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Your ceremony is an unforgettable celebration of love.
I specialize in helping you to create the special and personal wedding/civil union ceremony and vow renewals that reflect your wishes, experiences and interests.
You will want to decide exactly what type of ceremony you want: large or small, formal or casual. You may want the ceremony to be laced with tradition; to be filled with the personal touches that show the qualities and individualities of the two of you. You may know exactly what you want, but if not, I can provide some direction. As we work together, we will create a ceremony that you and your guests will remember and cherish.
ASK ME for my PowerPoint presentation of Gazebos and Other excellent sites in Fairfield County. Let me know if you need it in another format.
I perform civil ceremonies in English, Spanish or French, but if you would like a prayer, that can be included.
Here is a sample of some wedding vow and vows for a civil union. In bi-lingual ceremonies, a family member can participate if you like by reading the ceremonial words in another language.
Wedding Ceremony
We are gathered here together in the presence of friends and family to celebrate one of life's greatest relationships - the mystical union between man and woman which we call marriage.
Marriage is the celebration of one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and we all wish to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Groom and Bride in marriage.
Question to Bride's Father
"Who gives this woman to be married today?" Father "I do"
As we join together Groom and Bride in this marriage, let us search our hearts for the wisdom of this covenant, which has from ancient times been expressed with those ideas that come from the heart. Ideas like love, loyalty, trust, fidelity, and forgiveness. Let us also decide to share our knowledge of these things with them as they start this journey together.
Groom and Bride, I would ask that you both remember to treat yourself and each other with respect, and remind yourself often of what brought you together today.
Give the highest priority to the tenderness, gentleness and kindness that your marriage deserves. When frustration and difficulty assail your marriage - as they do to every relationship at one time or another - focus on what still seems right between you, not only the part that seems wrong. This way, when clouds of trouble hide the sun in your lives and you lose sight of it for a moment, you can remember that the sun is still there. And if each of you will take responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Into this holy estate these two people come now to be joined together.
If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully married, speak now or forever hold your peace!
Vows
Groom, do you take Bride to be your Wife? "I do"
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect her, forsaking all others and holding only unto her forevermore? "I do"
Bride, do you take Groom to be your Husband? "I do"
Do you promise to love, honor, cherish and protect him, forsaking all others and holding only unto him forevermore? "I do"
Repeated Vows
Will you please face each other and join hands,
Groom, will you repeat after me? The ring (Bride's for Groom)
"I, Groom, take thee, Bride to be my Wife- To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow and I promise my love to you."
"Bride, wear this ring as a symbol of my never ending commitment and devotion. As it encircles your finger this day, let it be a reminder that my love encircles our lives together forever."
"I vow to be the sun on your rainiest days, the supporter of your hopes and dreams, the father of your children, and your life long friend and companion."
Bride, will you repeat after me? The ring (Groom's for Bride)
"I, Bride, take thee Groom, to be my Husband. To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, in joy and sorrow, and I promise my love to you."
"Groom, wear this ring as a symbol of my never ending commitment and devotion. As it encircles your finger this day, let it be a reminder that my love encircles our lives together forever"
"I vow to be the sun on your rainiest days, the supporter of your hopes and dreams, the mother of your children, and your life long friend and companion."
Groom and Bride as the two of you come into this marriage uniting you as husband and wife, and as you this day affirm your faith and love for one another, I would ask that you always remember to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, that you respect the thoughts, ideas and suggestions of one another.
Be able to forgive, do not hold grudges, and live each day that you may share it together - as from this day forward you shall be each other's home, comfort and refuge, your marriage strengthened by your love and respect for each other.
Just as two threads woven in opposite directions will form a most beautiful tapestry, so too can your two lives merged together make a beautiful marriage. To make your relationship work will take love. This is the core of your marriage and why you are here today. It will take trust, to know in your hearts that you truly want the best for each other. It will take dedication, to stay open to one another - and to learn and grow together. It will take faith, to go forward together without knowing exactly what the future brings. And it will take commitment, to hold true to the journey you both pledge today to share together.
Pronouncement
Groom and Bride, in so much as the two of you have agreed to live together in Matrimony, have promised your love for each other by these vows, the joining of your hands and the giving of these rings, in accordance with the law of Connecticut and by virtue of the authority vested in me by the law of Connecticut,
I do pronounce you Husband and Wife.
Congratulations, you may kiss your bride.
You came to me as two single people and you will now leave as a married couple, united to each other by the binding contract you have just entered. Your cares, your worries, your pleasures and your joys you must share with each other. I wish the best of good fortune to both of you.
To the family and friends who have gathered here to witness this joining,
It is my privilege to present - Mr. & Mrs. Groom's Name!!
CIVIL UNION
Words of welcome
I have the privilege of performing this ceremony today.
On behalf of (Partner 1) and (Partner 2), welcome
and thank you for being here.
They are thrilled that you are here today to share in their joy during this wonderful moment in their lives.
By your presence, you celebrate with them the love they have discovered in each other and you support their decision to commit themselves to one another for the rest of their lives.
The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves.
If there is anything better than being loved, it is loving.
Today we are here to celebrate love.
We come together to witness and proclaim the joining together of these two persons.
God does not make a love that is wrong.
This is the union of two individuals in heart, body, mind, and spirit,
Therefore, a civil union is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, honestly, and deliberately. And it is into this union that (Partner 1) and (Partner 2) come now to be joined.
Reading
Now a reading that express the sense of joy and love on this occasion. It is called 'To My Friend':
I love you not only for what you are, but for what
I am when I am with you. I love
you not only for what you have made of yourself,
but for what you are making of
me. I love you because you have done more
than any creed could have done to
make me good, and more than any fate could
have done to make me happy. You
have done it without a touch, without a word,
without a sign. You have done it by
being yourself. Perhaps that is what being a friend means, after all.
Second a reading from the Bible written by St Paul who writes:
Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude.
Love does not insist on its own way; it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, love never gives up... Three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
The expression of intent
(Partner 1) you have chosen (Partner 2) to be your life partner. Will you love and respect him/her? Will you be honest with him/her always? Will you stand by him/her through whatever may come? (Answer: “I will”)
(Partner 2) you have chosen Partner 1) to be your life partner. Will you love and respect him/her? Will you be honest with him/her always? Will you stand by him/her
through what ever may come? (Answer: “I will”)
And do you both promise to make the necessary adjustments in your personal lives in order that you may live in a harmonious relationship together? (Answer: “We do”)
The affirmation of family and friends
Now in the spirit of joy and affirmation, I want to ask your families and friends a question.
Do you, the families and friends of (Partner 1) and (Partner 2), give them your blessing and support this day, wishing them a wonderful life together? (Answer: “We do”)
The Exchange of vows
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), now we come to your vows. May I remind you that saying your vows are one thing but nothing is more challenging than living them day-by-day.
What you promise today must be renewed tomorrow and each day that stretches out before you. Will you now please turn and face each other and hold hands, looking at each other.
(Partner 1), please repeat after me:
In the presence of (God and) our family and friends, I (Partner 1) choose you (Partner 2) to be my life partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, to love and to cherish, and to be faithful to you alone. This is my solemn vow.
Now (Partner 2), please repeat after me:
In the presence of (God and) our family and friends, I (Partner 2) choose you (Partner 1) to be my life partner, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, in joy and in
sorrow, to love and to cherish, and to be faithful to you alone.
This is my solemn vow.
Rings
May I have the rings please.
(Partner 1), I give you this ring, that you may wear it, as a symbol of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love, and respect, my laughter and my tears.
With all that I am, I honor you.
(Partner 2), I give you this ring, that you may wear it, as a symbol of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love, and respect, my laughter and my tears.
With all that I am, I honor you.
Affirmation of the Union
Now may those who wear these rings live in love all their days. Now may the love, which has brought you together, continue to grow and enrich your lives.
May you continue to meet with courage any problems, which may arise to challenge you.
May your relationship always be one of love and trust.
May the happiness you share today be with you always.
And may everything you have said and done here today become a living truth in your lives.
Declaration of Commitment
(Partner 1) and (Partner 2), we have heard your promise to share your lives.
We recognize and respect the covenant you have made here this day before (God and) each one of us as witnesses.
Therefore in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today and by the power vested in me by the state of Connecticut, it is my honor and delight to
declare you Partners in Life...for life.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
Introduction of the couple
It is now my personal privilege and great joy to be the first one to introduce (Partner
1) and (Partner 2) as Partners in Life... for life.
Please greet them warmly.
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VERY SHORT Civil Union Ceremony
Words of Welcome
I am privileged to perform this ceremony today to
celebrate the love you have discovered in each other.
You have made the decision to commit
yourselves to one another for the rest of your lives.
This is the union of two individuals in heart, body, mind, and spirit,
Therefore, this union is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, honestly, and deliberately.
And it is into this union that Partner 2 and Partner 1 come now to be joined.
The Expression of Intent
Partner 2 you have chosen Partner 1 to be your life partner. Will you love and respect him/her? Will you be honest with him/er always? Will you stand by him/her through whatever may come? (Answer: “I will”)
Partner 1 you have chosen Partner 2 to be your life partner. Will you love and respect him/her? Will you be honest with him/her always? Will you stand by him/her
through what ever may come? (Answer: “I will”)
The Exchange of Rings
What you promise today must be renewed tomorrow and each day that stretches out before you.
May I have the rings, please?
Partner 1, please repeat after me as you put the ring on Partner 2’s finger.
Partner 2, I give you this ring, that you may wear it, as a symbol of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love, and respect, my laughter and my tears.
With all that I am, I honor you. With this ring, I join my life with yours.
Partner 2, please repeat after me as you put the ring on Partner 1’s finger.
Partner 1, I give you this ring, that you may wear it, as a symbol of the vows we have made this day. I pledge you my love, and respect, my laughter and my tears.
With all that I am, I honor you. With this ring, I join my life with yours.
Now may those who wear these rings live in love all their days. Now may the love, which has brought you together, continue to grow and enrich your lives.
Declaration of Commitment
Partner 2 and Partner 1, You have promised to share your lives.
In respect of the covenant you have made here this day.
And in the honesty and sincerity of what you have said and done here today, by the power vested in me by the state of Connecticut, it is my honor and delight to declare you
Partners in Life...for Life.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.
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Making your ceremony the BEST, I can is my joy!
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