journey not a destination. The ideal of living a long and happy life together is more than any one single event or promise. It is a way of life and a series of decisions that have been made, and will continue to be made over and over again, every day, that shows how peoples care and concern for the one whom they love most in the world. So I will ask you now if you are prepared to make this promise.

MaryEllen, Have you come here today with love in your heart to take William to be your own, that you may live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?”

MaryEllen: “I have.”

“Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him all the days of your life?”

MaryEllen: “I will.”

“William, Have you come here today with love in your heart to take MaryEllen to be your own, that you may live together as equal partners sharing all that life has to offer?”

William: “I have.”

“Will you love her comfort her, honor and keep her all the days of your life?”

William: “I will.”

“MaryEllen and William, that Jesus’ first miracle, the changing of water to wine, happened at a wedding is no coincidence. It mirrors the transformative power of love and the promise of marriage to shape the world around you and make everything it touches bolder, better, and brighter than ever before. May you have the strength to find beauty in adversity, appreciate the day to day, and always see this love for one another as being a gift from God.”

Welcoming of the Guests

“We live in a time where we are keenly aware of how important it is to be with the people we love, especially when celebrating life‘s milestones. MaryEllen and William would like to thank you all for being here with them today, and for supporting them through everything that it has taken to make this day a reality. 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 are the most important, and have been the most influential people in their lives. All of the time, and conversations, that you have had with MaryEllen and William even before they met have helped to make them who they needed to be to first find themselves and then each other. You have shared in their best and their worst days, and you are an irreplaceable part of their yesterdays, their today and all of their tomorrows. For all of you are among the greatest gifts that life has given them. All of you are those they can call Family and Friend.”

Address

“MaryEllen and William, in many ways the challenges that we face, the things that we overcome, all of our gifts and blessings… all the moments that make us who we need to be… it is like putting together a puzzle from the back. We struggle to figure the what and why of the shapes, and where all pieces go. Then one day, when we think we “have it together”, we flip the puzzle over and we see a picture. Suddenly so much that didn’t before makes sense. Shortly thereafter, someone else comes along who has also worked hard to become who they are. When we lay our pictures side-by-side with theirs… it’s not a struggle… as they line up make a panoramic of a future that is filled with hope and possibilities. This is how it has been for the two of you, with the help of family and friends, you have weathered the storms that have come as part of life. You have worked hard, done the right and the difficult things with grace and when those clouds parted… you found in one another the perfect complement and balance to who and what you are. Now you have a life that you would not trade for any other, a beautifully blended family, and through your love and support…. you are each becoming the best possible version of yourselves that you can be.

That we are here to celebrate what really will be a new beginning and a new season of your lives at this time of year… as the world itself is poised on the cusp of change and ready to awaken…. is ripe with symbolism. Yet your desire was simply to be married…. and to make your promises of forever in front of all those who know you best and love you most.

One of the most joyful aspects of your relationship is the way that together you have found the meaning of life to be in the journey itself, and in the privilege of experiencing it together. From pivotal accomplishments, to quiet nights at home… being fully present and together through moments both great and small… This is something you do with a sense of wonder, passion, appreciation and connection that is rare and beautiful… You have gone as far as you can as you now are… the promise of marriage changes you in ways you will discover in the years to come.

Today we celebrate your personal history, the two beautiful families that will be joined as one… and all that you will together become as you spend the rest of your lives, joyfully joined in the bonds of love and marriage.”

Invocation

Minister: “The Lord be with you.”
All: “And also with you.”
Minister: “Let us pray…

Gracious Father and Ever Living God, our hearts are filled with great happiness, as we celebrate the gift of love you have given MaryEllen and William. They have come before you, pledging their lives and their hearts to one another. Grant that they may be ever true and loving, living together in a way that shall ever nurture the soul of their relationship. Temper their hearts with kindness and help them to be sweethearts, helpmates, friend and guide, so that together, may they meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. May their home truly be a place of love and harmony where your Spirit is ever present. Bless them as they make their vows this day and walk beside them, through all their life together.

This we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with you, In the unity of the holy spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.”

The Lord’s Prayer

“Will you now join with me in reciting the Lord’s Prayer?”

All: “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. Amen.”

Blessing of the Rings

“May I have the rings please?

Officiant is given the rings

Holy Spirit, guardian of all that is seen and unseen, Bless these rings and this couple who shall wear them. Keep them safe through adversity, forever supported by your eternal blessing”

Ring Vows

“William, do you take MaryEllen
To have and to hold from this day forward,
For better or for worse, For richer or for poorer,
In sickness and in health, To love and to cherish
Until death do you part?”

William: “I do.”

“Please place the ring on MaryEllen’s finger and repeat after me…”

William places the ring half way onto MaryEllen’s finger

“I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love, and
with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor
you, today and for all the days of my life.”

William places the ring fully onto MaryEllen’s finger

“MaryEllen, do you take William
To have and to hold from this day forward,
For better or for worse, For richer or for poorer,
In sickness and in health, To love and to cherish,
Until death do you part?”

MaryEllen: “I do.”

“Please place the ring on William’s finger and repeat after me…”

MaryEllen places the ring half way onto William’s finger

“I give you this ring, as a symbol of my love, and
with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor
you, today and for all the days of my life.”

MaryEllen places the ring fully onto William’s finger

Pronouncement and Presentation

“Our prayer for you is this: That you will always remember the qualities that attracted you to each other when you first met and how you felt as your feelings of attraction turned into respect, admiration and finally love. That you will work hard to turn your feelings of love into acts of love so that nothing and no one can divide you. That you will always have kind and loving hearts that are quick to ask for forgiveness when you are wrong as well as to forgive when your partner is wrong. we pray you place your marriage in God’s hands, and that your love increases and overflows, beyond anything you can yet imagine.

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, let us end this ceremony the same way it all began… with a kiss!”

Couple kiss and exit to greet their guests!