Greetings
Welcome everyone. What a wonderful day for a wedding!
Who comes with Lori today as she is married to Rich?
[Tom] Her brother, Tom.
We are here today as a community of family and friends to be with Lori and
Rich as they stand together to be married.
It is a wonderful moment to be together as Lori and Rich exchange their vows.
We feel the happiness in the love that they have found in each other, and
honor their decision to commit their lives to each other and to the path that
lies before them.
As Lori and Rich enter into marriage, they do so with faith and reverence.
They give thanks for the past, which has brought them here together, and look
forward with hope to the future.
Marriage is the ultimate covenant between two people. This closeness does
not diminish as loves grows older, but strengthens with the wisdom and experience
of each person. Our wish for you today is that what you feel in your heart
this very moment be only a glimmer of how you will feel when you look back
on your long life together with your family. Lori and Rich, true love is not
the happy ending to your story, because true love has no ending.
Declaration of Consent
Today you come before us as an outward sign of a sacred and inward commitment.
We are once again reminded that the joy in marriage comes from respect, honesty,
and trust. There is nothing on earth worth more than the gift of love.
Rich, do you come here today in the presence of God and these witnesses, with
love in your heart and the desire to be united in marriage with Lori? Do you
promise to share the burdens and the blessings of your life together and to
give Lori the encouragement she needs to become the woman she is destined
to be?
[Rich] I do.
Lori, do you come here today in the presence of God and these witnesses, with
love in your heart and the desire to be united in marriage with Rich? Do you
promise to share the burdens and the blessings of your life together and to
give Rich the encouragement he needs to become the man he is destined to be?
[Lori] I do.
Blessing and Exchange of Rings
May I have the rings, please?
The circle is a sign of unity. Without end, it flows perfectly from any point
where it begins.
Your rings are reminders of the perfection and endurance of your commitment
and love for each other. I ask God to bless these rings, that they may represent
the unending love and union of Lori and Rich. Please comfort them when times
are difficult and remind them of the love they feel today. There is only one
pathway to Heaven. On Earth, we call it love.
Rich, will you please make your vows to your bride?
[Rich] Lori, for as long as we’ve been together, you’ve shown me
the patience, and faith, and love you hold in your heart for me.
You never tried to change me into someone that you wanted me to be. You let
me be myself, to maintain my own identity. Without question, you have always
been my friend as well as my lover.
You have always been understanding, and patient, and helpful with each decision
made to handle every challenge, situation, or obstacle that has been presented
to us on this journey we find ourselves on. Even when it meant leaving many
of our friends and family behind. They were sometimes out of sight, but never
out of our minds or hearts.
For these things, and for the things I didn’t say but hold deep in my
heart, I ask you today, before God and friends and family, to be my wife.
I promise to love you, to honor and respect you for the person you are, and
to always be your friend.
(Rich places ring on Lori’s finger)
Lori, will you please make your vows to your groom?
[Lori] Rich, a long time ago, someone asked me what I thought love was. At
that particular moment in time, I didn’t have an answer. But since then,
I’ve had a long time to think about it. I’ve come to realize that
love comes naturally. It is without judgment or condition. It may also have
different facets, such as the love of a pet, a friend of a friend, sister
of brother, brother of sister, parent of child, child of parent, grandparent
of grandchild, grandchild of grandparent. The love of being IN LOVE. The love
of God.
I truly believe that God gave me a gift when He brought you into my life,
for I’ve been able to experience all of these loves through you and with
you. I’ve been blessed by your kind and generous heart, and have watched
it make an impact on so many lives.
With love in my heart today, I take you as my husband. In good times, I’ll
rejoice with you. In difficult times, I’ll give you my support. I promise
to be true to you for eternity and when the time comes and death parts us,
I believe our love will continue on – forever, forever; always and always.
(Lori places ring on Rich’s finger)
Unity Ceremony
Lori and Rich, you have sealed your commitment by the exchange of vows and
the giving and receiving of rings. Your relationship is now like these containers
of sand, one representing you Lori, and you Rich, and all that you were apart
from each other. From this moment forward as you pour your lives together,
you will mingle the grains of sand until they can no longer be separated.
You are now one vessel with many tiny particles, and together you will create
something that will never be parted again.
Benediction
Spring and the season of Easter celebrate new life, and today we celebrate
the beginning of a new life for Lori and Rich. Love and life are forever linked,
as you both are today.
Let us offer our thanks for this joyful time by joining together in the Lord’s
Prayer. Will you please join hands as we pray the words together?
Our Father, Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever.
Amen.
Rich and Lori, we look on you on the day of your marriage, on the day of the
joy of your hearts. By stating your vows you have declared your commitment
to each other and have had it witnessed by God and this community. By the
power invested in me, I hereby declare that you are husband and wife together,
now and for all of your days.
I invite you to share the first kiss of your new life!
It is both an honor and a privilege to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Dobbs. Congratulations,
Rich and Lori!
© 2004, Jody Serey