Share your ceremony script!

[meBonidie2be]

So.... The wedding is next month and i just finished my first rough draft. I would really appreciate any thoughts on flow, wording, or anything else you ladies can think of. YOU WILL NOT OFFEND ME. Please feel free to be honest : )    

 

I don't know if i like the part about asking who gives this woman to be wed...My dad and step dad are walking me so I would want them to both respond. Plus, they will be seated which i think is a little weird.

 

I am not sure about the wording around the vows and exchange of rings.

 

 

On behalf of Casey and Brian, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness this loving couple join hands in marriage. The fact that you all have traveled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have. Many of you have given them much happiness, unconditional love, encouragement, and guidance through the various stages of their lives. They would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate their big day. A special and respectful acknowledgement must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend, or have passed on, but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all our hearts. (pause)

 

Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man? (dad and Jeff- I do)

 

 

Casey and Brian, before you met your lives were on different paths with different destinations. Love has brought you together and joined these separate paths into one. Each of your family members and friends here today has been given a small polished stone that represents their unique individuality and their presence at your wedding today. You also each have a stone of your own that symbolizes your previous separate lives, separate sets of friends, separate families and the different life’s journeys that you once traveled. I ask that everyone please hold the stone that you have been given throughout the ceremony. Fill your stone with hope, positivity, a prayer, or blessing for happiness and good will for Casey and Brian for the future of their marriage.

 

        This marriage ceremony between Casey and Brian does not mark the beginning of a new relationship; rather, it is an acknowledgement and celebration, of a relationship that has been thriving since they met. Marriage is the mutual commitment of two people sincerely in love who share the same dreams about life. More than that, it is the intimate sharing of two lives. It is a sharing that does not diminish but enhances the individuality of each partner. The institution of marriage is not to be entered into lightly; it symbolizes commitment on every level. Together you will continue to meet the challenges and obstacles of life head on with honesty, integrity, and loyalty.

            This beautiful setting should remind us that, like the ocean, human life is an ebb and flow- spirit and emotions move in cycles. To be in a relationship does not guarantee an eternal summer. To make a sincere and honest commitment does not promise an end to all struggles. What a good relationship does offer, much like this ocean, is the opportunity for renewal. A successful relationship recognizes that after every fall and winter, spring and summer will come again. A flourishing relationship takes more than just love. It takes trust, to know in your hearts that you want only the best for each other. It takes dedication, to stay open to one another, to learn and grow, even when it is difficult to do so... And it takes faith, to go forward together without knowing what the future holds for you both.

            Casey and Brian have written their vows for one another. Brian will you please say your vows to Casey.

Casey will you please read your vows to Brian.

 

Brian, do you take Casey to be your wedded wife? (I do)

Casey, do you take Brian to be your wedded husband? (I do)

 

"I Brian, give you Casey, this ring as an eternal symbol and daily reminder of my love and commitment to you."

 

 "I Casey, give you Brian, this ring as an eternal symbol and daily reminder of my love and commitment to you."

         

Will everyone please rise.

 

Will you, the cherished family and friends of Casey and Brian, witnessing these vows do all in your power to support them in their marriage, love them, and encourage their love for one another? (Guests- we will).

 

You may now sit. (Nicholette will gather stones)

 

We will now pause collect the stones that have been blessed with good fortune. (pause) The union of these stones has now symbolically joined your once separate lives. Through you, just as the stones have been combined, so now are your friends and family joined. Your once solitary life’s paths are also now one, and all that was once separate is now shared. In this sharing you both will find new strength and joy as together you forge a new life path. Stones stand the test of time. Over time they can even become stronger and more beautiful. Let these stones be a reminder and a memorial of the love, blessings and support that your family members and friends have provided you here today.  

Katherine Hepburn declared, "Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."  

 

No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that – through love and patience; through dedication and perseverance; through talking and listening, helping and supporting and believing in each other; through tenderness and laughter; through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences, and by learning to make the important things matter, and to let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as life-long partners.

 

 

Officiant wording followed by…

 

“You may now embrace and share your first kiss as husband and wife.â€

 

I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Bonidie!

 

 

Thank you sooo much for taking the time to read this!!!

[ps31]

I like it!  I liked the wording of the exchange of rings.  Very simple.

[meBonidie2be]

 

 

Originally Posted by ps31 

 

I like it!  I liked the wording of the exchange of rings.  Very simple.

 

 

Awww thanks so much!!

 

[MJKH]

Ohhh I really love it : )

 

My FI and I have always had a "thing" for seeking out special stones when we're on holidays...on our first camping trip together we found a flat stone that looks exactly like a piece of whole wheat bread (which he LOVES).  We keep it in the kitchen and I don't know how many times I've had to tell my little niece that she can't have the stone because it's special to auntie!!!  

 

I really want to incorporate something like what you're doing into our ceremony!

 

Thanks for sharing...

 

J~

[MJKH]

Casey, I read it thru again...the part at the beginning that says "many of you have given them much happiness"...personally I would take the "many of" part out, and just say to the collective group "YOU have given them much happiness..."

 

When I read it again, I kinda chuckled to myself because I wondered who in the group hasn't given you much happiness...which I'm pretty sure you don't mean to say!

[meBonidie2be]

MJKH thanks so much for the critique!!!! I need more!!!  (I had the "many of you" because there will be guests of friends that I don't know as well, but I am still going to change it)

 

 

I have always had the same obsession with cool looking rocks. I have some that I have collected from the beach and stuff, but I don't have enough for all the guests attending. Some look more like coral than rocks. It bums me out I have yet to find the perfect stones.

 

I would love more feedback!!!! feelin the time crunch.....we leave in 16 days : )

 

 

[lovepea]

Casey, I think your ceremony sounds very nice.  It isn't too long, but yet touching and personal.  I also like the stone portion, very cool.

 

[meBonidie2be]

Thank you!!

[memckinnon]

awesome thread! thank you for the ideas ladies

[britb618]

HI All! Below is my ceremony for my December 9th wedding! Our wedding song is "My first, my last my everything" by Barry White so that is why its in the vows...

 

 

Marriage Ceremony

 

Welcome

 

On behalf of Brittanee and John, I welcome you and thank you all for gathering here on this beautiful day to witness their marriage ceremony. The fact that you all have travelled such a great distance to be here today is a testament to the amazing amount of love and support they have. All of you have given them much happiness, love, warmth, and guidance through the various stages of their lives. They would like to sincerely thank you all for being here to celebrate their big day.

 

"We open this ceremony with a symbolic gift of beauty and gratitude to the women who gave the bride and groom life---their mothers."

 

then give the roses to the bride and groom who then present them to their mothers with a hug and kiss.

 

A special and respectful acknowledgement must also be made to those friends and family members who were unable to attend, or who have passed on, but whose spirit remains alive and strong in all of our hearts. (Moment of Silence).

  

Opening Prayer: Father Victor’s words

 

Reading

Officiant: Now, John and Brittanee request that Gerry and Anthony Oranges come up to say a few words. 

Big Ant:
"You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way.

Gerry:

All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married†and continued with “I will and you will and we willâ€- those late night talks that included “someday†and “somehow†and “maybeâ€- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.

Big Ant

All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.†Look at one another and remember this moment in time.

 

Gerry:
Before this moment you have been many things to one another- best friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife."

 

FATHER VICTORS Comments

 

 

VOWS

Brittanee:

I love you. You are my best friend. Today, I choose you as my husband. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle.
I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you and be your faithful wife, for all the days of my life. I am forever yours. You’re the first, the last, my every thing.

John:
I love you. You too are my best friend. Today I choose you as my wife. I promise to encourage and inspire you, to laugh with you, and to comfort you in times of sorrow and struggle. I promise to love you in good times and in bad, when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it is an effort. I promise to cherish you and to be your faithful husband for all the days of my life. I am forever yours. You’re the first, the last, my every thing.

 

HAND CEREMONY

The vows which have been exchanged are but words that are fleeting and the sound of them is soon gone. The wedding rings are an enduring symbol of the promises which have been made.

John and Brittanee, please join hands.

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 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.

Our prayer for you today is that both of you will use these hands to build a marriage where all your dreams come true.

 

Now please turn to one another and repeat after me.

 

John, with this ring, I thee wed.

 

Brittanee, with this ring, I thee wed.

 

The engagement ring is a symbol of promise and intention. Now the intention is realized and the promise fulfilled. John, place the engagement ring on Brittanee’s finger over her wedding band to symbolize that the love that brought you together will always protect and sustain your marriage.

 

Commitment of family and friends

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brittanee & John have demonstrated in your presence today, their belief in their love, and their desire to live together in matrimony. If you also believe in their love, and wish to add your blessing on their marriage today, please respond now by saying……………WE DO

And are you all willing to sustain and strengthen this marriage, by giving Brittanee and John the public commitment of your love and support, through all the ups and downs ahead of them…If you are willing, please say……….WE ARE

John, you may now kiss your Bride.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. John and Brittanee Donley!