The Gathering and Welcome
We are here together this morning in this place of ancient power to celebrate love.
We see it in the faces of Kim and Nicholas who stand before us, and we experience it in our own hearts as well. Their love is powerful enough to withstand time and circumstance, and their union is one of two human souls joined together to strengthen each other throughout their lifetime. What greater joy is there than to travel side by side with a companion? What greater comfort on this earth is there than knowing that your home is always at the side of your beloved?
Much wisdom concerning marriage has come our way through all paths of belief and from many cultures. Our wish is that the words and spirit of our gathering may be filled with a single truth that will deepen with the years. And we hope, too, that the meaning of the vows that Kim and Nicholas are about to share will also deepen as they continue to discover the infinite possibilities of life together.
Love is stronger than conflicts, more radiant than the glare of public opinion, and always a miracle to be treasured by the human heart. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing. Without love, death has no redemption. Love is greater than Life, mightier than Death, the soul of Creation, and the salvation of Earth.
The Consent
Nicholas, do you take Kim to be your companion? To love her, to cherish her, and to honor her with your heart's devotion?
[Nicholas: I do]
Kim, do you take Nicholas to be your companion? To love him, to cherish him, and to honor him your heart's devotion?
[Kim: I do.]
The Vows
Please join hands, face one another, and repeat after me:
[Nicholas] Kim, you are my partner, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, in darkness and in light, to share our lives together, from this day forward.
[Kim] Nicholas, you are my partner, to love and to cherish, to have and to hold, for richer for poorer, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, in darkness and in light, to share our lives together, from this day forward. Above you will be stars, below you will be stones. Be constant as the stars, and make the stones a path to new and better days.
Exchanging Rings
What tokens of your love have you brought for each other?
[Kim and Nicholas] These rings.
May these rings be blessed as a symbol of your unity. Your two lives are joined today in an unbroken circle. Wherever you go, may you always return to one another in your togetherness. May you know in one another the love for which all people yearn. May you grow in understanding and compassion. May these rings symbolize the touch of the spirit that is love.
Nicholas, place the ring on Kim's left hand, and repeat after me:
[Nicholas] Kim, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
Kim, place the ring on Nicholas's left hand, and repeat after me:
[Kim] Nicholas, I give you this ring as a pledge of my love, and a symbol of our unity.
Unity Ceremony
It is written that love suffers long and is kind. Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, and is not proud. Love rejoices in the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, accepts all things. Love never fails, even when we do.
The old ones say, mingle your breath with mine that we may walk this earth as one. Mingle your heart with mine, that we may live and love as one.
If we learn no more of life, let it be this: The law of life is love unto all beings. The love of a man and woman is home. The love of the family is sanctuary. It endures if a loved one falters, and strengthens all in times of weakness.
We think of [children's names] as we begin the handbinding.
Kim and Nicholas, please place your left hands on top of each other.
(Caryn binds their hands.)
Blessed is the tie that binds, and blessed are the hands that hold each other until the end of life together on this earth. Fill your hands with good work, and your hearts with good thoughts and your family will be your joy. May your hearts be joined always to each other, as your hands are now, and the strength of these souls give power to one love.
Benediction
The Apaches say, 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 to 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 is only one life before you. May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through all the years.
May happiness be your companion and your days together be good and long upon the earth. And if each of you takes responsibility for the quality of your life together, it will be marked by abundance and delight.
Declaration
Kim and Nicholas, you have promised together before this gathering to love each other and join your lives. You are united in love and in marriage.
By the power vested in me, and with your mutual consent, I pronounce you husband and wife together, now and for all your days. Please seal your promises with a kiss.
Introduction
It is my pleasure to introduce Kim and Nicholas [name]. Congratulations, and have a long and wonderful life.
Let the celebration begin!
Recessional
©
2005, Jody Serey