We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of Bride and Groom. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.
Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Groom and Bride have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing.
Bride, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord? Bride: Yes, it is true.
With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you. Father: She comes with me, her father, and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings.
Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...
Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.
Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for the spirit is with you always.
Please look into each others eyes. Groom, Will you cause her pain? Groom responds: I may.
Is that your intent? Groom responds: No.
Bride, Will you cause him pain? Bride responds: I may.
Is that you intent?
Bride responds: No
Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it? Both respond: Yes.
And so the binding is made. Join your hands. *First cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands*
Bride, Will you share his laughter? Bride responds: Yes.
Groom, Will you share her laughter? Groom responds: Yes.
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other? Both respond: Yes.
And so the binding is made.*Second chord is draped across the couples hands*
Bride, Will you burden him? Bride responds: I may.
Is that you intent? Bride responds: No.
Groom, Will you burden her? Groom responds: I may.
Is that your intent? Groom responds: No.
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in this union? Both respond: Yes.
And so the binding is made. *Drape third chord across the couples hands*
Bride, will you share his dreams? Bride responds: Yes.
Groom, will you share her dreams? Groom responds: Yes.
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes? Both respond: Yes.
And so the binding is made. *Drape fourth chord across the couple's hands*
Groom, will you cause her anger? Groom responds: I may.
Is that you intent? Groom responds: No.
Bride, will you cause him anger? Bride responds: I may.
Is that your intent? Bride responds: No.
Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of this union? Both respond: We will.
And so the binding is made. *Drape fifth chord across the couples hands*
Bride, Will you honor him? Bride responds: I will.
Groom, Will you honor her? Groom responds: I will.
Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor? Both respond: We shall never do so.
And so the binding is made. *Drape sixth chord across the couples hands and tie chords together while saying:*
The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union. *Once chords are tied together they are removed and placed on table*
Groom, I have not the right to bind you to Bride, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand. Groom: It is my wish.
Bride, if it be your wish for Groom to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger. (places ring on Groom's left ring finger) Bride I have not the right to bind you to Groom only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand. Bride: It is my wish.
Groom, if it be your wish for Bride to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger.(places ring on Bride's left ring finger) Groom, Repeat after me:
I, (Groom's Full Name), in the name of the spirit that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee (Bride's Full Name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.
Bride, Repeat after me:
I (Bride's Full Name), in the name of the spirit that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, (Groom's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.
(hands chalice to the groom) May you drink your fill from the cup of love.
(Groom holds chalice to bride while she sips then bride takes chalice and holds it to groom while he sips. The chalice is then handed back to the Celebrant who sets it on the table. Next the Celebrant takes the plate of bread, giving it to the groom. Same procedure repeated with bread, groom feeding bride and bride feeding groom.)
By the power vested in me by the State, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you. You may now seal your vows with a kiss.
The New couple turns clasps hands steps over the broom to enter their new life as one.
Ladies and Gentlemen it is my pleasure to present to you for the first time as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Groom.
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