Ceremony: These are the hands poem

[ErinB]

There is a popular wedding poem that I cannot find the author of, so I'm hoping someone can help! There are a million different versions, but this is the one that has been turned into vows. It can also be read before exchanging rings.

BRIDE'S VOWS:

Groom, please face Bride, hold her palms up, so you may see the gift they are to you.

These are the hands that hold yours on your wedding day as she gives you her pledge to love you and accepts your ring.


These are the hands that are smooth and young and carefree now, but will be lined and rougher, working to make you comfortable.

These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness, disciplining them when naughty, and wringing themselves in worry when trouble comes.

These are the hands that will hold your face and wipe tears from your eyes - in wonder and awe that you would cry for her.

These are the hands that will hold you in joy, excitement and hope each time she tells you that you are to have another child; that together you have created new life.

These are the hands that through the years will caress your body in the passion of love, to enhance your intimacy.

GROOM'S VOWS:

Bride, please turn and face Groom, and hold his hands palms up, where you can see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that hold yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.

These are the hands you will place with expectant joy against your stomach until he too, feels his child stir within you.

These are the hands that look so large and clumsy, yet will be so gentle as he holds your baby for the first time.

These are the hands that will work long hours to earn money for you and your family.

These are the hands that will be nicked and bruised from fixing things around the house to make you more comfortable.

These are the hands that will caress your body through the years, to make the passion of love come alive in you.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief weigh on your mind.

These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes; eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.

These are the hands that will enter the Sacrament of Matrimony. These four hands will be your armor and shield against the evils and temptations of the world.

These are the hands that will reach out, first to each other, then united, will spread your love and your sacrament to all they touch.

These are the hands that will ease your parents' loneliness as you leave the nest, will first teach your own children the marvels of married life, and will be a sign to friends and strangers alike as to just how wonderful married life can be.

[Dez921714]

OMG I'm sitting on my couch BAWLING. I am so using this!!!!

Thanks! :)

[StephanieMN]

I just pulled this from our ceremony so it will have our names in it. I have read it several times and everytime I cry so I can't even bring myself to read the one you posted :)
From the words I caught this one is different:

Hand Blessing Ceremony
Stephanie, please hold Christopher’s hands palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will work along side yours, as together you build your future, as you laugh and cry, as you share your innermost secrets and dreams.
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 comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief engulfs your heart.
These are the hands that when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his overwhelming love and desire for you.


Christopher, please hold Stephanie’s hands palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you.
These are the hands of your best friend, smooth, young and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she promises to passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
These are the hands that will massage tension from you neck and back in the evenings after you’ve both had a long hard day.
These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick, or console you when you are grieving.
These are the hands that when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams.



May these hands be blessed that we see before us this day. May they always be held by one another. May they have the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. May they remain tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their wondrous love. May these hands continue building a relationship founded in love, rich in caring, and devoted in reaching for perfection. May Christopher and Stephanie see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter and guide.

Now I am excited about our wedding!!

[Morgan]

I cry everytime I read/ hear it too. I plan on taking it & adapting it for us & having the officiant read it.

[ErinB]

I cry like an idiot too! I'm a little worried I won't be able to make it through the ceremony! I keep reading it thinking I will become immune to it, but no such luck!

I did find this shortened version:
“These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, 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 as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, 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.”

I might just use this one, before the rings, so I won't be crying through the ENTIRE ceremony!

[Karen]

I am crying!!! that is so beautiful....and true. = )

[MelanieS]

I LOVE this - what a beautiful poem to have as part of your vows.

[alex]

Blah now you guys all got me crying lol

[Yari]

This made me cry, love it.

I just copied and pasted it into a word doc...definitley going to use it.

[Denise40]

Those are absoultely beautiful! I would love to be at all of your weddings to hear all of these different options that I am finding that we didn't have or no about when I got married. I also have tears reading these. Thanks for sharing.