SPIRITUAL GREETINGS
#14 Spiritual Greeting
We are gathered here to witness the joining of this man, Groom, and this woman, Bride, in marriage; which is an honorable estate, instituted in the necessities of our being, and dedicated to the happiness of mankind; an estate not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly, and in all sincerity.
To be true, this outward form must be a symbol of that which is inner and real, a sacred personal union, which a church may solemnize and a state make legal, but which only love can create and mutually fulfill.
To endure, the marriage of these two persons must be a consecration of each to the other, and of both to the wider community of which their lives are a part.
#15 Spiritual Greeting
Welcome. We are gathered here to witness this man and this woman joined together in matrimony, which is an honorable estate and therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the love of God, into which estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
#16 Spiritual Greeting
It is a time of celebration, for these two people, Groom and Bride, have come together and found mutual joy. They have shared their lives and decided to create a covenant between themselves, a partnership guided by spirit and support by our community. Groom and Bride ask all you in attendance in body and spirit to pledge your support and encouragement for them to keep true to their vows.
Minister lights two white taper candles:
We are all children of the light. I light this candle, which represents the sun, our spiritual father. I light this candle, which represents the moon, our spiritual mother. As these flames burn bright and strong, may their light bring this union between Groom and Bride to grow in joy and love.
Minister scatters flower petals in a complete circle around the couple:
Let your love be like the flowers of the earth, beautiful and divine, ever growing, spreading love and joy throughout the Earth. May you live within a circle of love and may your unity be a thing of beauty and sweetness. May your love dance in eternal circles of time, with the dance of the earth with the sacredness of life.
#17 Spiritual Greeting
We are gathered here today to witness the coming together of two people, Groom and Bride, whose hearts and spirits are entwined as one. They now desire to profess before all the world their intention henceforth to walk the road of life together.
To these two young people, this marriage signifies the birth of a new spirit, a spirit which is a part of each of us, yet not of any one of us alone. This "birth of spirit" reminds us of spring, the season when all life is reborn and looms again. It is appropriate, therefore, that this wedding of Groom and Bride be in the spring, and that it be under the open sky, where we are close to the earth and to the unity of life, the totality of living things of which we are part.
We are gathered here today to take part in the most time-honored celebration of the human family, uniting a woman and a man in marriage. Groom and Bride have come to witness before us, telling of their love for each other. We remember, theirs is a love whose source is the affection of those who loved them into being.
We remind them that they are performing an act of complete faith, each in the other; that the heart of their marriage will be the relationship they create. In a world where faith often falls short of expectation, it is a tribute to these two who now join hands and hearts in perfect faith.
#18 Spiritual Greeting
Today we have gathered in this place of natural beauty to be joyful, in celebration of the relationship of Groom and Bride By their commitment to marry each other, they are saying yes to love, yes to caring, yes to the family. May the spirit of God?which is in the blue sky, in the wind, and in the fresh smells of the Earth?enter your bodies, fill your hearts, and bless your lives.
Have you come here in the midst of these natural surroundings to affirm your commitment to each other?
Bride and Groom:
We have.
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