Christian -Jewish Ceremony We are gathered here today in the presence of God to give thanks for the gift of marriage, and to witness the joining together of Groom and Bride. In the Jewish and Christian traditions, marriage is a sign of our Creator's intention for wholeness in all creation. Out of the chaos, God brought order. That creative purpose is still at work. The joining together of two persons into one unique, intimate, and creative unity in marriage is therefore not only a symbol but also a demonstration of the well-being, the shalom, the purpose of human society. And so marriage is truly a celebration of God's good work in creation.
The uniting in marriage of two individuals from two separate families and backgrounds to establish a new family is an important and memorable event. For us, attached as we are to Groom and to Bride by special bonds of love and affection, the uniting of these two people in heart and body and mind is an occasion of great significance which we can all celebrate.
Marriage is not a casual event, nor is it simply a private affair between two individuals. Marriage is to be entered into responsibly and prayerfully. This marriage brings together this day two individuals, two families, and two communities of faith. It is, then, in the midst of a troubled and broken society, a sign of hope. It deserves and needs the support of a wider community. Today is a time for family and friends to share in their commitment to each other by offering Groom and Bride our continued support, love and best wishes in their lives together.
Let us pray: 0 Lord our God, source of all blessing, in happiness and joy we thank you for the gift of marriage, which we celebrate today. May you give Groom and Bride the ability to rejoice always in their love. May you fulfill every worthy wish of their hearts. May you open their eyes to the beauty and the mystery of the love they hold for each other, every day as today. And may their | life together embrace and nurture the promise of this moment, so that all who know them will call them truly blessed. Amen. Out of two different and distinct traditions they have come together to learn the best of what each has to offer, appreciating their differences and confirming that being together is far better than being apart from each other. As we bless this marriage under the huppah, the Jewish symbol of the new home being consummated here, we will later light the unit candle, the Christian symbol of two people becoming one in marriage. Explanation of Huppah Readings are done by the four people holding the poles of the huppah.
Reader 1: Long after tents vanished from the Jewish landscape, wedding ceremonies were held out of doors in the hope that the marriage would be blessed by as many children as "the stars of the heavens." Some kind of covering was employed to create a more modest and sanctified space.
Reader 2: The bridal canopy, or huppah, is a multifaceted symbol. It symbolizes: modesty in the presence of God, the safety of your home, the protection of a garment, the intimacy of your bed covering.
Reader 3:It is open on all four sides—to respect Abraham, who had doors on all four sides of his home so that visitors would always know they were welcome.
Reader 4: The huppah does not promise that love or hope or pledges will keep out weather or catastrophe. But its few lines are a sketch for what might be. The flimsiness of the huppah is a reminder that the only thing that is real about a home is the people in it who love and choose to be together— to be a family. The only anchor that they will have will be holding onto each other's hands. The huppah is the house of promises. It is the home of hope.
The blessing over the wine, known as the kiddush, is a part of many Jewish celebrations and holidays. The word kiddush means sanctification, so as we recite this blessing, we symbolically sanctify this couple on their wedding day. Blessed are you, O God, Creator of the fruit of the vine. A marriage brings together two individuals, with separate lives, to perform the lifelong pledge of uniting as one. These candles before us symbolize the union of your marriage. The two outer candles represent the two of you as individuals. The center candle, which you will kindle together, represents the unity which will continue to develop as you are married. The external candles will remain lit, to show that, even in you unity, you may also remain as individuals. (Groom and Bride light candle while music is played). Groom and Bride please state your intent to enter into this union by expressing your vows to one another. Groom and Bride repeat after me: "I promise, before family and friends, to commit my love to you; to respect your individuality; to be with you through life's changes; and to nurture and strengthen the love between us, as long as we both shall live." Officiant to the congregation: Will all of you witnessing these vows do everything in your power to uphold Groom and Bride in their marriage? Will you? (We will.) Groom, have you a token of your love for Bride Bride , have you a token of your love for Groom? Traditionally, the marking of the passage to the status of husband and wife is marked by the exchange of rings. These rings are a symbol of the unbroken circle of love. Love freely given has no beginning and no end. Love freely given has no giver and no receiver - for each is the giver and each is the receiver. May these rings remind you always of the vows you have taken here today. Groom, place this ring on her finger and repeat after me: This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my desire that you be my wife from this day forward. Bride, place this ring on his finger and repeat after me: This ring, a gift for you, symbolizes my wish that you be my husband from this day forward. Let these rings serve not as locks binding you together, but as keys, unlocking the secrets of your hearts for each other to know, and thus bringing you closer together forever. Eternal God, without your grace no promise is sure. Strengthen Groom and Bride with patience, kindness, gentleness, and all the other gifts you so abundantly impart, that they may fulfill the vows they have made this day. Keep them faithful to each other and to you. Fill them with such love and joy that they may build a home of peace and welcome. And guide them by your word to serve you all their days. Amen, I would like to take this opportunity to mention to you, the guests, that Groom and Bride will be spending a few moments alone together, immediately following the ceremony. This is a custom called Yichud, which means "union" in Hebrew. It gives the couple an opportunity to share, privately, the power and importance of this moment in their lives. They will return shortly to greet you. Groom and Bride, having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here, and by the authority vested in me by the State of Ohio, I announce with great joy that from this time on, you are husband and wife. Stepping on this glass signifies remembering the past and moving to the future. You no longer belong to your parents' houses, but to your own. As Groom and Bride break the glasses, I invite everyone to shout "Mazel Tov", which means "Congratulations" and "Good Luck". You may seal your vows with a kiss.
Christain-Buddhist Ceremony On a table is a braided cord, incense, a unity candle a bowl of salt and a chalice of water. Both side of the parents are seated, Bride’s on the left, Groom’s on the right. Officiant stands in front of the audience, BRIDE enters in from the left, Groom enters in on the right, BRIDE & Groom meet in the middle, both face the audience and Officiant. Today we come together to witness the union of the two families, the Bride’s Family and the Groom’s Family and to witness this couple promise to dedicate themselves completely to one another, with body, speech, and mind. In this life, in every situation, in wealth or poverty, in health or sickness, in happiness or difficulty, they will work to help each other perfectly. This couple is happy today not only because they can share the joy of their love for each other with friends and family, but also because they have the opportunity to express their aspirations for the future. Do you Groom and Bride, pledge to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and to transform them into the path of loving kindness, compassion and joy? “We do” Recognizing that the external conditions in life will not always be smooth and that internally your own minds and emotions will sometimes get stuck in negativity; do you pledge to see all these circumstances as a challenge to help you grow, to open your hearts, to accept yourselves, and each other; and to generate compassion for others who are suffering? “We do” Do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other, and to share it with all beings? To take the loving feelings you have for one another and your vision of each other's potential and inner beauty as an example and rather than becoming self absorbed, to radiate this love outwards to all beings? “We do” Do you pledge to remember the disadvantages of ignorance, anger and attachment, to apply antidotes when these arise in your minds, and to remember the kindness of all other beings and your connection to them? “We do” Do you pledge day to day, to be patient with yourselves and others, knowing that change comes slowly and gradually, and to seek inspiration from each other not to become discouraged? “We do” Do you pledge to continuously strive to remain optimistic so that you can achieve your greatest potential and lasting happiness? “We do” Groom and Bride will light the incense which symbolizes air. Groom and Bride will light the unity candle which symbolizes fire. Groom and Bride turn toward the altar and each pick up a stick of incense. The incense is placed in a bowl of salt on the altar.They light the incense using a small candle and then light the unity candle together. Holding the chalice. Drink of this cup and be like the water inside, forming and changing together in accordance with external circumstances. When you encounter obstacles in your lives together that seem insurmountable, remember to follow your heart and always be flexible. A wise man once said ‘be formless, shapeless -- like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, and it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.’ ” Handing the chalice to Groom, who drinks and then hands it to Bride who drinks. Bride places the chalice on the altar and turns to face Groom. From earliest times, the ring has been a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never-ending circle symbolizes a commitment to love that is also never ending.We ask that God bless these rings and this union of souls. Groom take the ring you have chosen for Bride, place it on her finger and say these words to her: With this ring, I give to you a reminder of our love and our vision for the future, a symbol of our union. Will you join with me? Bride answers, I will. Groom places the ring on Bride’s finger. A take the ring you have chosen for Groom, place it on his finger and say these words to him: With this ring, I give to you a reminder of our love and our vision for the future, a symbol of our union. Will you join with me? Groom answers, I will. Bride places the ring on Groom’s finger.Groom and Bride take each other’s right hands. The Handfasting cord (a braided cord that symbolizes the two being bound to one another) from the table and wraps it around Groom and Bride’s wrists and hands three times, letting the ends dangle. This cord, that you have braided together as a couple, is a symbol of your union within this Circle. When the ceremony is over, your loved ones are encouraged to tie a knot in the cord to seal their good wishes for your future together. If those standing with you today wish to tie a knot to symbolize their good wishes, they may do so now.” Matron of Honor and Best Men tie knots while cord still binds Groom and Bride. May you be happy and well, may no harm come to you, may you practice compassion with each other. (bell) May we, who have shared this day with you, be happy and well, may no harm come to us, may we learn compassion. (bell) May all living beings be happy and well, may no harm come to them, may they learn compassion. (bell) Please offer prayers or kind thoughts tonight for them as they begin this journey into a new phase in their lives together.” Closing: Having witnessed your vows with those assembled her today, it is with great joy that I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal your vows with a kiss. Ladies and Gentlemen it is my honor to present for the first time as husband and wife:Mr. and Mrs. Groom’s Last Name.
