Ceremonies
Here are two sample ceremonies to give you some inspiration for your special day. I have about 50 more ceremonies which I share with you after you have booked the date.
Wedding Ceremony
We are gathered here together in the presence of friends and family to celebrate one of life’s greatest relationships – 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.
Presentation of the Bride
Question to the Bride's Father (whoever is presenting the bride)
“Who gives this woman to be married today?” Father “I do” (or who presents this woman to be married to this man?)
Marriage
As we join 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.
Expression of Intent
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.”
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.
To the family and friends who have gathered here to witness this joining,
It is my privilege to present – Mr. & Mrs. Groom’s Name!!
Same Sex Ceremony
Words of Welcome
I am privileged to perform this ceremony today to celebrate the love you have discovered in each other.
This is the union of two individuals in heart, body, mind, and spirit,
Therefore, this marriage is not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, honestly, and deliberately.
And it is into this union that Spouse1 and Spouse2 come now to be joined.
You have made the decision to commit yourselves to one another for the rest of your lives.
The Expression of Intent
Spouse1 you have chosen Spouse2 to be your husband/wife. 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? “I will"
Spouse2 you have chosen Spouse1 to be your husband/wife. 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? “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 marriage together? (Answer: “We do”)
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.
Spouse2, please repeat after me as you put the ring on Spouse1’s finger.
Spouse1, 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 marry you.
Spouse1, please repeat after me as you put the ring on Spouse2’s finger.
Spouse2, 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 marry you.
Love
Love can be one of the most meaningful experiences that comes to any human being. At its best it reduces our selfishness, deepens our understandings, and gives value to life, far beyond what words can describe.
The institution of marriage is a public recognition of the private experience of love and a dedication of love's greatest purposes in life. Two people in love live within the embrace of all humanity. The greatest intimacy between two people in love need not diminish, but can strengthen the individuality of each partner.
Declaration of Marriage
Spouse1 and Spouse2, 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 married.
You may seal your vows with a kiss.