Officiant services for your wedding or celebration
photo by George Burnette
Greetings
Who comes today with Holli to be married to Matt?
(Father) Her mother and I do.
We are here together this afternoon to celebrate love and families. We see it in the faces of Holli and Matt who stand before us, and in the faces of their children Madeline and Dillon, and we experience it in our own hearts as well. Their love has brought us here today to celebrate the beginning of their new life together, and to honor the days and the people who have been a part of their journey.
We wish for them that the joy of this hour will increase a thousand times over the years, and that they experience with their families the kind of bond that gives courage to the young and comfort to the old. It is written that love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, and is not proud. Love rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails, even when we do.
The Vows
Matt, do you take Holli to be your wife? To love her, to cherish her, and to continually bestow on her your heart’s deepest devotion? (Matt: I do.)
Holli, do you take Matt to be your husband? To love him, to cherish him, and to continually bestow on him your heart’s deepest devotion? (Holli: I do.)
Please join hands, face one another, and repeat after me:
(Matt) Holli, you are my partner, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, to share our lives together, from this day forward.
(Holli) Matt, you are my partner, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, to share our lives together, from this day forward.
The Apaches say, now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years. May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth…And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Exchanging Rings
What tokens of your love have you brought for each other?
[Couple] These rings.
May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your unity. Your two lives are joined today in an unbroken circle. Wherever you go, may you always return to one another in your togetherness. May you know in one another the love for which all people yearn. May you grow in understanding and compassion. May these rings symbolize the touch of the spirit that is love.
Matt, place the ring on Holli’s left hand, repeat after me:
[Matt] Holli, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
Holli, place the ring on Matt’s left hand, repeat after me:
[Holli] Matt, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
Unity Ceremony
Holli and Matt, you have sealed your commitment by the exchange of vows and the giving and receiving of rings. Your relationship is now like these containers of sand, one representing you Holli, and you Matt, and all that you were apart from each other. From this moment forward as you pour your lives together, you will mingle the grains of sand until they can no longer be separated. You are now one vessel with many tiny particles, and together you will create something that will never be parted again.
Remembering Ones Not Present
You have placed a rose to honor the ones who could not be here today. As I speak their names, bless them in your hearts.
Holli’s grandparents,
Loretta and Charlie.
Matt’s grandparents,
Robert and Dorothy.
Matt’s grandparents,
Jiro and Yoko.
Benediction
We ask that this young family be blessed by the strength of their unending love. We wish for them faith and courage, and hope and joy. May God be always with you.
Declaration
Holli and Matt, you have promised together before your friends and family to love each other and join your lives. You are now united both in love, and in marriage.
I now pronounce you husband and wife together. Congratulations! Please share a kiss.
Introduction
I have both the pleasure and the honor of presenting Holli and Matt and family. Let the celebration begin!
Recessional
The wedding party returns up the aisle together, with the officiant, and exits towards the gathered celebration.
© 2003, Jody Serey