Welcome
Welcome, Groom and Bride are so glad to have you here on this beautiful day. In marriage we not only say, “I love you today”, but also, “I promise to love you for all of our tomorrows.” Groom and Bride have already chosen each other. Now you are agreeing to choose each other each and every day.
Groom and Bride, in the days ahead of you, there will be stormy times and good times, times of conflict and times of joy. I ask you to remember this advice: Never go to bed angry. Let your love be stronger than your anger. Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend than to break. Believe the best of your beloved rather than the worst. Confide in your partner and ask for help when you need it. Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship. Treat your spouse the same way you would your friends. Say “I love you” every day.
You guys have already completed the hardest part and that was to find each other in this universe and to fall in love. I’m here — we’re all here — because we want to hope with you, to support you, to be proud of you, and to remind you that love isn’t happily ever after, love is the experience of writing your story. It’s not one moment — not even this moment. It’s every moment.
Blessing of Hands (optional)
Groom and Bride, I’m going to ask you to join hands and look at each other. I’d like you to think about the hands that you are holding. These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy. These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch. May these hands be blessed this day. May they always hold each other. May they have the strength to hang on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their love. May they build a relationship founded in love, and rich in caring. And may these hands be healer, protector, shelter, and guide for each other.
Declaration of Intent and vows
You fell in love by chance, but you’re here today because you’re making a choice. You both are choosing each other. You’ve chosen to be with someone who enhances you, who makes you think, makes you smile, and makes every day brighter. You’re about to make promises to each other that you intend to keep. You’re going to vow to take care of each other, to stand up for one another, and find happiness in the other. There’s a simple premise to each of these promises: you’re vowing to be there. You’re teaming up and saying to the other, “Every experience I am going to have, I want you to be a part of.”
Do you, Bride, take Groom to be your husband — to laugh with him, go on adventures with him, support him through life’s tough moments, be proud of him, grow old with him, and find new reasons to love him every day? If so please say, I do.
Bride: I do
Do you, Groom, take Bride to be your wife — to laugh with her, go on adventures with her, support her through life’s tough moments, be proud of her, grow old with her, and find new reasons to love her every day? If so please say, I do.
Groom: I do.
Vows
Good, then we can continue on with your vows to one another.
Bride’s vows to Groom.
Groom’s vows to Bride
(You can choose to write your own vows or to choose from prewritten options)
Rings
May I have the rings please?
The ring is an ancient symbol, so perfect and simple. It has no beginning and has no end.
It is round like the sun, like the moon, like the eye, like arms that embrace. It is a circle; for love that is given comes back around again. Your rings are precious because you wear them with love. They symbolize your commitment in marriage. They remind you of who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going. As you wear them through time, they will reflect not only who you are as individuals, but also who you are a couple.
Bride, as you place this ring on Groom’s finger, please repeat after me:
I love you, Groom. You are the love of my life and you are my very best friend. With this ring, I thee wed.
Groom, as you place this ring on Bride’s finger, please repeat after me:
I love you, Bride. You are the love of my life and you are my very best friend. With this ring, I thee wed.
Challenge to the Bride and Groom:
May your love be one based on freedom. For though our hands may touch, it’s our hearts that hold. When you hold love within your heart, you radiate a light, which shall brighten all the days of your life and beyond.Everything we truly love becomes a part of us forever. So take your time with each other. Let your love’s seed grow and mature with the seasons, to provide you with warmth, serenity, joy and acceptance throughout all the years of your life and marriage. Love is not a wall; it is a bridge. Love does not confine; it sets you free. It leads, as a pathway, winding, to places unknown and mysterious. With love to light the way, you can meet any challenge, together.
Apache Blessing (optional)
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 for 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 are three lives before you; His life, Her life, and Your life together.
Pronouncement:
Groom and Bride, you have vowed, in our presence, to be loyal and loving towards each other. You have formalized the bond with spoken vows and with the giving and receiving of rings. Therefore, it is my pleasure that by the power invested in me by the state of Illinois, that I now pronounce you husband and wife.
You may seal your vows with a kiss!
I introduce to you for the first time- Mr and Mrs!